posted on May 5, 2001 02:27:12 PM
Well, I'm back, but it is sure IFFY!
A power outage threw my puter into "safe mode" WHAT A NIGHTMARE. I thought for sure it must have been Netscape causing the problem. So I obliterated evey file I had on it.
2 days and tons of phone calls later I got it out of "safe mode" by running a THOROUGH scandisk on the 3 drives that I have. It found some problems and corrected them. I was able to do a NORMAL start-up after that. GREAT...BIG RELIEF!
Heres the kicker...couldn't connect. I thought the power surge blew my 56k modem. I put a call into my service providers Help Desk and in all the messing around I ended up(quit by accident) hooking back up to my 28.8 modem.
GREAT...I'm on line again.
Heavy, heavy *sigh*....
I though while I had everything tore up I'd GET RID of this Scanner that I HATE!(thats for the other thread) tried to clean out(uninstall the damn thing, it wouldn't let me), do some cleaning in behind things, then carry-on with business.
YA RIGHT!
Here we go again, no connection. So I call help desk AGAIN.
AGAIN...I'm pissing around with the phone-line(I have 3 phone ports in back), I'm trying all of them. WHALLA...28.8 won't work but I get 56K back(I'm using that now). I asked that tech what the hell are you doing on your end that makes it work again.
When I was doing all this messing before I called I was getting no-where.
Anyway, I have no NETSCAPE, I can't get eBud to send e-mails, and in Outlook Express I can't click onto an e-mail address in a e-mail without getting this message:
Windows cannot find PROGRAM.EXE
This program is needed for opening files
C:\'URL:Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
Things are really messed up and this(ME) puter illiterate is about to have a cow over it.
I have Netscape 4.5 that I purchased, should I reinstall that or download one on-line? Since its so old I thought that was some of my problem, it had been giving me fits lately. I don't like working with EXLPORER.
Anyone got any thoughts on this situation?
packer
P.S. Thanks for all your support I got the other night. I just HATE IT when things go wrong, because I don't know how to fix it.
posted on May 5, 2001 02:43:25 PM
First you can correct your Netscape problem by either going go Netscape and download the program or call you help desk and they will send you Netscape to download and that is from a CD.
One night when I was working on this computer there came a message did I want an upgrade and I said yes, well what a mistake they deleted Netscape and now I only have Internet Explorer but I do have the CD to download a new Netscape. Do you think that happened to you? I have a compaq and I have taken their upgrades before so I did the wrong thing without reading what they wanted to upgrade. Dumb thing.
posted on May 5, 2001 02:56:53 PM
Hi Libra,
I certainly want my Netscape back. I never received a request to update the 4.5. But for about a month or better it would hang-up and downloading from it was impossible. I'd have to totally close it out and start over.
It was weird...
I was getting all my e-mail through Netscape, I really don't want to use Outlook Express as that is where everyone has the virus problems.
I think I'll go see what they have for CD's, do they cost money to get?
posted on May 5, 2001 03:17:51 PM
Sounds to me like right now there are a few problems you have with your computer one of then is that you left your old hardware init when you upgraded.
always should remove old modems and other hardware when you up grade when windows has a problem and must redetect the computers hardware it will alway detect the older version it will dectect the parts it came from the factory with not the new parts inless you remove and disable the old hardware.
to prevent this when one upgrades from like 28.8 modem to 56 it is alway best to remove or disable the older modem.
second if you are running an older computer and it sounds like you might be some of the newer programs may cause these older computers problems as they were ment to run on computer with faster processors.
today memory isnt everything when it comes to up gradeing the operrateing system and programs as many people are still running older computer of 250 MHZ to 400 MHZ processors and many new programs are made for 900MHZ to 1.5 gig Processor you.
want to fix your program problems Im reading here you have 3 drives make sure all your operateing system is on Just one drive that includes your browsers and email programs.
this is why you get the errors messages more then likely some how some of your programs got installed over a few of your drives.
posted on May 5, 2001 03:37:42 PM
Hi dman,
I think you hit the nail on the head.
I have upgraded this IBM Aptiva 3 times. More Hard drive, more memory & more modem speed.
I take it in and tell them do what you need to do. I want a better faster machine.
I'm totally stupid when it comes to this stuff, thats what I pay the techs to do.
You know what, for that short time I was back on the 28.8 I never notice one bit of difference in the connection speed.
2 things here...I'm getting cable modem next month...and...I'm going shopping for a new computer.
I have had it with this one.
I like IBM, got any suggestion on what I should be looking for in a new computer?
If at all possible avoid anything IBM! You end up paying a premium the whole time you own it as only proprietary hardware fits. Gets darned expensive.
