My recent experiences with my PC have been nothing short of tumultuous, beginning with an attempt to get DOOM: The Dark Ages up and running. What started as a quest for gaming enjoyment quickly spiraled into a series of technical mishaps, culminating in a PC that refused to boot. The first sign of trouble emerged when the Windows 11 Start Menu became unresponsive, a frustrating precursor to the chaos that followed.
(Image credit: Windows Central | Ben Wilson)
While I won’t delve into every detail, the root of my troubles lay in the NVIDIA drivers. My system, equipped with an Intel Core i7-14700K and NVIDIA RTX 5080, faced documented issues with the RTX 50 Series. Despite my efforts to roll back to older drivers and then update to the latest versions, DOOM continued to crash, leading to a complete system failure. My boot SSD was healthy, but that didn’t prevent the chaos that ensued.
With only a USB drive containing a Linux installer at my disposal, I resorted to that as a temporary solution to keep my work week afloat. While Linux offered some respite, I still encountered crashes both in games and on the desktop. Any adjustments to the drivers seemed to exacerbate the situation. Thus, I turned to a Windows laptop to create a USB installer, only to face repeated failures in getting it to work. Frustrated, I pivoted to my Chromebook, which allowed me to accomplish tasks without the incessant headaches of my primary setup.
A week where my PC nearly beat me
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From the outset, I discovered that my USB stick, intended for the Windows 11 installation, was not formatted correctly. After several failed attempts and extensive online research, I learned that it needed to be formatted as exFAT—a detail that was not immediately apparent. This was just one of many hidden complications that can arise when navigating the intricacies of Windows.
Days passed as I repeatedly attempted to reinstall Windows, hoping for a stable experience. Each time, I faced new errors, including a corrupted Recycle Bin and read-only permissions that prevented me from saving files. The solution ultimately lay in completely wiping both SSDs, creating fresh partitions, and reluctantly accepting all the telemetry settings Microsoft encourages users to enable. This approach, akin to unboxing a brand-new device, seemed to resolve the myriad issues I had encountered.
I did not know a Windows 11 installer needed to be exFAT formatted, and I doubt I’m alone.
The overwhelming number of drivers to install and potential points of failure highlighted the complexity and bloat of Windows 11. It’s a stark reminder of how intricate operating systems can become, especially when they cater to a wide range of functionalities.
There is a huge market for Chromebooks that are potentially using the wrong OS right now
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Despite my reliance on Windows 11 for work and gaming, I’ve always appreciated the simplicity of other operating systems. My Chromebook has become my go-to device for on-the-go tasks, providing a welcome contrast to the frustrations of my primary setup. With seamless integration into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, including Office web apps and OneDrive, ChromeOS has evolved into a versatile platform.
Moreover, the ability to game through Steam or cloud services, alongside the availability of web-based applications like Photoshop, makes it a compelling alternative. The Play Store even allows developers to optimize Android apps for Chromebook use, enhancing its utility.
(Image credit: Windows Central)
For those needing functionality beyond Android or web applications, the Linux environment is readily available. Yet, it’s the inherent simplicity of ChromeOS that truly captivates me. Regular updates are swift, and should any issues arise, recovery is quick and efficient, with all data synced effortlessly. The low likelihood of complications is a significant advantage.
As I reflect on my experiences, I find myself wishing for a streamlined version of Windows that could cater to casual users, particularly for gaming handhelds. While my Windows 11 PC remains an essential part of my setup, my newfound appreciation for my Chromebook is undeniable. It stands as a reliable backup, offering a refreshing escape from the complexities of traditional operating systems.
