Several problems with Windows 8.1. Should I reinstall?

CritterCreek

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I'm perplexed! Three weeks ago I bought a new laptop (Toshiba Satellite 15) and had it set up by Staples. They installed Windows 8.1. Over several days I was able to tweak the OS it into a usable state.

. . . but the laptop itself didn't work out. I exchanged it for an HP 14 n028US and ordered the same installation from Staples. Since 8.1 wasn't available in the Windows store, Staples loaded it from a flash drive they had. This time I'm noticing problems that weren't present on the Toshiba with the same W8.1:

1) Frequent IE crashes and inability to load web pages (long-running script or hang error).
2) Unable to install HP Laser Jet 1020 printer. It installed easily on the Toshiba.
3) When I increase the size of desktop icons to medium, the mouse wheel no longer works to increase text size in Windows Live Mail. I can have the mouse function or larger desktop icons, but not both.
4) When pasting from the internet into Windows Live Mail, there is a very long delay.

Why would there be this difference between the Toshiba and the HP laptops, after installing the same OS? Does this sound like a problem with the laptop or with the OS?

Should I try to solve each individual problem, or reinstall Windows 8.1? I've search for solutions for the above problems and haven't found any. I have a LOW level of technical ability. I'm reluctant to do a reinstall at Staples because I've already lost a lot of work (=money) dealing with these problems.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
I would check that all the latest drivers were installed from the HP Support download site. Insure your getting 8.1 drivers if available some hardware requires 8.1 drivers to work correctly.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
I would check that all the latest drivers were installed from the HP Support download site. Insure your getting 8.1 drivers if available some hardware requires 8.1 drivers to work correctly.

Are you referring specifically to the printer? I downloaded the driver from HP and it doesn't work. This has been reported by other users with Windows 8.1, but it did work on my Toshiba.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
I would check that all the latest drivers were installed from the HP Support download site. Insure your getting 8.1 drivers if available some hardware requires 8.1 drivers to work correctly.

Are you referring specifically to the printer? I downloaded the driver from HP and it doesn't work. This has been reported by other users with Windows 8.1, but it did work on my Toshiba.

I have no idea about that particular printer drivers the manufacture should have a solution. If updating all your divers Chipset, IRST if your running a SSD and IME. Video, audio, any special drivers for your particular Unit. If that doesn't fix you. At least you will have these downloaded and ready to install with your Clean install of the OS
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
If updating all your divers Chipset, IRST if your running a SSD and IME. Video, audio, any special drivers for your particular Unit.

Sorry, I don't have the technical knowledge to understand any of that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
If updating all your divers Chipset, IRST if your running a SSD and IME. Video, audio, any special drivers for your particular Unit.

Sorry, I don't have the technical knowledge to understand any of that.

Then you would be at the mercy of a Repair station I would recommend that you find one that is certified to work on your particular brand name computer and has a good reputation.

Staples or where every they upgraded you to 8.1 should warranty there work? Upgrading your drivers to work with a new OS would be part of the upgrade process. Your printer may or may not work under 8.1 or there may be a 8.1 driver released for it? printer install would not be part of the OS upgrade process.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
If it is an old HP printer , you might find the Vista drivers work.

I have them if you need.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I get prompted from time to time, urging me to install Windows 8.1.
I am satisfied with the way Windows 8 is working for me, so I am hesitant to fix it if it aint broke.
What are some driving reasons to download and install Windows 8.1?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C55t Series
    CPU
    Intel
    Browser
    IE & Firefox
I'm perplexed! Three weeks ago I bought a new laptop (Toshiba Satellite 15) and had it set up by Staples. They installed Windows 8.1. Over several days I was able to tweak the OS it into a usable state.

. . . but the laptop itself didn't work out. I exchanged it for an HP 14 n028US and ordered the same installation from Staples. Since 8.1 wasn't available in the Windows store, Staples loaded it from a flash drive they had. This time I'm noticing problems that weren't present on the Toshiba with the same W8.1.

I'd be wondering why 8.1 wasn't available from the store. Sounds like they didn't even run Windows update. I'd want to know what they did from the thumb drive? Have you created your recovery media? If they did a clean install you may not be able to. Did they keep said thumb drive?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
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