Windows 10 "loses" network device, or something like that

[L&LD]

http://www.zdnet.com/article/my-biggest-problem-with-windows-10-stability/

This is the best one.

Seems like he doesn't want to do a clean install of an essentially 'beta' OS?

I did not do a clean install. I installed the final bits from a USB device and upgraded from 8.1

I get it. It gets more hits than writing something positive about MS.

Even when he later says he did a reset on his laptop, he still did not take the opportunity to do a clean install. Whatever.

I used to read ZDNet when I was much younger (more than 20 years ago), but haven't gone there much in the last decade or more for obvious reasons such as the above examples of not writing to inform, but simply writing to keep employed (sad in a once great 'tech' brand).

 

[jegesq]

I've recently read, in several places, reports that Win 10 has reliability problems. Google it. You might be experiencing some of them. One writer suggested the version planned for about this time next year will be the one that works well.

The only places you'll read that sort of thing are on click-bait sites that have hysterical, frantic headlines about how Window 10 is a Microsoft conspiracy tool to steal your private info, which MS will be turning over to the CIA/NSA/Russians/Chinese/take your pick....

Or maybe you're spending too much time reading PC World's awful reporting.

 

[jegesq]

http://www.zdnet.com/article/my-biggest-problem-with-windows-10-stability/

This is the best one.

MaryJo Foley (a "she" not a "he"....although you might not be able to tell from her photo) is one of the biggest fans of Windows 10 you will ever read and listen to. She regularly covers MS at the both the consumer and enterprise levels. I have been following her writing and watching her for years on Twit.TV with Leo Laporte and Paul Thurrott (formerly of Windows Supersite, not Thurrott.com). If you knew anything about her writing and her history, you'd know she's a literal shill for MS. She's an insider's insider, attends every MS event, and while she lives on the East coast, is a regular visitor to Redmond and the MS campus. She's a huge supporter of Satya Nadella, and absolutely loves Windows 1o. She's been very upfront about her own e-mail issues experienced with the upgrade she did. She is the first to admit her experience has been extremely atypical.

Her story of her upgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 RTM (Build 10240) has been well documented from day one. Her biggest problem is that she is relying solely on an upgrade of Win10 from 8.1, and she has NOT done a clean install. She and Paul Thurrott have discussed this a lot on their weekly show on Twit.TV (Windows Weekly), and she's been reporting regularly on her travails with her e-mail and her Win 10 upgrade.

The issues that she says have been experienced by some people with the Windows Store aren't issues that are mission critical errors. They involve signing into the store and not being able to download an app. MS essentially has resolved such issues for the most part.

My biggest problem with Windows 10? Seriously, it is with Microsoft Solitaire Collection and the Daily Challenges. I find that it is difficult to log into the X-Box App and thus my scores don't update from one machine to the other. But my issues have only been with Build 10532, which is an Insider Preview Build, not the RTM Build (10420), which has none of those issues.

Again, Mary Jo should do a clean install. It would solve her issues.

And as far as "having to install apps all over again" I too used to think that was some big deal. But I find that I use far fewer apps and programs than I had installed in Windows 8.1 or earlier versions. Frankly, doing a clean reinstall was a great excuse to clear out all the crap that I haven't used in months, and sometimes years and years. Really, I use Word, Word Perfect, Thunderbird, several browsers, maybe some html editing programs, FileZilla, VLC, WordPad, Notepad, Adobe Pro, and not a whole hell of a lot else. Pretty easy to reinstall all of those programs in about an hour, and all of my data is backed up on data drives and my NAS drives, so reinstalling the OS really never touches that stuff.

In short, it's a lot easier to do a clean install than you may think. And if you haven't used a program in the past 6 months, you're probably not likely to be using it any time soon. And if you find you do need a program, well, everything can be found somewhere to be reinstalled when you need it, either locally on data drives, or on the net.