My advice to you is to find a very good small computer store and have them build you one. You will get better quality and always have a tech who knows your machine!
Check out a couple of stores and see who you are most comfortable with--ask leading questions so that they tell you why they use a particular brand or why another store uses things that aren't reliable.
Those geeks usually love to talk!
I have had IBM's, Compaq's, and others at work and one home made and one Dell at home. The homemade one was the absolute best hands down! And that is the way I will always go in the future. My basic plan is to upgrade only one time and replace every 3 to 4 years. Sometimes I just add some bells and whistles in addition to a full upgrade.
Hate slow machines and connections. Hate cable the worst so do something before you go that way or you may be out of business!
posted on May 5, 2001 04:36:10 PM
Yup I was going to sugest the same thing jadejim just did.
If you live in an area where there is one or two good small local computer stores go in and tell these people just what your looking for pick the computer from the tower on down and watch them build it right in front of you.
you will have just the machine you need for what you do and the whole thing can be custom made in about the time it takes for you to go out and eat a nice lunch and it many times can cost less then going in to a department store or comp USA and picking one out off the shelf.
also this way you will be able to save Dollars and use your old monitor keyboard and stuff that may be working just fine and give you more $$$ to spend on the processor.
posted on May 5, 2001 04:51:51 PM
jadejim,
Yes, you are quit right. When I bought the IBM it was 100 miles from my home(BestBuy). Its a nightmare when you have to have it serviced.
Friday I was on the phone to some of our local dealers as I want someone that can service it right in their store and not send it away for weeks on end.
I was told that they do have their own build model, so with what you just told me, Monday I am going to vigorously persue that avenue.
I want a warranty and I want someone that can help me when I need it. AND...I want something that doesn't have to be upgraded every 6 months.
posted on May 5, 2001 04:57:19 PM
dman,
You mean I can keep my monitor and printer and keyboard?
I would think that should save quit abit.
One thing, can they transfer my programs and files from this hard drive to the new one?
I'm really concerned about that.
I think if I had to save all of it to floppy I'd need a bushel of them.
What do you think?
I'm really getting excited now about all this
tell me more.
packer
edited because my brain is thinking faster then my fingers.
[ edited by packer on May 5, 2001 05:02 PM ]
posted on May 5, 2001 05:04:58 PM
packer--you are going to be delighted with the choice you seem to have made. And yes--you can salvage all the good peripherals you now have and just get a new processor. They won't be able to use your case cause its IBM but can use monitor, mouse, keyboard.
I think you will be ecstatic about the bottom line too. I had one tech in here who looked at my Dell and told me they could have built the whole thing for about $350 less than I paid.
Quite honestly, I can't wait til its time to trade again. I have never been completely satisfied with the Dell and I have been appalled by their support. I do not table dive for wires or get inside the machines or tinker--that's what a tech is for. But Dell expects you to do all that before they send someone out. I could spend weeks trying to be a half a**ed tech and that is not the way I make my money!
posted on May 5, 2001 05:05:33 PM
Well you many have a bit of a problem there because you have so many drives but what you would do is bring in your whole processor to them if the bulk of the programs you want saved are on one drive they may be able to put that drive into your new computer as a slave drive.
chances are you more then likely will be best off just starting over tell them what programs you would like installed and go from there.
but definately take your old processor in with you and call it a trade in they will give you some money for old beast as many of its parts are salvageable. http://dman.Dman-N-Company.com
posted on May 5, 2001 05:16:25 PM
dman, jadejim,
You have been GREAT.
So...if I just take my tower in to them, I can point out which programs or data I want transfered and they should be able to do that..right?
Most of my stuff I really need are on the "C" drive. The other 2 drives are for basicly unused stuff, but stuff I need from time to time. More or less storage.
Thank you again, I really appreciate your insight on these matters.
I'm self taught on the computer, I've come along way, but that techie stuff, for get it. I open the pocket book when it comes to that.
I would strongly recommend that you don't migrate all of the files from your old hard drives to the new one (in the new computer). You will be much better off if you start fresh with a clean installation of Windows. Then re-install your programs (MS Office, etc), then copy over the data files only to the new hard drive (emails, MS Word documents, etc.).
Copying the contents of a hard drive in an old system onto a new system is just asking for trouble in my experience.
