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22 Sep 09 - 03:08 AM (#2728602) Subject: Tech: Computer Died - what now? From: Joe Offer So, my Hewlett-Packard computer was working normally, if sluggishly, last night. This morning I pushed the power button - and nothing happened. I figure it must be the power switch or the power supply that went out. I don't want to spend money on it because I was planning to buy a new computer soon after Windows 7 comes out next month, because my current computer is just too sluggish. I'm planning to get the 64-bit edition of Windows 7. So, do I go out and buy a computer tomorrow and just install the (free) Windows 7 upgrade when it comes out, or will doing the upgrade give me years of aggravation? And should I buy the high-end computer I really want, or am I better off buying a mid-price computer and figuring on getting another in two years when USB 3.0 and 802.11n and Blue-Ray burners and Windows 7 Service Pack 2 are in place and stable? I suppose if it's better for me to wait the month, I can do it. I can get a case to make my hard drives portable, and hook them to my laptop to access my data. I have an important project to do the week before Windows 7 comes out, and I don't think I can do it on my laptop - so that's a bit of a problem. Any advice? -Joe- |
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22 Sep 09 - 03:36 AM (#2728610) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Amergin Well..I have windows 7 now...and I love it....it is pretty stable...and the few software conflicts I have had are easily fixable.... Personally, especially in light of your project that you mentioned...I would just get another one.... Blu ray burners are already out now.... One thing I like about windows 7...and apparently Vista has it too...is that there is a tool that makes creating a dual boot system very easy...the problem is if you want to install an older OS you would need to install that first and windows 7 next....else it won't be recognised. |
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22 Sep 09 - 03:48 AM (#2728613) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: eddie1 Hate to have to tell you this Joe but the best time to buy a new computer, for speed, technical innovations and price, is always about a month after you have already bought it. This is a fact of life! Eddie |
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22 Sep 09 - 03:58 AM (#2728614) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Joe Offer Amergin, do you think I'll have problems if I buy a computer with Windows Vista and then upgrade it in a month? -Joe- |
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22 Sep 09 - 04:06 AM (#2728617) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Gurney Joe, I have an XP build 2 CD, and have having had problems with a Trojan and then a harddrive, I find a reinstall is irritating. What's left of SP3 wont let me over-install 2 and then update to SP3, so I have to uninstall first. I don't know about Vista. |
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22 Sep 09 - 04:20 AM (#2728622) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Rasener IMHO Joe, I would have thought and considering that you have a project to complete, that it would be better to go to your local techie and get your computer repaired. Ok so it will cost you money you may well be loath to part with, but your project is more important. Then when Win7 comes out, have a good look around for a brilliant deal and then take your time to get that machine loaded with all your software and documents off the old machine(s). I would want the full clean version of Win7 already installed on my new machine with CD. Les |
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22 Sep 09 - 04:32 AM (#2728625) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Joe Offer Yeah, Les, Except that my "local techie" oftentimes doesn't know as much as I do, and what she charges for a power supply replacement would be a good down payment on a new computer - or what it would cost for me to get a new power supply and install it. I'm beginning to think I'm best off to buy a computer of moderate quality and plan to keep it for two years or until it aggravates me; rather than buying a high-end computer and planning to keep it for three to four years. My current computer, not quite three years old, has been aggravating me for a good six months. Still, I plan to rebuild it as a Linux computer when Google comes out with its version of Linux. -Joe- |
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22 Sep 09 - 04:44 AM (#2728627) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Rasener >>I'm best off to buy a computer of moderate quality and plan to keep it for two years or until it aggravates me; rather than buying a high-end computer and planning to keep it for three to four years<< With the speed technology keeps on changing, your first option is probably the best, unless you need the very latest technology. |
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22 Sep 09 - 07:48 AM (#2728702) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: The Fooles Troupe Joe, as someone who has been mucking about with computers since the 70s, my first personal box being a TRS80, and Uni study and all... and I will tell you my mental attitude to all the latest stuff... First I go sit in a corner with a blanket over my head, then go 'wibble, wibble wibble'... :-) |
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22 Sep 09 - 08:08 AM (#2728708) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: GUEST,sir roger at work Joe See the "ask Jack" article from last weeks Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/askjack/2009/sep/17/windows7-upgrade-or-clean-installation R |
