Windows 8 - D3DCompiler_43.dll Missing

Since Installing windows 8 on my Laptop i have noticed that i have had a few issues loading my games via steam and also standalone ones,
The error that i have come accross is Direct X related and is 2 different DLL files that are missing D3DCompiler_43.dll and also D3DCompiler_42.dll, as per image below.

To Fix this simply go to microsofts website and downlaod the latest Direct X installer and run it, once it has finished restart your computer and then try the game again, this has happened
to me twice in the last 2 days the first time being the 42 dll and the second being the 43 dll.

God Mode - Windows 8

Like in Windows 7, you can also add the God Mode Shortcuts to your desktop in windows 8. God Mode gives you more than 230 shortcuts, all the control panel and setting items that you have on your computer.

Follow the steps below to add God Mode to your computer.

1. Create a new folder anywhere on your desktop. Right click on your Desktop and create new folder.

2.Once created, rename the folder from ‘New Folder’ to this exact code, Including the words GodMode at the front.

GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

Once you have copied the text above press the enter key.

The folder icon will change to the Control Panel Icon.

Open up the shortcut to reveal over 230 items to chose from, all of which can be found in various ways from searching on the Start Menu or within the Control Panel itself.

Windows 8 Released

So today is the day that Windows 8 is released, but the big question is will you be buying it ?

The Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer called the introduction of Windows 8 a "bold, innovative" move that had been tested for more than 1.24 billion hours worldwide.

"No product anywhere receives this kind of testing anywhere in the world," Mr Ballmer told a New York audience.

But this new flavour of Windows has changed its appearance dramatically with the ditched start button and new full screen start screen. This screen now contains all the well known apps and extra ones that you can get from Windows Store.

Microsoft Windows business leader Tina Flammer said users would need to adapt to the new software menus, but it had been designed for an easy transition.

"Windows 8 was designed to be intuitive," she said.

"We know that without the traditional (start button) it is different. Every time we bring out a device the familiarity is different."

Microsoft faced further scrutiny at its Australian launch for differences around the software's pricing and packages.

While it wont be available to buy as a full product in stores over here it will be available as an upgrade.

The Windows 8 Pro upgrade package costs $69.99, she said, while the Windows 8 upgrade costs $39.99.

You can also upgrade from Windows XP,Vista and Windows 7 which is slightly different from Windows 7 that could only be upgraded from Windows Vista.

This version is going to be very important for Microsoft's Future in the Software business if this flops could it be the end for Windows, who knows i think not but it could severely impact them in future releases.

Earlier this week i Blogged about how to add the missing start button back this can be found here.

Windows 8 / Server 2012 No start menu ! here is a solution

As windows 8 release is imminent you might or might not know that there is no start button, for some that are used to the old trusty start button fear not as there is a solution at hand.

The start button has been a prominent feature of windows since windows NT and windows 95, as Microsoft are stepping into a new world of touchscreen adn tablet computers, this could be an issue for many users who heavily rely on it.

From This 

To this

If you do buy a new PC or Laptop from the 26th of October you will more than likely have windows 8 Pre installed and if you are not wanting to learn all the new tips and tricks at the very beginning you will definateley want this app installed to help you get going.

Stardock have made applications for windows for years mainly the floating menu bar which gives you a Apple like bar at the top or bottom of the screen, the Start8 application can be purchased from stardocs website for $4.99 US to check it out click here.

If like me you will be staying away from this version of Windows as i believe it will be on the miss list, which us techies have been keeping for many years.

This will also work for Windows Server 2012 if you are an administrator this could be a breath of fresh air if your company insists on keeping upto date with the server side of things.

If you do get Windows 8 and you want to try this out let me know how you go. 

Windows 8 Soon to be Released

We're almost there. 12 more days until the big reveal. But that doesn't mean there aren't still a few final Windows 8 secrets to be disclosed. Two of those are the price and the packaging, which online retailer Newegg has just let slip. 

There are four packages listed: Windows 8 Professional Upgrade ($69), Windows 8 Pro Pack ($69, product key card only), Windows 8 OEM ($99) and Windows 8 Professional ($139), with the latter two being available in both 32- and 64-bit versions (for the same price). 

If you go into the product page, however, we can see that the original price for the upgrade and product key card only versions is listed as "$199" suggesting that this might either be a launch offer, or subject to change. Don't forget though, there's still the chance to upgrade for an even lower price, for those who qualify. You can officially reserve your copy of Pro from today for $69.99 at all the main retailers, but if you can hold back on that impulse purchase for just a little longer, you'll be able to upgrade to Pro online for $39 (until January 31st 2013).