Windows 8 for £25?

Originally Posted by Mark_h

Can you do a fresh build even from the upgrade license? How does it validate your XP license?
.

it doesnt validate your old key just the new one you put in

[Mark_h]

Originally Posted by Mark_h

6 hour format, 3 hour download, 1 hour install and my clunky old XP desktop now goes from off to browsing faster than Joe M at a Lambo convention!

The Win8 desktop will take a bit of getting used to but with a few mins messing you can make it all look like W7 anyway and still have super-fast start-up.

Ok so now got most of my life back together and everything except the scanner working well (need to mess with WIA but at leas the scanner now starts up so getting there)

So now I'm thinking about refreshing my apps. I've got a legit Office enterprise suite so that's all good. Itunes for music so good enough there. Found a nice little lightweight W8 radio player so that's good.

Any advice on a sensible photo editing suite. Previously I had Photoshop but it's a bit of a brute and I'd rather keep my licensing in a better shape than previously. So are any of the freebies any good or am I better replicating my Photoshop environment? PS facilities I use a bit are:-

Levels, a bit of background cloning and airbrushing, some selective cutting to lift out items to re-post elsewhere and some colour manipulation. I've not got a tablet for any real pen work and quickly get out of my depth with any of the advanced menus so any suggestions?

[SoulKiss]

Google for "Gnu Image Manipulation Program" - or GIMP as its better know.

[Steve_God]

Originally Posted by SoulKiss

Google for "Gnu Image Manipulation Program" - or GIMP as its better know.

Ah... I never realised that was what it stood for!

Ok following on from the W8 download, I've come across a problem. I was lent a DVD which will not play. I went to Sony themselves to query and they have explained the following:

"I understand that the Blu-ray player is not working after upgrading to Windows 8 and you wish to have the Windows 8 compatible drivers for your computer. Microsoft has made the decision that Windows 8 editions will no longer include Windows Media Center by default as had been the case in previous versions of Windows. The result is that when you upgrade to the Windows 8 operating system, or purchase a new computer with the Windows 8 operating system, Windows Media Center will not be installed. Because of this, Blu-ray Disc (BD) and DVD movies will not playback without the installation of additional software"

The "Additional Software" can only be purchased from Sony (Power DVD). Although they have kindly explained that I can get basic DVD functionality by doing a search for " Windows 8 DVD player", but they cannot recommend anyone in particular. So I take my chances with downloading some malware or purchase Sony's software.

This angers me, because it appears that by paying to "upgrade" my computer its removed some of its basic functions, that I will have to pay to regain. What?

Albeit I very rarely watch DVD'd these days but this is besides the point, you know what I mean? Other than the lack of (free) drivers, W8 is alright.

[muzikill]

You can get windows media centre for windows 8 for free just now which adds the functions back in.

Download VLC, (video lan player), plays everything and anything.

It's shareware, so free etc.

Cheers, will do.

[5hort5]

Second for VLC, tis very good

Welcome to the forum Lazadude.

[joshwalker094]

Hmm, is it really good?
Might update my w7 laptop, it's got a bit slow even though its Decent spec