The New Vista Computer

Oh, YAY! I finally got the Vista computer out of its box on Sunday and fired it up. It took me about an hour to unplug everything on the old computer, get that one cleaned up (HOW do they get so dirty back there?) and get the new one plugged in.

Problems: the Vista computer only has 4 USB ports in the back of it (not enough); the Dimension computer had 6, and I used every one of them--but the funny thing is the only thing I KNOW that I've plugged into a USB port is the wireless mouse/tablet... I wonder what else? Also, there is no parallel port for the printer cable to plug in to; and there is no PS/2 port for the wireless keyboard I have.

We went to Office Depot for the cable, PS/2 adapter and a USB hub, but the printer cable was $34.99, the hub was $9.99 and they didn't even have the converter I needed. Since I was going to have to order that online, I just decided to order the rest of it, too. I got everything I needed for $50, and that included shipping. I'm having to use the flat/straight cheapie USB keyboard that came with the computer, but it's usable so that's okay.

Now I just have to install all of our software and move "My Documents" from the 16GB flash drive to the new computer, and we should be all set.

My New Vista Computer is Here!

The new computer got here on Saturday afternoon, but the montior didn't make it. I had some running around to do this morning so I left early to be back by 10:00 (because that's what time FedEx usually shows up).

I opened the box, but I haven't even taken it out of it yet. I did measure the width of it because it looks like a shorter, squater (is that a word?) tower than the one I have now, and I wasn't sure if it would fit in the space on the desk. It is shorter, but it's only 7" wide--the same as the other computer so it'll fit just fine (the space is 10" wide).

I know that will be an all-day-long project to get that thing hooked up and all of my software installed on it. I still need to copy my "My Documents" files to the 16GB flash drive I have. I guess I'll work on that today.

Easy Transfer Cable or not? Geek Squad help or not?

So the new Vista computer is going to get here this week or next week, and I don't have a clue how to EASILY transfer my documents and settings from this computer onto the new one... I read about an Easy Transfer cable, but it gets a very solid 3-stars. There are the exact same number of people who rate it 5 stars because it works perfectly as there are who rate it 1 star because it won't work at all.

I just spent $35 on a 16GB flash drive. I know all of my My Documents files will fit on that, but is that a good enough way to move all of my documents over to the new computer? I'll still need to move over my Internet Explorer Favorites and my Outlook contacts, but I already read how to do that. But is that good enough? And if not, why not?

I guess what I'll do is keep both computers running for a week or so before retiring this one to the garage. That way if I find something else that I need off of it then it'll be easy to retrieve it. (That is IF this one can survive for that long).

Also... what to do about this computer and the one in the garage? Do I take them both to Geek Squad. I want the hard drive on the one in the garage erased. Only problem is that I'm not sure I have the right XP re-install CD (I found one, but I think it's for this computer--I'll just have to find out). I called about having the hard drive wiped out and it's $129 which is pretty steep considering there's "KillDrive" software "out there" for free. I just don't know how to go about re-installing the disks, though, once it's wiped clean. So I guess $129 is a fair price when it comes to idiots like me.

And, then, how much should I pay to have this piece o' crap worked on? I checked out their fee schedule, and it can get expensive pretty quickly: a diagnostic is $69; a check-up is $99 (what's the difference???). Oh! I just found what I need: "The Diagnostic and Repair" which will fix any operating system issues such as blue screens; that's $199. Ouch!

New Dell Inspiron computer is on the way...

So yesterday I broke down and bought a new PC because this one that I'm working with now keeps blowing up with the dreaded blue screen. I've tried all of the fixes Microsoft suggests, and none of them has fixed my problem. And, despite keeping the computer cleaned up and defragged and up-to-date with SpyBot and Norton Anti-Virus, it just keeps getting slower and slower and slower. And, it locks up all the time. Sadly, it's just reached it's expiration date--afterall, it is 4 years old, and isn't that about as long as a computer seems to last?

Anway, what I'd like to do is take this computer to Geek Squad and see if they can fix it for me and then I can put this computer in the garage to run the laser with, and I can take the garage computer and have Geek Squad clean it off so I can donate it to a school or church (or to my older brother).

So, back to the computer buying part: I bought a Dell, and it comes with Microsoft Vista. After I made the purchase, they sent me an e-mail confirming all of the specs I ordered, and guess what it says: "While a 64-bit operating system allows your system to contain more memory and run faster, it may not be compatible with older software programs and accessories. To learn more or check if your software programs are compatible click here." Nice (I mean crap)... I did not know this...

Thankfully, Quickbooks Pro2008 is compatible, but Dreamweaver 8 and CorelDraw 12 aren't. I don't know about EQ6 or Polaroid My Memories, and I don't remember what other types of software I have to load? I HAVE TO HAVE CorelDraw no matter what because that's what I use to run the laser. So, today, I had to spend $180 on the upgrade to X4. I contacted tech support (via chat) and the guy let me know I can go directly from 12 to X4 without having to go through X3 (thank goodness!).

I also contacted the YMCA to let them know Dreamweaver 8 isn't going to work anymore and I'm going to be stuck until July when they can order me that new software suite I want. The EO is going to contact TechSoup and see if they'll waive the limit considering my computer blew up. I wonder what they'll say??? I guess it doesn't hurt to ask.

All of this means, too, that none of the how-to books for PSCS2 and Dreamweaver 8 that I've ordered will be any good considering I'm having to upgrade and get new stuff--I'll need newer books now for sure. And so I'm also thankful that I've only bought used books and didn't spend that much on them.

I told the EO that I can still read the older books and while I won't have hands-on training at least I'll know what I'm doing in theory.