Any Computer tech folks here?

[Wee Hooker]

I just bought myself a 10" Aser notebook for xmass to mess around with. It seems like a decent little machine but it's giving me fits. Namely , it will let me download programs/applications like AVG antivirus and Google Chrome but when I try to run them to install, I get a box that says that Microsoft will not allow me to run anything that wasn't purchased from their store. There is a link in the box to " find out how to allow " but that brings me to a blank screen.

Is this a hoax? Do I already have a virus?
Any help /work around appreciated before I bring the machine back.

 

[ExRanger714]

If it is Windows 10 it is one of the machines that come in S(afe) mode. By only getting apps from a trusted source (Windows Store) the machine is more stable and less likely to download infection.

Once you leave S(afe) mode by downloading anything from any other source you can never go back to S(afe) mode. It counts on you using Windows Defender for your anti virus and anti malware protection.

From HowToGeek:

"Microsoft is pitching security, speed, and stability here. Because Windows can only run apps from the Store, malware from the web won't be able to run. You can't install applications from the web, so they can't install startup tasks that slow down your boot process or junkware that hides in the background and spies on you.

S Mode also pushes the Bing search engine. While in S Mode, the Microsoft Edge web browser uses Bing as its default search engine. You can't change Edge's default search engine to Google or anything else without leaving S Mode first.

Windows 10 in S Mode can't use command-line shells like PowerShell, Command Prompt, or Bash, either. Various other developer tools are also off limits. You don't have direct access to the Windows Registry via the Registry Editor, either.

If all the applications you want to run are available in the Microsoft Store, S Mode is a more secure experience. That's why Microsoft initially pitched S Mode for schools. You can run Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Office, and anything else available in the Store, including apps like Apple iTunes and Spotify.

It's a bit like Apple's iOS operating system on an iPhone or iPad, which only allows you to install apps from the App Store. But S Mode limits you to the Windows apps available in the Microsoft Store."

But you can set Google as your home page for Microsoft Edge.

 

[torizus]

Did you mean Acer or "Aser"
If Acer, I would call Acer tech and ask/complain. That doesn't sound right at all but who knows.
Could be a virus already in one of the components before assembly,I read of that with some china made products. Try disabling your firewall and any anti-virus stuff you have, but read it all first, it may be already blocking that virus if you have one.
Acer is still your best bet since its probably under warranty,
If it's a "Aser" , not sure which way to go with that one.

 

[DWalt]

I have Windows 10 in a HP laptop, and never had any difficulty in downloading and installing anything including several types of anti-malware software and several browsers (Chrome, Opera, Firefox). Is yours a Netbook with limited internal solid state storage memory that relies on software from and storage in the Cloud? With a 10" screen I suspect you have a Netbook. And it will be considerably different from a conventional laptop with a large hard drive.

 

[rwsmith]

I bought an Acer......

I've had about 1/2 dozen desktops and four laptops since the 80's and I bought an Acer, a very well rated machine.

The thing drove me crazy. I just couldn't get it to do anything I wanted it to. I THINK part of the problem was that the entire touch pad was clickable, but I can't blame it all on that. Besides, it was Windows 10 which I was learning at the time and kinda drove me crazy anyway. But it seemed like an awful lot was stacked against me.

A kid down the road had it for a while and it seemed to work for him, but I couldn't stand it and had to get rid of it cheap. If I had taken time time to really look into what was going on I probably could have gotten to where I could work it but I'm used to picking up a computer and going with it, usually only having to look up a few special tricks but this was just too frustrating.

PS: I got a desktop ACER for a friend and didn't have any trouble at all with it. It was the laptop that was nuts. Oh, I just remembered that it was a Win 7 machine because my friend was not computer savvy.

 

[pasound]

I know a bit about computers. I am IT for a lot of W7, W8.1, and W10 machines. An Acer notebook? Or a netbook? What you are saying, it entered a locked-down Windows Store environment? Not normal unless it is a Microsoft Surface. Some manufacturers have joined the MS setup, but ATM, I'm surprised.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I know a bit about computers. I am IT for a lot of W7, W8.1, and W10 machines. An Acer notebook? Or a netbook? What you are saying, it entered a locked-down Windows Store environment? Not normal unless it is a Microsoft Surface. Some manufacturers have joined the MS setup, but ATM, I'm surprised.

My apologies, it's actually a laptop.
I have 3 other Windows 10 machines that I'm able to download and run these programs on. I'm not sure what a lock-d down environment it but I think that may be what I have. It won't allow me to run ANYTHING that isn't on the machine or (presumably) purchased from the store. ( I was able to link it to my Gmail though)
The other odd thing is that the machine is void of any desktop icons other than Edge . I was thinking about resting it as a last ditch effort.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-1...lash-memory-star-gray/6266502.p?skuId=6266502

 

[TX-Dennis]

Yeah, your ASUS is basically Windows version of a Chromebook. It's intended to run "cloud" based applications. With only 32GB of storage you don't have room to install conventional programs. If you want to run conventional programs you need something with more storage - at least 500GB these days.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Yeah, your ASUS is basically Windows version of a Chromebook. It's intended to run "cloud" based applications. With only 32GB of storage you don't have room to install conventional programs. If you want to run conventional programs you need something with more storage - at least 500GB these days.

To be honest, I didn't even notice that. I knew it wasn't a smokng machine but figured it would be OK for email, websurfing etd. No wonder why it was only $120.
So you don't need to run an anti virus on these things?

My phone has more memory and capability!

 

[DWalt]

Netbooks are made to sell at a relatively low price to those who normally wouldn't need most of the capabilities of a typical 15"-17" screen laptop having a large hard disc (or solid state) drive for software storage. Sort of the same idea as having an Apple iPad where high portability and minimum size and weight combined with the ability to access the internet for eMail, games, browsing, etc. is the main selling point. I can understand why you are having problems as you have very little storage space for user software and it all has to come from the Cloud. Basically, you are permanently tethered to the Cloud and cannot operate independently of it.

 

[LVSteve]

Sounds like the system does not acknowledge you as the administrator. See if you can Google a way around that issue.

 

[pasound]

I looked it up. It runs Windows 10S - a stripped down version of Windows 10 which can't install any programs other than apps from the Store. When I said locked-down, I was thinking about European Windows 10S machines, I just didn't remember the name of the OS. You can't upgrade it, and you do not have any real administrator rights to change anything about the operation.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Thanks Guys, I think I'm just going to do a factory reset and return it. I already have a 15" laptop and was just getting this one for super portability for he 3-4 times a year I take it out. I don't need to store a ton of pictures and music on it but I don't like the idea of having to buy new AV /APPS that I already have. I also don't want to have anything more to do with the cloud. At this point, it's giving me more grief than the return could justify.

 

[e3mrk]

I'm fed up with microsoft with all their spyware, I'm learning Linex.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I'm fed up with microsoft with all their spyware, I'm learning Linex.

I'm fed up with having to relearn how to run a new computer every 3-4 years. You think they would give some consideration towards ease of use vs making it better with millions of lines of new code (and less features). IT wasn't that long ago that laptops came with DVD drives and 20GB was plenty of memory to run anything . I'm getting too old for the bull.

 

[johngalt]

I'm fed up with microsoft with all their spyware, I'm learning Linex.

Linux has come a long time since I first looked at it several years ago. I'm starting to like Linux Mint.

 

[pasound]

Return it and look for something else. I bought a 15" Lenovo laptop at Best Buy before Christmas with 8Gb of memory, I-5 cpu, and a 250Gb HD for $250. Its all plastic, but that's ok, I'm careful with it.

Mint is good. So is Ubuntu. Playing with both to learn them.