jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I have been trying since August to update Win8.1 to Win10. I have 7 pages of back and forth with an MS tech. At first, the problem was the reserved partition, and there was no way to solve that. Then the tech said I should do a clean install using an ISO on a USB. More problems.

I wasn't able to run from the USB drive. The computer started as I was tapping F12, but it didn't boot. It just stalled. When I was able to boot from the USB, it said it would backup the old Windows OS in a separate partition. That didn't work because there wasn't enough room on the 500GB SSD. Trying it again today, it wouldn't boot from the USB. After more experimenting, it seemed like the F12 key wasn't getting it into the BIOS screen. Nothing online offered a solution. Then I figured it out.

I have two computers connected to a KVM (keyboard-video-monitor) switch. That did not let the F12 key work reliably before Windows was running. I disconnected it and plugged the mouse and keyboard directly into the computer. Then I could start the machine using F12. When it got to the Custom choice, I feared it would stall again when it couldn't backup the old Windows OS. I clicked on Delete to delete each partition on the SSD. There were no longer an Windows files to backup. From that point on, I was able to run the ISO on the USB. Windows 10 is now installed and running.

Now I'll have to become comfortable with Win10, since it's on both Dells. I also have to install all my programs. :cry:

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Jerry, that appears to be good news. With the weather that it looks like you'll be having this weekend, it appears to be a good time to do installs. 8-)
--Bob

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

I just leaned something new today. Both meanings of KVM: "KVM (for Kernel-based Virtual Machine) is a full virtualization solution for Linux on x86 hardware containing virtualization extensions (Intel VT or AMD-V)."

And

"A KVM switch is a hardware device that allows a user to control multiple computers from one or more sets of keyboards, video monitors, and mice."

Never heard of either before. You have a complex network set up there (at home?).

Never heard of anyone having that much trouble installing a Windows OS before. Windows 7, 8.1, and 10 practically install themselves. Beats the Windows 3.1, N.T., 95, and 98 days. Yes, your "network" was causing some problems I think. Also you probably should only put your OS on a SSD, not everything else. You should have a 1 to 2 TB HDD for programs and your files. I'm still wherry of SSD technology. Probably should have imaged your 8.1 OS to another drive, reformatted your SSD and them installed Win 10 from a Thumb Drive, External USB Drive, burned CD-ROM or DVD-ROM. Or beg you PC manufacturer for a Win 10 system disk. But something tells me you know all this.

I'm beginning to like Windows 10, over 7 & Vista, never used 8 or 8.1. Just that Microsoft moved nearly ever thing on Win 10 from earlier versions. Once you find stuff it works great. I even customized mine to put icon links on the desktop so it looks like and runs like (in part) Win 7.

Assuming you are good with networks enough to have switches. Do you know how to fully network Win 10 with Win 7? I have a WiFi FiOS routered network at home but my two PCs, Win 7 & Win 10 don't communicate reliably all the time or able to exchange files like I want. It runs better from the Win 10 end. and best if I use Public folders not the Named user ones. Weird really as I keep checking permissions. My reason for not changing the Win 7 to Win 10 as well is I have many programs that do not seem to run under Win 10 and the manufacturers don't always yet have Win 10 versions. I also kind of use the two PCs for different things. Mine is set up for Image processing and my wife's I use for music activities as it is connected to our stereo system. She uses hers mainly for accounting and web browsing.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Jerry, for what it's worth, it did take me a little while, and a lot of just clicking and looking at things. I wish they didn't move so much from where I was "used to it" being. Actually, now that I've been using Win10 for a while, and didn't give up and just run one of those "shell" programs like I did with Win8, I have to admit, I'm as comfortable with it as I was Win7, and it really does seem faster at most things.

Welcome to the future:)

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

I concur.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've been using it on my older machine, and it's been fine.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The original (7 mth) problem involved the reserved partition. Somehow, I got some backup files installed on an unnamed, hidden partition. When that happens, Windows cannot upgrade. Trying one thing after another with help from an MS tech, I was not able to delete those files. That was one problem that could not be solved.

As for the kvm switch, that directs the keyboard, monitor, and mouse to one computer or the other - nothing to do with the network.

Networks are a mystery to me. I have "switches," which don't look anything like switches. They just help move the signal to the farther parts of the house and upstairs. As a result of the switches, I have two networks: Home 1 and Home 1_ext. They both originate from the same cable signal. As long at is works, I leave it alone.

EDIT: The kvm switch is great. I tap the Scrlk key twice to switch between computers. Otherwise, I'd need two of everything. Below is similar to what I have.

http://www.amazon.com/Horen-Control-Computers-Computer-Keyboard/dp/B01A3X4COI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1459440789&sr=8-4&keywords=keyboard+video+monitor+switch

Kobuk Loc: Roseville, CA

Now the real work begins hate this part as it takes so long

Cape Codder Loc: Cape Cod

I am still HATING Windows 10. But I guess I will get used to it.

FrumCA

Yea!! Glad you solved the problem. Nothing like being tenacious!!!

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

You'll like Win 10, I'm sure. It's reputed to be the most stable OS Microsoft has made.
It's kind of a cross between Win 8 & Win 8.1.
Glad you finally got it working.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Oh! Be sure and check all the security & "report back to Microsoft" features.
I read about most of the ways you can prevent their snooping.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

A true tale of woe. :cry: I have never had a problem with installing Win 10 except on the Acer laptop that Acer orphaned. (But I found third-party drivers and even got that one working.)

Actually Win 10 is much easier for me than Win 8.x. I'm surprised how smoothly the transition went. I have used it on six computers and never had to reinstall any software. Ain't I lucky.

:lol:

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Windows 10 will not install on my machine... If anyone followed your advice, it probably wouldn't install on theirs either. I have my hard drives partitioned (hangover from years of sysadmin work on Unix computers). I don't have an SSD, but I do like to keep the C drive fairly compact and store all my data elsewhere.

When I tried (many times...) to do the install, I kept getting failures with a variety of error numbers. Microsoft were less than helpful. Eventually, after *hours* spend googling and reading, it seems that those errors refer to either
a. Not enough space on C, or
b. The 'libraries' not being in their expected locations, on the C drive.

Now, if I were to move my libraries to C, I *know* that there would not be enough room on C for the upgrade. In fact, without some major repartitioning, there wouldn't be room for the libraries on C anyway!

So, I imagine putting the OS on an SSD without the libraries would cause the same problem.

I personally think it is disgusting that the upgrade process cannot handle the libraries being in a different location anyway! It is perfectly acceptable to do this, and windows itself has no trouble finding or using them. All the upgrade has to do is find out from the running windows just where they are. If I had written such shoddy procedures during my programming days, I would have been fired... Just sayin'.

After spending days messing around with this, I made the decision to stick with 8.1 until such time as I get a new PC. I 'hid' the win10 update, but Microsoft keeps re-enabling it, so whenever I run windows update it will try to download and install 10 yet again, and never reach the updates that I am *trying* to install...

Duggy

So you call months of problems a victory ? Windows 10 has been the most problematic version of windows to date. When something has been the trend since it began. To each his victory. All other windows installment didn't take that long to run smooth . Like Obama has been the best gun salesman in history, windows 10 has been the best apple salesman ever.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

Windows 10 kept wanting to install every day. One day I booted up to discover it was in the process of installation and I could not stop it. When the screen came up to accept the license agreement I checked "do not accept". Have not seen nor heard from Windows for about 3 weeks. Perhaps "do not accept" is the final solution to stopping an unwanted install.