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try one of these recommendations http://www.ghacks.net/201...reader-alternatives-list/

I use keepass too ... it's good to store passwords/data not directly associated with logging into a web site.

If you want a software advisor program, I highly recommend SUMO...  It has an extremely large database and has very few false positives in the results.  Nothing else I have seen comes close.

If it isn't a silly question if you are going to install Classic Shell why bother to upgrade to 8 at all? Basically 8 is pretty much 7 with a few (AFAICS fairly minor) tweaks plus Metro.

Because classic shell ONLY handles the display of the menu (thru the start button)...  just one aspect of any windows OS.

And sooner or later I will need a new PC and the options for one with windows 7 will probably be small .

Classic Shell at sourcefourge now not only implements  a windows 8 start button but includes an option to bypass metro right to the desktop.


Classic Shell at Sourceforge

JSHOT allows you append screenshots together either beside or below when you take take the shot .

I believe screenshot capture is going to have that feature too (someday) .

I agree with trying AUTORUNS first .... it will show all startups including devices and boot startup .

Those not found on your system are highlighted.

Was there a startup program that ran ?  Could belocated in the MBR.

DOPUS is expensive but is highly customizable and will do/can do almost anything one needs to with a file manager making it worth the price.

I uninstalled Start8 and instead installed Classic Shell from sourceforge... I has a more standard start interfave for windows 8 in it's newest version.

http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/history.html

KeePassX is free for the Mac although it hasn't been updated in awhile.

Opera is my primary browser too.  For a backup, I usually use firefox for the power of its extensions.
For quick and fast access to a website where I am not going to be using a browser otherwsie, I usually rely on chrome.

You don't want pay money to faceless companies ... I expect most big companies are .... your options are very limited if you really believe that.

For me, I'm mored intereted in getting what I pay for than a pretty "politically correct" face company

The addition of an append option would greatly enhance the program's ability  ... I vote it a top priority

based on the free ones I have tried, Idrive seems to be the fastest.
Last time I tried Acronis it looked suspiciously like Mozy which I dropped because it was hard to tell what if anything it was doing.

Revo has long been the lead "free" uninstaller ... but it is possibly being challenged by the IObit uninstaller  which is good and free but does 64 bit apps too.

have u tried antidup.net ?  that is easily the fastest I have tried so far.

In the final analysis, if you don't like windows or how it operates.... don't buy it.

does the chkdsk at boot seem to do anything .... usually it write some messages to the screen while running.

Perhaps a windows repair from CD might correct whatever chkdsk changed.

Two more things I recommend if u have the time.

1) go thru the OPTIONS/various SETTINGS thoroughly and you will get a better idea of what you can do.  I had to go thru a minimum of 3 times to start grasping it all.

2) read thru the HELP including the commands section. This too can be intensive. Again I had to go thru 3 or 4 times to start comprehending it all.

well, you can get many good ideas on the dopus forum itself ... it is a busy forum with about 2 people (admin) answering questions regularly .. I highly recommend taking a peek at it from time to time particularly for new users.

It offers excellent support.

Opera's extensions are much like chromes'... whcih in my view aren't significantly better and neither will proably ever be able to do what Firefox extensions do.

Opera is however higthly customizable with the INI interfaces although you need to learn how to use this feature. I also like opera because it supports email and IRC all together in one program.

Opera has recently started work on a 64 bit browser which I have tried and from my experience is very fast.

Ifyou're saying that 32bit drivers exist for some of your device for win 7 but not 64 bit, then I would go with win7 32 bit or wait to get a newer PC.

lol, sounds like a loser 

I would only bother if you have some indication is has been corrupted ... You can delete it; but it will just be recreated. This will actually slow down your machine while that takes place.

There are defaults set. I would only override those that I was pretty sure what they do. particularly windows/system settings.

I use JSHOT and like it ... several plugins for upload to various servers inclding minus and dropbox and picassa.

Uses java and works on mac and linux too in addition to windows