Windows 8.1 is here: Windows 8.101 including how to update from 8.1 Preview

Yes, that was my attempt at number play. No not word play. We have evolved to number play. Anyway, as many of you may or may not know, Windows 8.1 is here and it is jam packed with a decent amount of new features including major and much needed updates to first party mail, contacts, photos, music apps and the return of the iconic start button. There are numerous other updates in tow and Microsoft provides a great summary on the Microsoft Blog.

I come with good tidings today. If you are like me, you are most likely running the Windows 8.1 preview on a Mac via parrells. You’d also have Windows 8 running on another computer and possibly own a Windows RT device. Long story short, it would be an honour to take you all through the kinks of this update process so you don’t have to. First off is updating a Window 8 device.

If you already run Windows 8 or Windows 8 RT, getting the update is a breeze. All you need to do is open the Windows Store and viola! There is a huge tile waiting for you to click on. All updates happen within the Windows Store vs the conventional means we are used to in legacy Windows devices. Results may vary with regards to download and installation times but note that the file is large. Mine was about 3.63 Gb in total and in typical Windows fashion, expect the installation to check compatibility and a whole load of other checks so prepare your internet connections if you need to.

There have been complaints about errors from the download process requiring people to restart their downloads. Although I had no errors, I would advice individuals in countries where internet might be slow and bandwidth expensive to wait things out for now and let the early rushers trickle out. Microsoft’s servers will be less strained and they should have addressed most of these kinks.

Of note is that if you do not see the nice purple tile in the Windows Store on your device, chances are you are yet to download the required updates that reveals this to you. Microsoft in their support forum require that all Windows 8 OS updates and in particular one or two be installed before you gain access to the update within the Windows Store.  (It was unclear which KBXXXXXX update in particular)

If you are already running Windows 8.1 preview. Things get a little trickier and this is the primary reason for writing this post. Both my devices running 8.1 preview (A Surface RT and an iMac via parrallels) all seemed to have their Windows store apps crash at the splash screen. Upon further research, it was made known that 8.1 preview devices will not be able to get updated via the Windows Store home  like with Windows 8. They have to go through one or two processes depending on how it was installed.

If your device was updated to 8.1 Preview via the Windows Store or you updated to the preview using media (CD, USB etc) but on a Windows 8 device, you can update via these steps;

• On the Start screen, tap or click Store to open the Windows Store. Doing this first will make it so that you can see the progress of the installation once it starts.

• Visit this link and expand the “I installed the preview from the Windows Store or I installed the preview using media while Windows 8 was running“ option. Within this option, there should be an active link to download the update (the link is only active on Windows browsers). The link is also provided HERE (it will only work on Windows 8.1 preview devices)

Note that you will be required to reinstall all your apps after this update but your personal files will be kept intact. If you already run 8.1 on other devices, all your Metro apps will sync seamlessly after your update thanks to the new features Skydrive brings to 8.1.

Also note that there is no way to revert back to Windows RT from 8.1 RT preview. You must upgrade to 8.1 RT eventually.

If your device was updated to 8.1 preview from booting with ISO media, the steps to update are pretty much the same as with updating from Windows 8 but your system will not activate until you buy a Windows 8.1 license and product key.

A warning from Microsoft: When running Windows 8.1 Preview, if you used the Add Feature function to change editions, you might need to reinstall or reactivate using your same edition product key. To find out more about changing product keys, see KB2750773.

Finally, if you were on a legacy OS like  Windows Vista/XP, upgrading to Windows 8.1 would require a full refresh of your computer via a DVD. In other words, you would be looking into formatting or partitioning your hard drive to make way for Windows 8.1. This isn’t your Vista to Windows 7 “upgrade”. This is more of an out with the old and in with the new. There is no pouring new wine into this old wine skin, if you get my drift.

Speaking of Windows 7. Upgrading to Windows 8.1 from Windows 7 is similar to upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 8. All one would need to do is visit the Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant and follow the steps presented.

Don’t forget to let us know about your experiences with upgrading to Windows 8.1.

Source

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Guide to Install Windows 8 On PC Using A DVD

Last time, i made a post on how install windows 8 on pc using a USB Flash Drive check Here. Now, i will teach you how to install it using a DVD.

Steps to Follow:
1. Download windows 8 for 32-bit / 64-bit.

2. Using your disc burning software, burn the .iso into a DVD.

3. Ensure all important data is backed up in case of data loss on your drives.
4. Ensure you have a network cable connected, restart your computer, and boot from the DVD drive.

5. The DVD will begin to load up, and you'll be presented by the following screen as the installer starts.

6. Once loaded you will see the following screen.

Select your location, keyboard and regional language settings as required and click next to continue and you'll see the following box:

Click Install now.

7. You'll be asked to provide the product key to activate Windows.

Enter the product key as written in the screenshot above. For the sake of clarity, the product key is TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF for both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

Once you have entered the product key, click next.

8. Before you can proceed with the setup any further you're required to accept Microsoft's license terms, as below.

Read the terms, and accept it by ticking the I accept the license terms box, then click next.

