Genuine 'putor advice sort (nb)

[TheBoatman]

Genuine \'putor advice sort (nb)

My ‘putor is about 4 years old now, the HD crashed a year ago and I lost a lot of programs/info and I’ve been hobbling along ever since. So it is with much trepidation that I’m considering buying a new one, the reason for the facial tick and slobbering is because (in my experience) such changes normally take about 6 months to sort out, I always loose my email connection because I haven’t got a clue about something called configuration, I will undoubtedly loose my ability to visit this site unless I can dream up yet another version of “Boatman” because I will misplace some-kinda- American biscuit (cookie).
I was running windows ME until the HD death after that I went back to win 98

Now for the advice bit!!! What should I be looking at?

What I DON’T need to do.
1. Play any sort of game on it.

What I would like is
1. Fast internet connection (I have B/band)
2. I have MS Office but old version, can I run it on XP?
3. Would prefer Word to Works.
4. Flat screen (17”).
5. Access and Power point
6. I have Winfax, can I run it on XP
7. Use Outlook as email, can I transfer address/archive info without wishing to commit suicide?
8. I have a perfectly good printer (HP DeskJet 950C) can I keep it even though I have lost the driver?
9. Be able to run/edit/burn CD’s (although I’ve found that having doused them in petrol they never seem to work again!)
10. Be able to edit/run videos that I take myself.
11. Edit/print photos from my digital camera.
12. Transfer my existing data from Win 98 to XP inside of 6 months.
13. Lastly, because I run my own business and I currently use a very old version of Sage will the change of ‘putor mean that I lose my business to modern technology?

Any suggestions on make/model/manufacturer/problems would be appreciated.

In advance
Peter



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[Althorne]

Re: Genuine \'putor advice sort (nb)

I too struggle with my confuser because I am a plank, however I have surmised (from what bits of the confuser jargon I can understand) that XP is much more stable than previous systems and looks basically very similar to what you are used to. I have just come back from visiting my 10 year old grandaughter in Scotland and she's so "fluent" on hers I was frightened to go near hers unless she had gone to school. I could always send her round to help you out if you decide to upgrade.
Good luck in your choice.

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[BrendanS]

Re: Genuine \'putor advice sort (nb)

What sort of budget do you have in mind?

Probably a good idea to PM Kim, and ask for your password for Username 'The Boatman' if you cannot remember it, as that is all you need to log on with no cookies.

1) irrelevant really, all computers these days can work on broadband

2) XP operating system means that you can use old programs, as there is a feature in it, to simulate old operating sytems. Post on Website feedback forum when you have new computer, and we'll sort you out (rather than doing techie stuff here)

3) Works contains Word, and comes free on many machines these days, so don't be put of by Works (Word will open independently of Works if that is you issue)

4) will come with computer, or as part of upgrade package, depending on which model you choose

5) Forget comments on Works, to be cost effective, you are going to have to buy the upmarket version of office to get both of these (expensive) unless you already have an office CD with both of these on

6) yes, see comment on XP compatibility in 2

7) Yes, just copy pst files from one computer to another

8) Yes, driver may already be in XP, otherwise just download from HP site.

9) You;ll need a read/write CD or DVD drive

10) Is your video camera digital or analogue. If it has firewire connectivity, then get a computer with Firewire built in, or buy a firewire card for it. V fast, but think about how you are going to edit and store. You might need a second fast dedicated hard drive for this, and DVD burner (rather than just a CD burner. DVD burner will do both jobs)

11) Most new computers can do this without any problem

12) Depends on how you've got existing computer configured. I store all documents in one Folder with subfolders, and all downloads and installs in another, so just have to transfer two folders, then reinstall programs (and outlook pst files) so very quick and easy!

13) See comment 2, can use old programs in XP by using compatibility feature.

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[Althorne]

Re: Genuine \'putor advice sort (nb)

You're such a good lad Brendan. All the trouble you go to just to help mankind and put our sorry old minds at rest will surely see you into heaven.






It might be a virtual one but a heaven of your own making won't be so bad ........ will it?