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22 Sep 09 - 10:15 AM (#2728801) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: GUEST,leeneia Joe, find out if Windows 7 will support MIDI and other music needs. I'm hearing rumors that Microsoft is going to stop using MIDI. In my experience, techies know almost nothing about computers and music, so do your own research. A true story: My computer had hundreds of MIDI files on it when it went into the shop to repair the ON/OFF switch. When I picked it up, it was a totally different computer, and no data had been backed up. Fortunately, my old computer had red & blue plastic letters on it to identify the drives. The manager dug around in the trash, spotted the one with red & blue plastic letters on it, and saved all my data, including the music. Right away I put plastic letters on my new computer. (It says '2004' to discourage burglars.) |
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22 Sep 09 - 10:25 AM (#2728808) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: olddude Joe If it were me, I would wait ... does version 7 work .. yup so far - now we wait for all the security holes to be exploited. Me I hate paying to debug peoples software on new releases |
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22 Sep 09 - 10:45 AM (#2728823) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: McGrath of Harlow Sure you don't want a Mac for a change? I'm saying that because I'm in the process of setting up a Mac in my son's place, and it's the first time I've ever used one' and I rather like the way it works and feels. 00000000000000......00000/,,kkkkkkkjjjjjjjjjjjjjjmm Sure you don't fancy a Mac for a change? I'm saying that because right now I've been setting up a Mac in my son's place. I'm using it to send this, and it's the first time I've ever used one, and I really like the way it works and feels and looks. Of course maybe I'm a bit prejudiced by the name Mc... |
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22 Sep 09 - 10:46 AM (#2728825) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: McGrath of Harlow Of course I haven't quite got everything sorted out, as that last post demonstrated... |
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22 Sep 09 - 10:05 PM (#2729297) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next mo From: Joe Offer So, at the crack of dawn today....well, 7:15 - I got a call from Gene. I knew what he was calling about. But by the time I got to the phone, he realized it was too early because I was in a different time zone, so he hung up. I got hold of him later, after a couple of cups of coffee; and sure enough, he said what I thought he would say:
The first computer shop checked my power supply and verified that it was dead, but they didn't have a replacement power supply with SATA connectors - they could order one for me and it would cost me $75, installed. The second shop was staffed by two burly, dumb-looking guys; and they wanted $69.95 for the power supply, plus $45 installation. The third shop was recommended by the first shop, and the guy at the counter recognized me from church. He wanted $32.95 for a power supply, $65 installed. But I didn't want to look like a dummy in front of a guy from church, so I said I'd install the power supply myself. So I did, and it took me less than an hour and I got the opportunity to clean all the dust out of my computer, and it works like a champ. So, I'm proud of myself - all because Gene shamed me with his early-morning phone call. Ain't Mudcat grand? Thanks, Gene - and thank to all of you others who gave me advice and encouragement. -Joe- P.S. And I got a good report from the wicked, evil, mean-hearted dental hygienist, whose slogan is, "Floss or die!" |
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22 Sep 09 - 10:45 PM (#2729314) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Stilly River Sage Joe, you took the advice I'd have given you. I hate to toss a perfectly good computer because something as simple as the power supply is kaput. Mooglow's computer up at college died over the holiday break last year, and we did some troubleshooting and decided it was the power supply. I had her do the research at Dell and then she ordered a comparable one from NewEgg for a lot less that Dell was charging. My 20-year-old daughter took her computer apart, replaced the drive, and she said it sounds much better than the old noisy Dell power supply ever did! "I did have to bend the case a little to fit it in, though," she said. But that's okay--bending or cutting to fit is not the same as "if it doesn't go, force it." Now if my college kid can do this, certainly a sophisticated long-time computer user can do it! Anyway, good for you, Joe! And don't you feel wonderful that you got in there to do the work and now it's running just fine? Your brain has a reward center that is going to send out good vibrations for days and weeks to come, every time you contemplate this little chore and it's great outcome. As to VISTA versus MS 7, I'd let the bugs work out of MS 7 for a little while before making the change. And next computer I get, I'm going to keep my old one with it's various programs that play well together and do some of the tasks that the new Windows won't allow. And I'd think twice about getting the 64-bit setup. From what I hear it doesn't play well with lots and lots of programs. I hope someone will come along and spell out just exactly what 64-bit is going to be good for, and if the software manufacturers out there are going to make programs, and if the external devices will all work with it. SRS |