Lastly, you absolutely should get the latest driver for your NIC from the manufacturer's own website, and install it (first uninstall the device and select "delete the driver"). Then reboot and allow the new driver to be installed, and then reboot again. Finally, in order to prevent a bad driver from being reinstalled, you need to run "WuShowHide.cab" (just Google that), and "hide" any updates that Windows Updates shows as being available for your NIC. If you don't hide them, Windows will automatically force an update to your drivers and will reinstall the old/defective driver that may be contributing to your problems.

But once you update the driver, there's really no need to configure anything if you're using TWC cable internet. Just either set your router to get the DNS automatically from your ISP or input the DNS servers you want your router to use. Should work like a charm.

 

[jegesq]

Your suggestions are welcome. I am connected to the internet thru an ASUS RT-N66U using a Broadcom NetLink Gigabit Ethernet Adapter. I have had no problems with connectivity under Windows 7. Under the Windows 10 installation configuration, I was getting frequent internet disconnects. The Windows 10 troubleshooter always reset the network adapter, which fixed the problem. Once I had manually configured the IPv4 interface, the problem only pops up once every 24 hours.

I followed your suggestion about using the original driver from the computer manufacturer, and downloaded and installed the Broadcom driver from Dell for an Inspiron 580. I also configured it with a specific network address 192.168.1.27.

Is there some additional configuration I should do the Broadcom adapter?

Nothing bad has happened so far. I'll wait 24 hours and see what happens.

Configuration for interface "LillyKoko"
DHCP enabled: No
IP Address: 192.168.1.230
Subnet Prefix: 192.168.1.0/24 (mask 255.255.255.0)
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1
Gateway Metric: 1
InterfaceMetric: 1
Statically Configured DNS Servers: 208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
Register with which suffix: Primary only
Statically Configured WINS Servers: None

Configuration for interface "Loopback Pseudo-Interface 1"
DHCP enabled: No
IP Address: 127.0.0.1
Subnet Prefix: 127.0.0.0/8 (mask 255.0.0.0)
InterfaceMetric: 50
Statically Configured DNS Servers: None
Register with which suffix: Primary only
Statically Configured WINS Servers: None

You are over-complicating things. Go into IE and reset your adapter settings to default. Seriously, nuke all of your settings and just leave things at the default settings. Then go into your N66U's Merlin GUI (you don't say what version of Merlin you're running, but assuming you have the ability to set Google's DNS in the "WAN" settings tab ("Connect to DNS Server Automatically" check "No" and then type in the Google DNS servers, i.e., 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4, or the Open DNS, or just check "Yes" and use the TWC DNS servers and see what happens).

Really, I think you are over-thinking this. I too am using TWC with an Arris SB6183 and an Asus RT-AC3200, and I have never experienced disconnects and have not made any special settings to the NIC in any of my computers. If I want to switch to Google or Open DNS, I make the changes only in the AC3200 GUI in "WAN" settings.

You would be better advised to see what's happening with your modem signal levels to see if you're losing signal/sync, or need filters put into place and/or removed from your lines. Depending on what your modem signals show, it could easily be that you have line issues, a bad connection at the pole or drop, or one of your neighbors could be introducing line noise or disconnects. Read the TWC Forums and you 'll find that these are the usual causes of dropped Ethernet connections, and not the fault of your OS. Of course, with the changes you've made to your NIC settings, anything could be causing your issues. But I doubt these are issues caused by Windows 10.

 

[AdvHomeServer]

The only places you'll read that sort of thing are on click-bait sites that have hysterical, frantic headlines about how Window 10 is a Microsoft conspiracy tool to steal your private info, which MS will be turning over to the CIA/NSA/Russians/Chinese/take your pick....

Or maybe you're spending too much time reading PC World's awful reporting.

That's funny. Windows 10 has well documented privacy issues and the and the army of excuse makers come out in force. The other guy said 75 million users in a couple of days ... implying something or other about quality ... Isn't MS known for needing to wait for the .1 version before assuming it works? No ... you just need a clean install ... which, for Win 10 means wiping your drive, loading the OS you upgraded from, then upgrading again for Win 10. If you follow MS guidelines and only upgrade and have problems then it's your own damn fault. I'll update to Win 10 at gunpoint only, then remove it promptly after the gun totter is hauled off to jail ... or MS fixes the privacy concerns publicly ... whichever comes first.

