Windows 8 Preview on the M11x

I just wanted to say that I'm running the Win 8 preview on my R1 and it is pretty snappy. Resuming from sleep on this machine is practically instant, where resuming from Win 7 on my system takes quite a while. Cold boots on my stock hdd take quite a bit less time also. Impressive. I've been carrying a Windows Phone 7 for about a year now and the live tiles are also a very welcome addition in my opinion.

The interface is so fun and refreshing that it almost makes me feel like a kid again playing with new and wondrous toys! I haven't had the time to install any games and check performance either, but the OS does consume less resources and clock cycles. Overall I'm enjoying the preview and wanted to see what others thought about it. I think this could be the beginning of something beautiful.

Edit: I forgot to add that it is very battery friendly!!

If anyone has any benchmarks please share!

 

For those who want to give it a go... Windows 8 Developer Preview

 

Interesting. Good to hear it's working well. I may install it on my external hdd soon for comparison.

I have a 8gb USB, do our laptops boot from USBs? I know I read somewhere that their have been issues in the past. I don't have a CD to burn it on with me.

 

I installed mine from a 8gb usb

 

Oh ok. Cool. Im downloading it while Im in my weather class now hahaha.

I'll install it when I get back to my room.

Actually, its not noticing my USB. Any ideas?

 

I've got it running on my R1. Hybrid graphics actually work! I'm in XHTML right now, but I'm gonna ghost my 7 install when I get home and upgrade it to 8. Wonder how that'll go...

 

Mmm so developer preview is actually a "tablet" design? Just wondering. I have it loaded on my USB ready to rock but I am just confirming before I bother with the hassle of another partition.

 

Can it be installed using Virtualbox?

 

I believe the whole design of Windows 8 has the tablet in mind. Its definitely different, and you can tell it has the tablet feel, but its still workable with the keyboard and mouse.

 

Meh. I'll wait for the BETA/Final Release before I devote too much time then. If they do go down that path I feel like it'll be a shame.

 

Any of you guys have issues with adjusting the screen brightness while on the integrated gpu?

Using the dedicated video on windows 8 works fine for adjusting screen brightness.

 

Think there is two types of Windows 8.
One for Desktop and Notebooks and one for tablets.

Windows 8 Metro-style is designed for tablets with peoples big stubbie fingers in mind.

USA versus Russia in world cup rugby union in 1½ hours. Go Russia [sorry mod couldn't help myself]

 

do i need to unistall windows seven for this or can it dual boot? any chance of a tutorial how to do it...

 

Enable USB boot in BIOS if not already, Load Windows 8 on a USB stick and then Bobs your aunty. If you 'really' want to use Windows 8 preview after that then maybe consider your options.

 

My M11x has issues going to sleep. If I close the lid, the lights turn off like normal. When I open it back up, the screen will either be black (but on) or have a "logging off" screen. It then BSODs.

I've installed the Nvidia drivers, touchpad drivers from Synaptics, Realtek sound drivers, and Microsoft Security Essentials. It's not overclocked.

I also have a Corsair F60 SSD installed, so I'm wondering if that is causing it? It had issues formatting when installing. I had to turn off AHCI, format the drive (it would give me an error otherwise), and then turn it back on before proceeding with the install.

Suggestions?

 

Idk, I haven't had any problems with it sleeping. It would be helpful to know what revision m11x you have. Probably an issue with one of the drivers. You should install the drivers one at a time with testing between installations, so when bugs happen you have somewhere to start troubleshooting.

I haven't installed any drivers on mine other than the drivers that windows update installed, and everything works great. Keep in mind that is this is pre-alpha and not all drivers that are compatible with windows 7 are guaranteed to work on this build.

 

Does it support usb 3.0 out of the box? Or is that still coming?

 

Yes, I think it can.

 

Hey Dude, I had the same issue, update your SSD to the newest firmware via corsairs site.
Back up your data first and after the update no more sleep problems

 

I have it running in oracle virtualbox. For "having a look" this will work ok but recommend a different HDD or partition for proper playing.

I can honestly say now that 2GB Ram would have not been enough. Having a guest and host OS means you will likely not test properly with VB and 2GB

 

I assume Optimus won't work on this win8 release.
Desktop gfx= 4.5
3D Business and Gaming gfx= 4.4

 

Has there been an update since 2.0? That's the latest I'm seeing on the Corsair forums.

