Sunday, December 19, 2010

Crash!

Looks as if my desktop computer has crashed. I have everything backed up, so I'm not worried about that. What I'm worried about is buying a new computer, learning Windows 7, and installing all my programs. But that's what I'll be doing for a while. The desktop is more than 8 years old, so I guess it's time for a new one. I'll still be posting a few things, using this laptop, but we'll have to see how things pan out. I didn't plan on getting a new computer for Christmas.

13 comments:

George said...

Sorry to hear about your computer crash. But 8 years of Normal Time is like 80 years of Computer Time. You'll be amazed at the speed of your new computer. Windows 7 is a lot better than VISTA.

Unknown said...

I'm still (or I was still) using XP!

Anonymous said...

Windows 7 is easy, Bill. If I can do it it will be a snap for you. And there are probably great Xmas sales out there.

Jeff

pattinase (abbott) said...

We're getting a new laptop and I am worried about Windows 7 too since we never went to Vista. XP was such a nice little program.
Hope Jeff and George are on standby.

Jerry House said...

You have my most sincere sympathy. I dread the day when my laptop goes belly-up. I second Patti's thoughts: stay on the the good sides of George and Jeff!

Janet Rudolph said...

Sorry to hear. Always upsetting. computer for christmas. Luckily you had everything backed up. Note to self

Seepy Benton said...

Our DVR was crashing while your computer was crashing. Life without the Internet and TV? It's the Apocalypse!

Anonymous said...

We've had to get dead DVRs replaced twice already, Seepy. Very annoying.

Jeff

Mel Odom said...

You'll LOVE Win 7. Very easy program. And if you pick up Office 2010, all you have to do is turn on the SPEECH RECOGNITION software included in those packages and you can talk into the computer while it types.

I use that for grading students' papers, email, blog updates, etc, and have even written a couple of books that way.


You'll be surprised and probably thrilled. Plus, the prices are really good right now.

Brent McKee said...

Been there done that bought the T-shirt. Come to think of it I didn't buy the T-shirt...couldn't afford it after buying the new computer.

The little secret about Windows 7 is that it's very much like Vista, but simplified somewhat, and with the annoying parts ironed out. Actually I've never had any problems with Vista, although I had the advantage of not installing it as an upgrade but got it with the computer.

One final suggestion: If you haven't done it already you might want to subscribe to an online backup service in addition to backing up using an external hard drive and/or CDs or DVDs. I don't use one myself, but then my living isn't dependent on backed up computer files like a professional writer's is. Carbonite is a good one (at least that's what Leo Laporte says on his radio show and podcasts).

Unknown said...

I have Carbonite, Brent, and it's slooooooowly restoring my files.

Richard R. said...

My sincere and deep sympathy, computer replace emnt is never a fun thing, even in the best of situations. I assume it just did a terminal fail, no chance to buy the new one and run a file transfer program. That's the really good way to go, if possible.

Also, this was your best chance to buy a Mac! But I see you've already gone the PC/Microsoft route. which is no surprise, no need to learn a new OS at the same time as you're learning new software.

You'll get those speakers up soon, I'm sure, it's usually a matter of finding and loading the speaker drivers.

Richard R. said...

Truth is, every time I read that a Microsoft program is easy, or "even easier" to use I know that means they have put in a bunch of really annoying dumb-downs for the user who doesn't want to understand anything but type, print, look at the pretty pictures. Every new generation has less of the really useful menus and commands, and more fluff, it seems.

I use Office for Mac, mainly because I've been a Word user since it was all DOS, and that was a long time ago.