Continuing the Saga of the New Laptop

December 27, 2009

I have 14-week photos of Holmes to post, but

I must install my photo programs (as well as Office, Word Perfect, etc.); when I install, I must update.

Before I update, I must add a security program.  The license key to the security program is on the office computer — so another trip to the office.  I might even upload the photos from there (just a small sigh).

A slightly larger sigh:  my cordless keyboard, mouse, and my printer don’t work with the new operating system.  So, today I go spend a little more money — relative to the cost of the computer — for a cordless keyboard/mouse combo and a new little multi-function printer.  This laptop has VISTA, but comes with an upgrade to Windows 7 (I so love XP Pro).  I discovered the printer incompatibility when I attempted to scan the laptop receipt to submit as part of the upgrade request.  I even have the installation disk for the printer, but it was no go.

Very Large Sigh: the wireless router isn’t working with my DSL modem to get me to the internet, so I’m corded for the moment, typing on a small (though generous for a laptop) keyboard.  Up until Tom and Carolyn’s visit last year, I was always corded (though I had the cordless mouse and keyboard).  Then Tom hooked up the wireless router and I was free.  We could all sit in the living room or at the dining room table and blog, check on the office, answer email.  I was overwhelmed by the convenience of it all.  We sure get spoiled don’t we?

So Tom is thinking of what issue the wireless router might be having, I’ve read all the Sunday ads for Staples, OfficeMax, Office Depot and Best Buy, looking for the printer and mouse/keyboard combo.  I wonder if Ralph (my office tech guy) wants to try to fix the laptop to donate to the Boys and Girls Club . . .


5 Comments

  1. When my friend’s company has old laptops to dispose of, I throw Edubuntu (Linux) on them and give them to my wife’s school. The Edubuntu machines keep running long after the kids have destroyed the Windows machines with spyware, viruses, etc.

  2. Did you try downloading/updating the drivers for the peripherals before you buy new ones? Printers in particular are pretty “dumb” and usually just need drivers. We can keep printers going for years and years after their original computers are in the dump.

    Oh, and upgrade to Windows 7 RIGHT AWAY, before you do anything else. Vista is an absolute nightmare and upgrading may solve some of your problems right there.

  3. Sandy says:

    Upgrade to Windows 7 — you may still be able to use your printer and keyboard and stuff. Vista had all sorts of incompatibility problems and driver mishaps.

    Pssst…you still have time to take it all back and get a Mac. And did I miss a post, I didn’t see anything where you said you DID get a new laptop?

  4. Jeri says:

    Ironically, Dave is out buying us a new wireless router right now. Ours went kaput this morning!

  5. Jane says:

    This has happened to me – a trick is to remove the battery for 5 minutes and then put it back in. This clears the blue screen problem. I don’t know why this happens with laptops . . . but it might be worth a try before replacing your laptop.