BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: Bill D
Date: 21 Dec 07 - 12:58 PM

You can get a 'trial' version of Linux that fits on a CD and does not need installing. The most common one in called Knoppix. I tried it, and it worked fine. (You can order one for a few $$$ or, you can download it for free and burn it to a CD.)

It has many virtues, but I'm not quite up to speed on the file structure yet.

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: Bert
Date: 21 Dec 07 - 10:05 AM

Try Linux, it's free and it's faster than Windows.

Rachael bought this old PC at a thrift store and it was really slow. I loaded Linux on it and it was faster than her new Compaq. You need to save all your data on CDs before loading it though.

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 21 Dec 07 - 06:11 AM

I had a friend who cut out from a magazine and pasted on the ENTER key the word 'any'. Stopped his wife from always asking "It says to push any key, which one is that?"


I'm not making this up you know...

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Dec 07 - 10:18 AM

Blond Luddite? *tsk* You need a computer with the DWIM key!*





























*Do What I Meant

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: bfdk
Date: 20 Dec 07 - 06:16 AM

What did you tell them? ;o)

B

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: GUEST,LTS trying to clean another keyboard ...
Date: 20 Dec 07 - 06:09 AM

Fooles dear, you owe Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs a new keyboard plus the 25 mins it took for me to clean up said mess and stop sniggering. And explaining.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Dec 07 - 05:43 AM

"but I'm afraid it just goes over my head"

I said I'm too old...

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: GUEST,LTS prtending to work on another computer
Date: 20 Dec 07 - 05:25 AM

It's very kind of you to help with all this technical stuff, but I'm afraid it just goes over my head... Luddite to the core, me...

Blonde Luddite at that!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Dec 07 - 04:27 AM

"is hard to find. It's not something that pops up automatically"

I have one of those too, but the doctor said I'm just getting old.

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 08:46 PM

In WinXP, and probably in other near versions, if you Right-Click on a blank area on the desktop and choose properties, on the "Desktop" tab there's a button labelled "Customize." There you should find an option to "Run Desktop Cleanup every XX days."

If you put a check mark there, Windows will scan for usage and will move the shortcuts for any optional desktop icons that you haven't used "recently" into a separate folder. I don't recall whether it automatically puts a shortcut to the shortcuts folder on your desktop; although I believe it does, possible called "Unused Shortcuts". If one doesn't appear you can certainly do it yourself.

John

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 04:35 PM

Due to my hobby/proclivity/inclination/obsession? of collecting various programs, I have a LOT of 'em to keep track of, so some programs are especially FOR keeping track, finding and launching other programs.

If you have a file manager like Free Commander, you can probably find all the stuff on your PC just by browsing the "Program files" folder. I will GUARANTEE you that after a short time using something like Free Commander, you will wonder why you put up with Windows "Explorer".


If you wish fast, easy access to launch just a few programs, such as the CD burner that is not used often, you can do as John says and put a shortcut on your desktop (my desktop has quite a few).....or, you can have a little program like Hidden Menu, which is, as implied, hidden most of the time, but pops up when you move the cursor to a chosen spot, and gives you a list of files YOU choose....then one click launches them.

If you need to really search for stuff on a PC, there are programs like Agent Ransack, which is better than the 'search' function Windows offers.

If you should wish to combine an excellent File Manager with an excellent search function, there is XYPlorer-free. (I have carried on discussions with the author of this program...he is sharp, attentive and pleasant.)

   It is really a LOT easier to use your computer if you feel in control of where things are and how to get to them. If you don't do that many things, then simply, as JiK suggests, put a few links/shortcuts directly on the desktop.

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 07:45 PM

The next time you find it, right-click wherever you would click (or double click) to run it. Click on "Send To" and send it to the desktop to MAKE A SHORTCUT. If you don't want it on your desktop, make a folder called "MY SHORTCUTS TO PROGRAMS I CAN NEVER FIND" and drag the icon into it.

(Then right-click on the folder "MY SHORTCUTS TO PROGRAMS I CAN NEVER FIND" and put a shortcut to the folder on you desktop, and rename that shortcut "ZZZZZZZ PROGRAMS" so you'll always be able to right-click on the desktop and "arrange icons by name" and it will always go to the last icon location on the desktop.)

John

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 05:42 PM

We've got CDRippingWizard but it has no shortcut and is hard to find. It's not something that pops up automatically like PictureWizard.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 04:15 PM

"how to close CDs when I've transferred files to a CDRom..."

That must be done by the program used to set up the CD for writing. Where was the CDWrite program when last you saw it? They usually don't move about.

If you can't find it, there are a couple of free programs that are pretty good, but they most likely won't help with already written CDs.

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 09:24 AM

Female:

1. They're expensive to obtain and support.
2. They're incomprehensible.
3. They're subject to unexpected emotions.
4. The directions given never work.
5. What you see is rarely what you get.

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 08:45 AM

Not my day today....

should read 'and as for following instructions'

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 08:44 AM

Especally as I'm finding it can only hold so much information at once and none of that really important... and as for instructions - Well!!!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 08:42 AM

*G* Liz, definitely male.

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 08:08 AM

I don't think a bull will work, computers are male.

1. In order to get their attention, you have to turn them on.

If they were male, they'd arrive turned on, and would stay turned on, at least until they were very old, but then they'd start to think about it - a lot, even if their memory chips failed and they couldn't remember why ... .

(I'll probably have to concede that the "not knowing what to do when turned on" might have a sort of "male-ishness" to it, at least from a feminine viewpoint.)

John

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 07:24 AM

Fooles - I don't think a bull will work, computers are male.

1. In order to get their attention, you have to turn them on.
2. They have a lot of data but are still clueless.
3. They are supposed to help you solve your problems, but half the time they ARE the problem.
4. As soon as you commit to one, you realize that, if you had waited a little longer, you could have had a better model.


LTS

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: peregrina
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 06:15 AM

back up hard disk now if you can

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: bfdk
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 05:57 AM

No titters, this is serious..

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 05:37 AM

"I think it needs a service"

My uncle has a bull...

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 05:11 AM

<<<sniffle>>

John - sincerely

Subject: RE: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 05:03 AM

thought for Liz's computer

sandra

Subject: BS: My computer needs good thoughts too!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 04:15 AM

My poor old computer is having troubles... I don't think it's age related and it certainly not abuse - I've not used percussive maintenance for ages...

It's awfully slow and won't load half it's programmes properly. We've defraged, deleted ancient crap and tried to move stuff to other drives. It's not a happy bunny.

Also, if anyone can tell me how I get it to tell me how to close CDs when I've transferred files to a CDRom... We have a CDWrite wizard, but it can only be found on the last Saturday in November, when the moon is full and the daffodils are blooming in Peru.

I think it needs a service, and the service may well be a Requiem Mass....

Please, spare a thought for my poor computer?

LTS