Solved Windows 8.1 upgrade

[Peter2]

I am sorry. At 74 I guess I had a senior moment.

Power User is a badge not a username.

>>You and I are the same age, almost. Peter

 

[alphanumeric]

You don't have to be over 65 to have a senior moment, trust me.

 

[Peter2]

Good enough. I am glad you have sense of humor, alphanumeric.

Btw,I was asking if I can suggest a program or if mentioning a specific one violates rules.
Perhaps someone will browse this post and answer this for me.
You do not image. May I ask what you do to protect yourself in case of problems or in place of imaging.
I am always looking to learn.
Peter

I keep my data like documents, pictures and music on a second partition or drive. If Windows tanks I just reinstall leaving the Data drive alone. It's all backed up to external media and stored on more than one PC so I'm not in much danger of losing anything even if a drive fails. I cam clean install Windows and have my system running in a couple of hours. Lately my reinstalls have been upgrades from 7 to 8 and 8 to 8.1 so an image wouldn't have helped anyway. I just never got into the imaging thing.

>>I see. I know someone who has duplicate flash drives for data and a second pc for the information they need.
To each his own. I used to envy those who imaged and I never could so I gave it a shot with a licensed program which really helped me. I don't have much luck with VMs so when I fiddle I need to be able to recover. I now have 2 external drives and each of 2 pcs are imaged to each of them in case of failure. The paid brand stopped at 2010 so I started using a free one and it has not failed me yet. I have imaged about 20 times over the years and it saved my bacon. I wish I were more techy like you. I watch YouTube about partitioning, i.e., shrink, simple volume etc. I will learn it someday.
I wonder if backing up is the same as imaging as far as packets and recovery goes. Anyway, thank you for your insight.Peter

 

[Peter2]

I was reading a post from Brink and in one of them they talked about a free one version 5.0 I am looking into it.

Good enough. I am glad you have sense of humor, alphanumeric.

Btw,I was asking if I can suggest a program or if mentioning a specific one violates rules.
Perhaps someone will browse this post and answer this for me.
You do not image. May I ask what you do to protect yourself in case of problems or in place of imaging.
I am always looking to learn.
Peter

>>>I am glad you found the names of programs I wanted to give you. My favorite begins with an M.
Good luck -Peter

 

[alphanumeric]

Good enough. I am glad you have sense of humor, alphanumeric.

Btw,I was asking if I can suggest a program or if mentioning a specific one violates rules.
Perhaps someone will browse this post and answer this for me.
You do not image. May I ask what you do to protect yourself in case of problems or in place of imaging.
I am always looking to learn.
Peter

I keep my data like documents, pictures and music on a second partition or drive. If Windows tanks I just reinstall leaving the Data drive alone. It's all backed up to external media and stored on more than one PC so I'm not in much danger of losing anything even if a drive fails. I cam clean install Windows and have my system running in a couple of hours. Lately my reinstalls have been upgrades from 7 to 8 and 8 to 8.1 so an image wouldn't have helped anyway. I just never got into the imaging thing.

>>I see. I know someone who has duplicate flash drives for data and a second pc for the information they need.
To each his own. I used to envy those who imaged and I never could so I gave it a shot with a licensed program which really helped me. I don't have much luck with VMs so when I fiddle I need to be able to recover. I now have 2 external drives and each of 2 pcs are imaged to each of them in case of failure. The paid brand stopped at 2010 so I started using a free one and it has not failed me yet. I have imaged about 20 times over the years and it saved my bacon. I wish I were more techy like you. I watch YouTube about partitioning, i.e., shrink, simple volume etc. I will learn it someday.
I wonder if backing up is the same as imaging as far as packets and recovery goes. Anyway, thank you for your insight.Peter

I do my installs from USB thumb drives. Way faster than from a DVD. All my drivers are on another thumb drive. And another with office etc. My laptop has 2 SSD drives in it. A 128 GB drive for Windows and a 256 GB drive for Data. I put the original 750 GB spinner that came in it in an external USB 3 enclosure for backup. I can almost install windows with my eyes closed. That's not because I think I'm that smart, its just because I've done it so many times. I'm the goto guy for family and friends when they have screwed up their system.

 

[lfchisholm]

Just completed the download from the UK. Browsing and watching the video's.
right now I use nero 12 to create DVD's in backing up all my files.
so far I have always been able to rebuild my system and not lose any important data.

I was reading a post from Brink and in one of them they talked about a free one version 5.0 I am looking into it.

Good enough. I am glad you have sense of humor, alphanumeric.

Btw,I was asking if I can suggest a program or if mentioning a specific one violates rules.
Perhaps someone will browse this post and answer this for me.
You do not image. May I ask what you do to protect yourself in case of problems or in place of imaging.
I am always looking to learn.
Peter

>>>I am glad you found the names of programs I wanted to give you. My favorite begins with an M.
Good luck -Peter

 

[Peter2]

ways to backup

"I do my installs from USB thumb drives. Way faster than from a DVD. All my drivers are on another thumb drive. And another with office etc. My laptop has 2 SSD drives in it. A 128 GB drive for Windows and a 256 GB drive for Data. I put the original 750 GB spinner that came in it in an external USB 3 enclosure for backup. I can almost install windows with my eyes closed. That's not because I think I'm that smart, its just because I've done it so many times. I'm the goto guy for family and friends when they have screwed up their system."

