15 replies to this topic

[Affray]

So, I hate Windows 8 with a passion that burns inside my like a flaming golden hawk, and would very much like to get it off my laptop and install Windows 7. I believe I have also acquired a virus of some sort and it is wreaking havoc on said laptop regardless of my anti-virus scans and repairs.

 

However, I am not tech savvy enough to know what the hell I am doing, so I was hoping I could get some help on the matter.

Spleen, I believe you made a thread a while back about having to do this for some reason, so I assume you know the ins and outs of the process.

 

Basically I want to go nuclear and wipe my laptop clean, then install Windows 7.

Which I hope is a relatively simple process.

[Affray]

That seems straight forward enough.

Now I just need to get my hands on a Windows 7 installation disc and I am in business.

Any suggestions on the easiest way to do that?

I am sure I can obtain one online one way or another, but you may know the easiest way.

[Affray]

I tend to me more of a get my hands on it for free sort of guy.

[Affray]

I will weigh my options and see where it lands me.

I have seen it for no lower than like $90, which is a bit high for me.

So I may shop around and see if I can find it cheaper elsewhere.

[Wednesday]

I'm also running windows 8 right now. I've been told that is was designed for tablets not laptops.
So it's pretty useless to me. There was no start button! I had to go and install one myself.

Would love to hear how you go downgrading...may consider it for myself.

[DeadChannel]

I you don't like windows anymore, I would give a shot to a linux distro. As long as you don't have any windows specific apps that you need

I know that theres a stigma attached to linux being hard to use, but with the right distro its actually debatably easier than windows.

 

Go check out mint. 

[seakingtheonixpected]

I just got a Windows 8 laptop and while I hate the tablet like interface, you can actually change that. I got a program that puts the start menu back in and starts the computer in desktop mode so it is almost like using Windows 7.

 

I've actually never used a Windows 8 'APP' once, and I don't even want to since they apparently have to TAKE UP THE WHOLE SCREEN in order to work. and I'm always doing two things at once.

[Affray]

So I recently had a terrible time with my laptop, on top of my Windows 8 hatred.

A few weeks ago it up and decided to stop working on me without warning.

The boot manager was failing to boot.

I looked it up and the magic of the internet told me that the problem was that either the hard drive was fried, or something responsible for connecting to hard drive to the rest of the computer was fried. All I knew for certain was that when the software responsible for booting the software that runs the machine, there is a big problem.

 

So, I had to jump through a few hoops and sent my laptop off to Acer repair a few days ago.

They replaced the hard drive and everything is hunkey dorey so far, just got it back today.

I started it up, Windows 8 greeted me with its stupid face, and I immediately booted and installed Linux Mint on to my laptop.

 

So far it is decent enough.

Pretty simple to use, and a million times more convenient and appealing than shitty ass Windows 8.

If any of you fine folk have any tips or pointers that will make my Linux experience flow a little smoother, it would be greatly appreciated.

[Sethre]

I know I'm late to the party, but if your just looking for the Windows 7 feel then you can download the Windows 7 start menu style that overrides the Windows 8 one.

 

Website for it: 

http://www.iobit.com...tstartmenu8.php

[Bowsette]

So I recently had a terrible time with my laptop, on top of my Windows 8 hatred.

A few weeks ago it up and decided to stop working on me without warning.

The boot manager was failing to boot.

I looked it up and the magic of the internet told me that the problem was that either the hard drive was fried, or something responsible for connecting to hard drive to the rest of the computer was fried. All I knew for certain was that when the software responsible for booting the software that runs the machine, there is a big problem.

 

So, I had to jump through a few hoops and sent my laptop off to Acer repair a few days ago.

They replaced the hard drive and everything is hunkey dorey so far, just got it back today.

I started it up, Windows 8 greeted me with its stupid face, and I immediately booted and installed Linux Mint on to my laptop.

 

So far it is decent enough.

Pretty simple to use, and a million times more convenient and appealing than shitty ass Windows 8.

If any of you fine folk have any tips or pointers that will make my Linux experience flow a little smoother, it would be greatly appreciated.

As somebody who is buying a Windows 8 Acer on Friday, this frightens me

[Affray]

As somebody who is buying a Windows 8 Acer on Friday, this frightens me

Worry not.

The one I got was the floor model, so who knows how hard its ass was kicked around before I got it.

Even so, it lasted me seven months before it suddenly crapped out.

Since I was within the one year manufacturer's warrently range Acer took it in, replaced the hard drive, and sent it back free of charge with very little fuss or muss.

All I had to pay for way the shipping to get it to them.

 

So I think you are relatively safe.