MicroSoft says DON'T UPGRADE to 8.1 !

[Bob]

Microsoft just pulled the 8.1 upgrade/update - saying it is bricking some devices (making them busted, "your hardware will need repair"..

er oops..

http://mashable.com/2013/10/19/microsoft-removes-windows-8-1-update/

"The much-anticipated Windows 8.1 update was finally released on Thursday. Since then, however, early reports of bricked devices and lost data from some users indicate that the release may have been premature. In response, Microsoft took its Windows 8.1 update offline until further notice on Saturday."

Just saw this update on the webpage listed above:

"So far, the problem appears to be limited to Windows RT devices. How long will those who attempted to update their Windows RT devices have to wait for answers? According to Microsoft's website: “We will provide updates as they become available.”

Image: Mashable, Lance Ulanoff

Correction, 10/19/13 4:25PM
The headline for a previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Microsoft removed its Windows 8.1 update. The company only removed its Windows RT 8.1 update. This article has been updated to reflect the correction."

[meat suit]

haha... I am sticking with XP....

[Tesla_WTC_Solution]

I hope Microsoft stock goes down like Bill H's plane did.
They deserve it after all the back stabbing within their own ranks.

Thanks for the update about the, um, update. lol :)

[Bob]

I've seen enough apps bust with upgrades and even though I have win-7 on my pc's, (i am a mac user mostly), I won't try 8 or 8.1 RT or otherwise..

My tablet is an iPad..

more:

"If you were looking forward to updating your Windows RT tablet to the fancy new 8.1 update this weekend, it's time to start looking for a Plan B. Microsoft has temporarily yanked the Windows RT 8.1 update from the Windows Store due to "a situation affecting a limited number of users," as first reported by WinBeta.

Microsoft didn't provide any further details, but it appears that people upgrading to Windows RT 8.1 are experiencing boot configuration data errors, which result in blue screens of death appearing on startup. Oops."

ref: PC World - http://www.pcworld.com/article/2056283/microsoft-temporarily-pulls-windows-rt-8-1-update-due-to-a-situation.html

maybe a good reason to wait a couple weeks (or months) for the gold version releases to "settle" before going out and immediately updating http://projectavalon.net/forum4/images/smilies/cool.png

[Bill Ryan]

-------

Get a Mac.

:)

[Bob]

heeh - just got a PM, it said, Microsoft should adopt Linux as their standard operating system.. thing is, they would charge for their compiled version of Linux and pbly call it Windows 9.0 :horn:

[ThePythonicCow]

heeh - just got a PM, it said, Microsoft should adopt Linux as their standard operating system.. thing is, they would charge for their compiled version of Linux and pbly call it Windows 9.0 :horn:

Just so long as they honor the GPL open source license, they are welcome to call it what they like, and charge what they will.

[RMorgan]

heeh - just got a PM, it said, Microsoft should adopt Linux as their standard operating system.. thing is, they would charge for their compiled version of Linux and pbly call it Windows 9.0 :horn:

That's what Apple did, actually. MacOs is based on Darwin which is opensource and part of the UNIX family, just like Linux.

Personally, I love Linux. It's really great. I've used a lot of distros, but currently I'm using ElementaryOS and loving it; It's very clean and user friendly.

However, I'm still forced to use Windows to run specific applications, so my PC runs Linux/Windows on a dual boot config.

Raf.

[greybeard]

My son who is a professional programmer, games creator, installed Linux on my ancient laptop two years ago and its still going full speed-- no maintenance, no de fragment possible or needed, not subject to virus.
Its fast and easy to operate--- superior to all the versions I had of windows and its free with vast amounts of free software available.

I know Paul uses and recommends it.

Chris

[Bob]

I use dual boot Linux and windows (oye) on the PC's.. Still tho the Mac is smoother.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/06/windowsrt81lead01.jpg

I saw one of these tablets, and took a long hard look at it, and turned and left the store fast.. sure they are pretty..