>>That is quite a system you have but you do not have to depend upon downloads. I just put Office on removable as my pc only accepts 64 bit and it was hard to find.
I may be wrong but I thought the goal of computers was to make things more user friendly but it seems the public is shying away from the complexities of the new operating systems and computers in general.
My gateway was installed by a tech with WEP. I am lucky I owned a previous router or would no nothing about configuring it . He said it was secure but when I opened it, the first thin I saw was system insecure'.
So poorly trained techs and increasing complexity have many people who are not too techy like me scratching their heads. Pcs are needed for faxing etc. but are not user friendly, imho.
My System Specs

 

[vrosa]

I'm almost ready for a clean install from disc. I'll move definately to 8.1 RTM !

 

[alphanumeric]

"I do my installs from USB thumb drives. Way faster than from a DVD. All my drivers are on another thumb drive. And another with office etc. My laptop has 2 SSD drives in it. A 128 GB drive for Windows and a 256 GB drive for Data. I put the original 750 GB spinner that came in it in an external USB 3 enclosure for backup. I can almost install windows with my eyes closed. That's not because I think I'm that smart, its just because I've done it so many times. I'm the goto guy for family and friends when they have screwed up their system."

>>That is quite a system you have but you do not have to depend upon downloads. I just put Office on removable as my pc only accepts 64 bit and it was hard to find.
I may be wrong but I thought the goal of computers was to make things more user friendly but it seems the public is shying away from the complexities of the new operating systems and computers in general.
My gateway was installed by a tech with WEP. I am lucky I owned a previous router or would no nothing about configuring it . He said it was secure but when I opened it, the first thin I saw was system insecure'.
So poorly trained techs and increasing complexity have many people who are not too techy like me scratching their heads. Pcs are needed for faxing etc. but are not user friendly, imho.
My System Specs

I have office on a thumb drive, I have just about everything on thumb drives. About the only thing I download to install is flash player or java and other windows updates.

 

[Peter2]

This is so coincidental. I just got a post from someone who had 8 and loved it but hates 8.1.
I guess we each have to find out for ourselves.

 

[lfchisholm]

Peter2
If I could ask a question on Imaging please. Just purchased a 1T usb external hard drive usb 3.0
I have Brink's notes on doing creating a image of the system and hoping to use it. Also on the free
software would it treat say drive H if that is the usb port being used for the external and allow creating
images and also to do a restore from that drive with the specified image file?
Plan to try and create and restore after the month end closes and other tasks are completed.
Larry

 

[vrosa]

I'm almost ready for a clean install from disc. I'll move definately to 8.1 RTM !

Installed and working like a charm ! Good move !

 

[Hopachi]

I'm almost ready for a clean install from disc. I'll move definately to 8.1 RTM !

Installed and working like a charm ! Good move !

Welcome to 8.1 Vlad!

It's a good release compared to 8.0. :thumb:

We're on the same (software) boat.

 

[lfchisholm]

Peter2
If I could ask a question on Imaging please. Just purchased a 1T usb external hard drive usb 3.0
I have Brink's notes on doing creating a image of the system and hoping to use it. Also on the free
software would it treat say drive H if that is the usb port being used for the external and allow creating
images and also to do a restore from that drive with the specified image file?
Plan to try and create and restore after the month end closes and other tasks are completed.
Larry

Do you image? If so, try to label and keep each version of Windows you have running.

 

[Peter2]

Ifchisholm

I will give you the best I can but remember everyone does it differently. Some use increments, schedules etc..
I am basic as when I have a problem I just recover from my external drive and I am as I was before the trouble. If you have passwords and banking stuff in the pc try to put it all on 2 separate flash drives - 2 so if one fails the other works. It is only a suggestion and has nothing to do with recovery and image.

I install the program I will use such as Macrium. First, create the rescue disc. I think it is under 'other tasks' + use Linux.
If your external drive is 3.0 it will only have 3.0 speed if your pc has it, otherwise it will still work but at 2.0 speed which I have.
Remember this is not hard but a matter of practice. Go to Google YouTube and watch a few done.
The rest is up to you and straight forward.
I would have to do this by memory but first(close the program) go to "computer" in your pc and see what drive letter your external drive is next to the C:.
Remember it and now in the program, click on "image all local drives on this computer". Next you are trying to find the drive you want to be backed up or your source drive. Tic it. Then tic the destination drive that is in in your external drive. You are still in the program.
It may ask you to create a new folder which is ok as there is more than one way to image your system. I always include a date.
Once you have the drive you want imaged and also your destination where you want it to go, continue with next.
Don't worry about advanced as the default is what you want. The image should take about 14 minutes or so depending on the size of your drive.
When done, click to verify the image also in 'other tasks'. After another 12 minutes, the verification should say done. Close the program. In your pc go to Computer and see if the image is there in Your Book or whatever the name is.

