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General discussion

Why won't Microsoft store and associated apps load?

Oct 26, 2018 5:12PM PDT

Not sure which Windows 10 update did it, but I can't get the MS App store, the calculator, the photo viewer, or other MS Apps to open. There is a very brief time that it looks like the apps or the store are going to open but then they seem to just shut down - without any accompanying error message.

I tried resetting each app and the store. I tried troubleshooting each app and the store. I tried creating a new user account. I tried updating everything. I tried turning off my firewall temporarily.

No joy with anything so far. Any help would be appreciated.

--Submitted by CJ H.

Discussion is locked

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actually, you can
Nov 6, 2018 10:29PM PST

...but it's only a temporary install into the Ramdisk the LIVE DVD creates, and it depends on how much RAM you have available to do so. Of course once you shutdown or reboot, since it's only installed into Dynamic RAM, it then disappears.

So, one can test various programs offered in Synaptic Program Manager, or easier Software Manager, try it out. You can then uninstall it while it's still LIVE, and install another program to test.

What works best is a LIVE USB flashdrive set up with Persistence, and that works like it was a drive disc and retains everything done while using the system and available next time you reboot from that USB flashdrive.

Most stable Mint Cinnamon right now is 18.3, both 32 bit and 64 bit versions.

This is a 32 bit USB flashdrive already installed with Persistence capability.

This is a 64 bit USB flashdrive already installed with Persistence capability.

Only you know what bit version your CPU will support, but most now support 64 bit version OK.

One can make their own persistent use LIVE USB flashdrive install with Linux Mint, using the DVD, a flashdrive, and installing mkusb into the LIVE version's RAMdrive, but for a beginner it's easiest to have a friend do that first time, or just buy one already created that way.

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I did check with OSdisc.com about their "persistance" drives
Nov 7, 2018 11:14AM PST

I did check with OSdisc.com about their "persistence" USB flash drives method used, something I'd wondered about myself in past. My method is usually to put the compressed OS into a single partition, and then create a second partition of all remaining space and name it "casper-rw" which then makes it the partition where all changes are made, and can also be easily deleted if wanting to start over fresh without disabling the installed original OS files.

My method combines any OS changes and files I've saved all into the same location. They have split that into two separate parts, one a set size casper-rw file, and then the added casper-rw partition.

They do similar, but create separate / (root) partition with a casper-rw file in it for the Linux OS program files, and a /home casper-rw partition (where YOUR files are stored, like with My Documents and similar in Windows). Nothing wrong with the way they do it, some would find it preferable.

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James Denison
Nov 6, 11:50 PM MST
Specifically in regard to Mint Linux Cinnamon 64 bit USB flashdrive.
I know persistence uses the casper system, but would like to know if the persistence on your flashdrives use a casper-rw file, or a casper-rw partition method? For the latter, is it dynamically expanding, or does it fill the rest of the entire flashdrive?
=======================
Ramsey (OSDisc.com)

Nov 7, 12:39 AM MST
It's divided up. There's 4gb casper-rw file used for / and the remaining space is a casper-rw partition used for /home. 8gb of the drive is used for the OS + root casper file, and the remaining is used for /home

Let me know if you have any other quesitons.

Thanks!
Ramsey
======================

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I did not know that
Nov 7, 2018 3:21PM PST

I have not been keeping up with Linux or many of the developments in the computer world. I have been busy earning two master's degrees! I am going to have to do some research. I did look at the 64-bit flash drive link you provided. It is reasonably priced and I might buy it later.

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I just realized
Nov 7, 2018 3:23PM PST

...as much as I am enjoying this discussion, we are way off topic!

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Funny you should bring that up ...
Nov 7, 2018 8:14PM PST

It occurred to me a while ago that whenever we have a topic here that brings up somebody's concrete problem coping with the challenges that MS is throwing our way these days in the shape of Windows sooner or later there is a subplot developing to the tune of "You would be much better off using Linux, and here is a way to get there."

I think Lee should start offering something akin to the old 24 hour poker game in a back room somewhere where you (me not excluded, actually) could take these discussions. But they are by now somewhat predictable and they all have the one thing in common: They have zero value for the OP trying to get her/his Windows back to working the way it was before - in most cases that is the much needed short term solution. Migrating to Linux is - if at all feasible - a more long term project that you can enjoy while you can fall back on your - working - Windows environment for the necessary day-to-day "slog."

To make this post technically "on topic" let me relate this experience of mine:

It may not be feasible for most users, but I am running a somewhat experimental setup here, which sort of happened to evolve this way.

One WIn10 on the internet, another that has never been connected to anything, and - as a "control group" an ancient Win2000 that also is connected (XP users may want to listen) and behind a decently configured router is running just the irrigation for the garden. both the Win2000 and the offline Win10 are running absolutely rock solid; the online Win10 is running okay, but with some of the well-known problems we hear about here - it reboots willy-nilly whenever it pleases (mostly when I am not active on it, mind you) and it uses bandwidth checking for and downloading updates while I wonder why my internet connection is slow on my other machines (there are still a few Win7 machines, a few Androids and an occasional Linux for "special projects" on the same line. My answer to people suffering from the Win10 update disaster is to download an install disk image from time to time and clean install from there. Having kept your own data on separate disks or partitions as much as possible and properly backed up) you can expect to run well for a while on your fresh installation, even while connected. Yes, it is a drag to have to do this, but then no computer installation is completely free of the need for maintenance.

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LOL, reminds me of two old farmers
Nov 7, 2018 9:51PM PST

One is telling the other how to properly get his mule to pull the plowshare to make straight rows, and the first complaining about all the work and effort it is. A third more modern farmer standing by listening mentions he uses a tractor and suggest it might work better for the farmer having problems. The older farmer gets upset and says, "Hey, we're talking about mules and hand guided plowshares here, so don't go changing the subject to tractors".

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So I guess ...
Nov 7, 2018 10:06PM PST

... this is now on topic for the off topic thread that has evolved here. Plus you are now bringing age into this!

Of course you could use a tractor to pull the hand guided plowshare; maybe you could even use it to pull a Windows computer across the field - obviously, the Linux computer would make much straighter rows with a lot less effort. Or how is this helping the OP?

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I had to bring it up
Nov 8, 2018 7:37AM PST

I usually get upset when someone hijacks the original post and turns it to Linux. The reason is that it is usually someone who is advocating that the original poster switch. This time that was not the case, making it even more off topic. I needed to say something because I have been known to get irritated when people do it. Linux is a perfectly viable alternative for people like me, who have experience and know how to find out what we don't already know. It is not viable for those who are not yet ready to venture outside of their familiar Windows environment. We are having a great conversation here, but we need to acknowledge that it does the original poster no immediate good. My only advice for those people is to avoid buying thousands of dollars of Windows software that will not work on Linux. That is the one reason I have not switched already. I rely heavily on some of the software that will not migrate. It will take a lot of time and effort for me to set up something that will work for me for that reason. The fact is that Microsoft thinks it has us by the gonads, and they will eventually start squeezing. When that happens I want to be ready to migrate to something less dangerous, run by those who are not control freaks with an eye to emptying my wallet.

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Where I Worked
Nov 7, 2018 8:56AM PST

We were allowed to connect to the County network but we HAD TO HAVE the supported Windows, fully patched, with current McAfee or Norton/Symantec with current signatures. They used Bluecoat so your computer was checked before you were allowed in. And they reserved the right to come to your house to look at your computer environment although they never did. It was always the people who thought they were so careful when surfing the web that brought in the most malware.