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22 Sep 09 - 11:01 PM (#2729322) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next mo From: Ross Campbell Try a Mac, Joe! What have you got to lose? I just bought one of the old blue iMacs for £20, complete with keyboard , mouse, DVD-rom drive and a 20Gb external hard drive. Only OS9, with iWorks6 for Word-compatible word-processing, Photoshop, Final Cut Pro and iMovie. It's capable of running OSX 10.4.11, and I'm sure you could find one going spare in California for a lot less than $100. Look for one with all the original discs and documentation. Lightly-used models last a lo-o-ong time. If the iMac hasn't got sufficient screen space, the big brother eMac has a 17" screen, also a faster G4 processor. On offering this advice to other PC users, I have come across a reluctance to change based on the fear of a huge learning-curve to overcome before becoming familiar enough to just get on with what you want to do - but many operations and techniques seem fairly intuitive to me, and I think you would very rapidly figure out enough to get you going. Good luck with whatever route you take. Ross |
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22 Sep 09 - 11:15 PM (#2729331) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next mo From: Ross Campbell Sorry, cross-posted (or took too long about sending!) (Watching Phil Cunningham's excellent series on BBC Four - keep getting distracted by some wonderful songs and singers). I worked with mainframe computers for 25 years, managed to struggle on with a very limited IBM machine till I was given my brother's Mac IIc thirteen years ago - ran that until it fell over at ten years old, replaced it with a G3 desktop in 1999 (still working). Most of my stuff now runs on a G4 Powerbook, but I've just in the last year or so started investigating the possibilities of other Mac machines with duplication/redundancy/backup in mind. Never thought I would be guddling about inside these things again, but here I am! Good on you, Joe, I applaud your intrepidity and resourcefulness. Ross |
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23 Sep 09 - 03:05 AM (#2729392) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Rasener Well Gene may have shamed you, but I think I was the first to say "IMHO Joe, I would have thought and considering that you have a project to complete, that it would be better to go to your local techie and get your computer repaired. Ok so it will cost you money you may well be loath to part with, but your project is more important." Thank goodness there are people out there who can shame you Joe. :-) |
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23 Sep 09 - 03:22 AM (#2729398) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next mo From: Joe Offer Yessir, Les, you did inspire me indeed, sir - but it was Gene who inspired me to do it myself, which was much more satisfying.... -Joe, grinning with self-satisfaction- (he stuck in this thumb, and pulled out as plum...) |
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23 Sep 09 - 05:31 AM (#2729428) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Rasener smart arse LOL :-) |
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23 Sep 09 - 06:18 AM (#2729443) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next mo From: GUEST,matt milton when you say Hewlett Packard, is it a laptop or a desktop? If it's a desktop, then you should definitely unscrew the case and have a look inside. Problems with power supplies are usually very very easy to solve and it's not really worth even paying an engineer to fix it. Often just a case of the screws coming lose and the PSU (power supply unit) slipping a bit. Or a case of one of the cables from the PSU to the motherboard coming unstuck. Fixing a problem like that is like putting one Lego brick on top of another. if it's a laptop of course, that's an entirely different kettle of fish and I wouldn't know where to start. |
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23 Sep 09 - 06:22 AM (#2729445) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next mo From: GUEST,matt milton hey, I really should read the entirety of posts from the start! glad to see (retrospectively) the story had a happy ending. Seriously though, it's well worth your while downloading the PDF for the motherboard that's in your computer. That way you can see what are your options for installing extra RAM for instance. It's remarkably cheap to upgrade a PC yourself. |
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23 Sep 09 - 10:33 AM (#2729599) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Stilly River Sage Really must work harder to proof posts when I'm tired. Substituting "power supply" and "drive" could be confusing. Keep in mind what I meant, not what I said. :-/ The difference between computers manufactured today and computers manufactured five years ago isn't as great as a five year gap from say 1985 to 1990 or 1995 to 2000. The peripherals are getting more fancy, fast, and larger. But a five year old computer is still a pretty powerful thing, and is something much of the world would be happy to have. We now need to resist the temptation to switch out computers for the same reason it's silly to buy a new car when your five year-old car is still working perfectly well, but the style has changed a little. Fashion shouldn't be the motivating factor in deciding to buy anything. SRS |
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23 Sep 09 - 10:41 AM (#2729603) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: olddude next time Joe, tell me and I will send you one and save yourself 30 bucks. Dan |
