Not sure if I should post this in the "Win8 Marmite Thread" but I think (hope) my troubles are specific to my device, so here goes: I've gottten a shiny new toy for christmas, a Win8.1 hybrid laptop/tablet. My first voyage into the Win8.1 world. From reading said "Marmite" thread, I'd gained the idea that with the move from Win8 to Win8.1 most problems were solved. I still met some. Major issue: HDMI out does not work There's a rather longish topic on the Microsoft website . It comes down to people not having HDMI out with WIN8.1 that worked on the same hardware with Win7 or even Win8. Microsofts answer is "get new drivers" I did (intel drivers, integrated graphics) and it still doesn't work. I cannot find the "detect monitors" button, not the "my monitor is not detected - help" routine, nor the "force display" I know from XP. The Intel WiFi-driver update shot down my system, not nice. Installing the LPX-driver for my NDAS device (that should be included according to MS shot down the system completely. Recovery reinstall. There are a few minor niggles such as the not existing of a firefox-app, and the program version doesn't activate the on-screen-keyboard in tablet mode. Solved by using IE11 in Tablet mode, and Firefox in laptop mode. This will NOT work unless IE11 is "standart" browser. When another browser is standart browser, IE11 disables the app-mode. This stuff exists for two years now, get your thumbs out Mozilla! ;-) (FF works fine on android) Win8.1 is sometimes silly. Using the Win8.1 Start Contacts-app, contacts have no date of birth. Switch to desktop, go online to windows-live-contacts on the same account, and hey presto, birthdays are available *sigh* The return of the start-button. It's not there in "Start" screen. Switch to desktop, there it is. Switch back to "Start" screen, now it's there. Inconsequent. Start-button Part Two. Okay, so now I need to press the right mouse button instead of the left, okay. Lots of links to stuff that should be under system, okay. "All Programs" missing. In fact, no programs visible at all. Program uninstall is available, but not the programs themselves. Silly
Also Fun: I deinstalled all the bloatware and cleaned up the unused icons on the startscreen. Then set up a second account for the wife. Guess what was all back in the second account?
I can offer any specific advice for any of your issues, but do you mind me asking what device you are talking about?
Same. I have a Surface Pro 2. Yes, the touch screen keyboard not showing up is a problem in Windows 8.1. It has to do with Firefox, Chrome and a bunch of other programs building custom text boxes and not implementing the API call to show the touch keyboard. The same way Firefox and Chrome don't have proper high-DPI support (Chrome is better and nearly there), not to mention slow/unresponsive multitouch gestures. Scrolling is not smooth enough on either web browsers, and zooming, well it's broken in Chrome, and in Firefox, it emulated Ctrl+[+]/[-] keyboard hits, so it's not smooth. While you might be tempted to jump to Chrome for a slightly better experience, keep in mind that Chrome will eat not on your RAM, but also your battery life. And yes, Mozilla and Google are stuck in the past. In the case of Firefox, the rendering engine needs to be re-done, due to it's age. Chrome, there is just no care. They are too busy trying to push Chrome OS on you if you have a touch screen device (yes, it will start Chrome OS above Windows, to start Chrome inside. Wonderful. /s). While I have not tried Windows 10 on my Surface Pro 2 (waiting for Continuum feature), people said that the auto keyboard pop-up is now working on more apps then before. It looks like Microsoft did some work to force support of it. The Start Button is ALWAYS there, and always has been. It is the bottom left corner if you use your mouse. It shows up when you mouse goes on the corner. You can also move the mouse down on the screen edge, and the task bar will show. If you are on tablet, you can access the Start button, but hitting the windows button on your device. All Programs is there as well. Simply swipe up, or do Ctrl+Tab, or hit this button: You can also, set it as default location when you show the Start Menu. Right-click on the task bar, select Properties, and go to the Navigation tab.
Sure, ist's a Medion Akoya P2213T, these exist with different hardwarespecs though. This one has a 11,6" full-hd Screen, 2gb RAM, Win8.1, a Celeron n2940, a32gb ssd and a 500gb harddrive. Nope, the start button in the lower left corner does not show up. I can touch or mouse there all i want. Only when I go to Desktop mode, and then back to startmenu mode, it's there. The shiny Windows logo is a button I didn't even realise that. Thx! I meant all programs in Desktop mode, in start mode I know where to find them, but not in Desktop mode. Darn T9 is driving me crazy, tries to change all my english to german when I use the onscreen Keyboard (Tablet use). Must turn it off!
That is not normal then. It works perfectly fine. It only shows with the mouse. lol yea I am not following. It list all programs Desktop programs and not on that list.
in desktop mode you can just push windows button and start typing the name of app you are looking for and it will appear in list windows button should show in lower left when you u the most in that corner EDIT- you could also try toolbars http://blog.laptopmag.com/how-to-add-an-all-programs-button-to-the-windows-8-taskbar or make win8 look like old windows with applications like startx?
