Computers: Sometimes It's Best to Leave Well Enough Alone

  • Thread starter Thread starter XploZiveToyz
  • Start date Start date
The moral of the story should be this: hard drives are cheap. If you want to play with a new OS, spend $50 on a new hard drive, take out your old one and set it aside. Put in your new one and install Windows 8 or Linux or wtf you want. Then when you ultimately decide you liked it better the way it was, just remove the new drive and put back the old one.

I'm much rather spend $50 on a drive than spend hours and hours trying to get back where I was, and failing.

Now obviously you can accomplish the same thing by using an image backup program like Ghost, but having another drive is even easier. And since all PCs today allow you to select your boot drive, you can often leave both in at the same time. I have one drive loaded with Windows 7, one with Windows XP, and 5 seconds in the BIOS allows to to swap between which one is booting.
 
RWhite, what a good idea! And had I gave a little forethought to this little project I would've done exactly as you suggested. And to think of the hours i blew just getting it back to where it was. LOL! The next time I get a wild hair about something computer related I think I'll P.M. you first! LOL! Thanks for the excellent suggestion!
 
Laugh all you want.

Laugh all you want. I am still running XP:eek: And until I find a reason to change will continue to do so. My wife is the most tech-tarded person on the planet. She is running W7 on her laptop and constantly asking me to help her with something. The things that are absolutely simple on XP are a PIA on W7.
 
RWhite said:
The moral of the story should be this: hard drives are cheap. If you want to play with a new OS, spend $50 on a new hard drive, take out your old one and set it aside. Put in your new one and install
Click to expand...

This is great advice!
I did this with the transitions from tiger to leopard, and leopard to snow leopard.
New disk, new install - Old one just sits there and waits for the inevitable. :p
 
The first thing I would have done as go to each program's site and check to see if windows 8 was supported. Also, make sure all of your devices have windows 8 drivers or they will not function. You should also wait until the first service pack is available. Just go back to 7. I will never go to 8 unless there are major changes. MS screwed up bad with it and they know it, just like they did with ME and VISTA. I believe MS is about to release an update to give 8 the classic windows desktop and not that ridiculous tablet look, even when it is on a desktop. Good luck. You won't make that mistake again. At least you didn't do it in the middle,of a project.
 
CoolCat said:
I agree and have 7's and an 8 around here. I have noticed Windows 8 seems to handle more advertisements better and commercial ad pop ups , which might have been Microsofts purpose for the new version.....advertiser friendly.AS far as my audio 7,8, doesn't sound any better than XP or 95.
Click to expand...

What on earth are you talking about???
 
That Windows 8 doesn't improve sound/ audio than the previous few versions....imo all it seems to do "better" is handle more video advertisements.

a bit of sarcasm if you need that explained..
 
I have been using PCs since they were invented and I agree to a point about not buying a PC with any new OS until the first Service Pack comes out. That was until Win 7 and I really think that whole idea is dead, I have computers running Win 8 and 7 and finally got my wife off her XP, the sad truth is you can't keep an OS forever, they will quit with updates, including security patches in April of next year for XP for example and the programs you run will demand a newer OS sooner or later. That being said Win 8 is the first OS in years that I have had qualms about, as I hate not having a normal desktop with quick and easy access to my programs, so my Win 8 machine is stuck in the living room. Also a word of advice if you are going to update to a new OS it is better to just buy a new computer with it installed, you have to take out some of the advertising nonsense but conflicts are less likely.
 
T Sat said:
I have been using PCs since they were invented and I agree to a point about not buying a PC with any new OS until the first Service Pack comes out. That was until Win 7 and I really think that whole idea is dead, I have computers running Win 8 and 7 and finally got my wife off her XP, the sad truth is you can't keep an OS forever, they will quit with updates, including security patches in April of next year for XP for example and the programs you run will demand a newer OS sooner or later. That being said Win 8 is the first OS in years that I have had qualms about, as I hate not having a normal desktop with quick and easy access to my programs, so my Win 8 machine is stuck in the living room. Also a word of advice if you are going to update to a new OS it is better to just buy a new computer with it installed, you have to take out some of the advertising nonsense but conflicts are less likely.
Click to expand...

theres that app that works well , to make 8 a 7.(simulated)...

I agree the forced upgrade, eventually the software and all that demands a new pc, especially security software.
like you said the main reason is the software advances and then widgets and the pc has to keep-up. I worked INTEL early 90's and they were in close working relationships with Microsoft, so releases and planning were very inbred. Its probably a little different now with more open licensing...for macs and etc..etc..

DoctorVarney
that video had me laughing so hard, damn thanks for that, its scary and true in a way. How many hours do we spend on these things?
 
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