Don't use the program to recover; use the rescue disc.
Insert the disc while tapping F12. When the right boot is set(in the blue box) like cd/dvd(top or bottom one you used) hit enter then when Macrium appears hit enter again. Wait. When it is done scrolling, open computer. If you do not see your external drive, click rescan again. When you see your image after clicking computer click on it and follow the prompts remembering you are trying to 'bring' the image from the external drive to the computer. It will wipe out all the old data and reinstall your pc as it was when you imaged it.
If you get stuck, get back to us and we will try to help you more.
Copy and paste these directions to Word so you can refer to them on another pc while doing this. If you have no home group use a flash drive to transport them to another pc.
Peter It gets easy after you do it few times.

 

[lfchisholm]

Peter2 thank you for the note and advice. My drive should be here in a couple of hours. Larry

I will give you the best I can but remember everyone does it differently. Some use increments, schedules etc..
I am basic as when I have a problem I just recover from my external drive and I am as I was before the trouble. If you have passwords and banking stuff in the pc try to put it all on 2 separate flash drives - 2 so if one fails the other works. It is only a suggestion and has nothing to do with recovery and image.

I install the program I will use such as Macrium. First, create the rescue disc. I think it is under 'other tasks' + use Linux.
If your external drive is 3.0 it will only have 3.0 speed if your pc has it, otherwise it will still work but at 2.0 speed which I have.
Remember this is not hard but a matter of practice. Go to Google YouTube and watch a few done.
The rest is up to you and straight forward.
I would have to do this by memory but first(close the program) go to "computer" in your pc and see what drive letter your external drive is next to the C:.
Remember it and now in the program, click on "image all local drives on this computer". Next you are trying to find the drive you want to be backed up or your source drive. Tic it. Then tic the destination drive that is in in your external drive. You are still in the program.
It may ask you to create a new folder which is ok as there is more than one way to image your system. I always include a date.
Once you have the drive you want imaged and also your destination where you want it to go, continue with next.
Don't worry about advanced as the default is what you want. The image should take about 14 minutes or so depending on the size of your drive.
When done, click to verify the image also in 'other tasks'. After another 12 minutes, the verification should say done. Close the program. In your pc go to Computer and see if the image is there in Your Book or whatever the name is.

Don't use the program to recover; use the rescue disc.
Insert the disc while tapping F12. When the right boot is set(in the blue box) like cd/dvd(top or bottom one you used) hit enter then when Macrium appears hit enter again. Wait. When it is done scrolling, open computer. If you do not see your external drive, click rescan again. When you see your image after clicking computer click on it and follow the prompts remembering you are trying to 'bring' the image from the external drive to the computer. It will wipe out all the old data and reinstall your pc as it was when you imaged it.
If you get stuck, get back to us and we will try to help you more.
Copy and paste these directions to Word so you can refer to them on another pc while doing this. If you have no home group use a flash drive to transport them to another pc.
Peter It gets easy after you do it few times.

 

[Peter2]

Peter2
If I could ask a question on Imaging please. Just purchased a 1T usb external hard drive usb 3.0
I have Brink's notes on doing creating a image of the system and hoping to use it. Also on the free
software would it treat say drive H if that is the usb port being used for the external and allow creating
images and also to do a restore from that drive with the specified image file?
Plan to try and create and restore after the month end closes and other tasks are completed.
Larry

Do you image? If so, try to label and keep each version of Windows you have running.

>>To know which drive letter is used, look in Computer next to C: and you will see the image or at least your image folder you create to image to.

 

[lfchisholm]

Hi Peter2 just created the rescue cd and chose the Linux however I got a bad signature error in red after selecting cddvdw from the boot sequence .
I will work on it. also will use windowspe to create rescue option.
Not to worry as the saying goes.
Larry Again thanks for all the support

 

[Peter2]

Hi Peter2 just created the rescue cd and chose the Linux however I got a bad signature error in red after selecting cddvdw from the boot sequence .
I will work on it. also will use windowspe to create rescue option.
Not to worry as the saying goes.
Larry Again thanks for all the support

>>I just want to understand the steps you have taken so I can help.
Creating the Linux disc was good and put it aside in a safe place.
I think you meant Bartpe but just use the Linux disc for now.
About boot order; you should be working on a backup before you get into the boot order.
Go back in my notes and see if you can create an image that goes from the pc to the external drive. Remember once done you can look in "Computer" to see it.

We can work on boot order after you have done and image.

The boot order is for recovery where you tap F12 with the disc in and select the place you put the disc like cd/dvd -if your pc has two cd bays you need to select the top or bottom one you have the disc in. But do the image first.

 

[lfchisholm]

Peter2; I have a hp 23in all in one which came with 8 basic. I had bought 8 pro so I used that key to add features.
1 cd/dvd burner 1T hard drive. added the external drive and it is :G right now. have usb 3.0 On the software's site they recommend windowsPE and also just downloaded a iso of it as they said it takes a long time to download as it has to download image software with it.
In your notes one of the first things is the rescue cd so I am working on trying that. I printed the notes out from word and in big letters.
Ok I will work on the image. I have browsed the program and got to setting up a folder on the G drive but didn't enter it correctly but will try again. and early in the morning I will let you know how things went.
Larry