Solved Don't update to Windows 8 at this time

Jimfof1913

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I upgraded my Windows 7 to Windows 8 Pro and have had nothing but problems ever since. Programs that ran fine under Win 7 won't even load under Win 8. Programs like Internet Explorer won't load and even when you get it to load you will have multiple instances of it running. Windows Live Mail stopped completely. Could not repair it or reinstall it. Program just hangs. I have kept up with all Windows updates., reboot my system EVERY day and still the problems persists. I know everyone is going to say to perform a clean install but I have too many 3rd party programs installed to risk blowing them away without knowing if the clean install will fix these problems.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    Intel Pentium 2.70Ghz
    Motherboard
    unk
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    unk
    Screen Resolution
    1930x1080
    Keyboard
    Wireless
    Mouse
    Wireless
    Internet Speed
    25Mbs
I know everyone is going to say to perform a clean install but I have too many 3rd party programs installed to risk blowing them away without knowing if the clean install will fix these problems

Upgrade the 3rd party programs to Windows 8 versions.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
I upgraded my Windows 7 to Windows 8 Pro and have had nothing but problems ever since. Programs that ran fine under Win 7 won't even load under Win 8. Programs like Internet Explorer won't load and even when you get it to load you will have multiple instances of it running. Windows Live Mail stopped completely. Could not repair it or reinstall it. Program just hangs. I have kept up with all Windows updates., reboot my system EVERY day and still the problems persists. I know everyone is going to say to perform a clean install but I have too many 3rd party programs installed to risk blowing them away without knowing if the clean install will fix these problems.
Did you run the upgrade assistant before upgrading? You still can do so; might provide you with some useful info related to fixes. You can run sfc /scannow to try to eliminate corruption that may be affecting you (may need to run multiple times--say 3). Of course, do what theog says.

If, after doing these things, you still have significant problems, they I suppose you could try creating a new user account of the same type with which you typically login. Copy everything you will need to the new account (from C: > Users > Old User Account) if the new account works. Then, delete the old account. You can go back to the original user name similarly. Before you do so, make sure that deleting the original user account also deleted that user's folder in C: > Users. Sometimes this folder does not get deleted. If not, then going back to the original user name creates a minor only superficial "problem." To delete the folder, you may have to take ownership. I would not go back the original user name using any other procedure.

I don't expect the things mentioned above to solve all your problems. If what you are left with is not satisfactory, then it looks to me like clean-install time.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
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    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
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    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
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    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
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    EVGA 570 SC
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    Gateway
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    Dual Boot:
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    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
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    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
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    Cooler Master 932 HAF
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    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
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    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
While I'm not fond of the new metro interface (for me, it's ClassicShell for the start menu and sticking to the traditional desktop interface), overall I find Windows 8 to be a worthwhile upgrade--and I'm running it on 5-6 yr old PCs. It feels like an enhanced Win7, and definitely performs better on my old boxes than Win7--for me at least.

I experienced none of the trouble the OP cited, but I did clean installs (not a fan of dirty upgrades, I do a system restore with disk imaging software at least once per year.) That said, when I installed the release preview on one of my machines, I did an in-place upgrade (7 ultimate to 8 pro), and didn't have any problems like those described here either.

Regardless, it doesn't sound like Win8 is necessarily the problem in this case, imo. While there are valid reasons to dislike Win8, I certainly haven't noticed any serious compatibility issues like the OP, and I wouldn't discourage anyone from upgrading.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 530
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
    Motherboard
    stock
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GT430
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M SSD + spinners
I stopped reading @ "i upgraded", OP, do a clean install and see if you still have issues.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3570 @ 3.4GHZ
    Motherboard
    Lenovo Mahobay
    Memory
    16.0GB Dual-Channel DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 2GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG L192WS
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 Pro
    Seagate ST31000524AS
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    Corsair HX620
    Case
    Thermaltake V4
    Cooling
    CoolerMaster Hyper212+
    Keyboard
    Dell SK-8115
    Mouse
    Razer Copperhead
    Internet Speed
    100Mbit up/dn
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    MSE (Built-In Windows 8)
Hi there
C'mon Guys --some of this sounds absolute TOSH. (OP's comments).
Since when does IE NOT work with ANY version of Windows.

I just can't believe 99% of the whines and grumbles currently on the Forum with W8.

It installs fast -- much faster and easier than any previous Ms OS, and with a little bit of effort you can make it look and behave almost EXACTLY like W7 if you want.

There are some issues such as lack of customisation with Metro / application tiles - but you NEVER have to use metro if you don't want to.

As for multiple instances of IE running --what exactly do you mean by that -- if you start another instance of course it will open another window -- but if you really only want a single instance just open a new tab. You never have to use the Metro version of IE -- the normal version works just like it's always done.

So on the one hand you say IE doesn't load, but now you also complain about multiple instances of IE !!!! - I don't think I'd trust your reliability as a witness in a court case somehow.

