Installing Windows 8 RTM on Asus B121 Part 2

In my previous post I installed Windows 8 RTM on the Asus B121. Now I am going to continue where we left off and install any missing drivers.

Open Device Manager to see what is missing.

1. From the new Windows 8 Start Screen, click on the Desktop icon.
2. Right click on the desktop and select Personalize.
3. Click the link in the upper left named “Change desktop icons”
4. Put a check under Control Panel and click Apply and then OK.
5. Double click Control Panel
6. Click on the the Hardware and Sound link.
7. Under Devices and Printers click on Device Manager.

This is a list of the drivers that Windows is unable to find.

After connecting to my home network and configuring Windows Update these missing devices were resolved.  Also note that the hardware buttons and screen rotation work great.

After the Windows Update I do see one additional missing device, as there was in the prior Windows 8 Release Preview, but installing the Asus B121 Bluetooth driver does not resolve. 

Still investigating…

 

Other Tips and Tricks:
Be sure to disable Defrag here.
New Windows 8 Shortcut Keys here.
Who needs a Start Button here.

Installing Windows 8 RTM on Asus B121 Part 1

On August 15th Microsoft released the Windows 8 RTM (Release to Manufacturing) to the MSDN and TechNet site.  You have to subscribe the site to get access.  If you don’t have access you can download the EVAL version of the Windows 8 RTM which is the Enterprise edition that is good for 90 Days.  I decided to run that course until it is released to the public in October.

Pre-Steps:

1. Download the Windows 8 RTM Eval 64-bit here (3.4GB).

*Note: No product key is needed however you do need to activate

2. Create a bootable USB Stick. Download Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool here. This allows you to create a bootable USB stick with the downloaded iso file. This makes the process so easy. Click, click, walk away and boom, you have a bootable Windows 8 USB drive. I used a 8 GB USB stick that you can get for $10 at Walmart. Note: A 4 GB will work for both 32-bit and 64-bit.

Backup

1. If you feel it necessary, backup your machine. Run Windows Image Backup and take a backup of your Windows 7 system so you can restore back if you want.

Install Process

1. Plug USB into Slate and start. The Slate will automatically recognize the USB stick and boot from it. No need to get into BIOS. I am also using a USB hub so I can run USB Mouse, Keyboard, and USB Stick.

Note: If it doesn’t boot to the USB stick automatically, you will need to go into the BIOS and change it. You will need USB Keyboard and hit DEL key at boot up.

2. Go through the usual installation options. I selected fresh Install (not an upgrade). You can select an upgrade, but it looks like you won’t be able to keep your files, applications, settings. So really not worth upgrading.

3. Once complete this is the lock screen. Love the new login/start screen.

This is the new start screen.

This is the new desktop.

Look for my next post Part 2 for post OS install.

Updated Windows 8 N-trig drivers are finally available or are they?

So N-trig finally posted Windows 8 drivers on their site (August 13th, 2012), you can download them here.

http://www.ntrig.com/Content.aspx?Page=Downloads_Drivers

So I have been very critical with my comments toward N-trig and most of it has been warranted.

Time to climb up on my soapbox.

My biggest beef all along has been the lack of input control.  The ability to control the how the digitizer handles touch and pen.  In the Windows 7 there was the N-trig DuoSense Digitizer Settings that allowed you to control the Input mode (Pen Only, Touch Only, Auto Mode, and Dual Mode), this has been lacking since Windows 8 Consumer Preview (February 2012).  Still missing…

Brief history.

Windows 8 Developer Preview (September 13th, 2011)

There was a hack that could be followed that you could install the N-trig drivers, the DuoSense Settings, and Calibration tool and input control.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview (February 29th, 2012)

The hack no longer works and the digitizer and touch had serious issues.  Ghost clicking and touch issues.

UPDATE:

N-trig did finally put out a beta v1.0 (March 3, 2012), but they didn’t really help.

Windows 8 Release Preview (June 28th, 2012)

The hack still doesn’t work and the digitizer and touch still have issues.

Windows 8 RTM (August 1st, 2012)

The hack still doesn’t work and the digitizer and touch still have issues.

UPDATE:

N-trig did finally put out beta v2.0 (August 13th, 2012).  They included the calibration tool, which does seem to help with the ghost clicking, however it is still missing the DuoSense Digitizer Settings.  UGH!!!

NOTE:

Did you all notice the wording in their install instructions.  Look at step 1 on page 2.  Some interesting wording.

So I read this as you can’t install these on a fresh Windows 8 Install, that it has to be a Windows 7 upgrade to Windows 8.  So I emailed support to clarify this and they replied back that it was true that you needed to be on Windows 7 to ensure the latest DuoSense Software was installed and then upgrade to Windows 8.  Once on Windows 8 you can follow the instructions in the v2 beta drivers.

Seriously, come on N-trig, you’ve had over 6 months to be working on these drivers to make them compatible with Windows 8.  Your latest v2 beta try is flail at best.

I feel for any computer manufacture that is producing a Windows 8 Slate/Tablet with these N-trig drivers.  Beware!  I sure won’t be purchasing another N-trig device…  No way!!!

I suggest that you email their support [esupport@n-trig.com] and voice your displeasure on the lack of functionality with these drivers.  In my opinion the HP Slate 500 is unusable in Windows 8.  The palm rejection and false touches when writing are horrendous.

Ok, stepping down from my soapbox.

Questions:

What do you think?

Are you happy with these updated drivers?

Did you upgrade to Windows 8 or fresh Install?

Did you use the DuoSense Digital Settings in Windows 7 and Windows 8 Developers Preview?

Do you have issues with false touch when writing?

 

UPDATE (2015-12-09):

N-trig downloads are not longer available.  I have had multiple requests for the download.  I have the Windows 8 x86 version of the driver that I got originally for the HP Slate 500.  If you need them add a comment with your email address and I will send them to you.

Windows 8 RTM is now available on MSDN and TechNet subscribers

Today Microsoft released Windows 8 RTM to those who are subscribers to MSDN and TechNet.

If you feel left out don’t.  You can download a full Windows 8 RTM Evaluation edition that is good for 90 days.  Allow you to install on your desktop, laptop, or tablet and start playing with it until the full release to public in October.

Download it here:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/evalcenter/jj554510.aspx

 

UPDATE:

Information from the Software Evaluation email after registering on the website.

• You cannot upgrade from the EVAL
• No product key is required to install
• You have 10 days after installing to activate it
• Once activated you have 90 days to use it