9. You will be see the following screen.

For the purposes of this tutorial, we'll assume you are performing a fresh installation of Windows 8 Release Preview. Therefore, this tutorial covers the Custom option which will install a fresh copy of Windows 8 Release Preview onto a clean hard drive, without backing up and restoring any existing files or settings.

The first option, Upgrade will allow those running previous versions of Windows to upgrade to Windows 8 whilst keeping all files, settings and applications during the setup of the new operating system.

10. The setup will then continue and start the disk manager as below.

Select the correct drive to use for the installation of Windows 8 Release Preview, and click next. For those trying this in a Virtual Machine, 20-25GB of hard drive space is more than adequate.

Note: This step is the last point in which you can abort the installation without permanent data loss to drives. Please ensure you have working backups before proceeding further.

11. Windows setup will then begin to install Windows 8 Release Preview to the hard drive, and will work through several stages as detailed below.

The installer may restart during the installation stage as it configures the computer to run the new operating system.

12. Once completed, it will reboot again and setup the computers devices and finalize the installation, as below.

Once this stage has finished, you will be see the following screen.

Select your preferred colour, and then name your computer. The PC name is used to identify the computer on local networks and ideally should be named so that other users your network can identify who the computer belongs to. Then click next.

13. You will then see the following window.

At this point you can specify the final settings required in the configuration of your new Windows installation. You can either choose Use express settings or click Customize to change the express settings.

If you are unsure, it is best to choose the first option. The installer will then configure the final settings and move onto the next step.

14. The next step asks you if you wish to sign into your PC using a Windows Live account.

Unlike previous versions of Windows, Microsoft's new operating system heavily integrates the Redmond-based firms Windows Live features, including messenger, contacts, calendar and mail.

Signing in using your Windows Live account also offers Windows 8 users additional benefits like the ability to download additional apps from the Windows Store and automatic synchronization of all your Windows 8 computers so they look and feel the same regardless of which one you're using.

Note: Your Windows Live ID also becomes your username for Windows 8 Release Preview, and uses your Windows Live ID password to log in.

Enter your Windows Live ID, and click next.

You will then be asked for your password for your Windows Live account. Click next.

The final step of integrating your Windows Live account with your new installation of Windows 8 Release Preview requires you to provide additional verification information. For those that have previously set this up, the fields will be completed already. Verify they are correct, or add the required information and click next.

15. Windows 8 Release Preview will then complete its final configuration.

Once complete, it will then boot into Windows for the first time, as below.

Installation is now complete, and you can enjoy your new OS and begin exploring its features.

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How To Get Your PC Serial Number

I decided to share this little idea to help widen your knowledge a bit.

For the benefit of those that do not know what command prompt is, a command language is a language used to execute series of commands that will other wise be executed at the prompt. It is a language used by computer personnel for effective communication with their system.

Now get your PC ready and let’s try using a simple command to get the serial number of your PC.

HOW TO GET THE SERIAL NUMBER OF YOUR PC

1. Click on Start then search for RUN (mostly associated with window 7 users). Having done that, type the word cmd in the run dialog box and press OK.

2. Another box will appear, type the sentence Wmic bios get serial number after the underscore symbol ( _ ) and press enter.

3. That is all. The serial number of your PC will appear.

NOTE: This works on every system.

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How To Solve Windows Genuity Problem

Are you having windows genuine problem with your PC? [By the bottom

Right side of your window/home screen] i.e. when you put on your PC, your background changes to black.

The main cause of this problem is because you usually connect your PC to the internet

Solution

1. Go to the start menu

2. Scroll and click on RUN then type regedit.

3. Click the + sign then my computer, scroll to CURRENT HLONG

USER click and scroll to microsoft.

4. Click the "+" sign then click on "current version", scroll down to

WINLOGON then click.

5. You will see WGA BALOON, delete it and your PC will be back as normal.

Don't forget to share this tutorial with your friends.

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Control your PC/Laptop with your Eyes using eViaCam

Programmers are not relenting, providing sophisticated software to perform unimaginable task.

Today, we will be discussing about a PC software that allows you control your PC with your eyes, called eViacam. This software uses your PC webcam and your face motion to control PC cursor, so you don't have to make use of your PC Mouse anymore.

Materials Needed:

1. A PC with WebCam or an Attached Cam.

2. eViacam software Installed on your PC (Download Here)

HOW TO USE eVIACAM TO CONTROL YOU PC WITH YOUR EYES

Enable Viacam aka eViacam is a mouse replacement software that can move the cursor by the use of the eye. It works on a standard PC with a webcam. No additional hardware is required. The first time you install and configure your webcam before using eViacam, its important to configure your camera to manual exposure mode and adjust this parameter to get around 25 fps or more. Most modern camera scan delivers 30fps. Please check your webcam manually if need be. Once installed open eviacam automatically detects the camera. Place the camera to get a frontal view of your face. The width of your face in the picture should be one-third of the width of the frame. Focus tracking box around the face. 

Turn on tracing of the file menu. Try moving, your head and see the results. You should be able to reach all areas of the screen with the cursor. 

To click just stop pointing your Finger to the desired position. In a few moments click will be done automatically. You can use the window at the top of the screen to select different Modes of clicks.

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