I've got a feeling we're talking past eachother a bit here. When I say "Start" or "Startscreen" I mean the tile view, the "App"-screen, the iconised view, the touchytouchy-view. What used to be called "Metro" With desktopmode I mean the one that looks like Win7, with programicons, a startmenu (lowerleft) and a taskbar. My device is splittable, so I can use it as a tablet (where the "Start" mode and touch is most useful) or as a notebook, where I use the desktopmode (keyboard and mouse) I don't know the name of all possible installed bloatware, hence the list. Yes, i can see an iconised list in the startscreen, but how to get there in desktop mode? I was under the impression that the difference between 8 and 8.1 is that I don't need to.
All the rest is simple "get used to it" really, but if you know a way of getting the HDMI-out to run, that's my main issue.
Hmm. yea. I fully understand you. That is what I am not getting. I have a Surface Pro 2. I have exactly the same type of system as you. Are you sure Windows 8 is FULLY updated?
Well, windows Update finds no new updates when I prompt it, so my guess is yes. That said, drivers arent updated this way. I used a driver update tool from the Intel website to check my Intel drivers and they were quite old. They're fresh now though. Main issue is the non functioning HDMI-out.
Might be slowly getting you.... Right click on taskbar and bring up properties, click on navigation tab, under the start screen settings, click show the apps view when I go to start and then clikc list desktop apps first in the apps view. Now when you click start region the list of desktop applications come up instead of tiled interface. That might be what you are after, its not as compact as old style but same funtion, of course that might stuff up tablet interface for you?
@Goodbytes Thx man. Bloody (insert tourettebot quote here), it was the monitor, not the system. I hooked it up to the TV...works, to the projector, works, to the (hdmi capable) amp...works. To the dedicated computer monitor....nope I have a HDMI to DVI cable somewhere might check that. Oh wait, once the monitor is running (due to the second computer on DVI beeing on, the monitor works with the lapzop over HDMI. So it's some HDMI-handshake hissy fit it's throwing, or simply not powering the HDMI port long enough for the Handshake to finish. GRRRRR Thanks, I see what you did there and you're right, it does hamper the tablet mode. Ah well, I'll just have to get used to it Old dog new tricks and all that. You've all been very helpfull, thanks!
HDMI is very iffy. It was design for TV, and doesn't have the fancy communication system that DVI, and DisplayPort have. There is nearly always problems with it. I tend to avoid it. I am happy to see that some TVs, mostly 4K now have DisplayPort in them. I know there wont this magical switch, but it is a step in the right direction. Not to mention that DisplayPort is free in terms of royalty fees, while HDMI is very costly/
HDMI is, however, the general consumer electronic standart, while Displayport is....used for professional items at best*. *that's beeing kind, the only use I've seen of Displayport is a Displayport to HDMI adapter for a projector because some of our companies older (!!!) notebooks only have DP-out. That said, I've had a funny conversation with an IT-professional frind of mine in Holland. He was baffeled when I told him we use digital connections at all. Appearently, they still commonly use VGA-out, as that at least works everywhere. And he goes to multiple companies a month.
Display Port is the new standard in business and home environment. Nvidia, AMD and Intel supports and includes DisplayPort in their graphics solutions. DisplayPort started to appear back in 2007-2008. Of course, today it is much more common, and tomorrow it will be even more so. Mobile devices now powers their screen via Embedded DisplayPort as well. The advantage of this connector are: -> Consumes the least amount of power than any other available connected, even more so the embedded version with significant margins, given people a noticeable battery life difference. -> The current version supports up to 4K 60Hz 10-bit colors displays. It is today the only connector available at the consumer market to operate 4K 60Hz displays (which are getting quiet affordable these days. You can get a true 8-bit IPS panel 4K display, 27inch (or 24inch) either for less than what I paid my 1920x1200 screen back in 2009) -> DisplayPort supports the most plug-ins and outs than any digital connectors with large margins. -> Full size DisplayPort has a latch system for holding the plug in place and not fall out. A huge problem of HDMI. In addition, the latch system is easy on the hands. VGA and DVI requires 2 screws. Try and replace a 30 computers in a row with new ones. Your fingers will genuinly hurt from unscrewing those VGA/DI cables, and some you need a screw drivers as they are too tight. Not only twice than the number of computers, but also monitors. I have done it. The guys at IT we got so annoyed over time, that we switch everything we can to DisplayPort. -> DisplayPort, always works. Much like DVI, You plug it, and it works. HDMI you have to play with under scan, over scan, change cables manufacture, change color settings, switch form YCbr tp RGB, and so on. And VGA, the resolution is wrong, and needs to be adjusted... on every single monitor. Unless teh IT department is too freaking lazy to do things right. Well if they did, they would use at least DVI. Not to mention that VGA image quality is total garbage. Where I work, while sure you can argue it does the job, our standards aren't low, and we respect the user and students. Our goal to push for excellence, and instant support, allowed us to be insanely close to staff, faculty and (as it is a school) students. When you login to our domain join computers (of course), and it logs in (let alone the system starts) like your home computer or faster. That is carrying. Anyway, that is off topic. -> DisplayPort is backward compatible with inexpensive adapters to: HDMI, DVI, and VGA (max resolution is 1920x1200 60Hz 8-bit colors per