[stereocilia]

I had dBPoweramp pinned to my Start Menu.  After an "update" it has apparently vanished.  I searched for it, and all I could find was something that I think is just old orphaned data.  Did Windows just uninstall software that was working fine in Windows 8 without my permission?  If so, I just might be done with Microsoft.

[jqp]

There is a legacy Windows 7 mode in Windows 8
http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/software-and-web-apps/how-to-make-windows-8-look-like-windows-7-50009546/

Here is how to enable God Mode for Windows 8 - it gives you LOTS of power
http://community.spiceworks.com/how_to/show/947-accessing-god-mode-in-windows-8-windows-7-vista


Read carefully before plunging in! It is possible that one of these articles will help solve your mystery.

[jqp]

and as always , reading the comments on the article often gives you lots of good additional info, some people may know more than the author of the article, have tried different permutations, have additional ideas, an you can possibly ask about your own issue in this context...with the internet, we will soon all be braniacs, or else become idiots

[stereocilia]

Many thanks!  I will dig into this and report back.

[stereocilia]

It's as if Windows 8 deleted it without provocation.  The crazy thing is that I was using dBPoweramp with Windows 8 on this machine two days ago, and suddenly the cd ripper was no longer pinned to my taskbar.  I searched the x86 Programs folder (where it was before the automatic "update"), and it wasn't there.  I searched globally and no files or programs were found bearing the name dBPoweramp.  Because I can't stand wasting my entire day screwing around with this nonsense I just re-installed a trial version.  Somehow, the trial version knew exactly which directory I wanted to rip to (not the default directory), so some part of this wasn't deleted or hidden.

Am I losing my mind or did Microsoft just arbitrarily remove software that I paid for, was working fine, and that I use all the time without permission?  Am I the only one using windows 8 and dBPoweramp?

Ugh.  sorry for the rant. Linux, whatever that is, is looking better and better.

[HAL]

Are you using Windows 8 preview version or the full version?

What was the update that Windows 8 did?

That might help narrow down the problem.

[stereocilia]

Thanks, Hal.  :Full version (upgraded from Vista64).  I don't know what the automatic update was.  When I restarted after it stalled while using google chrome I got the "updating windows" screen.  Honestly, I am not even sure if that's exactly when it disappeared.  All I know is that when I wanted to use it, it wasn't where it was just a few days ago.  Or I couldn't see it for some reason?

[HAL]

Have not tried the Windows 8 full version upgrade yet.

When I went from Windows 7 HP to Windows 8 preview copy for trials, had issues with stability.  Tried JPlay and when making the buffer larger, it killed the OS.  Had to reinstall Windows 8 from scratch to correct the problem. 

When I have done fresh Windows 8 installs, have had no issues.  To do this you really have to wipe the drive partitions and start clean.  May not be possible in your case.

[stereocilia]

Possible, I suppose, but totally impractical.  I expected a learning curve with Windows 8, but it's unsettling to have programs, excuse me, "apps," yoinked away.  Oh well, I have it working now, for now.

[Telstar]

As a general rule, dont upgrade windows, ever. Just have the serial and do a fresh install.

[jqp]

Ouch - Vista ---> Windows 8...That is a long way to jump! I also advise doing a clean install. Upgrades are for convenience but often cannot succeed 100% due to circumstances beyond Microsoft's control. To be fair to MS, it is very difficult to get all 3rd parties to program their apps in a way that they can undergo a smooth upgrade to a new OS version. It is like herding cats - software and hardware vendors will do what they want to do when they are ready.


To see what may have happened to a program, one of the best ways is to check Control Panel>Programs and Features (in Windows 7, or Windows 7 mode). It gives you the version, date, etc. If it is there, Windows thinks it is installed. If not...

[jqp]

Also if considering Linux, you may want to avoid Ubuntu - It now has garbage programs preinstalled (as in a laptop you would buy from Best Buy), plus they are apparently now selling your search info to Amazon with no notice - you get Amazon links planted in your search results.

[stereocilia]

very useful information.  so far, no other problems have surfaced.  fingers crossed.

[Mr. Orange]

I was once there myself and then it happened and now I'm much happier!


Sorry, I couldn't resist. 

[stereocilia]

I'm tempted.

[totoro]

Also if considering Linux, you may want to avoid Ubuntu - It now has garbage programs preinstalled (as in a laptop you would buy from Best Buy), plus they are apparently now selling your search info to Amazon with no notice - you get Amazon links planted in your search results.

Wow. I thought you must have been mistaken, did a quick google, and you're right. Yuck. One more reason to hate Unity. I've been running xubuntu 12.04 at work, and love it. XFCE instead of Unity. Since this adware thing seems to be a part of the new unity (that's coming out in ubunto 12.10), I'd expect it not to be present in xubuntu 12.10, but I guess I'll have to wait and see.

Thanks for the heads-up, I'll have to remember this next time I need to throw linux on a new box.

[Brad]

There is also a program for Windows 8 called "Start 8".   It's about $5.
Brings back the familiar desktop navigation paradigm, which makes a lot more sense to me in a non-touchscreen setup.
I have it on both of my Win8 machines now.

[stereocilia]

I'm going to try to get by without the start menu for a few more days because that's going to be the new way of doing things, and somebody smart must have decided that it's a better way once you get used to it.  So, I will keep trying to get used to it.  I am not always rational.