DCS World + Windows 8: Worked fine

[sparkie66]

All my hardware runs fine with win 8, only track ir had a little work around, like 30 seconds of work.

 

I have the warthog stick and throttle, Saitek rudder and cougar displays.

 

Win 8 looks more slick and from what I can tell it's not hogging the ram so much. bootup to start screen in 7 seconds (ssd) is nice too.

 

the metro isn't really my thing yet, but games like guildwars2 dcs etc go to normal desktop right away.

 

getting to the normal desktop is really easy too. As for the start button missing..I hardly ever used it in win 7. Everybody knows [win] + [e] is the shortcut to explorer right?

 

edited to add: besides, you all know you will want to install win 8 anyway soon if you are anything like me, just because it's the latest thing... :thumbup:

Edited September 16, 2012 by sparkie66

[Cyb0rg]

I think i'll wait the 1st patch. Just in case. :music_whistling:

[coolts]

I got my trackIR working with new beta driver but my TM Warthog keeps cutting out when I run TARGET. Anyone had that?

 

ps. Doubt there will be anymore client service packs for windows. No win7 one planned that's for sure

[dabomb]

ps. Doubt there will be anymore client service packs for windows. No win7 one planned that's for sure

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/lifecycle

 

Win7 end of mainstream support: January 12, 2015

Win7 end of extended support: January 14, 2020

 

I wouldn't sweat it.

[Eihort]

I think XP had their last and final SP right before 7 hit if I'm not mistaken.

[Backy 51]

I too upgraded to Win 8 Pro 64-bit w/Media Center for $16. Could not say no to that price.

 

Installed on top of Win 7 Pro 64-bit with little problems. Had to uninstall Security Essentials and was pleased to see CH Manager updated for Win 8.

 

Memory handling seems better in Win 8 and boot time is indeed faster. I have better FPS in FSX with same hardware and only OS change. DCSW seems smoother using same in game settings as before.

 

If you have an XBOX 360, you are familiar with Metro interface. Start button is gone and Program Files is replaced by Apps page that has icons for all your installed programs now referred to as Apps. The Start page is fully customizable. I have an Acer 24" touchscreen so I do benefit from Win8's touch enabled interface. The touch GUI is much better in 8 than 7 IMHO.

 

After about 5-8 hrs of use, the Metro interface grows on you and once you add your shortcuts to the Start page which is just a "touch the icon" desktop, you don't miss the mouse clicks of the Start->Program Files -> pathway. Not as good as the iPad GUI, but I can honestly say, even for the $40 full price upgrade, not a bad deal at all.

 

Just do a full backup and system image of your Win 7 before upgrading. If on XP or Vista, just upgrade! Come 2013, Win 8 Pro will probably jump to $199 or so.

[Witchking]

I actually get a constant crash of DCS World in Windows 8 when exiting any mission. It seems to be fine in the game, but when I am slewing my TGP in the A-10C, it suddenly goes haywire. I then try exiting the mission and press quit and it just exits to desktop with a error. Reinstalled Windows 7 on a different hard drive for playing DCS.

[159th_Viper]

I actually get a constant crash of DCS World in Windows 8 when exiting any mission....

 

As confirmed in numerous previous threads, matter has been rectified in an internal testers build so should be available in next patch.

[Witchking]

Good to know. Thanks! :)

[coolts]

I too upgraded to Win 8 Pro 64-bit w/Media Center for $16. Could not say no to that price.

 

Installed on top of Win 7 Pro 64-bit with little problems. Had to uninstall Security Essentials and was pleased to see CH Manager updated for Win 8.

 

Memory handling seems better in Win 8 and boot time is indeed faster. I have better FPS in FSX with same hardware and only OS change. DCSW seems smoother using same in game settings as before.

 

If you have an XBOX 360, you are familiar with Metro interface. Start button is gone and Program Files is replaced by Apps page that has icons for all your installed programs now referred to as Apps. The Start page is fully customizable. I have an Acer 24" touchscreen so I do benefit from Win8's touch enabled interface. The touch GUI is much better in 8 than 7 IMHO.

 

After about 5-8 hrs of use, the Metro interface grows on you and once you add your shortcuts to the Start page which is just a "touch the icon" desktop, you don't miss the mouse clicks of the Start->Program Files -> pathway. Not as good as the iPad GUI, but I can honestly say, even for the $40 full price upgrade, not a bad deal at all.

