I don't know where to start.
 

A couple of months ago I bought a new Acer Aspire E15 Start ES1-512-C50S.

It has 8GB of DDR3 memory and a 1000 GB HD and a Celeron N2840 - so, whilst not being the fastest available, it isn't hobbled by a restricted specification.

W8 of course - something that I didn't (and don't) want - but there was no realistic alternative (I wasn't prepared to 'go professional'). My previous laptop was W7.

I browse various websites (PPRuNe of course, a couple of similar Forums and Hotmail, BBC News etc - nothing heavy).

By choice I would use Firefox exclusively, though I was tempted to Opera on my previous laptop and found it an acceptable alternative.

I have previously avoided IE (for the same reasons that I never use Facebook) but I have been 'forced' to relent - more below.

An update to Opera 'spread' across the screen and there are no taskbars or toolbars - this is my primary problem - how do I restore Opera to an acceptable format?
I am minded to un-install Opera and reinstall it.

I should point out that there is a W7-type front end that I can 'flip' with the W8 stupid tiled front end - possibly Pokki (I have deleted much of the crapware that came bundled and installed by Acer, but I haven't touched Pokki as I don't want to be stuck with the stupid tiles).

Firefox sometimes 'bogs down' (but there again, so does IE). By bog-down I mean that it seems to forget to access the router (TalkTalk - previously excellent speeds - recently very slow) and the router Wifi connection drops out. The router was new in August 2014.).

IE 11.0.9600.17631 Update version 11.0.16 (KB3021952) will load Hotmail Inbox, but refuses to allow 'clicks' - ie it won't open any messages. If I paste the 'Compose' URL it doesn't complete - message 'Nearly Finished' with circling dots. This is my second problem - how to I restore full activity?

Can't help with most of that - you're using stuff that I'm still managing to avoid - but with regard to the TT router, try switching it off for ten minutes or so. I know TT say keep it powered up. I also have the wifi element on mine switched off, as is the WPS.

When you say that FF "bogs down" do you mean that the wifi adapter stops working. I`m having the same problem and keep having to right click on the wifi task bar and trouble shoot the wireless adapter which then works again. I`m thinking that this new version of FF version 36 is causing the problem. W7.

Sounds like Opera is in full screen mode - press the F11 key to toggle to standard mode.

I uninstalled Opera, then re-installed it - situation as was, but then pressing F11 restored normal service. :ok:

Thanks.

Now to try and resolve the Hotmail problem - refusing to 'Compose' in IE11 (though I have managed to send one from Opera).

I too have occasional "bogging down" issues if I use IE on my Win 8.1 desktop PC.


I usually use Chrome, with which I have no such problems. However, Chrome doesn't have a proper High Contrast colour scheme. I need this sometimes as I had an eye injury a few years ago and occasionally the glare off a white background makes it a uncomfortable to view anything on the screen. IE works well with Windows yellow on black high contrast scheme.


A bit off thread I know...but Chrome might be worth a try. You can always uninstall it if you don't like it.

I had 'bogging down' as reported on another thread. Turned out to be RFI.

The keyboard/mouse wireless dongle was interfering with the device wifi.

Solution was to add an extension usb cable so the wireless dongle was a couple of feet away.

Shouldn't happen but I guess there can be image frequencies and harmonics breaking through.

I've found the free Classicshell turns W8 into a more user friendly system, ie makes it look like W7. Retains the speed of boot etc of W8.

When is a shutdown not a shutdown?
 

It is worth noting that W8 "boots" quickly by not booting.

A full shutdown of W8 does not shut the computer down. It hibernates it. A subsequent boot un-hibernates the machine. It "refreshes" the drivers and all the apps are closed on "shutdown" but the bulk of the OS is hibernated.

Sometimes a proper reboot may be needed. Several steps are needed to get this to happen, there is no convenient button.

Look it up if required for full and correct details. Google [windows 8 hybrid boot].

Yet more microsoft simplexification.

Apparently their user testing lab reported that users only chose shutdown to close all their apps and did not actually care if the computer was working properly or not. Presto!

Current problem is a jittery cursor, and 'noise' on sound when I move the cursor.

If I am playing a video then move the cursor there is interference on the sound (a buzzing noise).

Having checked Task Manager, the memory was 6.9GB - something called Intel (R) - which I 'ended' - normal service restored.