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Need educating a bit please...

5K views 82 replies 14 participants last post by  motdaugrnds 
#1 ·
My PC is quite old. I'm using Windows XP. It has worked fine, i.e. no real delays in pulling up what is wanted, all these years. I keep it cleaned, blown out (dust), defragged and have always had the same 3 protectors on it, i.e. Avast antivirus, Super Anti-spyware and Spybot. Last year this PC became quite slow to respond to my instructions and started freezing as well. The left-click of the mouse stopped working too. A friend changed the mouse and mentioned I needed ?? (Didn't understand this.) in order for the PC to deal with more ?? (different from memory RAMS), stating this would probably stop the freezing. Can anyone explain this to me? (I only use this PC for visiting this forum, one more forum, watching knitting youtube videos and sending/receiving emails. And the "memory" is never even half used.) The slow response to my instructions sure is frustrating...
Thank you...
 
#42 ·
Painterswife, sure wish I knew...

I found some information on one of the ends of this computer with a couple of bar codes and the following:

SYS/HP:E.I.6000/SFF/C2D:775:3.014 GB/250GB/DVRW/WIN 10 HOME 64

Have no idea what most of this means but I'm guessing part of this means it has a "ram" of 250 gigabytes and is a "windows 10". Is this correct?

Still cannot understand the instructions....I think it is my fear of doing it wrong that is causing my mind to be so confused about this.

By the way Painterswife, your "Avatar" looks a lot like my Valentina (Bulgarian Karakachan)...great dogs!
 
#43 ·
Painterswife, sure wish I knew...

I found some information on one of the ends of this computer with a couple of bar codes and the following:

SYS/HP:E.I.6000/SFF/C2D:775:3.014 GB/250GB/DVRW/WIN 10 HOME 64

Have no idea what most of this means but I'm guessing part of this means it has a "ram" of 250 gigabytes and is a "windows 10". Is this correct?

Still cannot understand the instructions....I think it is my fear of doing it wrong that is causing my mind to be so confused about this.
Nevada lives in Las Vegas.

windows home 10, 250 gb hard drive. 3 gb of ram I think.
 
#45 ·
"Nevada"? He is so smart!! Nevada if you did, please speak up. I'm so grateful; and hope I don't ruin it trying to connect it to what I have...ummm replace what I have?? Oh dear! I'm scaring myself again...now don't laugh! Some of us just don't have the wonderful technical mind you do...

Well, if not you Nevada....It had to be someone who had my mailing address. (I remember putting a picture of a soil test on this forum a few years ago not realizing it had my address on it; so whomever sent me this PC could be most anyone.)
 
#52 ·
If you can't get going, I have a few thumb drives around somewhere, a promo thing, 500 mb each. I'll come up and get you going. Right now I'm planting onions, but looks like they're calling for rain middle of the day Sunday. Will that work for you? I am not familiar with Win10, but I'm sure it's intuitive, like the last few good windows versions.
 
#58 ·
I agree. They can just hook both computers to her router. Network them and pull the the data that way. Clem take an extra network cord.

Or Clem can take a couple of internal hard drive connectors and install the hard drive in the new computer. You might need an old style hard drive connector. IDE
 
#59 ·
Router? As far as I know I don't have one...

"...install the hard drive in the new computer..." I thought my hard drive was what is going bad; so why on earth install it in a new computer? I sure am confused as to what needs to be done...
 
#61 · (Edited)
motdaugrnds
When I first started playing with a computer, 19 years ago, a lot of the information was really confusing to me.
I still am no techie but I can figure things out pretty good now. I still have to ask for information at times.

CONGRATS on the new computer and a big THANKS to the kind person who sent it to you.

So it's kind of like moving from one house to another house. You will need a "suitcase" to move your stuff.
In this case, it's information you want to save. So maybe by a cord, or another technical item.
If you can have the 2 computers side by side, you can move one cable at a time.

So the suggestion is to take the old hard drvie out of the old computer. Put it in this box type thing you
can buy on ebay and then there would be instructions how to move things from old to new computer.
The old hard drive is NOT going into your new computer.

Sounds like Clem will be able to help you. Yay :)

Me, I would set up your new computer and there will be a bit of learning curve.
You may not have to move all things over. I use a win 7 professional as
my computer. If I upgraded to a newer version, a win 10, I would sure be mumbling.
Kind of like my old truck, my 2003. I don't want a new truck. Old and paid for suits me just fine :)
But someday will come and I may have to get another truck,
but in the meanwhile, all is good.

Good luck :)
 
#62 ·
Painterswife, I connect to the internet by a "modem" from HighesNet. "Installing the hard drive" is what is throwing me. If this one is going bad I sure don't want it installed in my new computer whether it would be used to run it or not...which I don't understand. Wouldn't this old hard drive compete with the new one already in the new machine?