[Wind]

I used to be a longtime Windows user, but eventually got annoyed because I used to have a lot problems with disintegrating hardware and I changed to Mac. Life has been easy since then.

[Bob]

MicroSoft is no stranger to making "Bricks". Back when I went to upgrade from windows 3.1 on my Micron Notebook (MPC Computers) to Windows 95 (wow an apple like desktop on a PC!)..

As soon as the operating system software (Please be Patient Windows 95 is checking your hardware and will install the appropriate drivers...) "probed" my computer's video chips, it proceeded to ERASE the bios in the video chip.. Basically bricking the computer, making it unable to proceed with the install, un-able to uninstall. Of course it was my only computer at the time, and gee when I called up MicroSoft tech department they were "Floored", er Sorry about that Bob... How about we send you a Free Copy of Everything you wanted to Know about Microsoft's windows 98 Operating system?

I said guys, your OS install just permanently damaged a 900$ computer and you are gonna send me a book? We are so sorry, thankyou for calling M$ tech support, is there anything more we can do to "help you"? (sigh)..

Micron (MPC) luckily offered to repair the notebook, and put in a new video chip, but needless to say, MicroSoft DOES have a history of damaging computers during their OS upgrades. Heaven forbid I would have tried to upgrade the BIOS afterwards...

ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPC_Corporation

[LivioRazlo]

-------

Get a Mac.

:)

Or use a flavor of Linux

[Carmen]

I bought a PC this year because there were some things I couldn't do on my iPad. I bloody hate it. Can't get on with it at all. I will give it to one of my grandchildren eventually and get a mac.

[wolf_rt]

haha... I am sticking with XP....

I think XP is over now mate..... might as well run Dos 3.1... you would have just as good compatibility and FAR better security using linux....

Really the only reason to NOT use linux now is because you are a PC gamer, or need AutoCad. And that is rapidly changing with the 'steam box' ect.
Ubuntu is super easy and reliable... our media centre has had the same install now for 4 years without maintenance of any kind.

Mac's are insane... Im sure they are nice, if you can afford to spend $4000 on a $700 computer.

Win 7 is also pretty good. Certainly better than XP at this time.


Wind... Mac hardware is identical to PC hardware, just costs 3-4 times more.
If you had issues with hardware, you probably brought a 'budget' PC with a no-name motherboard.
Quality ASUS/Gigabyte hardware is the equal to hardware in a mac.

Carmen, does your new PC run Win8? if so that is probably your issue, Win8 is a touch screen OS. Not really suitable for PC's.
windows 7 is pretty easy, and very similar to XP / Ubuntu to use (and mac i would imagine, never used one)

If anyone is planning on getting a desktop PC, I would definitely talk to your local small computer store about getting something custom built to meet your requirements...
DELL/HP/ect. PC's from large department stores are massively overpriced, and often use proprietary hardware that makes things hard.

[Virgo]

LinuxMint 15: Olivia has everything i need.

[indigopete]

Get a Mac.

Yes indeed !!!

[GlassSteagallfan]

WinXP updates and support ends in June of 2014

[meat suit]

haha... I am sticking with XP....

I think XP is over now mate..... might as well run Dos 3.1... you would have just as good compatibility and FAR better security using linux....

Really the only reason to NOT use linux now is because you are a PC gamer, or need AutoCad. And that is rapidly changing with the 'steam box' ect.
Ubuntu is super easy and reliable... our media centre has had the same install now for 4 years without maintenance of any kind.

Mac's are insane... Im sure they are nice, if you can afford to spend $4000 on a $700 computer.

Win 7 is also pretty good. Certainly better than XP at this time.


Wind... Mac hardware is identical to PC hardware, just costs 3-4 times more.
If you had issues with hardware, you probably brought a 'budget' PC with a no-name motherboard.
Quality ASUS/Gigabyte hardware is the equal to hardware in a mac.