In any case upgrading to a brand new OS is not the best way of installing it --you should do a NEW install -- although upgrade usually does work unless you have a highly customised system with some really specialized hardware.

I just cannot believe some of the comments I'm reading recently on the Forums.

Can't we move the general gripes about W8 to some specific thread and get back to what I imagine the general purpose of the Forums are -- to help people install / fix problems with W8 and discuss various issues such as how to make programs work, hardware / software / suggestion etc.

Seems to me on a W8 Forum to say DON'T Update to W8 without giving a sensible list of problems - most of which could easily be solved - doesn't seem to be anything other than trolling .

Would you sign up to a Harley Bikers forum and then within in your first twenty five ever posts to that forum say -- Harley's -- what a load of rubbish.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
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    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Can't we move the general gripes about W8 to some specific thread and get back to what I imagine the general purpose of the Forums are -- to help people install / fix problems with W8 and discuss various issues such as how to make programs work, hardware / software / suggestion etc.

Great suggestion Jimbo!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro w/Media Center, Windows RT
I vote for that too.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Agree with the last three posts, it's time to get to the solving problems part of W8, it's the problem solving that most of us enjoy helping to accomplish.

Jimfof1913, it looks like your upgrade didn't install correctly.
Run the repairs suggested in post #3 by znod, ask any questions you may have.
I alway clean install and have not had any serious issues. With a bit more information we can help you to get it stable.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64/ Windows 7 Ult x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    76~2.0
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3570K 4.6GHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-Z77X UD3H f18
    Memory
    8GB (2X4GB) DDR3 1600 CORSAIR Vengeance CL8 1.5v
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD 7770 Vapor-X 1GB DDR5
    Sound Card
    Onboard VIA VT2021
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LCD Dell SP2208WFP
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Samaung 840Pro 128GB, Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb, Seagate 1TB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb,
    PSU
    Corsair HX650W
    Case
    Cooler Master Storm Scout
    Cooling
    Corsair H80 w/Noctua NF P12 12cm fan, case fans 2X14cm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave
    Mouse
    CM Sentinel
    Internet Speed
    Abysmal
    Browser
    Opera Next
    Other Info
    Dell Venue 8Pro: Baytrail Z3740D, 2GB Ram, 64GB HDD, 8" IPS Display 1280 x 800, Active Stylus.
    Haswell laptop: HP Envy 17t-j, i7-4700MQ, GeForce 740M 2GB DDR3, 17.3" Full HD 1920x1080, 16GB RAM, Samsung 840 Pro 128GB, 1TB Hitachi 7200 HDD,
    Desktop: eSATA ports,
    External eSATA Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm,
it's time to get to the solving problems part of Windows 8, it's the problem solving that most of us enjoy helping to accomplish.
Your best bet is to install a fresh new copy of Windows 8. Don't even try to repair it even it will work after repair but it will never be as good as it's supposed to be. Who knows what kind of garbage, outdated drivers, registry entry were carried over from Windows 7 and will cause problem later on ???

If you decide to do a clean install. Here's the steps you need to do:


  1. Copy the Windows Live Mail folder under: C:\Users\(User Name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail to a USB stick or external Hard Drive so that you can restore all your mail accounts, messages etc..
  2. Download www.belarc.com/free_download.html. install and run it, it will give you a report in HTML format about your PC's hardware and software. It will also list all your Windows 8, 3rd party software Product Key, registration info, Serial etc... Print a copy of this report so you can reinstall the 3rd party software later
  3. Backup your personal Data to an external HD
  4. Connect an Internet cable to your PC then install a fresh copy of Windows 8. This should take between 10-20 minutes depending on the speed of your PC.
  5. After the PC reboot, check for Windows Update and let it does its thing. Sometimes Windows update cannot update all at once before certain updates have been installed, you need to check again until Windows update has no more updates.
  6. Install Windows live Mail 2012. After the installation finished, do not run it yet but copy the mail folder you had in step 1 to the same folder in your PC. Run Windows Live Mail, you should have everything back as before.
  7. Install your 3rd party software one by one by right click on the installer and Run as Admin, test it for compatibility before installing the next one. In case you have problem installing it, right click on the installer and set it to Windows 7 compatibility mode.

Hope this helps. ;)
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
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    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
I also don't recommend upgrading, but I was lazy. So I did it. Yes, there are some issues. It doesnt seem to like Chrome very well, so I am using FireFox at the moment. IE 10 works just fine. But I keep my system clean and in tip top shape all the time. If windows 8 is having fits on a system, I would look at updating drivers. check event viewer, and go from there.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 7 home premium 64bit
I found that by rebooting my PC every day the problems I originally stated went away. For those of you who think I'm some novice, I have used every version of Windows but Windows ME so I think I'm fairly competent to state problems I've encountered.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    Intel Pentium 2.70Ghz
    Motherboard
    unk
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    unk
    Screen Resolution
    1930x1080
    Keyboard
    Wireless
    Mouse
    Wireless
    Internet Speed
    25Mbs
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