 

[AdvHomeServer]

Seems like he doesn't want to do a clean install of an essentially 'beta' OS?



I get it. It gets more hits than writing something positive about MS.

Even when he later says he did a reset on his laptop, he still did not take the opportunity to do a clean install. Whatever.

I used to read ZDNet when I was much younger (more than 20 years ago), but haven't gone there much in the last decade or more for obvious reasons such as the above examples of not writing to inform, but simply writing to keep employed (sad in a once great 'tech' brand).

My website is 3/4 or better Microsoft or Microsoft related. Sorry but Win 10 isn't a gift from the heavens handed down by the angels. It's an attempt to monetize software in a new way. The win 8 interface was an example of arrogant incompetence and bureaucracy. ... easily remedied by an install of free Classic Shell. (I'm using it right now and never even notice the horrible Win 8 features.) Why do some IT people become drones when certain topics are mentioned? It was this way 20 years or more ago when I was an AS/400 consultant and something about IBM was criticized ... you ran the risk of losing your job if you were in a True Blue shop and you saw the emperor had no clothes and talked about it. This is no different with Win 10 and all things MS.

In fact, right now I'm working on a new article for my web site about things that looked like a good idea, some of which weren't. This will make a good bullet point ... IT dept drones and following the crowd.

https://www.google.com/#q=anywhere+access

look at the page top. It's about anywhere access. Google points to my web site before mentioning MS. I win. (I tried to insert a page print, but couldn't figure how to insert a jpeg.)

 

[L&LD]

Nobody said Win 10 was a gift from above. To me, using Classic Shell is just another way to refuse to learn something new. No, I too didn't 'love' Windows 8. But I learned to use it as is in a very short time. Why? Because the benefits outweighed the negatives.

I am no drone. I do not follow the crowd. I have my head filled with my own ideas and ideals and not marketing fluff. A product either stands on it's own or it doesn't. Windows since version 2 and for most since WFWG 3.12 has stood head and shoulders above anything else for many decades now.

Even the once mighty Apple is imitating MS with a 'pro' ipad, keyboard and pen. And they're even getting semi-multitasking capabilities too (wow, that took a while...).

Sorry to say, but that search doesn't list you even in the top 5 when I click it. I don't know what you 'win' though anyways, if it did.

The difference today and with me specifically with 'Windows 10 and all things MS' is that I am intelligent enough (I hope!) to use the good parts and reduce the pain of the bad. Just like in every other aspect of living in today's society(s).

It is easy to hit the elephant in the room by closing your eyes and throwing sticks and stones at it. But I've long realized that sometimes, you need an elephant as a friend too.

Let us know when your article is finished, I would be interested in reading it too.

 

[AdvHomeServer]

Nobody said Win 10 was a gift from above. To me, using Classic Shell is just another way to refuse to learn something new. No, I too didn't 'love' Windows 8. But I learned to use it as is in a very short time. Why? Because the benefits outweighed the negatives.

I am no drone. I do not follow the crowd. I have my head filled with my own ideas and ideals and not marketing fluff. A product either stands on it's own or it doesn't. Windows since version 2 and for most since WFWG 3.12 has stood head and shoulders above anything else for many decades now.

Even the once mighty Apple is imitating MS with a 'pro' ipad, keyboard and pen. And they're even getting semi-multitasking capabilities too (wow, that took a while...).

Sorry to say, but that search doesn't list you even in the top 5 when I click it. I don't know what you 'win' though anyways, if it did.

The difference today and with me specifically with 'Windows 10 and all things MS' is that I am intelligent enough (I hope!) to use the good parts and reduce the pain of the bad. Just like in every other aspect of living in today's society(s).

It is easy to hit the elephant in the room by closing your eyes and throwing sticks and stones at it. But I've long realized that sometimes, you need an elephant as a friend too.