Carmen, does your new PC run Win8? if so that is probably your issue, Win8 is a touch screen OS. Not really suitable for PC's.
windows 7 is pretty easy, and very similar to XP / Ubuntu to use (and mac i would imagine, never used one)

If anyone is planning on getting a desktop PC, I would definitely talk to your local small computer store about getting something custom built to meet your requirements...
DELL/HP/ect. PC's from large department stores are massively overpriced, and often use proprietary hardware that makes things hard.

actually I have a dual boot on one laptop with ubuntu, and while its nice, there are a lot of facilities missing ,like a control panel to change screen resolution...a real pain..
what is the best linux flavour at the moment?

[RMorgan]

actually I have a dual boot on one laptop with ubuntu, and while its nice, there are a lot of facilities missing ,like a control panel to change screen resolution...a real pain..
what is the best linux flavour at the moment?

Man, try Elementary Os:

http://elementaryos.org/

It's a really good distro. Very user friendly and stable.

I've tried lots of distros, but this is the one I like the most.

However, no Linux distro out there will save you from typing commands at the terminal from time to time. The really good configuration stuff can only be done via terminal, independently of the Linux distribution. This can be annoying for the average user, and that's exactly what is preventing Linux desktop operational systems from reaching a major public.

Anyway, here's an Elementary OS youtube review:

6TEIPfYy_Z0

Raf.

[Tangri]

-------

Get a Mac.

:)

I do not understand why people suffer with hunger. if they can not find bread they should eat cakes.

Enfin je me rappelai le pis-aller d’une grande princesse à qui l’on disait que les paysans n’avaient pas de pain, et qui répondit : Qu’ils mangent de la brioche.
Marie Antoinette

[Bob]

A joke Tangri? What type of "computer" are you using?

http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?14875-Is-there-anything-at-Avalon-disturbs-you-recently&p=152489&viewfull=1#post152489

I thought that was a great post :hug:

[Bob]

So you went and updated.. and now it says


http://pureinfotech.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/recover-surface-winrt81-780_wide.jpg

what you need is hopefully what you made previously a "recovery drive"...

The message says:
Recovery
Your PC needs to be repaired

The Boot Configuration Data file is missing some required information
File: \BCD
Error code: 0xc000000d

1) Connect the USB recovery drive to your Surface RT, and while pressing the volume down button, press the power button, release after seeing the Microsoft Surface logo.

2) Select your language and then tap Troubleshoot.

3) Tap Advanced options.

4) Next, tap Start-up Repair. If this fails in the following screen tap the Advanced Options to go back and launch the Command Prompt.

5) Type the following command and press Enter.

bootrec /rebuildbcd

6) Type Exit and press Enter to quick the Command Prompt.

7) Tap Continue to boot once again to Windows RT 8.1.

8) If everything worked out OK, the Windows RT 8.1 update will resume without you having to do a clean install of the operating system.

9) Finally just follow the OOBE (Out Of the Box Experience) instructions (e.g., accepting the licensing, configuring settings, etc.).

Instructions from: Source "Kick That Computer" -

http://kickthatcomputer.wordpress.com/2013/10/19/windows-rt-8-1-upgrade-fails-with-boot-configuration-error/

ref: http://pureinfotech.com/2013/10/19/repair-surface-windows-rt-81-update-failure/

Of course if you DIDN'T make that backup USB drive, oops...

(moral of the story, always backup, frequently and every way possible before changing anything in your PC)

Btw, I have hosed my Ubuntu Linux numerous times playing around changing drives out while doing multiple boot exercises, with multiple OS copies..

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair

what they say on that page: "Boot-Repair is a simple tool to repair frequent boot issues you may encounter in Ubuntu like when you can't boot Ubuntu after installing Windows or another Linux distribution, or when you can't boot Windows after installing Ubuntu, or when GRUB is not displayed anymore, some upgrade breaks GRUB, etc."

"Wale ambao hawana kwa sauti kubwa lazima matumaini kwamba ujinga wao si kutambuliwa" http://projectavalon.net/forum4/images/smilies/thumb.gif

[Agape]

For Mac users, kindly notice that your free update to OS X Mavericks is available at the App Store .

