I spent all day yesterday upgrading my PC and laptop to Windows 8.

I did it because I was able to get Windows 8 Pro at a discounted price for them because I ran Windows 7.

IdeaPad Z575 - I updated all firmwares to Windows 8 version but the web cam is not recognized. I keep getting a Windows 8 error pop up, something about WerFault.exe over and over. Both HM2 and PT4 won't run. The note pad won't work, I get the WerFault.exe error first followed swiftly by NotePad.exe error.

Dell XPS8300 - I was gonna replace this PC because of broken parts but my tech guy in my company was able to save it for me and he didn't even charge me any money for the repair. The Mail tab on the start menu won't work, it just keeps spinning the white circle. The web cam works. HM2 and PT4 won't run.

So far, my experience with Windows 8 has not been good.

Here is the problem summary:

1) The web cam on my laptop stopped working. All firmwares on all of my computers were updated to Windows 8 version.

2) You will need to update Catalyst and rescale your two monitors, if you are using Radeon HD GPU.

3) Constant error messages on my laptop, WerFault.exe error messages. It is so bad that the laptop is useless.

4) The note pad program force quits after two error messages, the WerFault.exe and NotePad.exe error messages. This happens only on my laptop.

5) Mail/Weather/SkyDive tab on Start menu doesn't work in my Dell PC, eternal white circles spinning.

6) No more Start Pop up menu, everyone is using third party Start Pop up software, like, Classic Shell or Start8. If you are used to the idea of having a Start menu to maneuver the OS which I expect it to be the case since XP, Vista, and 7 were all fashioned in the same manner then you will hate Windows 8 GUI which is a OS that is consolidated for use on tablet, desktop, and laptop computers.

7) My HM2 and PT4 no longer works. I contacted support and they recommended clean erase and reinstall of the two programs.

The only good thing is that the new Task Manager is more powerful. lol, to quit the crashed programs, Bill your OS sucks.

The upgrade assistance program always recommends Windows 8 Pro which is what I ended up getting for both my computers but I think it's a con because they don't even let you choose between Pro and Regular.

Desktop: Dell XPS8300<---I just had this PC fixed by my company tech dude for free but the cost was tremendous.

Laptop: Lenovo IdeaPad Z575

lol

It won't let me go back to Windows 7.

I'm trying out clean install of Windows 8 Pro on my laptop right now. I'll post the results later. I hope it fixes all the problems that I'm having with it because my laptop is affected the most so far by the recent upgrade, that is, in a bad way.

I did a clean reinstall on my laptop with Windows 8 Pro and everthing works now so no more error messages. My web cam now works. The only thing that doesn't work is my SD card reader. Installing HM2 and data base program is next.

I'm backing up my files in my desktop PC trying to do the same thing but, lol, backing up process menu reads two days in the beginning, that was in the morning and now it reads 4 hours so whatever, when it's done then I think I'll do it on there also.

Lol, was tempted to upgrade. Thanks for the heads up

Wow, I spent so many hours doing the clean install of Windows 8 Pro now. It's pretty ridiculous.

Everything is done now. I reformatted my desktop and my laptop and installed Windows 8 Pro clean and I can tell you that it's the best thing to do if you are looking to upgrade from Windows 7.

Everything works now. The only thing that doesn't work is my SD card reader on my laptop. The process is painfully long and I'm not even done yet because I still need to reinstall all my regular software. Before I did this basically the whole Metro page didn't work in my desktop computer and all those error messages on my laptop made it impossible to use.

I recommend installing HM2 before PT4. HM2 installer will install the data base program for you much easier. My PT4 installer crashed so many times so I just gave up. I think it's because HM2 installer is bigger and it includes better scripts for the data base installer. So, HM2 and the database program first then installing PT4 afterward is easier.

The new Internet Explorer 10 still blows so I recommend using the Fire Fox browser.

I've been using Windows on and off since 3.1, my advice is this: never do an "upgrade" Format / Clean install every time ftw.

Thanks for posting your experiences

Yes, I learned the hard way but clean install is so much superior to upgrade. All those error messages on my laptop were caused by the old and new software conflicts which is now completely solved. Same goes for my desktop PC and that's why the Metro Page didn't function correctly. As for the SD card reader, all I have to do is wait for the vendor to solve the compatibility issue with Windows 8 Pro.