Let us know when your article is finished, I would be interested in reading it too.

There's a little window at the top that contains an excerpt and a link. The VERY TOP. Before the MS link. In a box to highlight it.

What I win ... the previous comments implied I was a Microsoft hater along with anyone who criticized whatever MS is pushing today. I'm no such thing and have the proof below. The criticism implied people who don't snuggle up with whatever MS is pushing ... all of it... without question is some kind of slacker. Or lazy as you imply above.

I won't get into a debate about your opinions of the Win 8 interface. Even MS threw in the towel on it. Perhaps you can start a petition to return the charms bar?

 

[L&LD]

There's a little window at the top that contains an excerpt and a link. The VERY TOP. Before the MS link. In a box to highlight it. Tell me how to post a jpeg and I'll show you a picture.

I won't get into a debate about your opinions of the Win 8 interface. Even MS threw in the towel on it.

The box is from Wikipedia.

There is no debate about the Win 8 interface. Windows 10 is better, of course. But that doesn't mean Windows 8 was unusable with a small effort on the users part. Many older customers that had shied away from computers (with XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7) actually started using a computer with Windows 8 and a few tips from me. That is my experience and the 'opinion' part is missing.

MS did not 'throw in the towel' either. They did what any company does or has to do today, they refined and expanded what they had already built.

 

[AdvHomeServer]

The box is from Wikipedia.

There is no debate about the Win 8 interface. Windows 10 is better, of course. But that doesn't mean Windows 8 was unusable with a small effort on the users part. Many older customers that had shied away from computers (with XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7) actually started using a computer with Windows 8 and a few tips from me. That is my experience and the 'opinion' part is missing.

MS did not 'throw in the towel' either. They did what any company does or has to do today, they refined and expanded what they had already built.

No, look at the text in blue (OK maybe green) at the bottom of the box. (The box at the top; not the bottom of the picture) (Do I need to re-post it and circle it in red?) It's a link to my website, which is where the text comes from. I didn't write Wikipedia ... thanks for the compliment ... I'm not THAT good.

PS Anywhere Access is an out of the ballpark hit from Microsoft. It's probably one of the biggest reasons Windows Server Essentials 2012 took off as a winner. It wasn't available in Standard or Datacenter at the time I wrote it. I haven't been keeping up with server offerings, so I don't know its current status with Standard or Datacenter.

 

[L&LD]

No, look at the text in blue (OK maybe green) at the bottom of the box. (The box at the top; not the bottom of the picture) (Do I need to re-post it and circle it in red?) It's a link to my website, which is where the text comes from. I didn't write Wikipedia ... thanks for the compliment ... I'm not THAT good.

PS Anywhere Access is an out of the ballpark hit from Microsoft. It's probably one of the biggest reasons Windows Server Essentials 2012 took off as a winner. It wasn't available in Standard or Datacenter at the time I wrote it. I haven't been keeping up with server offerings, so I don't know its current status with Standard or Datacenter.

View attachment 4505

I am not doubting what you see. But that is not what that link shows me, sorry.

Can you give a direct link to your article? I have not even heard of Anywhere Access before today.

 

[AdvHomeServer]

I am not doubting what you see. But that is not what that link shows me, sorry.

Can you give a direct link to your article? I have not even heard of Anywhere Access before today.

LOOK AT THE PICTURE! SEE THE RED CIRCLE?

it would be curious if Google offered different responses for different users given the same query.

If not, this is a job for Mr Higgins since I see red circles and you can't.

Anyway, done here. Way off topic.

 

[L&LD]

LOOK AT THE PICTURE! SEE THE RED CIRCLE?

it would be curious if Google offered different responses for different users given the same query.

If not, this is a job for Mr Higgins since I see red circles and you can't.

Anyway, done here. Way off topic.

I do not see what you are getting so worked up about. I never doubted for a second what you said was true at your end. Listen what I've repeated now so many times; here, you are far from the top.

Of course google offers different responses to different users. That is what makes them suspicious to me.

The red you are seeing is more than circles. Lol...

