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(We would not normally post Tech-info in News, but the timely post by SinCity could save many, many people a lot of time.) Sincity's post: https://fearless-assassins.com/topic/92671-usb-devices-stopped-working-last-week-microsoft-has-released-a-fix/ My computer and a co_Leader's computer both had the USB problem. Our printers and other USB-connected devices had troubles of various kinds. My keyboard and mouse seem to be working okay... I am posting this here to save a lot of people a lot time trying to troubleshoot their printers, etc. Update after Dzoni posted below. People may get different problems on their different computers...or perhaps no problems at all. My update was successful. Addresses an issue in which some USB devices and onboard devices, such as a built-in laptop camera, keyboard, or mouse, stop working. This may occur when the Windows Update servicing stack incorrectly skips installing the newer version of some critical drivers in the cumulative update and uninstalls the currently active drivers during maintenance. This announcement was intended to help people avoid the troubleshooting adventure that is posted below.
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So I'm buying a new version of Windows (finally), and I've been looking around to see what people have to say about both, and people seem to think 8.1 is the best way to go. I just wanted to know what you guys/girls thought before I made my decision. I don't play any really old games, and I really enjoy Windows 7, but I've heard that Windows 8.1 is lighter, slightly faster, more secure, and will continue to be updated for longer than 7. The only downside is I don't like the GUI for Windows 8. I would much rather have a traditional Windows desktop feel. Opinions?
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Those of you who expect to get Windows 10 on July 29 may be disappointed. In early June, Microsoft said that Windows 10 would officially launch on July 29. But that doesn't mean everyone will get the new operating system on that date. Microsoft is counting on Windows 10 to bring back some of the appeal and audience it lost with Windows 8. As such, the company has been working hard to fine-tune the new operating system with each new beta build of its Windows 10 Technical Preview to try to get it just right. Microsoft is also offering Windows 10 as a free upgrade to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users in hopes of getting it into the hands of as many users as possible. Those people have been able to reserve a copy of Windows 10. But some will have to wait for their reservation to be filled. In a blog posted on Thursday, Terry Myerson, Microsoft's executive VP of Operating Systems, clarified how the Windows 10 roll out will actually commence. "Starting on July 29, we will start rolling out Windows 10 to our Windows Insiders," Myerson said. So those people who joined the Windows Insider program to try out each build of Windows 10 will be first in line. In effect since last October, the Insider Program invites people to test Windows 10 and provide their feedback to Microsoft. "From there, we will start notifying reserved systems in waves, slowly scaling up after July 29th," Myerson added. "Each day of the roll-out, we will listen, learn and update the experience for all Windows 10 users. If you reserved your copy of Windows 10, we will notify you once our compatibility work confirms you will have a great experience, and Windows 10 has been downloaded on your system," Myerson said. So Windows 7 and 8.1 users who reserved their free copy of Windows 10 will apparently be next in line, but only after Microsoft has completed testing to make sure the new OS will work for them as expected. Instead of all interested parties getting Windows 10 on July 29, the rollout will occur in waves, running past the initial launch date. And just how far past July 29 will the rollout run? Days? Weeks? Myerson didn't point to any specific timeline. CNET contacted Microsoft and will update the story if the company responds. So is this "wave" approach to the rollout good or bad? Well, folks who have to wait an indeterminate amount of time to get Windows 10 may be upset if they were hoping to have it by July 29. It's kind of like not being able to open your Christmas present until after Christmas. But Microsoft is actually adopting a sensible approach to the rollout. Despite all the internal and external testing that's been done on Windows 10, the new OS is still just that -- new. And though Myerson said that Microsoft has seen "full compatibility today with the vast majority of Windows 8x and Windows 7x systems," there are still likely to be glitches and incompatibilities with some systems out there. Doing the rollout in stages gives Microsoft time to resolve those issues so the versions of Windows 10 launched after July 29 are more rock-solid. And even beyond the initial rollout, Microsoft will continue to fine-tune and enhance Windows 10 to address any ongoing problems or concerns. Further, Microsoft knows that trying to download Windows 10 on July 29 to everyone who wants it would be difficult. Such an effort would certainly put a strain on the company's backend to try to keep up with the heavy load. Pushing out the OS in stages ensures that the downloads go more quickly and smoothly. "We've been really pleased with the strong response to Windows 10 since we kicked off reservations in early June, with millions of reservations," Myserson said. "We want to make sure all of you have a great upgrade experience, so we'll roll-out Windows 10 in phases to help manage the demand." And what about hardware vendors aiming to roll out new PCs and tablets with Windows 10? Myerson said that Microsoft will soon deliver a build of Windows 10 to its hardware partners so they can start installing the OS on their devices. Soon after that, Microsoft will distribute a build of Windows 10 to retailers so they can help consumers, who buy devices still stuck with Windows 8.1, upgrade to Windows 10. So although you may have to wait beyond July 29 to get your copy of Windows 10, Microsoft's staged rollout is a smart way to ensure that the copy you install is as stable and as compatible as possible. Source http://www.cnet.com/ -
