Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2012 October 20

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October 20

Google Instant

I do not use a Google account when searching, but do have the Google toolbar, which has always used "Instant" to conduct searches. I found Instant very helpful, but all of the sudden it has ceased to work. Changing my search settings to make sure it is on does nothing. Currently, my toolbar offers suggestions when you type into the search box, but you have to fully type your query and then press enter or search. Not a big deal, but it's a bit irritating after getting so used to Instant.

Most of the articles I've read mention disabling cookies etc., changing the language, or other things; none of that stuff needs to be changed or would alter anything, from what I've seen. Any ideas? dci | TALK 02:21, 20 October 2012 (UTC)

The problem resolved itself on its own; I still haven't a clue as to what happened. dci | TALK 16:15, 21 October 2012 (UTC)

Resolved

Mac gaming microphone problem

I've had no luck with Steam Support or the Steam Community, so here goes: I'm running Left 4 Dead on a 2012 MacBook Pro with OS X 10.7, and it works perfectly except for the internal mic. When I play L4D, my voice comes out choppy, staticky and sped up, so no one can understand me. My mic works fine in other apps, it works fine in TF2 and and it works fine when I test it in Steam Preferences - I only have this problem in L4D and L4D2. I use headphones, so there's no issue with game noise; I tried enabling and disabling "boost microphone gain" and changing the mic sensitivity in the game options; and I made sure that the voice input volume was right in System Preferences - nothing worked. Can anybody familiar with Mac gaming help me out? --Lazar Taxon (talk) 12:37, 20 October 2012 (UTC)

That's an excellent bug report. The information you've given makes it likely that the problem involves the specific game. A Google search for "Left 4 dead microphone problem" finds lots of reports of similar issues -- this one might be the most useful, but if it doesn't help you, look at the others. Looie496 (talk) 16:37, 20 October 2012 (UTC)

Windows 8 interface

The new Windows 8 interface is not very good for desktops, seethis. Does Windows 8 have an option to use the traditional interface (i.e. Windows 7)? Bubba73 ^{You talkin' to me?} 16:56, 20 October 2012 (UTC)

NYTImes today (0ct 25) has a snarky article on win 8 pointing out that it's a hybrid of both the traditional inerface and the phonish tile interface, and you can't do everyting in just one or the other.

Windows 8 on intel-architecture, for the desktop and laptop, does. On embedded platforms (tablets and the like) it does not. -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 17:10, 20 October 2012 (UTC)

By way of an illustration, there are two versions of Microsoft Surface: the ARM one only has Windows RT and the Metro UI, the Intel one has Windows 8 Pro and supports the "traditional desktop". -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 17:18, 20 October 2012 (UTC)

http://classicshell.sf.net/ ¦ Reisio (talk) 17:24, 20 October 2012 (UTC)

which would be an option on a Metro-only platform (RT) if it was accepted into the Windows Store, and if Windows RT ships with the requisite shell dlls on which something like classicshell must depend (because it mostly tweaks the existing shell, not reimplements it). -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 17:44, 20 October 2012 (UTC)

Thanks, I will be using a non-RT version on a desktop. Bubba73 ^{You talkin' to me?} 18:20, 20 October 2012 (UTC)

One thing that's not clear is whether you must boot into Metro first (and then have to click a button to go into classic mode). For some of the betas you could do some registry massaging and set it up so it booted straight into explorer.exe (the normal shell). I think some later betas removed that. I don't know what the status of that is in the released-to-master version. -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 19:19, 20 October 2012 (UTC)

It will cost you $5, but Start8 will allow you to boot to the desktop. A Quest For Knowledge (talk) 22:11, 20 October 2012 (UTC)

Both Windows 8 and Windows RT support the traditional desktop interface. However, the RT version of the desktop does not allow you to install any desktop software. So, you can only run the desktop programs that it comes with (which are the basic built-in Windows apps such as Notepad and Paint, and Microsoft Office). A Quest For Knowledge (talk) 22:09, 20 October 2012 (UTC)

AQFK is correct. Note however without any using an external tool neither version of Windows has the classical start menu (and as suggested by Finlay McWalter and AQFK on RT models you can't install such a tool at least not without hacking since Windows RT doesn't allow the installation of apps except via the Windows Store). Nil Einne (talk) 22:17, 20 October 2012 (UTC)

BTW, Windows RT only runs on ARM based systems. If you're upgrading your existing desktop, Windows RT is not an option; you can only install Windows 8. A Quest For Knowledge (talk) 22:25, 20 October 2012 (UTC)

Yes, my plan is to upgrade the OS on my desktop from W7 to W8.

Thanks to all of you. Along those lines, Windows 8 says that the command bar is being replaced by a ribbon. Is that the "search box"? That is so useful! Bubba73 ^{You talkin' to me?} 22:27, 20 October 2012 (UTC)

While the toolbar in Windows Explorer is now a ribbon, the search box is still in the same place, in the upper-right corner of the screen. A Quest For Knowledge (talk) 22:43, 20 October 2012 (UTC)

I'm talking about (in W7), click on the start button, and the search box in the lower left of the popup. Bubba73 ^{You talkin' to me?} 22:50, 20 October 2012 (UTC)

Windows 8 doesn't come with a Start menu anymore. To search for files, you go to the Start Screen and then just start typing. It will automatically search as soon as you press a key. See search for the Start screen for more information. If you want a Start Menu in Windows 8, see How to replace missing Start button in Windows 8. A Quest For Knowledge (talk) 23:01, 20 October 2012 (UTC)

Just so I can type - that is all I need. When search started, AFAIK it could search for file names and some text within files. But now you can type "printers" (for example) and it takes you to printers, etc. You don't have to remember all of the steps to get to it (or figure them out). Bubba73 ^{You talkin' to me?} 02:44, 21 October 2012 (UTC)

The article also says that Windows 8 is taking away gadgets. Why? some of those are good. Bubba73 ^{You talkin' to me?} 23:13, 21 October 2012 (UTC)

I'm not sure if Microsoft gave an official reason why. It might be to encourage users to use the Metro interface. Live Tiles are a bit similar to gadgets in that they can display real-time info such as weather or RSS feeds. Another reason might be that gadgets consume too much power, and Microsoft is trying to extend battery life as much as possible on laptops and tablets. A Quest For Knowledge (talk) 23:22, 21 October 2012 (UTC)

I've had the weather gadget on since I found out about it. Bubba73 ^{You talkin' to me?} 00:22, 22 October 2012 (UTC)

I read that the gadgets is a security hole and it's impossible? too hard? to fix, so they just pulled the plug. [1]Gzuckier (talk) 15:48, 25 October 2012 (UTC)

An additional related question: I prefer an XP interface, with a Start Menu without a search function, the XP Explorer shell and manifest, and a search function that acts like XP's (7's is awful for me). If I buy a computer with 7 or 8 installed (preparation for if my XP system fails), can I get its interface to act like XP? Thanks! -- 143.85.199.242 (talk) 22:21, 23 October 2012 (UTC)

I've heard good things about Classic Shell, but I haven't used it. I do useAgent Ransack / FileLocator Lite (on Windows 7), a file search program, and recommend it. Mitch Ames (talk) 09:38, 24 October 2012 (UTC)