 

[AdvHomeServer]

I do not see what you are getting so worked up about. I never doubted for a second what you said was true at your end. Listen what I've repeated now so many times; here, you are far from the top.

Of course google offers different responses to different users. That is what makes them suspicious to me.

The red you are seeing is more than circles. Lol...

You confuse exasperation with anger.

 

[jegesq]

That's funny. Windows 10 has well documented privacy issues....

There are "privacy issues" only if you enable the monitoring that is allowed by default. You can shut off all default settings so that there's no more privacy issues than you'd have with any other browser or OS (unless of course, you're on the Dark Web). Everything and everyone is using cookies, and there's monitoring going on all over, and frankly, most of it is benign and of almost no consequence to us and our freedoms. Do you really care whether Google tracks the sites you visit, not to build a personalized profile of "you" but instead uses that to target ads that your IP address (not you, but your IP address) is more likely to want to see? I don't. In fact, I'd rather see ads for topics that interest me and show me things I might want to purchase (assuming I'm going to see ads at all....but that's a whole different issue of whether an ad-supported but otherwise "free" interent is worth having, vs. a completely ad-free experience where you will have to pay a much higher price for the content you'll be able to receive...another topic entirely.). But to your point about "privacy issues", most of this is over-blown hyperbole, and users can opt out of almost all tracking. I agree that what MS is doing is looking for new ways to monetize Windows "as a service" and that's why they're giving it away free now, in exchange for other means of making money from users of their "services". I've got no issue with that. None. I don't have to use their OS. I choose to, because I like it and find it to be better suited to my needs than Linux or Mac OS.

..... and the and the army of excuse makers come out in force. The other guy said 75 million users in a couple of days ... implying something or other about quality ...

The number of downloads says nothing about quality, merely the quantification that MS has announced concerning the number of machines, worldwide, on which Win10 has been installed. And the number is now up to something like 100 million as of this week. I agree though, the fact it's been installed on that many machines says nothing about quality, and only speaks to its popularity (or the curiosity of those who have installed it as an upgrade).

Isn't MS known for needing to wait for the .1 version before assuming it works?

MS was originally looking to release Win10 in November, but advanced the release date to hit the "back to school" market. There is no "finished" or "release" version of Windows 10. According to MS, it will NEVER be finished, and it will be continually updated, just as Google's OS is updated continually, because it's now a "service".

No ... you just need a clean install ... which, for Win 10 means wiping your drive, loading the OS you upgraded from, then upgrading again for Win 10.

. Ummm, no it doesn't. You can simply create a new partition on your drive, install the OS, get your programs back up and running (and really, how many programs do most people actually run? 5? 10? 15? So it takes a few hours and you're done. Then you simply reclaim the old partition, and poof, you're done. Working, clean install of Win10.

If you choose not to use Win 10 and don't want to upgrade, no one is making you do it. Use what you want, when you want. But the criticisms are over-hyped and over-blown, IMHO.

 

[Francis N. Phiollips]

I think that this thread can be closed. After installing the original OEM driver for the network adapter, Windows has not lost its connectivity for the last 24 hours. If something works, don't change it. Don't care if the driver software is 6 years old.

The work that Merlin puts into his firmware for the ASUS is outstanding. I do check every couple of months to see if he has new updates.

Overall, Windows 10 performs and behaves better than Windows 7. It has some annoying features, but I guess we're looking at indirect evidence of the dumbing down of culture in general. I still have a fondness for punched cards, assembler, wire boards, and 64k machines that took up 100 sq ft of floor space.

All I wanted to do was watch Netflix and play EuroTruck Simulator. I had no interest in becoming a network administrator and hardware service tech. You buy a refrigerator, you plug it in, and it works for the next 20 years. You kids go out there and have fun.

 

[bbunge]

Ubuntu isn't Linux.

Really big discovery here. Since Ubuntu is not Linux I'd better stop writing documentation for the Linux Open Source projects that run on Ubuntu... I might actually have some more time to go fishing or work on Windows 10. What a relief!!!