Moderated by Frank Myers

Preamble:

Frank presented our Website "Member's Only" login procedures for the various browsers. Because it contained confidential information, it is not repeated here. Members who did not attend the meeting and/or cannot remember the security features, are asked to email:
  1. A Member asked about our New Laptop
    • Answer:
    • It is an Acer Dual Core, with 2Gb of RAM.
    • It is faster than our old laptop and has both Vista and XP Pro installed.

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  2. Is Vista 7 a new operating system or another Vista?
    • Answer:
    • It has new programming but uses a lot of Vista routines.
    • It is faster that Vista with some new features.
    • Upgrading from Vista to Windows 7 will save your programs and data
    • Upgrading from XP you must do a completely new install and therefore you have to re-install all your programs and data.

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  3. Member said he tried to email the website from the EMail that Charlie Le Ber sent us all for the "Do Not Call" List and he could not connect to the URL. He searched for it and was able to connect that way…
    • Answer:
    • The servers were overloaded for a few days and you were lucky to get on. Eventually the traffic level went down and you could get on the website. Now it looks like the lists are being sold to scammers and they are using it to call!
    • To connect to a web site from inside Outlook Express:
    • Disable this setting in Internet Explorer:
      • Click "Tools" on the top menu bar
      • Select "Internet Options"
      • Click "Advanced"
      • Scroll down to "Browsing" section
      • Click on "Enable third party browser extensions"
      • Click "Apply"
      • Close Window




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  4. New member was looking at our website and wondering if she could be shown the way to disable programs when putting on a new program or adding SP3?
    • Answer:
    • The procedure is in Questions and Answeres: Dec 8th 2008.
    • It has been added to the "Software" page preamble - click on "Installing".

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  5. What is the status of Windows XP Service Pack 3 now?
    • Answer:
    • SP3 still has trouble if you have an HP computer with an AMD processor.
    • However, if you follow the complete procedure in the previous question, you should be able to install SP3 successfully.

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  6. Member keeps getting an update message for Win XP from Microsoft but has Vista? How can he turnoff this message.
    • Answer:
    • Contact Microsoft Product Support for help
    • To contact Microsoft Product Support, follow these steps:
      • Click Start
      • Point to All Programs
      • Click Windows Update or Microsoft Update.
      • Click Get help and support
      • Follow the instructions on the Web site

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  7. Member praising G-mail, she was getting a lot of spam and went to G-mail and doesn’t have that trouble now! Thank you Charlie and Frank….
    • Answer:
    • For those using Outlook Express, Outlook, or Thunderbird, and want to filter their mail through GMail - the procedure is detailed in Q&As in May 13th,2008 and also some in January 2008

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  8. Should you always disable other programs when installing new ones?
    • Answer:
    • No. It is not necessary for minor programs
    • However, if it is a major system-type program such as a "Service Pack" or a "Suite" such as Microsoft Office, or Adobe Photoshop, etc, then you should follow Charlie Le Ber's recommended procedure.
    • Charlie's procedure on "Installing" safely is on our website "Software" page.
    • Click on "Installing" in the preamble.

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  9. Member could not get into Government section for income tax using Google Chrome, must use Internet Explorer?
    • Answer:
    • Some websites are tested for IE only and you may have trouble with other browsers.

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  10. Member has blue screens of death running MS Office 97 on a new Vista with a 64 bit processor.
    • Answer:
    • Any search on Google suggests that you have to upgrade MS Office to run it in 64 bits. But it seems the problem may be more with the combination of Vista and 64 bits.
    • Suggest you try running it in compatability mode before upgrading - it may work
    • Right click on the "Office 97" shortcut and select "Properties"
    • Choose "Windows 98" or "Windows 2000" and click "Apply"
    • Test each one to see if it works. If not, you're out of luck!"

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  11. How many members use a 64 bit processor?
    • Answer:
    • A show of hands resulted in a "handful"
    • To find out if your new computer has a 64 bit processor:
    • Click on Control Panel, System, and the General Tab.
    • You should see 64 bit listed there if you have it.
    • A 64 bit processor gives the computer access to much more memory.
    • Windows XP can only use 4GB with a 32 bit processor, with 3GB for RAM and 1GB for video, but 64 bits uses about all the RAM you can get in the computer.
    • For example: 32 bits can represent up to 3.27 GBytes. By adding one more bit you can represent twice that number. So if you add 32 more bits to 32.......

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  12. Member bought a new laptop and asks what to do to the battery. Should you drain the battery first?
    • Answer:
    • Yes batteries have a memory and must be trained.
    • When you purchase a new laptop it is a good idea to break in your new battery properly.
    • Connect it to an AC outlet and charge for a minimum of 5-7 hours until it is fully charged.
    • Now unplug it and keep you computer on draining the battery until you "force it to shut down".
    • Save your work when you get the low battery alert.
    • Then charge it up again to a full 100%.
    • Repeat the draining to zero.
    • After 3 of these full charge and discharge cycles, your battery is ready.

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  13. How long do the batteries last on a laptop?
    • Answer:
    • Could last 3 years or more.
    • Try the procedure above to extend the life.

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  14. What is the difference between XP Pro and XP Home?
    • Answer:
    • XP Home is just that — a version designed especially for Home users.
    • XP Pro, meanwhile, is geared toward business and "advanced" networking (you can create a network with XP Home, but you don't have as much control as XP Pro).
    • XP Pro has features like remote server support, multi processor support, and encrypting file system.

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