Will Windows Insiders get Windows 10 for free? Microsoft answers that question. Microsoft is trying to clear up the confusion over whether Windows Insiders will be entitled to the final version of Windows 10. The question of who would get Windows 10 for free seemed a simple one at first. In January, Microsoft announced that users running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 could upgrade to the new OS for free for the first year. By extension, that meant those still using Windows XP or Vista would have to pay for Windows 10. But a blog post published Friday by Gabe Aul, head of the Windows Insider Program, intimated that those in the program -- who have been getting preview versions of Windows 10 at no cost, in a series of trial runs -- would also get the final release for free, seemingly regardless of their current version of Windows. The final version of Windows 10 is scheduled to roll out July 29. With the return of the Start menu and other new and improved features, Windows 10 is in many ways an atonement for Windows 8, which failed to catch on with consumers. The new OS is also an attempt to offer a similar experience among PC, tablet and mobile phone users, with Microsoft hoping that those who try Windows 10 on a PC might be persuaded to try it on a smartphone. As such, the software giant is aiming to get Windows 10 into the hands of as many people as possible, at least within reason. On Monday, Aul clarified that Windows Insiders won't be getting Windows 10 for free, at least not exactly. Though July 29 marks the release of the "final" version of Windows 10, Microsoft will continue to tweak and enhance the operating system beyond that date. The company will also continue to run the Windows Insider program, through which participants can download the latest preview builds to test Windows 10 as it continues to evolve and then offer Microsoft their feedback. And it's those preview builds that Windows Insiders will freely receive on a regular basis. Each preview build expires at a certain point, but Microsoft promises that it will be replaced by the next build. So in essence, those who wish to remain in the Windows Insider Program can get Windows 10 for free, but the version you run will always be a prerelease build, in other words a non-activated beta product. "Since we're continuing the Windows Insider Program you'll be able to continue receiving builds and those builds will continue to be activated under the terms of the Windows Insider Program," Aul said. "We provide ISOs for these builds for recovery from any significant problems, but they are still pre-release software." Those who wish to upgrade to the fully-tested and public release of Windows 10 on July 29 as well as in the future still need to be running Windows 7 or 8.1 to qualify for the free upgrade. As Aul describes it in his blog post, users can choose from a couple of scenarios: Do you want to continue as a Windows Insider and keep getting preview builds after 7/29? Or do you want to upgrade your Genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 system that has been getting Windows 10 Insider Preview builds to the 7/29 release and stop being an Insider? Or to put it another way, do you wish to remain in the Windows Insider program to keep gettting beta and usually buggy versions of Windows 10 for free? Or do you want to be sure you're running Windows 7 or 8.1 so you can get the final and fully-tested public release of Windows 10 for free? Aul also stressed that XP or Vista users who quit the Window Insider program will have to acquire a legitimate license for Windows 10. "This is not a path to attain a license for Windows XP or Windows Vista systems," Aul said. "If your system upgraded from a Genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 license it will remain activated, but if not, you will be required to roll back to your previous OS version or acquire a new Windows 10 license. If you do not roll back or acquire a new license the build will eventually expire." Of course, Windows 7 and 8.1 users who are part of the Windows Insider program can choose to stick with it. That way you can preview each new build of Windows 10 as it comes out and run the legitimate licensed version as well. Source http://www.cnet.com/
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China could have a new homegrown operating system by October to take on imported rivals such as Microsoft Corp, Google Inc and Apple Inc, Xinhua news agency said on Sunday. Computer technology became an area of tension between China and the United States after a number of run-ins over cyber security. China is now looking to help its domestic industry catch up with imported systems such as Microsoft's Windows and Google's mobile operating system Android. The operating system would first appear on desktop devices and later extend to smartphone and other mobile devices, Xinhua said, citing Ni Guangnan who heads an official OS development alliance established in March. Ni's comments were originally reported by the People's Post and Telecommunications News, an official trade paper run by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). "We hope to launch a Chinese-made desktop operating system by October supporting app stores," Ni told the trade paper. Some Chinese OS already existed, but there was a large gap between China's technology and that of developed countries, he added. He said he hoped domestically built software would be able to replace desktop operating systems within one to two years and mobile operating systems within three to five years. In May, China banned government use of Windows 8, Microsoft's latest operating system, a blow to the U.S. technology firm's business which raised fears China was moving to protect domestic firms. Microsoft is also under investigation for anti-trust violations. In March last year, China said that Google had too much control over China's smartphone industry via its Android mobile operating system and has discriminated against some local firms. Mutual suspicions between China and the United States over hacking have escalated over the past year following revelations by Edward Snowden that U.S. intelligence planted "backdoor" surveillance tools on U.S.-made hardware. The U.S. Justice Department, meanwhile, indicted five Chinese military officers in May on counts of extensive industrial espionage. Ni said the ban on Windows 8 was a big opportunity for the Chinese sector to push forward its own systems, but that the industry needed further development and investment. "Creating an environment that allows us to contend with Google, Apple and Microsoft - that is the key to success," he added. Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/24/us-china-technology-idUSKBN0GO08H20140824 -
Hey, I've been a big fan of Snow Leopard and after using Lion, I didn't think it was worth buying, especially as Snow Leopard is compatible with older games and other software. But now i feel like upgrading my os. Should I upgrade to Lion? Should i not give in to the hype of Lion? or Should i wait for Mountain Lion (this summer)? help me out, please?
