Computer problems and/or advice-2015 to 2017

[Maggi Young]

Good advice, Sheila, I'm sure.

[Alan_b]

Keep your old technology going so that you have an escape mechanism in place when the new box drives you to distraction.   

But the issue is what to do when the old technology dies.  Although this requires a major technical effort, it is possible to create a copy of your old computer and 'run' this on the new one, as something called a 'virtual machine'.  This is too complicated for most amateurs but it might be worth commissioning if you want to continue running an obsolete computer program. 

[latestart]

But the issue is what to do when the old technology dies.  Although this requires a major technical effort, it is possible to create a copy of your old computer and 'run' this on the new one, as something called a 'virtual machine'.  This is too complicated for most amateurs but it might be worth commissioning if you want to continue running an obsolete computer program. 

Over the years we have had to 'learn' all about each new computer and the things they each do. I have often struggled because we only replaced the computers when they died. My son dutifully gave us new technology. I'm finding it hard to explain what I mean but Microsoft decided not to continue supporting our last software and Junior told us it was time to update. I had a nightmare time trying to edit photos. My old photo manager was a superb editing kit. Our new one uses a far less discerning programme named Paint. Like Maureen we feel it is unfair to be continually on the phone asking for help. Thanks must go to Maggie because I now know how to tell the difference between 'resize percentage wise or using pixels'. I have also mastered 'crop'.  This is much more technical than just planting a few seeds of annuals. The silver surfers are continually told 'you can do it' but some of us are so far behind in computer speak that we do have problems that younger people do not always understand. I think I would have preferred to be familiar with the new technology before I let go of the older machine. I agree that transferring older files is a job for someone who knows what they are doing. I am very grateful for all the support and advice offered if we only ask.   

[Alan_b]

'Paint' is a very basic picture editing program that has come as part of Windows for as long as I can remember.  You would have had it on your old computer but must have had and used something better - not created by Microsoft.  It's quite likely that what you had before still exists in an updated form that would run on your new computer.  If you can remember the name of the program I can find out for you if that is so.   

[latestart]

Hi Alan,
I have to agree 'Paint' is very basic. I was not aware of it on the previous Windows XP Professional run machine. I used Microsoft Office Picture Manager. It was very easy to use. All is not wasted since I now understand what pixels are. If you know of a way of getting my old programme back I am sure my son will be happy to talk me through installing it. Thank you for your help.   

[Alan_b]

Get your son to follow the instructions here: http://www.askvg.com/how-to-install-and-get-microsoft-office-picture-manager-back-in-office-2013/ .  If you read the text, it appears that you can install the program you want even if you do not have a copy of Microsoft Office on your current computer.

[latestart]

Thank you Alan. I do have Microsoft Office 13 on my computer. I will get in touch with him and he can talk me through it. I found the Picture Manager was much easier and quicker. I shy away from downloading anything because I am not confident of my ability to get myself out of trouble if I do something wrong. I have had to read the camera manual to make editing less necessary but it all takes so much time. 

[David Nicholson]

The other day I noticed a new icon on the task bar of my computer, a black and white version of the Windows logo. On further investigation it seems to be an invitation for me to register for a free version of Windows 10. Although I've done the odd search to try to find information on what it is I'm still far from clear and to what advantages, if any, it will offer me over and above what my current system offers. To me it looks very much aimed at the mobile phone user and I'm not one of them. Any help anyone please?

[Graeme]

The other day I noticed a new icon on the task bar of my computer, a black and white version of the Windows logo. On further investigation it seems to be an invitation for me to register for a free version of Windows 10. Although I've done the odd search to try to find information on what it is I'm still far from clear and to what advantages, if any, it will offer me over and above what my current system offers. To me it looks very much aimed at the mobile phone user and I'm not one of them. Any help anyone please?

Don't for the time being as they are only offering it free for a year and then it will become ransom ware - it seems unclear as to what they are going to to do and once you have ticked the end users contract you are stuck with it - they had originally offered it free to pirates to stop them removing the security and distributing copies, but that offer seems to be in doubt now - let the lemmings have it for a while to iron out the bugs.............(it would apear that the upgrade offer will be there for a year)
for software that is due for imminent release this is an interesting statement "Microsoft had previously declined to answer direct questions about how much Windows 10 will cost, particularly for people upgrading from Windows 7 or XP"
They would also appear not to be making it 'free' to OEM suppliers - so if you buy a new machine and want an operating system you will still have to pay through the nose for it - Google Chrome OS must be biting

[David Nicholson]

Cheers Graeme many thanks for that. I shall avoid it like the plague. There seems to be no way of deleting the icon in my task bar though.

[Mick McLoughlin]

Hi David,
Just found this which may be of use to you.

http://www.askvg.com/how-to-remove-get-windows-10-app-and-its-icon-from-taskbar/

Cheers
Mick

[Alan_b]

.... I shall avoid it like the plague.

It's not all bad.

Sooner or later Microsoft is going to stop supporting Windows 7 and Windows 8 (XP support ended just over a year ago with much accompanying publicity).  If you upgrade to Windows 10 you can prolong the supported life of your computer.

Windows 10 may well run a bit faster than Windows 7 does as it does not demand so much of the hardware.

I'm not saying you should upgrade but don't dismiss the option out of hand.

[Graeme]

I'm not saying you should upgrade but don't dismiss the option out of hand.

I just wish they would be crystal clear as to the position - is it free or not

[latestart]

Get your son to follow the instructions here: http://www.askvg.com/how-to-install-and-get-microsoft-office-picture-manager-back-in-office-2013/ .  If you read the text, it appears that you can install the program you want even if you do not have a copy of Microsoft Office on your current computer.

A big thank you Alan. I now have my beloved Picture Manager installed thanks to you. I have also found 'Paint' offers the facility to add captions to my edited photos. That is very useful. 

[Alan_b]

I'm just trying out the new Microsoft 'Edge' browser that will be the default on Windows 10 (and replaces Internet Explorer).  The facility to insert hypertext codes (for Bold, italic etc.) when composing forum messages does not work, although you can type in the codes if you know what they are.  Perhaps our web administrator should check with SimpleMachines that they are looking into this?

Firefox still works as normal on Windows 10