Ladytoysdream, Thank you so much for sharing your experiece with computers. It helps me to not feel so badly about the way I am responding to this situation. You've made switching over to this new PC sound easy, i.e. a copy/paste type thing?? I'm guessing this would mean I would only transfer what I personally placed on this old computer...not the dlls, etc out of the XP registry...Yeah, I know my ignorance is showing...Still, like you apparently have learned much, I hope I am learning too.

Oh and I did find out who sent the new computer to me. One obviously wanting to stay anonymous so I will respect that. I'm feeling quite blessed ...again... as it seems everytime I'm in need of something I cannot get or do myself, my Heavenly Father steps in thru His loving spiritual-minded children.

Oh and yes, Clem said he's coming over Sunday to set this all up for me. Clem has helped me before and is such a respectful and kind man....Goodness I'm sitting here remembering all the respectful and kind people who have helped me thru the years; and I'm feeling quite blessed...a real nice feeling on this Sabbath Day.
 
#64 ·
Ladytoysdream, Thank you so much for sharing your experiece with computers. It helps me to not feel so badly about the way I am responding to this situation. You've made switching over to this new PC sound easy, i.e. a copy/paste type thing?? I'm guessing this would mean I would only transfer what I personally placed on this old computer...not the dlls, etc out of the XP registry...Yeah, I know my ignorance is showing...Still, like you apparently have learned much, I hope I am learning too.
You only learn by asking questions.
What do you want to save from the old computer ?

Like any emails ?
I emailed some of them to my yahoo email address when I moved to a different computer.

Pictures ?
Again, you could email them to a email address online. Like yahoo or gmail on google.
I have a picture album online where I store extra pictures. www.imageevent.com
I have a quantity of them there. I pay $ 25 a year for this service and it works for me.
There also are some free sites where you can store pictures.

You can try some of these things today while you are waiting.
 
#63 ·
Does your modem have more than one place you can connect a network cord? Most modems are also routers these days.

Installing the hard drive in your new computer won't harm it. All you are doing is installing it so that you can take the data off of it. It is the same as the external enclosure others are talking about just connected inside instead of outside.
 
#65 ·
I really don't have that much that would need to be transferred. Just a few pictures of recent occurrences and some information. I can actually "hand-print" the information and re-type it on the new computer. I'm thinking I'll transfer everything I want to keep and place it in one folder for that one folder to be tranferred...not sure but will look at doing this later tonight. I want to make sure I understand exactly what I do want tranferred before Clem arrives Sunday. It just might be that I can upload the pictures to "img.com" (a free program). That way Clem won't need to deal with transferring anything off the harddrive. I'll need to find out what programs have come with this new computer before I know what I will need to add...here I'm thinking of "protective" programs like ccleaner and malwarebytes. The only photo-making program I use is Paint Shop Pro and I have that on disc. Since this wonderful new computer comes with a way to use a disc I can add that program anytime.

I really don't do much anymore with a computer...just to learn what I need to from time to time and share with others.

Anxious for tomorrow to get here. :)
 
#66 ·
Updating...

To let you all know what has occurred with the new computer, i.e. Windows 10. Clem arrived just as he said he would and spent hours setting it up. Problems:

Mouse was physically broken badly.
Memory card was in the wrong slot.
DVD wouldn't open at all.

Clem connected another mouse and moved the memory card. These two things were easily fixed. The DVD was a totally different story in that, when examining it "inside" the box, Clem found a popsicle stick had been lodged in the back of it. Even removing this, the door still would open only a tiny ways and then get stuck. Never got it to opening. Thus the DVD component is not usable at all.

Still, after setting this PC up and getting the "activation key" to work, it functions quite well; and is much faster than my old XP computer. I had collected all from my old computer and placed it into one folder to be transferred; and Clem used a "thumb" thingy to copy it. Then after the new PC was ready, he transferred that folder (and all its contents) on to the desktop of this new PC.

Now all I need do is download "protective" programs. I'm thinking of getting "Avast antivirus program", "ccleaner" and "Malwarebytes". Is this a good thing to do?

It will take me awhile to get use to this new PC as even the keyboard feels funny. However, I can still unload pics I take with my digital camera onto it and knowing how to do that helps.

I'm wondering if I should pack it up again in its original box, which shows definite signs of damage, and send it back to Microsoft store from which it came. However, since I so rarely use the DVD thingy, I'm tempted not to even fool with doing that.

Many thanks to all who have helped me in this matter...especially to the kind person who sent me this new PC and to Clem for setting it all up for me. I truly feel blessed...

One thing I'm noticing now is that the "scroll bar" here at this forum shows only a tiny bit so that it is not easy to use for scrolling. Can this be fixed?
 