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23 Sep 09 - 10:46 AM (#2729607) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: artbrooks Glad it worked out without major expenses, but this comment on the original question in case anyone else has a similar situation: a while back, I bought a Dell with Windows ME installed - which was already known to be a piece of crap OS - with the promise of an XP upgrade as soon as it came out. I got the upgrade disk and it installed with no problems. However, when I later had to reinstall the OS, I had to install ME, install a program to write XP over it, install XP, and then download all the the zillion or so updates. Times have changed, of course, but I don't think I'd buy another PC with an OS upgrade "coming" unless I knew that the upgrade was a stand-alone product. |
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23 Sep 09 - 11:53 AM (#2729672) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Stilly River Sage I think they have made it easier since then Art. I had a computer with ME on it and set up a dual operating system (used Win2000Pro). It was a lot of work and I didn't have all of the drivers for the computer for a while, until HP relented and made them available to other OS. Their heart was in the right place, but ME was still a piece of crap. :-} SRS |
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23 Sep 09 - 05:12 PM (#2729936) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Aeola Phew!"! Am I glad my son spent his time building, programming computers. He hates them but He can always sort mine out. His advice to me re a new one is usually to wait until the third fix has been issued, whatever that means!! |
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23 Sep 09 - 07:06 PM (#2730014) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Gene There's is one practice that I have not seen discussed here. with HDs being so relatively inexpensive, [at least in the US] I suggest [GHOSTING or IMAGING], copying the ENTIRE master hard drive to a second HD. I first did that some 8-10 years ago. CompUSA has a 500 GIG Hd for $60.00 this week. A 1T is about $100. G |
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23 Sep 09 - 07:20 PM (#2730021) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Stilly River Sage I do that with one of my external drives. I haven't for a while, though. Good reminder it's time to do it again. |
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23 Sep 09 - 10:51 PM (#2730155) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: EBarnacle Lately I have been rehabbing laptops from PII on up and passing them on to people who cannot afford them. I have been learning a lot, especially about the way people abuse their equipment. At the same time, I am turning out about 1 rebuilt unit for every 4 I get. It's mostly a matter of matching components. If anyone has one, please send it to me and I will see to it that it gets a good home if it can be fixed up. PM me for details if you would like to help out. |
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23 Sep 09 - 11:02 PM (#2730159) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next mo From: GUEST,.gargoyle Partition your new disk (or get another plus)
Why forfeigt "Office 2000" when you have not yet mastered it?
In today's world - two HD drives was history a decade ago.
Sincerely,
Memory is cheap...that you would even consider a new MB,OS,HD...based on a power-supply...is a clear indication of febbleness of the clones....Max is overdue...for a Major Atttack.....Clones Alone ... is not a "good defence." |
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24 Sep 09 - 12:04 AM (#2730183) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next mo From: Joe Offer Well, I've been converting underpowered computers to Linux, with Firefox and Open Office. They're working quite well, although I'm still having problems with wireless connections. -Joe- |
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24 Sep 09 - 06:21 AM (#2730258) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next mo From: GUEST PC World ran a short article (based on the Windows Forum) about the man who ran Windows7 on a PentiumII with 96K ram. 17 minute boot time and 17 hour installation. |
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24 Sep 09 - 06:21 AM (#2730259) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next mo From: GUEST http://www.pcworld.com/article/166992/windows_7_hits_a_new_low.html?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a41:g26:r22:c0.005330:b25911362:z0 |
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24 Sep 09 - 08:57 AM (#2730355) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Tattie Bogle Well I'm just about to make that quantum leap to a Mac. My 2003 Dell had a new hard drive a year ago, and is already stuttering again. My son has a Mac, and says he'd never go back to PCs. Selling points for me are the music, photo, video stuff. |
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24 Sep 09 - 03:32 PM (#2730624) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Bonzo3legs For torrent downloads I use an old Win 98 laptop which was new in 1990. It is running XP pro on it's 4.5Gb hard drive - I have a 8GB memory stick to catch downloads and it works fine. I installed a BT I-plate or broadband accelerator yesterday and already my evening torrent download speed has increased 10 fold from 10KB/sec to 100KB/sec. I look forward to the post midnight increase when BT throttling is turned off! |
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24 Sep 09 - 05:51 PM (#2730720) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Stilly River Sage A laptop NEW in 1990? Did they HAVE laptops in 1990? Surely not with a 4.5Gb hard drive, they didn't have gigabites back then. And not one capable of being upgraded to XP Pro. We were still working with Ks and getting into floppies with DSDD features up to 1.5meg in the early 1990s. SRS |
