My Sis and Windows 8

David_Aston

Yesterday, I spent about two hours on the phone to my dear Sister, trying to help her get her new Windows 8 endowed laptop to work. As a Vista user, I start off by knowing zilch about 8. I could however Google for help and relay this to her over the phone.
Naturally, I don't know how clearly she understood the help I was trying to give. Or of course what she was doing.
It did occur to me that if at least I could get her online she could access the same Google help I was looking for.
So, could anyone give me a short blow by blow description, of how to at least get her from signing in and start up, to getting the computer to "see" her BT router. She does have an ethernet cable to pyshically connect the router to the laptop, and I did wonder if simply plugging this in might stimulate the computer into offering her a connection wizard. Going forward the computer should also operate through wifi, but I am thinking, "One step at a time." To indicate my problems, we would have spent a good hour trying to find the @ sign so she could put her email address into the machine. I can see how we should be able to fix that.
Any help re the internet access problems will be very gratefully received.

Lucero_2

By plugging the cable from the router straight into the laptop she will have an instant internet connection.

Prior to that though, and I can't stress this enough for normal users, it is not worth creating a Microsoft Account when you first turn the PC on. If you choose you don't want one, you can create a local account the PC (like you did with Windows 7 and all previous versions) then link an existing account should she wish to use the App store.

Once in, tell her to click on Desktop tile then the Internet icon. She can google from there

David_Aston

Thanks for that Lucero!
I hope to goodness that she hasn't managed to create a Microsoft account. It does seem unlikely, given how flummoxed she sounded, and I increasingly became, over the two hours!
I can't frankly remember what I did about an account when I got this five year old Dell Desktop.

Lucero_2

It's not the end of the world, but it is an unnecessary (and annoying) step.

David_Aston

At the mo', I can hear my Sis faffing about down the line. She has plugged in the ethernet cable but sadly can't get online. When she selects Internet Explorer she gets a blank screen with a few logos at the bottom. No Search bar.

-TangleFoot-

David_Aston wrote: »

When she selects Internet Explorer she gets a blank screen with a few logos at the bottom. No Search bar.

Apparently it's supposed to look like this.

David_Aston

Thanks Tanglefoot.
We have got that far. I don't suppose you could throw any light on this business of not needing to create a Microsoft account. She is getting pestered by the machine as she is trying to set up her email account?

-TangleFoot-

Not a clue; I've been avoiding Windows 8 ever since I learned of its existence and have yet to see a PC running it up close.

I can however tell you that IE will look different depending on where it's launched from.

David_Aston

Me and my Sis are certainly tearing our hair out over it just now Tangle! Lucero first commented on it not being necessary to open a Microsoft Account straight away, but in order for her to try and get email access there doesn't seem to be a way around it up to now. At least we have ascertained that she has wired and wifi internet access, so she can Google help to her hearts content. I might just have to go for a lie down!!!

dogmaryxx

A Microsoft account isn’t mandatory if you stick to the Windows desktop – you can continue using a local user account on the desktop without any problems.

http://www.howtogeek.com/121975/htg-explains-microsoft-accounts-vs.-local-accounts-in-windows-8/

-TangleFoot-

David_Aston wrote: »

At least we have ascertained that she has wired and wifi internet access...

In which case she can probably use this as a stopgap while you ponder the possibilities.