Plugging in...
Sometimes there just isn't a sane, logical answer to "how did this happen", or "what did I do" to make my computer behave this way. As in a recent client's sudden message that appeared when the computer was turned on one morning: "floppy disk seek failure, press F1 to continue or F2 for setup".
This Dell computer never had a floppy disk drive but one fine day, it began searching for one. This confused the owner, not just the message, but it begged the question: what is a floppy disk and why is it being sought? Anyone out there remember the good old days of floppy disk storage?
The answer was to press F2 when the computer started up and paused displaying the failure message. Pressing the F2 function key (not the letter F and the number 2) enters the land of system setup and confusing BIOS setting where one can choose to disable any reference to a floppy drive which the Tutor did.
But HOW did it go from being perfectly happy not seeking a floppy disk drive for years, to desperately seeking one at each startup? Who knows. The Tutor can tell the readers for sure that it wasn't a software update because Dell updates were turned off and the computer was running Windows XP for which Microsoft discontinued updates in April of 2014.
Acceptance is the key, and understanding why is over-rated, not to mention time consuming and potentially costly.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Friday, December 18, 2015
Windows 10, the Upgrade
Plugging in...
If it isn't broken... don't fix it! For the dedicated Windows 7 users out there, upgrading to Windows 10 provides little fanfare or additional functionality that you "can't live without". It will cost you zero dollars to upgrade, but several hours of your valuable time. It will however, leave all your files and programs in place, so no additional work once the upgrade is completed. AND you can revert to Windows 7 within 30 days should you so desire.
Windows 8.1 users. If it isn't broken... don't fix it. However, some of you are NOT Windows 8 fans and the free Windows 10 upgrade may make you breathe easier. It will leave all your files, settings, and programs intact AND you can revert to Windows 8.1 should you so desire. Expect it to take several hours, longer, the older the computer. AND make sure to check everything after the upgrade is complete: open each of the software programs you regularly use; go online, check email; print something; if you sync with iTunes, do it. Leave no stone unturned as they say. You may stumble upon something that doesn't work, better sooner, rather than when you really, really need (or want) to use it.
If you have any older computer running Windows XP or Vista, the upgrade to Windows 10 is NOT free, it will cost you $120 for the privilege. However, the upgrade may give new life to an old dog because this Windows 10 upgrade is noted to work well on older hardware. The caveat here is: everything that was on a Vista or XP computer will be deleted, files, programs, everything. So it is not just a $120 investment. Along with your time, you will have to re-install and/or purchase your programs of choice. Might just be more cost and time effective to buy a new computer unless you really like to fiddle with your technology, just for fun - you know who you are!
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
If it isn't broken... don't fix it! For the dedicated Windows 7 users out there, upgrading to Windows 10 provides little fanfare or additional functionality that you "can't live without". It will cost you zero dollars to upgrade, but several hours of your valuable time. It will however, leave all your files and programs in place, so no additional work once the upgrade is completed. AND you can revert to Windows 7 within 30 days should you so desire.
Windows 8.1 users. If it isn't broken... don't fix it. However, some of you are NOT Windows 8 fans and the free Windows 10 upgrade may make you breathe easier. It will leave all your files, settings, and programs intact AND you can revert to Windows 8.1 should you so desire. Expect it to take several hours, longer, the older the computer. AND make sure to check everything after the upgrade is complete: open each of the software programs you regularly use; go online, check email; print something; if you sync with iTunes, do it. Leave no stone unturned as they say. You may stumble upon something that doesn't work, better sooner, rather than when you really, really need (or want) to use it.
If you have any older computer running Windows XP or Vista, the upgrade to Windows 10 is NOT free, it will cost you $120 for the privilege. However, the upgrade may give new life to an old dog because this Windows 10 upgrade is noted to work well on older hardware. The caveat here is: everything that was on a Vista or XP computer will be deleted, files, programs, everything. So it is not just a $120 investment. Along with your time, you will have to re-install and/or purchase your programs of choice. Might just be more cost and time effective to buy a new computer unless you really like to fiddle with your technology, just for fun - you know who you are!
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
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