Also, the HM2 and PT4 runs fine on Windows 8 Pro as long as you complete the clean install instead of upgrade.

I know this is too late for you Carl, but I've spent a while on this since finally buying win8 last night. I wasn't going to upgrade, because, well, I see win8 as a Win ME/Win Vista product - it's a stepping stone that won't be around long and doesn't have enough new features from 7. I'm only using it for work.

After about 5 hours of fighting with postgres, I have started HM2 on an update from win 7. Here are the final steps:

1) Updated network card software. If you have a name-brand computer, google your company and model - there should be some download links. Win 7/8 are essentially the same and it should run fine, but you most likely will need to reinstall. Otherwise, google for the network card you have.

2) In Windows Firewall - Advanced Settings - Inbound Connections, allow port 5432.

3) I ended up reinstalling postgres 8.4 - I couldn't get it to run otherwise. 9.2 would run (ironically I had both installed on port 5432, which I've never seen allowed before). After the reinstallation using the same directory, 8.4 started. Then, I had to go through the first two steps and the next step to run HM2.

4) Reset the password for postgres in the HM2 setup wizard. I had previously reset the password via dos at least twice in this entire process.

I now have started Hm2 without reformatting, or doing a clean install of postgres/hm2 and an access my previous databases.

Running W8 Pro for a few months now, got a student serial, and working good for me.

Performance is better compared to W7. It makes a good diference in old machines, specially at boot but in overall performance too.

Not really a fan of the new start screen, but since i'm on a desktop/laptop i don't have use for it anyway. Have put everything i need on the taskbar, which i already did anyway in W7, the only time i have to use the start screen is to search some programs when i'm not really sure where they are.

Had no problems with drivers in the two computers i installed W8. Everything was working out of the box.

Regarding Poker programas, i have Postgresql 9.0.8 x64 and HM2 installed and running ok.

Overall the trasition was smoth, didn't run into any problems. Made a clean install btw.

Is there a shortcut to restart/shutdown?

These 4 steps to do so are annoying.

Alt+f4 on the desktop. Not perfect but better.

Thanks for the detailed instructions.

Yes, it's too late for me because I lost all previous data but it's still good to know how to do it.

I tried to back up my old files but the instruction that the HM2 support team gave me involved launching HM2 to do it and I simply was never able to launch HM2 software after the upgrade. Someone else also sent me the instruction to tweak the database program in order to launch HM2 but it was pretty difficult to follow so I just gave up.

Anyway, in the end, the clean install of Windows 8 Pro is definitely the way to go. All those error messages on my laptop after the upgrade was caused by program conflicts caused by old firmware which weren't compatible with Windows 8 Pro so the clean install fixed all the problems.

That works for you? It did nothing for me.

Yes, works.



Click the taskbar and hit ALT+F4. It should show that window.

No, click the desktop screen and push ALT + F4 and it brings up the Power on/off screen.

Only works when I click the taskbar. TY, I was going to start screen, logging out, then clicking the power symbol. Drove me nuts.

That's alot of clicks.

I usually use the charms bar. Charms bar (Windows+C) -> Settings -> Power.

You are probably using some kind of laptop, and usually those have some shortcuts on the F keys. Maybe that's it?

No, that's on my Dell XPS8300 desktop. I have a laptop too but I hardly use it so I didn't try it yet. All I do is just click on any part of the desktop screen and push ALT + F4 and it brings up the Power Menu.

It doesn't do it on everyone's?

I misunderstood what you said before, i thought it didn't work for you.

Yes, it works like that. Click/select taskbar and click ALT+F4, or clicking the desktop also works but requires more clicks if you have something open.

Tomshardware Windows 8 info

I don't really know what you're saying here, but his experience was reported by 5-6 other people and I duplicated it. It's an issue with upgrading vs a clean install.

I banned him: the name "iphonerepairs" + the no-content posts = 99.9% likely to be a future poster of spam.

Juk

@udbrky if you go to control panel>power options you can actually set pressing the power button to do a clean shut down of the computer.

Now there's a novel idea!