Windows 8 Upgrade

[Ylyrra]

Soo.. when I bought my laptop, it was just after they started the special "Buy now, get Windows 8 for $14.99" when it's released.

I registered and downloaded the compatibility check and here is what it said:

1) Sidebar gadgets aren't supported in Windows 8 - Not a problem, I don't use them anyway

2) Install an app to play DVD's - Well - I haven't played a DVD on the laptop since I got it, but would like to be able to should I want to - is this pretty standard? Recommendations?

3) Secure Boot isn't compatible with your PC. Your PC's firmware doesn't support Secure Boot so you won't be able to use it. - Little help here - is this a feature I want? Is it possible to update the firmware to support it if so? (HP dv7t Quad Laptop / Intel i7-3610QM 2.3GHz)

4) Intel (R) USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller Drive - not compatible - Not sure what this is - fill me in please.

5) Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 - not compatible - 1 year subscription came free with the laptop. Is Windows Defender meant to replace the need for separate A/V software? Is it compatible / better / worse?

6) HP Power Manager - reinstall in Windows 8 - If I choose to proceed with Windows 8, will I be automatically prompted to do this?

Thanks in advance. =)

[Timothian]

Ylyrra: Here is my stab at answering your questions.


1) Sidebar gadgets aren't supported in Windows 8 - Not a problem, I don't use them anyway [Agree, down with sidebar gadgets!]

2) Install an app to play DVD's - Well - I haven't played a DVD on the laptop since I got it, but would like to be able to should I want to - is this pretty standard? Recommendations? [Not sure about this, there is some confustion on what versions of Windows 8 contains Codecs to play DVDs. If you remember, Windows XP did not come out of the box able to play DVDs, you needed to have add on software to be able to do so, Windoes 7 fixed this. I think Windows 8 will play DVDs as is, or you may need to add on a multimedia package. However, your DVD drive will work, and if you add on software, you will be able to play movies from DVD]

3) Secure Boot isn't compatible with your PC. Your PC's firmware doesn't support Secure Boot so you won't be able to use it. - Little help here - is this a feature I want? Is it possible to update the firmware to support it if so? (HP dv7t Quad Laptop / Intel i7-3610QM 2.3GHz) [ Don't worry about this. It is a feature that Windows 8 has that you can use on PCs that have the proper hardware. Your laptop likely won't support, but I wouldn't want this anyway. It is method to verify that the software running on your PC is authorized to run (i.e. must have licensed copy of Windows).]

4) Intel (R) USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller Drive - not compatible - Not sure what this is - fill me in please. [For your USB 3.0 ports to work at USB 3.0 standard under Windows 7, an add on driver is needed. The USB 3.0 driver is standard in Windows 8 and your USB should work fine.]

5) Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 - not compatible - 1 year subscription came free with the laptop. Is Windows Defender meant to replace the need for separate A/V software? Is it compatible / better / worse? [I have not used either of these, but beleive both are good. I have to assume that Kaspersky will provide an updated version compatible with Windows 8]

6) HP Power Manager - reinstall in Windows 8 - If I choose to proceed with Windows 8, will I be automatically prompted to do this? [ Not sure abot this. Probably not an issue though.]

[Ylyrra]

Thanks Aae - that helps quite a bit.

[Squeege]

built in microsoft security is solid been using it since 7 came out.
(and a lot less annoying) =)