It has iBooks and iMaps and improved Safari . Takes time to get used to the all improved features ..( just kidding ) .

It's a smooth working system so far .

Happy Birthday Lucy

;)


And it's freeeeeeeee......

[TargeT]

However, I'm still forced to use Windows to run specific applications, so my PC runs Linux/Windows on a dual boot config.

Raf.

This really seems to be the best solution, I dual boot Slackware/Win7ultimate; but lately I've just been running a virtual windows OS for any programs I need & stay in linux... of course at work it's all windows all the time; but I'm a lot more willing to use windows in it's current enterprise iterations now, they don't crash like they used to.

[Bob]

Slackware/Win7ultimate

for the dualies ok.. what about the enterprise version, what's it called? I am using win7Ultimate my self on one of the I7's. Everything I work with when under windows is fully saturating the 8 threads, although I would rather port everything to linux and try a large cluster system.. I just need a lot of cpu power, and it has to be processed as close to simultaneously as possible, and not serially processed..

[TargeT]

Slackware/Win7ultimate

for the dualies ok.. what about the enterprise version, what's it called? I am using win7Ultimate my self on one of the I7's. Everything I work with when under windows is fully saturating the 8 threads, although I would rather port everything to linux and try a large cluster system.. I just need a lot of cpu power, and it has to be processed as close to simultaneously as possible, and not serially processed..

enterprise desktop OS? we just use Win7 64bit

enterprise Server we use Windows2008 r2 (only comes 64 bit) and HPUX for servers. and redhat for the linux flavor.

on my main computer (laptop) at home I run an I7 3610QM (2.3ghz 8 core) with 16gb of ram.. I buy gaming computers, they just come with so much horsepower (and i occupationally waste my life on computer games.... haha) I can tax it but I have to be ripping DVD's or doing video encoding of some type

[Bob]

Slackware/Win7ultimate

for the dualies ok.. what about the enterprise version, what's it called? I am using win7Ultimate my self on one of the I7's. Everything I work with when under windows is fully saturating the 8 threads, although I would rather port everything to linux and try a large cluster system.. I just need a lot of cpu power, and it has to be processed as close to simultaneously as possible, and not serially processed..

enterprise desktop OS? we just use Win7 64bit

enterprise Server we use Windows2008 r2 (only comes 64 bit) and HPUX for servers. and redhat for the linux flavor.

on my main computer (laptop) at home I run an I7 3610QM (2.3ghz 8 core) with 16gb of ram.. I buy gaming computers, they just come with so much horsepower (and i occupationally waste my life on computer games.... haha) I can tax it but I have to be ripping DVD's or doing video encoding of some type

OK just clarifying - Win64 is what I run on the I7 - using 8 gig tho, but definitely could use more if I could get this thing clustering under linux - I have a small network of 4 of those things that would be great to get some more horsepower out of..

[Hervé]

Bilou Gates' logic:


https://fwtinw.dm1.livefilestore.com/y2p0-ojYtC-La3G1-c0gi9_ZgAeGgXC0PTkFWUCoKyl1Af09XFOPNVT14f26lUIDeEDLWSSFWiCC9VojxKxpi5wlgH1OmJ_pN9BqJEWtBrgg_g/keyboard_not_found.jpg?psid=1

[Bob]

Photomicro scan of what is INSIDE the magic tech..


http://chanlo.com/images/chipart-1.jpg
Post hoc ergo propter hoc.. :)

Rules for successful programming - Never let the magic smoke out, never threaten the mouse or the duck, followup corollary in the developing of an OS at least one CPU must be benchmark tested to verify that some smoke does indeed still exist inside

[Tangri]

A joke Tangri? What type of "computer" are you using?

http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?14875-Is-there-anything-at-Avalon-disturbs-you-recently&p=152489&viewfull=1#post152489

I thought that was a great post :hug:

