Category: Geeks r Us
Hey all,
I've been starting to ponder the idea of upgrading to windows 8.1. I have jaws 14 here, but I'm trying to figure out if it would be a good idea to upgrade. Now, I have heard a mixed box of views from it's good to it's horrible, so if ou tell me one way or the other please give your reasons and examples if you can. I'm looking at windows 8.1 standard for now, I can't justify the pro costs, as much as I'd like too. Any help would be great.
Here are my thoughts.
I don’t know where you are now, so I’ll start fresh with 8.1 as if you have a new computer.
When installing it, and you’ll need sighted assistants, you can choose to install it as it installs, or customize it.
If you let it express install, it is really easy to work, but if you want it to install like say Windows 7 choose custom and install it in desktop mode.
An older machine will run smoother, because it uses less power.
With Jaws 14 with the last upgrade it works beautifully. It is just a small learning curve.
If you don’t treat it as different, and use your same methods of operating your computer, you’ll learn how it is different faster. Otherwise you’ll just be second guessing yourself for nothing at all.
Microsoft provides a keystroke manual, so if you want to learn these it is easy.
It is my opinion the people that have issues with it are intimidated, because of what they’ve heard, and mentally accept it as something really different and strange.
Sure, it is different, but not strange if that makes sense.
You don’t really need the pro version unless you need access to your computer remotely. The basic version has all you’ll use most likely.
I have the pro version plus the media player extenchen and never use the bit locker or any of it.
I also didn’t pay full price, but got 8 when it was 39 dollars, and the Media center was going for 9, so.
I sure wishe there were a way to upgrade from 8 to 8.1 without sighted assistance. I'm assuming sighted assistance would also be needed when going from 7 to 8.1 as well. That's problematic for me. lol
From 8 to 8.1 your son could do it. You get it started. The computer lets you know when it needs to be restarted.
After it finishes the cycle of starts your son could read the questions and answer them.
You are use to 8, so just tell him to select express install, and it does the rest. Jaws will then start and you can sign in.
7 to 8.1 is just as easy, except you can do more of it using Jaws.
The setup is not hard, and only a few questions need to be answered.
From 8 to 8.1 is free.
Also if he messes up for some odd reason, the computer will return you to 8, so no fear.
Just restart it and allow it to work.
I doubt he will though. It is just a matter of watching and restarting when prompted.
I wonder if I upgrade from 8 to 8.1, if I loose my license for my software which are hardware based! Some opinions about that please!
Ah, thanks,Wayne. Yeah, Kidlet is pretty damn good at relatively easy computer stuff. I'm teaching him to be a geek. lol Thanks for the info.
I was wondering, for updating from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1, is it possible to turn on narrator when the setup screen shows? I updated my laptop directly when the update came out in the Window Store. It was easy, there wasn't really anything for me to do except backing up some important files in the event that Windows crashes while updating because I'm not sure if it'll automatically revert back to Windows 8. After the setup screen showed, I pressed Windows U to try to bring up narrator. I could tell that the accessibility screen appeared but I wasn't able to turn on Narrator so I waited till I could get sighted help with setting up Windows 8.1.
So, did anyone try this and did it work? It'll be amazing if it did. The reason why I thought this might work was because I actually turned on Narrator to set up Windows 8 for my laptop when I first got it so I thought that it might work for Windows 8 too.
I wasn't able to get Narrator going during my update from Windows 8 to 8.1. I tried a few times, and it just didn't work. I ended up having to wait for sighted assistance. Once I had sighted help, it literally took just a few seconds to get everything entered and continue the process.
I could not do it either. It really is a small amount of info the sighted person needs to offer. Just add a mouse when doing it, because this is how sighted persons manage. After that when they select express, you can handle it when it restarts.
Now if your hard drive fails, remember, if you purchased the computer with Windows 8 installed, you have a sticker on the side with your Windows key.
When you get the new drive, you use your machines key.
If that sticker gets messed up for some reason, you'd need to contact the company and give them your serial number to get a key.
If you purchased the software, you are emailed the key, and Microsoft keeps your information as well.
You answer a few questions after signing in to your Microsoft account, and are provided your key.
I want to add a little something.
When installing Windows 8.1 Microsoft ask if you want to add a code to your sign on info. It is a two step process offered for more security of your account, and that code is text to you or emailed if you forget your sign on info.
You also enter it when signing on.
This step can be skipped, and you’ll find a link that says “I can’t do this now.”
This can be setup anytime later if you desire. Just go to your Microsoft account, and security.
I thought I’d talk about it in case it was thought to be the program key, or something that is required to activate Windows. It is not. All the information is already in your computer when you update from 8 to 8.1.
what about windows XP ?
what if my laptop HD fails and i decide to put windows Xp on a new hard drive. is there a way to get the product key from this hard drive right now, before that happens so that i have it just in case?
i know i know XP is old.
So it's not just me then! Well, sad! I was so hoping that Narrator will work for updating Windows. Perhaps in Windows 8.2 or Windows 9 or whatever Microsoft wants to name their next version of Windows...
It is pretty good. If it work much like IOS updates that be good, but Microsoft insist you agree to some terms.
That could be managed with all things working, and much like programs you agree or disagree.
For XP, the exact same is true. The key is on a sticker on the machine.
XP also provided disc, and the company that made your computer, if you have the serial number can give you a key.
You could get a program and copy the total hard drive to another one keys and all as well, but mainly you can only run a key on one machine at once.
like a total clone. use a program such as XClone. m make sure that whatever cloening you are doing copies the master boot record as well.