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[BrendanS]

Re: Genuine \'putor advice sort (nb)

Ah, nice of you to think so, but there's a few around here who will disagree! <g>

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[Althorne]

Re: Genuine \'putor advice sort (nb)

/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif I wouldn't here of it Brendan, tell me who they are and I'll sort 'em.

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[MOLLYdownUnder]

Re: Genuine \'putor advice sort (nb)

Hi Boatman, my computer is just 4 years old and running ME and it was getting very objectional. My Aussie IT mate said dont replace it, as long as you have a lot of ram 512 and a big hard drive stick XP on and I did and it is brilliant computer is a 1700mhz as well so if you have a half decent machine to start with get XP on it [mine is actually XP Pro

regards Nick

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[aran01]

Re: Genuine \'putor advice sort (nb)

Boatman,
If I were you I would get the following.
1) A young computer whizz kid that will move your files and progs in a few hours to your new box and make sure everything is running for you.
2) An external 2 disk RAID enclosure. This is a little box with 2 HardDrives in it configured as a RedundantArrayofInexpensiveDisks (RAID) which means the 2 disks will appear as one. This will give you much more immunity against a HD crash as if one dies your computer will alert you and you just need to replace the failed drive while your data will remain intact. You can pick them up pretty cheap these days.
Hope this helps.

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[Marsupial]

Re: Genuine \'putor advice sort (nb)

Peter

The answer to most of your requirements is yes, however your special requirements for video and photo editing will have an affect on storage and memory. - you need lots of both. MS Office should present no problems but try and get hold of all the patches.

Processor speed is not really an issue these days a slow 1.5gh (slow? what am I saying?) will perform very well with over 512mb of ram - but more is better if you can afford it.

Several hard drives is better than one big one for picture editing, these can be internal or external drives connected by USB cable. megadata.co.uk have good deals on drive caddies.

I suggest a 20 or 30 GB for the program drive (C and much bigger for the others 160 or 200 Gb. - but ask questions like "what size is the swap file likely to be with the video editing suite"? you may find you need a 200gb C: drive as well.

You will need a dvd writer to store your movies.

How old is your version of SAGE? if its a DOS version you may have problems.

Printing and printer drivers will not be problem with XP but drivers are easily obtained from HP in the internet anyway.

If you are intending to use the thing on a boat then I would certainly suggest a laptop with a centrino chip - they use less power.

My own experience of XP pro is that it is a more stable environment than WIN95 or 98. However I do apply all the service patches and update my virus software weekly.

With a dvd writer and multiple drives you would be able to backup your system very easily and prevent or at least lessen the effects of problems in the future.

My preference is for a laptop with an external display, mouse and keyboard. This gives me a full sized interface when using it a home but I still have all the computing capability I need on the move.

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[pvb]

A few thoughts...

I sympathise with your hard disk crash problems - my hard disk developed a major fault in the summer, and I had a hell of a job getting data off it. I now have a new computer, running XP Home, and it seems very stable. Won't attempt to answer all your questions, but a few thoughts...

XP has a fax facility built in. I used to use WinFax, but find that the XP one works quite well.

You can download drivers for most printers off the internet, so your HP should be fine to use.

To do anything with videos you need lots of RAM - look for at least 512.

Data back-up is now a priority for me and, following your problems, I imagine it will be for you. I bought an Iomega external hard disk which came with Norton Ghost software. It just plugs into a USB port and automatically makes a back-up copy of all my data files, both as they are created and whenever they're modified. If and when my new computer dies, I'll just be able to plug the external drive into a new computer and it'll be up and running instantly.

I'd strongly recommend Norton Internet Security - its automatic downloading of virus updates is a reassuring feature in this strange world.

In terms of make of computer, Dell seem pretty good for desktops; Toshiba seem pretty good for laptops.

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[DJE]

Re: A few thoughts...

Agree with all of that. Have used both Dell and Toshiba recently, both fine.
There are two types of computer users: those who have had a hard disk crash and those who will have one in the future. Get some sort of external hard drive and make regular back-ups.

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[TheBoatman]

Thanks

To one and all for your help
Peter.

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