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24 Sep 09 - 05:53 PM (#2730723) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: The Fooles Troupe Btw - re old PCs... Old 2nd hand PCs are now 'dead' in Australia - Lifeline was served with a notice that 'anything they sell that plugs in to the mains needs an Electrical Safety Certificate' - this includes PCs & double insulated low voltage wall warts! This is of course really an extortion racket by the Union (an I'm a Union Man!) for 'Electricians' (and who are reknowned for refusing to allow new people to join!) who have got dumb pollies on side. If an item is SAFE to sell and keep using for years, why does it need to be 'recertified' a couple of years later? |
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24 Sep 09 - 06:01 PM (#2730724) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next mo From: Joe Offer I got my first laptop in 1996, I think. Maybe as early as 1994*. It ran on DOS, and it weighed a ton. the bosses wanted to make sure we had something sturdy, and so they got us big, heavy metalclad clunkers. The ones the bosses got, ran on Windows and weighed about half as much. -Joe- (*I date things in the 1990s by which woman I was involved with - the laptop happened during a relationship that lasted 1993-1996.) |
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25 Sep 09 - 01:53 AM (#2730899) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Rasener You are sad Joe LOL :-) |
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25 Sep 09 - 02:46 AM (#2730909) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next mo From: GUEST "Lap-top" ? "TRash 80"
MY First Portable - about 1982 - OSBORN.
Followed shortly after by a Xerox AT .... which could fit in a large briefcase.
For a trip down memory lane - http://oldcomputers.net
JOE - you have the "stats" and the old "hack" does not work - how about posting the MC's record. OS
http://oldcomputers.net/osborne.html
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25 Sep 09 - 06:38 AM (#2730991) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: bbc I'm glad things worked out, Joe. If you want an inexpensive back-up, though, I'm tickled pink with my Acer Aspire I laptop. Cost about $350, runs XP OS, & has about 5 hour battery life. It's small & sweet & quite powerful. Great for email, Internet, & my photo shoots. Acer best, Barbara |
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25 Sep 09 - 06:38 AM (#2730992) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next mo From: Joe Offer You lost me, garg - what are you suggesting I should post? -Joe- |
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25 Sep 09 - 10:42 AM (#2731113) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Stilly River Sage Joe, I have a new impression of your private life after that admission about remembering devices based upon which woman was warming your sheets. ;-D A friend in New York City has excellent timing--he called this morning early (he NEVER calls, so I know this is a big deal). The power in his apartment building was off yesterday (they're renovating) and there must have been a power surge. His computer won't start. My first thought, power supply. But I had him unplug everything and then turn it back on; there are a couple of the lights on the face of the computer that are on and are blinking rapidly. No light on the ON button, though. Sounds more like the motherboard? I told him not to run out and buy a new computer (not that he can afford one anyway) but we'll speak later today. He doesn't have a surge protector (I've told him for years to get one) so I'm sure something got zapped. I also don't want him running down to the guy at the bakery across the street who does some part-time computer repair. It gets expensive and he could spend the repair money better. bbc, I must say that great minds think alike. If he can't get this computer up and running I don't think it is worth the trouble to get a new mother board and pay someone to install it. It would be cheaper for him to pay for my airfare to NYC to do the work for him. I think he needs to get one of these web devices like the Acer bbc discussed. There are many people who simply don't use the power of the computer who would do fine with the smaller device. If we can get the big computer up and running again, I think he should use it as a secondary device and do most of his email and browsing on the small device. He can attach his big monitor and keyboard to it so he doesn't need to feel cramped. Any thoughts? SRS |
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25 Sep 09 - 04:22 PM (#2731356) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Bonzo3legs "A laptop NEW in 1990? Did they HAVE laptops in 1990? Surely not with a 4.5Gb hard drive, they didn't have gigabites back then. And not one capable of being upgraded to XP Pro. Oh yes they did, an IBM Thinkpad 390x, and it has been running XP for the last 3 years - amazingly fast when unhindered by a virus checker! |