One more thing. You sure can use your existing monitor if you choose, but if you are currently using a 15" monitor, you should strongly consider upgrading to a 17" or even larger one. Besides the upgrades that increase speed, the monitor is the most important upgrade that you can do. Trust me, once you go from a 15" to a 17", you'll NEVER go back and your eyes will thank you over and over again. You can pick up a decent 17" monitor now with a 3 year warranty for less than $200. Just a suggestion...
posted on May 5, 2001 06:12:41 PM
>Copying the contents of a hard drive in an old system onto a new system is just asking for trouble in my experience
In the old DOS/Win3.1 days you could do this with only a minumum of reconfiguring, but with 95/98 machines, I agree. Way to many "hidden, read only" files scattered all over the harddrive, and unless you know where they all are, you will have problems if you try this. Most all hardware now a days uses software drivers, and all these will be wrong in a new machine. Do a "Clean install" and things will go MUCH easier. Once the machine is up and running properly, THEN move the Data files.
Since we started eBaying, we have replaced our computer once a year, and it has cost us about $250 every time we did it (This is taking into consideration what we sold the old machines for.) We are currently using a 650 mhz machine, and it is about 6 months old. DON'T upgade, you wind up with a lot of money in an old computer and will not recoup very much of it when you finaly sell it.
posted on May 5, 2001 09:17:20 PM
Sorry Packer I just got back. My ISP does all my tech work for me free and they really love to hear from me. I have Voyager.net and really like the service I get. My netscape 4.5 CD was free. I do use Outlook Express and like it alot. I have never had a virus in 2 years and I write to alot of people. When you got your computer did you get a quick restore CD with it? That is a CD where you can wipe all the information off of your harddrives and restore it back to the original condition it was when you bought it? You can copy your files that you want to keep and get rid of the rest then put them back on after you clean it up. I try and keep my computer simple as I don't know much about all the technical stuff and then I save all my information that I want to keep on paper. I know the computer is supposed to do all that but when you put all the info in the computer and something goes wrong it's gone. I learned my lesson the first time I had to take it for repair Well, good luck to you now and I hope your name means that you are a Packer fan and not a packer of merchandise. Take care
posted on May 6, 2001 12:12:29 AM
Once our power went off momentarily while I was using my computer, and it went off AGAIN momentarily while I was in the process of rebooting. THIS SCRAMBLED ALL MY FILES, I lost everything, and had to start from scratch again. It was a nightmare!!!
I immediately bought a POWER BACKUP to prevent the same thing from ever happening again (they cost about $100). A surge protector will prevent a SURGE in power from harming your computer, but it doesn't help you when your power goes off.
I highly recommend Eudora Light for a mailbox. You can download it for free (there are now three "grades" to choose from, but I keep mine the Light version without ads). I've used it for several years, and find it far superior to Outlook Express and all the online mailboxes.
I highly recommend a backup system (I have a Zip drive). It's very important to back up your info on a frequent basis in case of crises (and I've been VERY grateful for mine a time or two!). I got an external one, and I can hook it up to my laptop when I'm on the road and have all my current files without having to transfer them to a million floppies.
posted on May 6, 2001 06:56:35 AM
Good Morning All,
Lots of great advise you all have given me.
I was almost afraid to boot-up this morning because of what new troubles I might be facing.
A couple of things to ask.
Whats a "backup" and how do I make one.
As far as transfering files I guess I'm mainly concerned about the information I have on eBud & MisterLister. I have alot of information on those files I don't want to lose. As far as my pictures go I could probably save those to floppies.
I think I already lost my Netscape address book and important e-mails that I had in a special folder.
When I deleted Netscape I transfered all the files to my "E" drive, but that is the drive that had all the errors and when the computer fixed the errors it kinda obliterated everything.
Libra,
I was thinking of doing a total reformat to the "C". I should be able to transfer eBud & MisterLister to one of the other drives protect them....or won't that work?
I've never done anything like that before. Transfering files that is.
I have had this computer trash on me 2 other times and had to start from scratch.
It sure would be nice to start with a clean slate again.
posted on May 6, 2001 07:07:34 AM
THe Answer to your question packer is NO it wont work.
you cant tranfer programs from C drive to another drive and then reformate.
the reason for this is when you reformate and install windows on C drive the windows registers also change the new freash copy of windows will have no record of the old programs and they wont work this is what causes the errors.
you can move files .doc .txt .html .jpg and so on but not whole programs.
posted on May 6, 2001 07:22:10 AM
I don't know exactly how much you want to spend on a new computer, or how much trouble you are willing to put into to one that has been "built" for you by someone who is supposed to know what they are doing. (have a friend who went that route and it has been a nitemare for her!)
BUT... if you want an excellent computer, and excellent support for it, go to Gateway!
I have had 2 Gateway computers. 1 Packard Bell and 1 Hewlett Packard.
Gateway is by far the best of bunch. Great computers and great support.
I recently bought my second Gateway and moved my other one to my daughter room. I would never even consider another brand. They are such good computers. I have worked with many brands of pc's. But I can't find a anything that is better or more trouble free than a Gateway.
