There, I got everything on one subject line.

First, if anyone with a new Windows 8 nightmare is trying to back up the Factory installed drive on to a Flash Drive - and have purchased the best you could find (as per HP) and then found that you couldn't move to the "next" button after working your way through the steps (and you would not be alone) - I searched the FAQs and there were others with same problem. I looked at the Flash Drives my husband bought and the back they read for Windows XP or 7 - and frankly I am not about to download anything at this point and the flash drives were the right size. I called Staples and the fellow I spoke with wasn't even sure what a Flash Drive was - so I called HP. Fortunately, it has been several months since Windows 8 was released so they have had this type of call before. In my case, the HP rep stayed on the phone with me and when we reached the point where the "next" was grey and we couldn't go forward, he had me click on the drive size in the window body - not a place one would think to look based on all of the FAQs - and it worked. Took over an hour! He was great. People who tried suggestions given my other posters to the HP forum were not successful.

Next up I am still waiting or my call back from Microsoft Windows re my purchased for $149.00 Cdn. plus taxes Office Student 2013 installation. Since the store had been very clear that should the file be deleted or corrupted I would just have to reload - wrong - I couldn't reload from the key since it read that I had already redeemed it. No I hadn't - it all comes down to my e-mail address and that the new system wouldn't accept my small case password - apparently it happens all the time. So I was told 3 days. At exactly the 3 day point I had the most abusive scam call I have ever received (had 7 with last computer). I reported the call to Windows and was told that the tech would need a few more days to work on my problem but had sent me an e-mail advising he would call on Thurs. during the exact window that the scammer called - except I did not receive the e-mail - and obviously I was not about to give the scammer my case number or reason for my original call - hence the horrific abuse. Windows told me to expect a call within the next 2 hours - nothing came. So on Sat. I called again and was told the tech was away for the weekend but would call me on Monday between 1:00 and 2:00 - guess what - another scammer. Wanted to give me a phone number after I queried him on a few matters - not to mention his fake name - I told him I would call back on the Windows number. So he slammed down the phone. Coincidence happens but this is getting alarming. It doesn't matter the industry you work in there are thieves, embezzlers, crooks etc. everywhere so now whenever I do hear from the person he is going to have to give me a lot of info. And to think I all want from the darned thing is the Word. I need it to be compatible with my husband - and his office is not about to switch to Windows 8 ever - they use 7 - they are waiting for 10. Many other FAQs revolved around how to get rid of 8 and load 7 - or how to get rid of most of the never used 8 programs - well, you have to be seriously good to do that one. I still have the CDs for Windows Office Professional 2000 that I loaded a few times on previous computers but they would not be compatible with this unit. But I had no problems installing them nor my printer.

Then my keyboard started typing in French - I am English Cdn. - and I had already typed a couple of contractions and - oh, oh, here we go again - I am about to type a question mark - É - so you can see what I am getting. The HP fellow did not know why this is happening so I will raise it with Microsoft should they ever call. I guess I will have to reboot again. It isnèt - see again - me - since I know how to set my language.

I have yet to receive the printer disc from Brother so that I can hook up my computer to Windows 8 - they will talk me through it. Again, I am downloading nothing.

So here I sit - and I have a dog that I have to take out - a terrible cold that has gone on for over a week and now seems to be getting worse - and am allergic to all cold and flu meds. The phone keeps ringing with telemarketers on the line - so much for our useless Do No Disturb listing. Same with the No Soliciting sign on the front door - canèt miss it - yet people think it does not apply to them. Especially to them. On the plus side, my husband had to drive to the grocery store on Sat. to get several items and now understands why I take so long - everything we needed in the fresh variety was dated best before the next day - and food in Ontario is not cheap. And he had to drive the new car that we had to buy after our 2002 with 48,000 km was totalled - only received $3,500 for it - and our good snow tires were on it - and they would have fit the new car. He made it unscathed, but scared to death! it has been a month and we only have put a few kms on it.

So be careful - no one at Windows will ever call you unless you have a case number - but it is scary that the calls are coming in exactly when expected, but never from the right person - and I know the techès name and e-mail address.

I used to work in a Bank - I am super careful. I think the riskiest web site I frequent is The Kitchen Table!