 

Just do a full backup and system image of your Win 7 before upgrading. If on XP or Vista, just upgrade! Come 2013, Win 8 Pro will probably jump to $199 or so.

 

yep, after a week of settling in to win 8 I'm not going back. weirdly, my games which used to suffer screen tearing no matter my vsync settings (xcom cut scenes, etc), are now fine, and the memory handling is a lot better. I've got more than one screen so metro has its own monitor basically where I like the tile updates to apps telling me of new email, and news stories, etc. It feels "alive" and my old 7 desktop now looks, well, old ;) and pressing the windows key to flip between metro an desktop is not exactly the hardship that so many are moaning about.

[ddahlstrom]

My first reaction to Windows 8 was that it looked kind of cool. After a using it for about an hour I became increasingly annoyed at the changes. It seemed that the UI was intentionally changed to discourage mouse users. But then, over the next couple of days as I actually learned how to do things the "new" way, the light went on. Things were not harder but just different. Whether you like the new UI or not, I can't say its harder. And it has grown on me. Just yesterday I got on a Windows 7 machine and "instinctively" poked the mouse pointer in the bottom corner to access the control panel and had a half-second of wondering why nothing was happening!

 

But the UI was not why I have now switched all my PCs over to Windows 8. The reason is because Windows 8 really comes into its own when you use multiple machines (because of the integrated sync functions), multiple monitors (the metro interface and desktop can reside on separate monitors), and on touchscreens (I installed on my Dell Duo. The touchscreen capabilities are excellent--its like a brand new machine).

 

There are also subtle but really nice "under-the-covers" improvement. The most obvious is the amazingly improved startup time, but in general, there is just a feel of smoothness to everything. Its actually better to think of Windows 8 as Windows 7 SE, with touchscreen additions. And, by the way; I don't miss the Start button. I also don't have any issue at all with the machine booting to the Metro interface since I rarely turn my computer "off", but rather put it to sleep. So if I was in the desktop when I left the computer, that's where it is when I start-up again.

 

As far as apps and games go. Yes, you quickly learn that installing unsigned drivers must be done in a special mode (getting TrackIR caused me several minutes of consternation before I found this out). Every other app I've tried has worked perfectly, except ironically, DCS World 1.2.1, which continues to crash upon mission exit--but I understand the next patch will resolve this. Other than that, I'm a happy camper with Windows 8.

Edited November 4, 2012 by ddahlstrom

[cellinsky]

After reorganizing my startscreen, I really like this kind of interface. Its a very slik and fast way to access programs and files. But to me, the main reason for the switch was the much improved multi-monitor support. Eyefinity for gaming and tripple-monitor setup for work is just a shortcut away. Very cool. And as a bonus, everything seems to be a bit smoother. But thats maybe just me, I did not measure anything. DCS is the only sim that gives me trouble sadly. But that seems to be solved with the next update.

[ALDEGA]

tripple-monitor setup for work is just a shortcut away

Are you referring to the "devices" item in the "charms bar"?

[ALDEGA]

Yeah? I found 7 to the best OS they have ever produced. Stable, 64 bit and a dodgy driver or application bug can't drag the whole OS down.

(kernel-mode) Drivers may have improved over time due to various reasons but they can still crash the system.

[Cedaway]

I finally upgraded. Not without trouble:

I have a dual boot GRUB Ubuntu / W7

I had to erase ubuntu partition, repair boot loader with W8 DVD in command-line then reboot on W7, upgrade, reboot on Ubuntu DVD and finally reinstall dual boot GRUB Ubuntu - W8...

 

I also had trouble with 'Classic Shell'. That introduced mess in the system: I couldn't shut W8 down anymore. I had to reboot in Ubuntu to shut the PC down... Weird.

I just removed Classic Shell and did an automatic repair from W8 DVD...

Seems flawless now. But the startup of the system seems to be a bit slower than W7... MAybe sould I let the time for the superfetcher to do its job...

Edited November 2, 2012 by Cedaway

[Forest Rat]

I heard that running Track-IR as administrator fixed a lot of quarks with windows 8.

But I can neither confirm nor deny.

