Thoughts/help/etc on setting up a Win8 media box on CRT

[noiseredux]

OK, so my Win8 Lenovo that sucks - I've hooked up to my CRT. So I've got a few thoughts, questions and so on...

Basically, want to use it for Netflix, Youtube, and the occassional light-weight game.

Ideally, I don't want to use a mouse at all. If possible, I'd like to just use my gamepad as a mouse. Which I think I can do with Pinnacle Profiler, though I can't seem to get this to just auto-launch when I boot it up.

Maybe a Harmony remote could be used as a mouse for Windows 8?

I can't really get around having a keyboard though I'm guessing?

Also, there's the obvious "small text is tough to see on a CRT" thing...

But I don't know... if anyone has any other suggestions or insight?

[Hobie-wan]

Ideally, I don't want to use a mouse at all. If possible, I'd like to just use my gamepad as a mouse. Which I think I can do with Pinnacle Profiler, though I can't seem to get this to just auto-launch when I boot it up.

If MS has been silly and taken away the startup folder that other versions of windows have where you can dump things, you should still be able to create a run key for it in the registry.

[Anapan]

There's your problem right there. You've got a bad os.

[noiseredux]

There's your problem right there. You've got a bad os.

I agree. Which is why I put this PC aside and built a new one. Haha. But obviously I'd rather do something with it than just let it collect dust.

[noiseredux]

maybe something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 2C517C8579

USB wireless keyboard w/ touchpad. That would probably solve my kb/m problem?

[Anapan]

Yeah, get a 2.4ghz usb keyboard/mouse combo - wiimote type or controller type with a big touchpad. My experience with Windows 8 is exclusively backup and downgrade, but if you set the home screen panel up right a wiimote-keyboard could be OK.
Deal Extreme has many options for those controllers as well. I like the Measly brand.
http://www.dx.com/s/2.4ghz%2bkeyboard?Sort=ReviewsCount
Good idea avoiding Bluetooth.

[flex wood]

Well if you can just use a controller as a mouse you can just bind the on screen keyboard to the task bar. I guess you wouldn't be able to control alt delete and other things like that but if you just plan on using it for light weight stuff you should be fine.

[Anapan]

It's still Windows. I've tried many times in the past to make an analog game controller operate a computer. You can bind hotspots to a DX-controller input app and use analogs with acceleration to get everywhere, but it's ultimately more difficult and slower than having a mouse. If your computer is distant you will have to plug in a USB keyboard and you'll have to get up to use it constantly unless you have already streamlined the thing to account for every possible problem. There are people who have done this, but I have never had the tenacity to do it myself.

I have fond memories of using my "Sammy Keyboard Pad Mini" to do everything because I love that controller to death and tried to make it my primary input. I set up combo R# shortcuts to screen hotspots, but despite my best efforts it was just not as intuitive as a keyboard and mouse. Still, For a frankencontroller, there is none better IMO (it has an ESC key which will exit an emulator) - I've got a cupboard full of 'em and it's still my favorite.

Wanna buy a Bluetooth one for cost of shipping (not recommended, but I have some for about $4 to where you live)?

I'm currently using a Logitech Wireless Desktop MK710 Full-sized keyboard and mouse with various USB controller adapters plugged into a long string of USB extender cords & 2 powered hubs inline on my main screen.

Since the computer is being repurposed as media center, as long as the UI is sufficiently hotspot-large, any input would do theoretically. Having a shortcut to a good XBMC skin should take care of the bulk of the streaming necessities, and (like I said I have almost 0 experience) Windows 8 is actually made to be on a tablet that doesn't exist, but being touch-screen oriented it should all work out OK.

I think a properly placed call to whichever app you use for your controller would work if you added it with admin privileges.

Copy a shortcut here:

Code: Select all

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

If worse come to worse, starting regedit and making the app launch from there should do the trick:
http://dottech.org/76670/how-to-launch- ... windows-8/

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HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

The aplication's location should be in quotes, but the - config settings should be outside the quotes
ex:

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"C:\videogames\Xpadder\xpadder.exe" -mame37

^ I made this up, but you get the idea - if you have difficulties I really will install windows 8 on a set-aside-for-later laptop and make it work despite the bad taste I get in my mouth while forcing it to do the simplest of tasks...

A bit off topic, but does anyone have any experience with wireless USB? Since wireless HDMI is actually proven working now (In my experience it has lag), it should be pretty stable by now, right?

[noiseredux]

you guys are awesome. A few responses...

As far as getting rid of Win8 - eh, the point really is just to use this extra PC for something. But I don't really wanna spend extra $ on it if I don't have to. So basically, to use it for media playback, Win8 should be fine. If I were to ever replace - would prob be just to a Linux media OS like XBMC or something. Though at least w/ Win8 I can still easily play some lightweight games or emus.

Thanks for the link Anapan - some fair prices on those remotes/kb's. I think that's the route I wanna go. Something like that.

@Flex - onscreen keyboard in Win8? Didn't know such a thing even existed. Interesting.

[isiolia]

@Flex - onscreen keyboard in Win8? Didn't know such a thing even existed. Interesting.

It pops up automatically if you use a pen or touch input device, usually, often off on the side unless you click on it. It's actually been in there since Vista, where XP had a separate "tablet edition" (well, pen input panel/keyboard).

8 has a full mobile style keyboard that can pop up.