Thank you bobd,

I have forgotten that post. It reminded me how was my BS alert worked on Charles issue. I open that post even evil intended mods were on job that time. Even Bill needs to be reminded, empathy is important in every case(talking with children, elderly, poor, rich you name it) I am forcefully(financially) a PC user:o

[Bob]

A joke Tangri? What type of "computer" are you using?

http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?14875-Is-there-anything-at-Avalon-disturbs-you-recently&p=152489&viewfull=1#post152489

I thought that was a great post :hug:

Thank you bobd,

I have forgotten that post. It reminded me how was my BS alert worked on Charles issue. I open that post even evil intended mods were on job that time. Even Bill needs to be reminded, empathy is important in every case(talking with children, elderly, poor, rich you name it) I am forcefully(financially) a PC user:o

Seems we are tied into the information age one way or another. I have friends in central Africa who are trying to get solar power for their PC's all while trying to get water purified or the crops to grow.. Strange world.. good touch base with you :)

[Hughe]

Mac users are corporate slaves too. When they run out of money for upgrade, they are finished.

GNU/Linux and Open Source Software rocks. IMHO anybody who want to have security, privacy, and personal freedom in cyberspace should consider GNU/Linux as major operating system.





Slackware/Win7ultimate

for the dualies ok.. what about the enterprise version, what's it called? I am using win7Ultimate my self on one of the I7's. Everything I work with when under windows is fully saturating the 8 threads, although I would rather port everything to linux and try a large cluster system.. I just need a lot of cpu power, and it has to be processed as close to simultaneously as possible, and not serially processed..

enterprise desktop OS? we just use Win7 64bit

enterprise Server we use Windows2008 r2 (only comes 64 bit) and HPUX for servers. and redhat for the linux flavor.

on my main computer (laptop) at home I run an I7 3610QM (2.3ghz 8 core) with 16gb of ram.. I buy gaming computers, they just come with so much horsepower (and i occupationally waste my life on computer games.... haha) I can tax it but I have to be ripping DVD's or doing video encoding of some type

OK just clarifying - Win64 is what I run on the I7 - using 8 gig tho, but definitely could use more if I could get this thing clustering under linux - I have a small network of 4 of those things that would be great to get some more horsepower out of..

How much computing power you need on your work? My workstation runs only Debian GNU/Linux. It has one hexacore CPU with 8 GB memory. I tested parallel processing briefly and it actually worked but number crunching task needs dedicated machines.

The following computer looks promising to me. It starts at $99 for a mini-computer that has RISC based chip. What I like is it's very small, consume less power than a full-size computer, and development environment is Open Source Software in Linux.
http://www.parallella.org/
http://www.parallella.org/wp-content/uploads/99Parallella.png

[Bob]

Mac users are corporate slaves too. When they run out of money for upgrade, they are finished.

GNU/Linux and Open Source Software rocks. IMHO anybody who want to have security, privacy, and personal freedom in cyberspace should consider GNU/Linux as major operating system.

(snipped)

How much computing power you need on your work? My workstation runs only Debian GNU/Linux. It has one hexacore CPU with 8 GB memory. I tested parallel processing briefly and it actually worked but number crunching task needs dedicated machines.

The following computer looks promising to me. It starts at $99 for a mini-computer that has RISC based chip. What I like is it's very small, consume less power than a full-size computer, and development environment is Open Source Software in Linux.
http://www.parallella.org/
http://www.parallella.org/wp-content/uploads/99Parallella.png

Thanks Hughe - I love those modules (or similar types) for individual projects. Me, I need A/D D/A and some type of digital signal processing.. Bob

[apokalypse]

got my hand on Linux and different Disto since begining of the year and have to say more reliable and stable than Windows, althought isn't complete like WIndows but in term of innovation because of Open Source 10x ahead of these Corporations Built.

this might be old new but interesting read..


In a sunny Bay Area classroom, twenty sixth graders are working at computers. They are making websites—”MySpace” pages for figures from American History. One student is researching Frederick Douglass’s five greatest accomplishments. Another is showing a classmate how to search for pictures of Susan B. Anthony. They’re all learning how to use Google Sites, helping each other along the way. Earlier this week, this class learned how to add numbers in a spreadsheet. Last week, they learned how to make music on a simple synthesizer. People often assume that getting technology into classrooms is expensive, but this lab cost absolutely nothing.