I switched from AHCI mode to ATA, and I'm not having nearly as many issues as I was before. Sleep works fine now! Granted, there are some other oddities that I'm running into (ex: shutdown doesn't work the first time, but will the second), but what else can you expect from a pre-beta?

 

Hmm, still no responses, guess no one has the screen brightness issue.. except I still haven't found a fix.

I'll ask again anyways

Anyone with an m11x r1 have issues with adjusting display brightness while on the igp? Didn't work on the default windows driver or the drivers on dell's site. Works fine when I switch over to discrete graphics though.

 

exactly the same problem here. been waiting to see a reply. registered just to help bump this issue up!!! : )

 

I installed the Nvidia 275.33 Verde drivers on my R2 and optimus is working great!

 

I'm using 285 beta release driver lol. Will try the official ones

 

Hello all! Just installed the 64bit Windows 8 from the link above and it's rocking on my m11x R2... intalled the following in this order:

1. Intel Chipset (latest from Intel Website)
2. JMicron CardReader (from Dell)
3. JMicron 1394 (from Dell)
4. Intel HD (latest from Intel website)
5. nVidia (latest from nvidia website)
6. Realtek Audio (latest from filehippo.com)
7. Synaptics Touchpad (from Dell)
8. Intel RapidStorage (latest from Intel website, driver only/no software)
9. Free Fall Sensor (from dell)

I also installed Chrome and Microsoft Security Essentials

I have some problems tho (as expected), my Intel HD control panel is nowhere, like it was never installed... My JMicron 1394 shows up on device Manager with an "!" for about 5 minutes after boot up, then dissapears. About 2-3 minutes after boot up, you hear the Windows new device found sound, but nothing new shows up... and I still have 2 unknown devices listed. I'm also getting an error message on bootup as well, but I don't know any details on that yet...

I'm going to try out the Alien Control Panel next and the OSD, so we'll see if those help...

3 other notes

- I have gotten a BSOD restart after returning from Sleep, only tried this once.
- Optimus works
- I can FN and F4 and F5 for brightness no problem

UPDATE:

OSD installed, restarted, but nothing shows up or pops up when you activate hotkeys.

Alienware Control Panel requires Microsoft .NET and will not install. This also was the reason I only installed the driver for the Intel Rapid Storage and not the software. I will have to install that tomorrow when I'm not sleepy... lol

Now I only have 1 unknown device showing. I'm guessing the OSD did it?

 

anyone try this on the R2?

 

I tried it , all the drivers for windows 7 worked for me..like the alien command center OSD , and the graphics nvidia and intel. All worked like a breeze.

 

djjosherie just gave his experiences with Windows 8 in the post above yours.

Probably worth waiting at least until the Beta is released and all the niggles to be worked out before you try it, unless you are a developer.

 

anyone who can help with win8 on R1? screen brightness still a problem on integrated graphics

 

This OS looks pretty sweet. All we need now is a touchscreen m11x with its hardware and we will be set.

 

Something like this?

 

do you have the procedures for installing Win8 on USB. Should I install it in WIN7 or bootup from CD?


thanks,

 

Hello Everyone, I think this article could be really helpful.
Those guys from LifeHacker are great. There is also a tool called Win2Flash, you could look for that as well.
On the M11x you want to make sure what mode are you using: AHCI-SATA-RAID.
For newer models UEFI could be an issue with this early release versions.

Apparently Windows 8 will have native USB 3.0 support, here is an article you can check.

Here are some basics, I think we could start there and work our way out. Make sure also you are using the GPU.

 

How did you get the switchable graphics working? Which version of the Driver u using? Also have u experience any problem with waking the laptop from sleep?

 

I think: there won't be any official support for the hybrid graphics

I am sure: pushing the power button or hiting menu>sleep is ALWAYS OK ! closing the lid sometimes makes the system unwakeable

@deadlyvirus: for hybrid graphics you're still running the old official Dell drivers, right ?

the best solution will be: moding the already working moded R1 bios with Graphics: Integrated/Discrete like Lenovo did !

 

For those running the m11xr3, I highly recommend the latest nVidia driver.

Drivers | GeForce

It fixed my HDMI sound issues.