There has been a lot of noise lately about the replacement for the Vista operating system from Microsoft. To date it has been dubbed Windows 7. I have no interest in it at this time, other than to follow its progress, but thought that some of you may be hearing about it and wondering. It is in Beta test now, and it's possible we will see it delivered in 2009, but I see no reason for anyone to be anxious to use it. I am sure if Microsoft has its way, Windows 7, or whatever they ultimately name it, will be installed on machines in time for Christmas.
Anyway, ComputerWorld has a nice review of it in the linked article appearing today on their web site.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Managing the Health of your Flash Drive(s)
I use several flash or thumb drives, and I use them a lot. I have learned over time that it pays to treat these drives like other disk drives, meaning you need to worry about their health, and treat them to a defrag once in a while. If you have never done this, try it and see how badly (or not) fragmented it is, and defrag if you see lots of red.
Because flash drives are smaller, this takes very little time and protects your data and the health of your flash drive. I also recommend running a Check Disk (chkdsk) on these as well. They take a real beating and can develop problems just like a hard drive does. The chkdsk is only two phases and also is much quicker than a hard drive chkdsk.
Because flash drives are smaller, this takes very little time and protects your data and the health of your flash drive. I also recommend running a Check Disk (chkdsk) on these as well. They take a real beating and can develop problems just like a hard drive does. The chkdsk is only two phases and also is much quicker than a hard drive chkdsk.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
SeniorNet of Vermont
For those of you in Vermont there is a tremendous opportunity for you to learn more about computers right in South Burlington. The SeniorNet Center of Vermont is located in The Pines, just off of Dorset Street.
The SeniorNet Center offers an extensive array of seminars (usually 3 hours long and usually just $10) and courses (usually 15 hours over 5 weeks and just $45). A varied menu is offered 6 times a year from September through May. The classroom is a hands-on environment with each student having his/her own computer to use during the class meetings.
Instructors are all volunteers, many retired from local VT companies and all are well-versed in their subject matter.
If you are a Senior Vermonter (50 or 0ver), I encourage you to visit this web site and add it to your Favorites or Bookmarks. After doing that sign up for a seminar or a course. I am pretty sure you won't be disappointed.
The SeniorNet Center offers an extensive array of seminars (usually 3 hours long and usually just $10) and courses (usually 15 hours over 5 weeks and just $45). A varied menu is offered 6 times a year from September through May. The classroom is a hands-on environment with each student having his/her own computer to use during the class meetings.
Instructors are all volunteers, many retired from local VT companies and all are well-versed in their subject matter.
If you are a Senior Vermonter (50 or 0ver), I encourage you to visit this web site and add it to your Favorites or Bookmarks. After doing that sign up for a seminar or a course. I am pretty sure you won't be disappointed.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Can I still buy a new computer with Windows XP?
I get asked this question from time to time, and the answer is YES, you can. I have only done this with Dell but a while back other manufacturers were doing the same thing, and probably still are.
Here is an exchange of 3 e-mails with a customer starting with his first inquiry:
Here is an exchange of 3 e-mails with a customer starting with his first inquiry:
Customer inquiry
We were here to see xxxxxxx’s computer crash. I went on Dell's website and found one I like but I have questions that the chat room person was vague about. First, I don't want Vista and have a startup disk for XP on my old Dell. If I erased the C drive on the new computer could I install the XP program? Would the drivers work? Would I have to buy a new XP disks? Their Vista comes with a Service Pack 1. Could that have solved the incompatability with older programs?
My reply
If you will go to Dell.com and enter the section called “SMALL & MEDIUM BUSINESS”, almost immediately you will be presented with the $99 option to have Windows XP installed on your new machine. The Vostro line offered there is a fine choice. I would recommend doing this – for you. Not only does your machine come with XP installed, but you also get a Vista license and install DVDs, so should you ever opt for Vista, you have it.
This summer I ordered a laptop for xxxxxx xxxxxx in this way, and it worked fine and the last I heard she is very happy with her machine. Naturally it came configured for Vista, meaning it had lots of RAM and a large HDD, all good things for you too. I do not believe that we were ever asked to name the business for which we were ordering, but just put in her name. If you have to have a business name (now), you already have a few of them!
I would not recommend the method you proposed of using an old Windows XP installation disk precisely for the reason you mentioned: drivers. You would have to go to dell.com and try to find drivers for XP for the new hardware. That could prove to be a very tough job. My way you get a fine XP system already installed and tested, and all for only $99. It would take you many, many frustrating hours to get the same if you elected to try yourself. You don’t want to do this for a new machine.
Hope this helps?
His reply to me after a week or so
We did buy a powerful Dell Vostro 420. It comes with XP and an optional change to Vista. I read that Microsoft is coming out with Windows 7 later this year. Thank you for your consultation.
Happy New Year!
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