New putor

[veggiechicken]

You can run a full size screen and a wireless keyboard from a laptop, if you wish. So don't let that stop you from going laptop, Potty. Effectively, it turns your laptop into your processor. BUT take advice as I'm no expert

[cardiffsteve]

Thanks Steve,

Simples if you know how, I didn't. Like I said in my first post on this thread when it comes to putors I live in the dark ages.

Colin

Yea but who is the the "go to" guy when it comes to plumbing

[snohare]

Colin, you will soon find when learning new things on the computer that it has strong similarities to plumbing.
You will spend a lot of time dealing with s***, wondering how anyone could be so stupid as to create this sort of screwup, and at the end of it all you are totally drained !
But to give you hope - my father spent the first year with his computer threatening to go back to paper and pencil. He had never had any education beyond a rural Scottish school in the 1930s. He now has a business website, creates, converts and emails documents and posters, does internet shopping, and basically has it pretty well sussed at age 78. Damn him, he has overtaken me...

[taff]

windows 7 automatically detects internet connections, and will sort out a firewall/anti-virus etc, and depending on which version you choose, you can have as mich or as little control as you like [within reason]
I've had to go to windows live mail instead of outlook which I really wasn't fussed about to start with, but it's ok now. I'd still prefer to use outlook, because you have more control over certain elements.

Desktop or laptop is personal preference, both will probablyhave the same operating system, and give you the same options, so it's whether you want to be mobile when you use it, or stay in one place and keep it all separate.
I prefer a desktop, but that's because my sewing machine can be put right by it [a bad move for the fluff that collects inside the pc, I have to clean it regularly, maybe you should instutute a progrma of doing that too with your new one] and I can sew and watch stuff at the same time, but I can also move it round so I can sit on the sofa and watch films in comfort.
If you have a lot of peripherals, like printers, think about where they are going to go if you opt for laptop.
Depending on which operating system you have now, on your old one, you might be able to just drag and drop everything you want to keep rather than copy and paste.
Also, you'll probably have an older slower USB connection, so everything will take time to transfer, don't underestimate how much time, especially for large or numerous files.
I had my computer custom built by a friend specifically for good graphics, so think about whther you'll be watching films/tv etc on it, or not.
um...i can think of more, but I'll stop now

[BertieFox]

Unless you are into gaming or some other esoteric computer use, I would say that nowadays what is far more important to a good reliable computer is the operating system you use. After the disaster of Windows Vista, and my recent experiences of Windows 7, I would say that using Windows XP is by far the best option if you want the best out of a new machine. You won't find too many companies selling machines with this nowadays, but as long as you can download all the necessary 'drivers' for cards, disk drives and so on, XP will give you a far better performance than any of the bloated new Windows systems Microsoft has inflicted on an unwilling public.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Thanks for all the replies, it is all grise to the mill.

My main use's for my computer are business paperwork and evidential photography and googling problems also for work. After that its mooching round the vine and model boating/engineering website.

At the moment I am using windows XP but everywhere now seems to be selling windows 8. If anyone has experience of this operating system I would be grateful to learn of how you find it.

Colin

[veggiechicken]

Hasn't Windows 8 just been released?
I have XP on the old PC, then Vista (awful) on a laptop and now Windows 7 on a newer laptop (but bought 2nd hand). I like Windows 7 on a par with XP. Maybe there are still some Win 7's around - perhaps cheaper?

[Dusty Rhodes]

When you have narrowed your possibilities down, use an internet search engine and read reviews of the models you are considering. Most of them are manufactured in China nowadays, so the quality of some are quite iffy.

The laptop is much harder to repair(and costly)...it often goes in the dustbin when the screen goes out. With the tower, you just buy another monitor. It is ultra-critical to keep laptop fans clean...if you don't and the fan quits, the processor fries easily in the crowded case. I have repaired hundreds of computers over the years, so I know quite a bit about their workings.

If you buy new, I recommend getting extended insurance coverage.

Lastly, some of your current software might not be useable on a newer OS(operating system).

[Potstubsdustbins]

Update.

Yes VC as I found out windows 8 has only just been released. So I have managed to purchase a HP tower with windows 7 at a good discount. This will be good for me for two reasons (1) People on the vine have it (2) So does my son. Therefore there should be someone who can answer my silly questions.

Steve, Did what you said and guess what Potty can now transfer files to a memory stick. Thanks mate. All I will have to do now is find out how to get them back into my new putor.

That however will have to wait. SWMBO found out that I have to disconnect everything and has decided that this would be the perfect time for me to decorate the office before I fit the new putor. She was tapping her foot when she spoke to me so there is noway out of this one.

Potty.

[veggiechicken]

Two bits of good news then Potty - shame about the decorating
Retrieving things from a memory stick is straightforward - just put it in a USB slot and the computer should recognise it. Then you can save it to your PC (doing the reverse of what Steve said basically).
I use a memory stick to backup anything I don't want to lose. They're so cheap that I have several for different things - like photos. Then if the computer packed up I know I still have them - so no real panic

[cardiffsteve]

Yea like VC said just reverse process.

Easy.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Thanks peeps if I get stuck I know where to come.

VC I thimk thats something I will do in future, back think up on a memory stick that is.

Colin

[veggiechicken]

The important thing about backing things up on a Memory stick is remembering where you've put it

[cardiffsteve]

The important thing about backing things up on a Memory stick is remembering where you've put it

Put what?........

[veggiechicken]

I told you not to back up onto that stick