channel on all of them) -> DisplayPort is royalty free, much like VGA and DVI, allowing for cheap cables, cheap adapters, cheaper monitors and systems. HDMI cost is really high. This allows us, for about he same price of decent HDMI cable, get, if you want, a very stiff, heavy duty cable. Not sure why you would want that in a basic setup, but hey it's available. -> Like HDMI, DisplayPort carry audio, so when you use DisplayPort to HDMI, you have sound as well. -> While this doesn't affect the consumer, and only professional grade products, DisplayPort supports 10-bit+ colors per channel, (lower the resolution from its max (4K), the more colors you can send, of course. It's all about bandwidth. I am sure you can make single link DVI run a 4K monitors, but probably in monochrome or 15-20Hz instead of 60) -> DisplayPort has lots of potential. The standard states that it can carry auxiliary signal. Meaning it can carry USB, it can carry it's own DockPort system, turning this connector into a dock station cable (currently there is no products using it, as I know of, then again it's very new), DisplayPort 1.3 is expected to support 8K resolution. DisplayPort can work with other standards with much ease compared to other standards due to it's packet system in transferring the video/audio signal. FOr example: Thunderbolt, or teh new USB Type C connector (USB 3.1, (yes 3.1, not 3.0. It is much faster) small size connector for BOTH desktop and laptop, that is reversible, yes! Reversible. Holds tight, support more than 1000 plug-ins and outs which is a massively larger number of plug'ins and out than micro-USB. So no more broken or loose smartphone USB connector. It is solid. So yes, USB Type C connector can send video signal as it CAN (support is up to the manufacture) carry DisplayPort as well as USB. Fun tip: USB Type C, is designed to be able to send up to 100W of power, part of it's specs. They really made it rugged. (this doesn't mean that your smartphone or tablet or desktop computer will necessary send 100W. Jut saying it can. Expect maybe select desktop computers to do this, as if that is implemented on a smartphone you'll probably have 1 femtosecond second of battery life) Anyway. DisplayPort is awsome, and currently it looks like the future as well. Also, what you were not told, but VGA is so bad, that Intel, Nvidia, Dell, HP, Lenovo and AMD have pulled support. This and next year start seeing VGA disappearing at rapid rate. Already, computer manufacture have started to pull VGA out on many of their products. VGA is total crap, and makes no sense in using it in today. Some of the issues with VGA: -> Wires break easily, making them output missing colors on the screen (get the pink, red, yellow, or blue heavy tint screen, and changes as you move the cable, when it breaks) -> Image signal is not sharp, and on high resolutions you can even see static interference up close to a monitor, this is due that when VGA was created, cellphones didn't exists, wireless networking didn't exists. Cellphone network and wireless creates lot of interference. If you are downtown or close to it, it is an issue. -> 1080p is already pushing VGA above it's "design specifications", or should I say it's intended purposes, even though the specification has no max resolution, as the whole concept didn't exists back then. They were just trying to get a full color display connector more than anything, that is inexpensive. Technically speaking, you can push 4K with VGA, it has no max as it's analogue signal. But already 1080p under a high interference area, the image quality is not as good as DVI. And once you pass 1080p, then even in a non high interference area, you see the image quality degrade massively, it's not even a point of argumentation at this point on whether you see it or not. -> VGA doesn't get the image and reoslution right, and requires calibration. You need to put a screen full of text, very small text, and do the auto-adjust on the monitor to have the best sharpness. This step is time consuming to do on every monitor, every time. -> When using VGA with an LCD monitor, this is what happens. Your graphics card video controller converts the digital signal for the frame it has received to analogue for VGA, sends it to your monitor, on it sway it gets interference, and when it arrives, the monitor takes this analogue signal convert it back to digital and output the image. I have a great idea.. how about we just send everything digital? -> VGA consumes a lot of power to deliver a signal. The higher the resolution and refresh arte, the way more power it consumes, dropping the battery life of mobile systems. -> VGA has screws which something when you remove the screws to unplug it, the screw pin from the laptop or desktop goes out with it. You have to go get pliers and a screw driver, remove it, and put back the pin. And if you decide to not screw it in, then the cable does a very poor connection, and any movement on the cable will do point 1 above, or disconnect.
On Displayport: You're right. I still don't know anyone using it. For me, DP sits right up there with thunderbolt, e-sata, HD-DVD and compactflash. Technically nice, but I can't plug it in anywhere. Go into a consumer electronics store (don't know the leading ones in Britain) and check how many bluray players come with DP, and how many with HDMI. Do the same for TV's. I doubt you'll rejoice. It may be the future, but it's been that since ~2008, hasn't it? On VGA, you're right, again. I don't use it, some of my companies older machines use it (because they're, well, old). But it amazed the hell out ot me that it seems to be the connection of choice for businesses in Holland. Weird.
Look at 4K TVs. But, DisplayPort focus is on Computers. And on Computers is on most high-end laptops, on decent and up computer monitors, and all business class systems (See Dell and Lenovo business class systems, both desktop and laptops). High-performance productivity tablets running Windows have DisplayPort as well, look at the Surface Pro line.
The old Dell latitudes came with DP, the new ones come with HDMI again. The dockingstation still has DP-out though.
