Installing Windows 7 (Solved)

[Woodworker]

OK David, if you do want the touch screen, and there is no need for high demand programs, the Asus you linked to will be fine for you.

 

If connection problems are there with a new laptop, it will at least mean the fault is definitely with your ISP, especially if they provided router and other equipment, as it could well be the router, even if your other smaller netbook seems to have no problems.

 

A shame really that there is now little chance of any new laptop that comes with Windows 7 on it, they seem to have all been sold.

 

Nev.

 

Thanks for that Nev - As you say it could be a fault with my BT Hub, I'll persevere with my netbook for the time being in anticipation that when my BT contract expires, I shall shop around anyway and perhaps change my ISP - that's if BT don't offer me a good deal to stop with them. Their technical help centre is in India and, from past experience, something I now avoid using because, although very polite, their advisors are only equipped to run through set routines making the experience frustrating!

 

My download speed is usually around 8.5 MPS which more than suits my needs.

 

Thanks, David

[steve61]

Can I just clear a few things up.

Firstly, the reason Windows 8 reinstalled itself when you did a reset is because of a system image placed on the laptop when it was made.

Basically Acer split the hard drive into two parts, the part that you see and use everyday, and a hidden part, which contains all the information needed to return the laptop to the state it was in when it left the factory. Which is why you got Windows 8 back on but not the programs you had installed.

Second, OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer, all that means is what was on or in the computer when it left the factory, this covers software and hardware, so you can have OEM Windows 8, or OEM memory sticks. Bit like the tyres on your car when it left the factory could be called OEM, whereas if you fit a different make of tyre, it is not OEM, but it still does the job.

Next, are you happy with the laptop? (apart form the network problem) Does it do what you want it to do? if yes, then why spend money on another one?

If your eyes are not working so good, then I think Windows 7 would be better for you, because you can change the font size easier than with Windows 8 (actually I would recommend Windows 7 over Windows 8 to someone with perfect vision, but that's just my opinion).

Does the netbook connect to the network? If so then the Laptop is where the problem lies.

When Dell sell a computer, it isn't always one that they have made, they very often grab a computer from another manufacturer, nail a Dell badge on it, and sell it as a Dell, especially to businesses, and when it builds a computer for you, then you can decide which CPU, GPU, Motherboard etc you wish fitted.. So, if you get a Dell Windows install disk, it has to support a lot of hardware.

When windows XP came out, pirate versions were usually Dell disks, because they came with loads of drivers on, so supported many different forms of hardware, and (more importantly) came ready activated, because when you are producing computers by the shed load, like Dell do, you don't want to be messing around getting each one of them registered with Microsoft. So, Uncle Mike did a deal with Uncle Bill, and Dell got a pre-activated copy of Windows XP, these disks got copied by the thousand, and got uploaded to bit torrent sites. What I am saying is, that OEM Dell disk may well work on any computer you throw it at (But I cant 100% guarantee it).

Your download speed is pretty good for standard broadband, but have you looked into if fibre is available to you? I am with TalkTalk, and I was on a phone/internet package with standard broadband, which worked out at £34 a months with unlimited calls and unlimited broadband. I then found that BT had installed fibre for my street (without informing anyone) and I did a deal with unlimited calls and unlimited fibre broadband for £35 per month!

Hope this is some help to you.

Cheers

Steve.

[Woodworker]

While expressing appreciation to all who have contributed to this thread, I'm asking a moderator to lock it because, largely through my own fault, it's going round in circles and failing to get to grips with my original problem which is my Acer laptop with Windows 8.1 losing connection with my network.

 

The only reason I wanted to install Windows 7 was because I mistakenly thought it was Windows 8.1 at fault which I now realise it isn't.

 

My offending laptop is an Acer, not a Dell and, since being informed that Acer laptops are rubbish, I've pensioned it off and bought another make which works fine with my router, although I am in process of changing my ISP.

 

I tried my offending Acer on a friend's network and the same problem arose!

 

I have installed Classic Shell on my new laptop and, therefore, have no need to bother with Windows 7.

 

Incidentally, I use my Acer netbook on my network with no difficulty.

 

Thanks again, David :)

[Plastic Nev]

Hi David, we seldom lock a thread unless we really need to, however I have marked it as solved, that way if you do need to add anything more you can do. Thanks though for the update and glad that at least you have got yourself happily sorted.

 

As a by the way, and from your latest information, it may well be a hardware fault requiring replacement of either the wireless board or card, or the Local Area Networking (LAN) cards in the old laptop. Might still be worth keeping though as a fall back computer should the need arise.

 

Nev.

[KenB]

Hi David

 

Acer laptop with Windows 8.1 losing connection with my network.

Strangely I get this problem with my own Acer Aspire V3-571

I originally thought that it may be my router and tried a different one that I have - same result.

I have had this problem since the laptop was new - it is way beyond the warranty period now.

 

I originally had Win 8 and upgrading to 8.1 has made no difference.

 

I came to the conclusion a while back that it was a faulty Wireless Network Adapter.

[ Nev has indicated his thoughts on this in his last post ]

 

If yours is the same you could try a USB WiFi Adapter. They are relatively inexpensive.

[ I have not read through the thread so if you have tried this already ...apologies :) )

[Woodworker]

It may be the right make, being Asus and not Acer, however as Randy said, it is too slow a processor and looking up the spec it is only a two core one.

As just something to look at, this Toshiba would be slightly better for performance and is a lot cheaper too, unless of course you want the touch screen which this doesn't have. Believe me, I tried a touch screen and for intensive work, forget it. Your arms start to ache after a few minutes and if doing graphics work, touch screens have very little accuracy.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-Satellite-C55-A-1N1-15-6-inch-i5-4200M/dp/B00H7911TQ/ref=pd_sim_sbs_computers_28?ie=UTF8&refRID=11GVG0PGPWWXVMHTB1KP

 

Nev.

 

Hello Nev, I realise I wanted this thread closed but I've come back to thank you for the link to the Toshi. I was very disillusioned by the HP I bought from PC World and have returned it for a refund.

 

I've now got the Toshi and am delighted with it - Much faster with the Intel i5 and, surprise, surprise and to my delight there's a facility to calibrate the display as well as a graphic equaliser for the sound. I generally find the screens on laptops lacking in the sort of contrast I prefer and this is my dream come true.

 

The case is very disappointing with it's plasticky appearance and feel - the disc drawer is like a cheap toy - but I'm hoping this isn't a reflection of the reliability as a whole.

 

I'm now connected to EE broadband which is giving me a download speed of around 10.9 MB, so I'm well and truly sorted - Hoorah!

 

Thanks again David :)

[Plastic Nev]

Hi David, thanks for letting us know.

If it is any consolation most disk drive drawers on laptops are pretty flimsy looking, doesn't matter which make, they all seem to be the same.

 

Just be glad it isn't one of the later plain slot type where you just push the disk in. If it sticks and you can't get the disk out, it is a nightmare dismantling job with them.

 

Nev.

[Woodworker]

It wouldn't be a major worry for me Nev, as I have an external drive I would use. I assume they make the drawers flimsy to help reduce weight and size - The lappies nowadays are very thin.

 

David