Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Could you offer opinion for my PC

Aug 2, 2016 9:36AM PDT

Hello all:

The pc I am using is HP Pavilion dv6-1334us, 6-year-old. Often even the power button does't work.

I am planning to buy a new 15-inch laptop. What brand you think is better nowadays?

Besides, if go to repair, where?

Waiting for you opinion! --Zhao

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
The problem with brands
Aug 2, 2016 9:57AM PDT
- Collapse -
Again for your offers
Aug 2, 2016 1:38PM PDT

Hello Proffitt:

You gave the new market situation, thanks.

In my history, I have used, at least hardly tried, win7 and win10. Finally I turned back to winXP.

All the new machines in the market now must be installed with win10, I think. Could the OS of them be downgraded/changed to winXP? --Zhao

- Collapse -
Re: new laptop
Aug 2, 2016 2:25PM PDT

A new laptop usually comes with Windows 10. There are some Windows 7 models still around (see http://www.cnet.comhttp://www.cnet.com/forums/post/fb5516e3-201a-4b21-823d-efadd88a7579/ for example) and there are some that you can order with Linux.

Most laptops come with some hardware that has no Windows XP drivers, I'm afraid, so it's doubtful if you'll manage to make them fully working. And I doubt if any seller is willing to take the laptop back if you don't.

I'd take the dive into Windows 10. With Classic Shell (free download) set the right way you might even like it.

- Collapse -
"Classic Shell"?
Aug 3, 2016 9:31AM PDT

Hello Kees_B:

You instructed:

"I'd take the dive into Windows 10. With Classic Shell (free download) set the right way you might even like it."

I did know the "Classic Shell" before, Could you please tell me more about it?! --Zhao

- Collapse -
Re: Classic Shell
Aug 3, 2016 10:51AM PDT
- Collapse -
Qs about w10.
Aug 3, 2016 1:23PM PDT

Hello Kees_B:

Thanks for your answers, they are to the points. Maybe I'll decide to dive into w10.

At the beginning of my old pc, I partitioned the hard disk with
PartitionMagic8.0. I have been using GHOST11 to back up the c:/ Partition. If I change to use w10, can I still to use them for these work? --Zhao

- Collapse -
Re: programs
Aug 3, 2016 1:57PM PDT

It's not sure that PartitionMagic8.0 still runs. But there good (even free) other programs, including Windows own Disc Management.
It's not sure Ghost 11 will run. But there are good (even free) other programs to make an image backup, including Windows 10 itself.

- Collapse -
Yes, Classic Shell.
Aug 3, 2016 5:31PM PDT

My son didn't care for the new menus in W8 and W10 and installed this freebie.

- Collapse -
Most vendors only support
Aug 3, 2016 5:12AM PDT

the OS that was installed on the machine when it was built. By supporting I mean giving you access to drivers that will run the components on the machine. Windows 10 is a little different as it was an OS that MS marketed upgrades and the OEM and components makers mostly supported Windows 10 on their machines that came with Windows 7 and Windows 8. There were few exceptions. The problem with XP is there were alot of hardware improvement after XP one being moving from IDE to SATA hard drives so SATA drivers don't come with XP.

- Collapse -
Well no matter what brand you buy
Aug 3, 2016 5:06AM PDT