I could go on and on, but you get the picture. It is like I told my friend...you get what you pay for. She thought she was getting such a good deal, having it built for her, but she has nothing but trouble.
posted on May 6, 2001 07:43:26 AM
Hi jwoodscraft,
I've thought about Gateway, they do seem to be pretty popular.
But...our nearest Gateway is 120 miles away in Souix City, Ia. here again we are talking about traveling for purchase & service.
I've had enough of that with this computer.
Aren't they(Gateway) the ones that replace your computer like every year for a small charge?
dman,
I wasn't talking about transfering the program itself to the other drive. Just the files...like my templates and some of my descriptions, files like that.
My problem is I'm afraid to do anything because I DON'T KNOW what I'm doing. Sure as s*it I'd mess something up.
posted on May 6, 2001 07:46:57 AM
You can call or go to Gateway on-line to order a computer. I have never gone to Gateway store to purchase one.
They also have on-sight support. A Gateway fix-it person will actually come to your home if you need them....but you probably won't need them. I never have!
posted on May 6, 2001 07:54:10 AM
actually you dont have to go to gate way to get a computer just go to www.gateway.com and order ot they will ship it to you.
packer if you just move your files nothing will mess up at all this is how I tought my self you wont learn untill you try differrent things.
in fact if you want a cheap back up of your files go to www.driveway.com sign up for free 100 megs of space and upload your hard to replace files there then you will have a copy of them in an online hard drive when you get your new computer you can upload them back to your self.
posted on May 6, 2001 08:59:00 AM
I know when I take things to the UPS station there are always 3 or 4 Gateways sitting there waiting to be picked up or delivered.
I went to the gateway site.
See my problem is I don't really know what I need. I just know I want a lot of space and memory and a good sound/video card, because I do like to play games on occasion.
They have pentium 4's but offer no printer with it.
I think I'd feel better talking to someone about my needs rather then guessing by ordering on line.
Maybe I'll print it out and take it with me tomorrow and see what I can find out at the computer stores.
dman,
I'm checking into that sight you recommended.
Something like that would probably work pretty good, provided I can figure out how to do it.
I got packing to do(by the way Libra its "packer fan" but I'm still a hell-of-a PACKER.
packer
Accually here is the story behind "packer"
Its my dogs name...the little boy who owned him before us was an ADVID "Packer Fan" and he said that the only way that we could have him is if we kept his name "Packer" so we did...but usually we call him "pecker"
posted on May 6, 2001 10:59:17 AM
I searched and found this site.
http://www.3wcorp.com it's a web site you can use to back up your files it is free for 30 days and then it costs $6.95 a month.
Also I am sure you can back up your own files either on CD or floppy. Just like you would do your pictures. Any computer experts out there?
Well, I searched and if you have windows 98
go to the start up menu and go to help. Type in Backup and there is much information in there. I think this should help. Well I sure hope it does. Good Luck
[ edited by Libra63 on May 6, 2001 11:10 AM ]
posted on May 6, 2001 11:04:09 AM
Packer: I strongly recommend that you don't do anything that might be permanent until you talk to a tech locally. I am always amazed at how helpful they are
When you find one you are comfortable with, ask for help making your decision. The tech can tell you what you need and what your best choices are. He/she can also teach you a lot about the inner workings of your computer so you are not so stressed when and if other problems arise.
I just went through a hard drive reformat and I can definitely relate. Even the thought of losing hard work and records just isn't fun at all. I did print out my ebud records "just in case" before we started. Made me much more comfortable. Be sure you have all program registration numbers available.
And just to clarify..........when I talk about custom built computers, I am not talking about stuff you get at Best Buy or other big stores. I am talking about the small independent shop that will take a real interest in your needs cause their personal livelihood depends on you. And you will get not only a new machine but an expert that will go out of his/her way to be sure that you do not have problems.
I have Voyager.net and really like the service I get. My netscape 4.5 CD was free. I do use Outlook Express and like it alot. I have never had a virus in 2 years and I write to alot of people. When you got your computer did you get a quick restore CD with it? That is a CD where you can wipe all the information off of your harddrives and restore it back to the original condition it was when you bought it? You can copy your files that you want to keep and get rid of the rest then put them back on after you clean it up. I try and keep my computer simple as I don't know much about all the technical stuff and then I save all my information that I want to keep on paper. I know the computer is supposed to do all that but when you put all the info in the computer and something goes wrong it's gone. I learned my lesson the first time I had to take it for repair Well, good luck to you now and I hope your name means that you are a Packer fan and not a packer of merchandise. Take care 