#68 ·
kra12top, I have more trust in people in this forum; so I'm much less nervous dealing with this new PC by getting the help from here. Guess that sounds funny to some; however, that is the way I am.

I did manage to get the scroll bar showing simply by clicking the middle button at top right corner and then using the mouse to simply size the window, which permitted the bar to show. :)

I've noticed McAfee is showing as being on this computer already; yet just found out it has not been installed. Is it ok to leave it "without" installing it; or should I delete it? If delete it, can anyone tell me the step-by-step involved in so doing? I don't see any other type of protective program on this computer; so will go get the ones mentioned above unless someone in here thinks doing so would not be good.

Sure am glad I'm a member of this forum and can talk with all of you in here. :)

Oh, I did manage to find Internet Explorer, pull it up and then go over and downloaded the newest edition of Java. I was able to get it to install and, when I tried to pull up the one game I enjoy (Armies of Gielinor), it came up just fine; so I'll be using I.E. only for that one URL.

At this time I have access to 3 different browsers, I.E., Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge. I like Edge so will use it most of the time I suspect.
 
#69 ·
I suspect maybe trial version McAfee already installed if the BUILT IN win10 virus program isnt popping up. Use the tools in CCleaner, it will list it if it is. If not installed, just right click and delete the install icon. McAfee is one of those junkware/trial things that comes installed on new computers (they pay the computer manufacturer to include it) or if you "factory restore" win10 on older computer, hoping you will become a paying customer. Once installed can be royal pain to get it off, as you will have to first disable it before it will let itself be uninstalled.
 
#70 · (Edited by Moderator)
Thank you John. I did "delete" it. Now will go over and get Avast, ccleaner and Malwarebytes. Sure feeling good about this computer...despite the unusable DVD thingy. :)

Just installed Malwarebytes and ccleaner. Also did "disc cleaner" and started to run "defrag"; however, on the defrag window, "0" fragments were showing.

Now wanting to reboot; but cannot find the button for turning off this computer. Have noticed that, when I'm away from this PC for any length of time, it ill not show desktop until I have placed my password in again...Not sure what this means unless it means this PC has actually rebooted itself. Is this correct?
 
#71 · (Edited)
You fell into the win10 trap and created a Microsoft user account and password cause the altenative option is hidden and in tiny print. First best to only have a local account (your computer only) and when it asks you to set up a password, leave it blank. This way it doesnt do all the nonsense everytime you start it up. Passwords are fine if you are in an environment sharing computers. But it is a royal nuisance for us old hermits living alone.

Win10 is first and foremost a marketing gimmick and data collection system. It took me lot work figuring how to lock it down so it was serving me and only me, not Microsoft's interests first and only giving me the left over crumbs. Unfortunately this means I cant let it update, cause it will undo everything I did. But it is quite nice long as it isnt playing Mata Hari in background.
 
#72 ·
John it is obvious to me you are quite computer savy. I just wish I could relate to what you've said. I did set up the username and password just to get the computer started. Does this relate to what I've asked in my last post, i.e. why it is rebooting itself? And if so, is there a way I can stop this? Also, where are my "off" and "restart" buttons. Sometimes I'ld like to do this myself.

Otherwise, since I never use a computer for banking or paying bills that would put my personal financial information on the net, I'm not really concerned about what Microsoft does...
 
#73 ·
Have a question as to my old XP computer...I've heard it has some type of battery that will go dead if I don't plug up and turn on this old computer from time to time. Since I'm wanting to save this old XP computer for my son to pick up next time he is here, I sure don't want it going bad just sitting here. Is there something I'm suppose to do in order to keep it in working order? It may be months before I see my son again...
 
#74 ·
Have a question as to my old XP computer...I've heard it has some type of battery that will go dead if I don't plug up and turn on this old computer from time to time.
It's not rechargeable, it's a lithium button cell on the motherboard. If it goes dead, the worst thing that will happen is the computer's clock will stop working whenever it's turned off. It's not something you need to worry about until that happens, and then the battery is cheap and easy to replace.
 
#79 ·
What I hear the both of you saying is that this old Windows XP computer will not go bad if it just sits for a long (months) period of time without using it at all. Is this correct?
 
#82 ·
I have received permission to share what I will about the generously kind soul who sent me the new computer; so I'll provide the same clue as that party gave me....look into one of the above posts..... :) Those who know me best will find the clue easily. :)
 
#83 ·
Updating...
Having a love/hate relationship with this Windows 10 computer. ROFL Now I understand what that meant when others have said it! Sure am enjoying this PC for the most part. Have downloaded "RealPlayer" and had a special treat on this my Sabbath Day, i.e. was able to watch an entire movie "The Ten Commandments" with Charles Hesston. Sure enjoyed it! (Feeling so grateful to the kind person who sent this computer to me...as well as the kind person who set it up for me.)
 
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