Plan on upgrading to win8.1 but need help first

General Topics
1

So I am asking cause I’m a bit worried with the update and stuff… Gateway recommends users to do a few things before the update such as,
1.Update your BIOS & antivirus to the latest version.
2.Please uninstall any Intel and/or NVIDIA VGA drivers before updating to Windows 8.1.

Both of them got me a bit worried and confused… I asked a few people what would they do and they think I shouldn’t follow the recommendation of uninstall the Intel hd graphics VGA Driver before starting the update installation. (Btw how do I remove the driver the correct way?)

And I am also wondering about the first thing on that list and it is to update my computer’s BIOS… I have UEFI BIOS (See Image for system information), Their reason supposed for recommending updating the BIOS is for (Your system may require additional software, firmware, and/or a BIOS update to install and run Windows 8.1), the latest BIOS for my computer is listed as "- UEFI for Windows 8 (Not for Upgrades) Update F2 function for the scenario “End-user shutdown and then power on the system based on Win8/Win8.1” Do I just install that one or do I have to install all BIOS updates I missed which I have no idea how many I missed sadly…

Here is the page where Gateway recommends what they do, http://us.gateway.com/gw/en/US/content/windows81-update My system information: Windows 8 64-bit, Processor: Intel B960, VGA: Intel hd graphcis, ram: 4GB DDR3 Memory, HDD: 500GB.

2

Just make sure you have the latest version of avast installed before updating windows.
There shouldn’t be a problem that way.
Forget about removing the drivers and updating the bios.
There is no need for it.

Edit:
Backup your data before updating.

3

Are you sure its like safe to update without removing the intel hd graphics VGA Driver? I don’t want to get issues at all that may void the warranty.

4

Updating software is never voiding warrenty.

5

You would only have to install the last Bio’s.

To remove the graphics do so through Programs and Features and your first windows update after installing 8.1 should re-install the new graphics, if it doesn’t or there is a later version of the graphics available via your systems website then you can always update them later.

6

Gateway does have a newer version for the VGA driver listed under windows 8.1 on the drivers page for my gateway NE56r41u machine. I didn’t know windows would install the driver that gateway includes… Would not having the VGA driver though make the installation of windows 8.1 longer?

7

Gateway might have a more recent version of the Intel Graphics driver for your system ( depending on when they last updated it ) but windows update certainly will install the driver if it is not installed or they have a newer version.

8

Finally getting around to downloading windows 8.1 I’m about to update the BIOS…

I’ve been using the antivirus that came preinstalled on this machine for the last 60 days. (Norton Internet Security) Its about to expire. Does any here know how do I disable Norton so I can update the BIOS without it causing issues?

Edit: I got the BIOS updated :slight_smile: Now waiting for windows 8.1 ;D

9

Can anybody please tell me this… Do you think Mcdonalds or somewhere be a better place to go to do the download instead of at home? My internet speed at home is 1MBPS (DSL)…

10

I have 72 mbits at home with wlan and it took 4 hours to download :slight_smile:

11

You get free WiFi from McDonalds ??? we don’t that luxury here in Australia :frowning:

I’m supposed to get 21Mbps but speed test shows I have 32Mbps capability yet windows download manager shows about 1Mbps and the 8.1 update took 3 hours to download and install ( start to end ), wherever you can get it fastest would be my choice but make sure it’s a reliable connection with no dropouts.

12

I don’t think Mac Donald is going to be faster either with all these people using the wifi. Besides you are not going to stay Mac Donald for 2hrs+ :3

13

Aside from the obvious, these public wifi points aren’t as secure, so being on-line for that long could be risky.

Do local government offices/library buildings, etc. not have fast broadband that the taxpaying public can use ?

14

Our local library has wifi. I might just try the library’s wifi if the windows 8.1 download resets again here at home.

15

Good idea, you can read a good book whilst waiting ;D

16

I have used the local library WIFI and found it fine; especially being one of a few using.
Go when it’s not busy would help. :slight_smile:

17

Thank you all for all the help! I’m on windows 8.1 now and everything is running smoothly :smiley:

18

All good :slight_smile: another couple of months and you’ll have to do it all again by upgrading to 8.2 ;D

19

I would only do that if Gateway puts up a recommend page for that now… Windows 8.1 upgrade worried me enough but I bet 8.2 upgrade won’t :smiley:

20

Why is windows 8.1 booting up much slower? :frowning: windows 8.0 booted up very fast and now this computer boots up a bit slower… and a strange new partition I found.