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25 Sep 09 - 04:39 PM (#2731374) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Tootler I also bought an Acer Aspire 1. Mine came with Linux and a 160GB HDD and cost about £220GB - they are less now. It originally had fairly short battery life (<2hrs) but I bought a high capacity battery off Amazon (UK) which gives me 6hrs away from the mains. Great little computer. I'm chuffed to bits with it. It's small size makes it highly portable and it comes with built in wifi. I took it to South Africa when I visited my brother and I could dump my photos on to it and display them straight away. More recently I took it on a holiday by Train to Austria. Again I could transfer my photos straight on to the computer, then when I could get a wifi link write a blog for my daughters to view. I was also able to use the wifi on Eurostar to Brussels and the Thalys to Cologne. Not in Germany and Austria, unfortunately - you have to pay there, but I did pay in the hotel in Austria for wifi time. It was not all that expensive. The Linpus Linux Lite which came preloaded on the computer is not the most full featured Linux distro, but is perfectly adequate for the demands I make on the computer and is pretty quick. It comes with Open Office and I have installed the Gimp for photo editing and Kino for video editing though I have not tested the latter on the Acer yet. |
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25 Sep 09 - 04:56 PM (#2731385) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: McGrath of Harlow "...I use an old Win 98 laptop which was new in 1990...." Sounds as if you must use a Tardis as well... |
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25 Sep 09 - 05:01 PM (#2731389) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Stilly River Sage Good one, Kevin! |
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25 Sep 09 - 11:03 PM (#2731559) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: EBarnacle While working with the computer section of my regional rummage sale someone mentioned that often what is thought to be a motherboard failure in laptops is actually a wire failure in the power jack attachment to the motherboard, usually as a result of dropping the unit or even knocking against other objects. It's an easy repair. |
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26 Sep 09 - 07:28 AM (#2731712) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Bonzo3legs "...I use an old Win 98 laptop which was new in 1990...." Sounds as if you must use a Tardis as well... No, that is just for Bit Torrent music downloads which I use with no virus checker so it runs much faster in our ISP throttled area. My PC is only 6 years old though! |
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26 Sep 09 - 08:04 AM (#2731719) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: GUEST,*.Ripov Remember, Vista is the first operating system specifically designed to give its users a nervous breakdown by either continually arguing with them, refusing to let them see their files, or being too busy to take any notice of them. |
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26 Sep 09 - 12:19 PM (#2731817) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: dick greenhaus Joe- The bit of wisdom from a quarter-century ago still applies. There has never been a better time to buy a computer. There will never again be a worse time. |
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26 Sep 09 - 11:17 PM (#2732205) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next mo From: Joe Offer Well, now I'm hoping I can hold off until after January 1. Oh, and SRS, the current woman has warmed my bed through three Pentiums. I guess that makes the relationship permanent. The one in the early 1990s, lasted only through a 486SX and a concurrent government-issued DOS laptop... -Joe- |
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26 Sep 09 - 11:18 PM (#2732206) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Stilly River Sage Sure sounds like it! |
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26 Sep 09 - 11:24 PM (#2732211) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: The Fooles Troupe TRS80 older than Osborne 'Portable' ... :-) |
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27 Sep 09 - 12:10 AM (#2732231) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next mo From: Joe Offer Yeah, but I thought the 486SX was permanent... I was in love, and she left me for another man. You women just don't realize how truly sensitive we guys are. -Joe- |
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27 Sep 09 - 11:37 AM (#2732426) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Stilly River Sage I'm mulling over some appropriate pun here. Perhaps your power supply wasn't up to the challenge, or your hard drive didn't have as much space as she thought was sufficient. . . was it a hardware or a software incompatibility? Did you know about her G-drive? Where's Severn when you need him? SRS |
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27 Sep 09 - 08:23 PM (#2732800) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: Tattie Bogle Her boots were made for walking! |
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28 Sep 09 - 11:05 PM (#2733759) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: JohnInKansas A little late, but perhaps useful for someone in the near future, Upgrading to Windows 7 the Easy Way gives an outline of the backup tools already present in Vista (and some of them are in some WinXP versions), and how to use them to backup everything so that Win7 can import it all. The tools are (mostly) all there in recent Windows versions, although not all versions of older Windows contain all the tools that appear to be referenced in the article. (Magazine editors assume everyone has the top-of-the-line stuff?) The article might be useful for anyone using a recent Win version, especially Vista, (for the backup tools) even if you're not thinking of Win7 at present. John |
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28 Sep 09 - 11:09 PM (#2733761) Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Died-buy another now or next month? From: JohnInKansas And really old computer drivers might enjoy the "nostalgia" of 40 Years of Hard Drive History (A slide show). John |