[cellinsky]

Are you referring to the "devices" item in the "charms bar"?

 

When hit "WIN & p" you will get a selction of presets on the righthand side in a sidebar. After installing CCC 12.10, the one called "combined" is "occupied" by eyefinity. Switching between this and the standart setting is just one click then. Love it, because I prefere three independend monitors for everyday work and there are still games wich sre not super-widescreen capable. Xcom2 or the garviteam sims as an example...

[Cedaway]

I heard that running Track-IR as administrator fixed a lot of quarks with windows 8.

But I can neither confirm nor deny.

 

 

There are new drivers designed for W8... ;)

[Wayc00lio]

Not had one problem with win8. Purring like a kitten!

[Exorcet]

I too upgraded to Win 8 Pro 64-bit w/Media Center for $16. Could not say no to that price.

 

Installed on top of Win 7 Pro 64-bit with little problems. Had to uninstall Security Essentials and was pleased to see CH Manager updated for Win 8.

 

Memory handling seems better in Win 8 and boot time is indeed faster. I have better FPS in FSX with same hardware and only OS change. DCSW seems smoother using same in game settings as before.

 

If you have an XBOX 360, you are familiar with Metro interface. Start button is gone and Program Files is replaced by Apps page that has icons for all your installed programs now referred to as Apps. The Start page is fully customizable. I have an Acer 24" touchscreen so I do benefit from Win8's touch enabled interface. The touch GUI is much better in 8 than 7 IMHO.

 

After about 5-8 hrs of use, the Metro interface grows on you and once you add your shortcuts to the Start page which is just a "touch the icon" desktop, you don't miss the mouse clicks of the Start->Program Files -> pathway. Not as good as the iPad GUI, but I can honestly say, even for the $40 full price upgrade, not a bad deal at all.

 

Just do a full backup and system image of your Win 7 before upgrading. If on XP or Vista, just upgrade! Come 2013, Win 8 Pro will probably jump to $199 or so.

 

 

While there might be benefits to Windows 8, I personally still dislike Microsoft trying to reinvent something that worked fine and wasn't broken. At the very least, Win 8 should allow you to make the UI a virtual clone of Win 7.

 

It's not that adapting is impossible, but making a pointless and unnecessary change is never a good idea in my opinion. I'd hope it comes back to haunt MS so that in the future they at least give you options.

 

It's unfortunate that I won't get any performance upgrades Win 8 may offer, but I don't think sticking with 7 will cause any problems and I don't mind doing it on the off chance that it gets MS to be a bit less abrupt with completely changing things.

[Cookie]

I for one will skip Win 8 completely and wait for Win 9. Why? This is why:

 

Windows 3.11: Good

Windows 95: Meh

Windows 98: Good

Windows ME: Meh

Windows XP: Good

Windows Vista: Meh

Windows 7: Good

 

Notice a pattern?

Edited November 4, 2012 by Cookie

[cichlidfan]

I did not install it on my game machine but after a couple of days I am not disliking it too much at all. Having a touch screen might be helping my impressions though.

Edited November 4, 2012 by cichlidfan

[MemphisBelle]

Just do a full backup and system image of your Win 7 before upgrading. If on XP or Vista, just upgrade! Come 2013, Win 8 Pro will probably jump to $199 or so.

 

or so?...or so is good...hehehe the price will raise up to ~$355 (279€)beginning with 01. of February next year...thats for the W8 pro edition. The normal W8 edition will be at $253 (199€). So I got my $38 (29,99€) W8Pro edition and I think it was a good deal. If you want to wait, or stick with W7, do it. But I nontheless recommend to buy it now, just to safe money. Because one day you will need it.

[PoleCat]

I for one will skip Win 8 completely and wait for Win 9. Why? This is why:

 

Windows 3.11: Good

Windows 95: Meh

Windows 98: Good

Windows ME: Meh

Windows XP: Good

Windows Vista: Meh

Windows 7: Good

 

Notice a pattern?

 

LOL that is pretty silly reasoning. I have never heard the technical term "Meh" before. I wonder if there is a benchmark for that.... :megalol:

 

Out

[gintasr]

W8 is GR8 so far! I really like how customizable and clean the metro start menu is....i hated it at first, grew on me pretty quickly.