The problem? An underfunded school needed computers for the classroom. Budget? $0. Staff involved? Just one: Robert Litt, a sixth-grade teacher.

Robert teaches at ASCEND, a small arts K-8 school in the Alameda County School District. He’s a fan of technology and believes that it’s an important part of K-12 education. Yet ASCEND had no computer lab and no computers in classrooms. So in 2007, Robert acquired 18 donated computers. But these computers were less help than he’d anticipated. The operating systems were slow. Some computers had viruses or malware. Students became frustrated.

Most of the computers’ problems could be fixed by wiping the disks and reinstalling the operating system—but buying new software for every donated computer would be prohibitively expensive. So Robert began to research more affordable options. An acquaintance at the Alameda County Computer Recyclers suggested he use a free operating system, such as GNU/Linux. Having never ventured into the world of open-source software, Robert scoured the internet for help. He came upon a local Linux user’s group, a friendly group of people dedicated to helping people get started with free software.

With the help of his local LUG, he got Linux up and running on his 18 donated machines. Suddenly, they were fast. They were clean. They worked well in the classroom. Robert was invigorated, as were his students. His principal saw how excited they all were, and decided to give Robert four hours of teaching leave per week to give him time to find more computers for a full lab for ASCEND. And so Robert became a “teacher on special assignment,” as he puts it.

Finding computers was less difficult than he originally anticipated. Most families and businesses have an old computer (or ten) sitting in storage. Robert began to call businesses and ask for donations of equipment they’d otherwise be sending for recycling. People were generally very receptive. Most people would rather their used computers do good than rot in a landfill or get shredded; they just don’t usually know how to get computers to where they are needed. “Underfunded schools are starving in the midst of plenty,” Robert explains. “Discarded computers are our nation’s most wasted educational resource.”

In fact, donations were easy enough to find that Robert began turning down equipment that had less than 512 megabytes of RAM or was made before 2002. He wouldn’t turn down computers people said were “broken,” however. “Many computers people say are broken are actually experiencing software problems,” he found. When he’d install Linux, many of the supposedly broken computers would work just fine.

Six months later, Robert had his first full ASCEND lab, filled with donated computers running free, open-source software. But he wasn’t done. As he continued to make connections with people, donations kept pouring in. Soon, he got in touch with a local non-profit called Partimus (http://partimus.org/), which is dedicated to “providing computers and Free Software system administration support” to schools in the Bay Area. Partimus helped Robert set up an install server, so that he could install Linux on multiple machines at once.

This year to date, he has acquired over 70 computers for ASCEND.

Faced with inadequate educational technology, few teachers would take it upon themselves to create an entire computer lab with no funding. It’s a daunting task, no doubt. But, Robert argues, it’s within every teacher’s capabilities. He came into the project with absolutely no computer repair or tinkering background. “My background is being a 6th grade teacher,” he says. “I am self-taught 100%.” He used free resources available online and troubleshot as he went along.

Robert advocates open-source software even for schools that aren’t lacking technology. US government reports say the digital divide is shrinking, at least in schools—97% of teachers have at least a single computer in the classroom. Yet that’s not the whole story. “The digital divide is growing in a hidden statistic,” Robert says, “the actual teaching of technology in a meaningful way.” He shows students how to do math on spreadsheets, how to make simple websites, how to put together slide presentations, all on free software. These are the computer skills that, students tell him, they are later expected simply to know. And with the prevalence of recycled computers, there’s no need for even 3% of classrooms to be without computers.

Robert will be moving to a new school this coming Fall, where he hopes to continue teaching technology meaningfully. And he calls on other teachers to do the same: in a digital world, teachers are responsibile for making students “better digital citizens.”

nZ84GcDGoMw

http://ifixit.org/3001/