OTP: Computer questions

Hi Gang,


Will be getting a laptop computer and am wondering what else do I need
to get it up and running right off the bat? Someone said I need a
router. Anything else???

Don't laugh at me, but it has been quite some time since I really have
worked on a computer and have never used a laptop.

..
..
..
..

Donna
..
..
..
..
1.) ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we
call them FRIENDS......


2.) J.K.M.A.

In article <14607-485D8E3D-231@storefull-3116.bay.webtv.net>,
DKGBeeker@webtv.net (Donna G.) wrote:

> Hi Gang,
>
>
> Will be getting a laptop computer and am wondering what else do I need
> to get it up and running right off the bat? Someone said I need a
> router. Anything else???
>
> Don't laugh at me, but it has been quite some time since I really have
> worked on a computer and have never used a laptop.
>

You need an internet connection. Unless your building provides internet
service, you'll need to arrange your own, either with the cable company
(cable modem) or the phone company (DSL). Whichever way you go, you'll
get a cable modem or DSL modem provided with the service at a nominal
charge (you generally have the option of buying your own as well).
Depending on the configuration of your apartment, it might be OK for you
to connect a cable between your new laptop and the cable/DSL modem. But
if that cable would be a problem, you would get a wireless router, and
then you can use the internet connection from anywhere in your apartment.

Some service providers will try to sell you a wireless networking
package, but you probably don't need to get that from them, as you'll be
talking about a single computer.

--
"[xxx] has very definite opinions, and does not suffer fools lightly.
This, apparently, upsets the fools."
---BB cuts to the pith of a flame-fest

Get someone to help you get XP instead of Vista, which has
considerably reworked the Operating System for Windows, and
its security efforts have been described as the longest suicide note
in history.
http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut00...ista_cost.html
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/12...drm_monstered/

On Jun 21, 7:26 pm, DKGBee...@webtv.net (Donna G.) wrote:
> Hi Gang,
>
> Will be getting a laptop computer and am wondering what else do I need
> to get it up and running right off the bat? Someone said I need a
> router. Anything else???
>
> Don't laugh at me, but it has been quite some time since I really have
> worked on a computer and have never used a laptop.

Donna G. wrote:
>
>
>
> Hi Gang,
>
>
> Will be getting a laptop computer and am wondering what else do I need
> to get it up and running right off the bat? Someone said I need a
> router. Anything else???
>

Why do you need a router? I have to assume the person meant a wireless
router or a wireless access point so you can be mobile around the house
with your laptop without having to plug in a network cable. What type of
internet access do you have? Cable, ADSL, or dialup?

You'll probably want a mouse and keyboard as well as a laptop stand to
make using the laptop at your desk (or kitchen table) slightly more
comfortable. Many laptop stands have built i cooling fans for the
underside of the laptop (people have gotten burns like you do from
heating pads in the past with laptops sitting on their laps for long
periods) as well as built in usb hubs so you can leave the mouse and
keyboard connected to the stand and only plug in the stand to the laptop
each time.

Other things to consider:
- are you taking it outside the house? Contact your insurance company
and see if it's covered outside the house (do NOT assume, there are
often clauses with laptops) or if you'll need additional coverage.
- on a similar note: do you have a suitable laptop carry bag or backpack?

Many laptops and desktops are coming with a 60 day free trial of Office
2007. Decide beforehand if you're going to use your current office
software, use openoffice 2.4, or purchase office 2007.

Regards,

Ari

> Don't laugh at me, but it has been quite some time since I really have
> worked on a computer and have never used a laptop.
>
> .
> .
> .
> .
>
> Donna
> .
> .
> .
> .
> 1.) ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we
> call them FRIENDS......
>
>
> 2.) J.K.M.A.
>


--
spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply
Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please
volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
http://www.marrow.org/

Ari,


This will be my first computer.

I currently have webtv which is on dialup service.

And, yes, I do want to be able to use the laptop any where in my
apartment and/or take it with me when not at home.

..
..
..
..

Donna
..
..
..
..
1.) ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we
call them FRIENDS......


2.) J.K.M.A.

Donna G. wrote:

> This will be my first computer.
>
> I currently have webtv which is on dialup service.
>
> And, yes, I do want to be able to use the laptop any where in my
> apartment and/or take it with me when not at home.

If you want to use it anywhere, make sure it has an airport type card
installed. You will then need a wireless router to connet it. If you get
your service from your phone company, they will send someone to install
the whole thing for you. If you are not familiar with all of this, it's
probably worth whatever their service charge is You can get routers
for good prices at Best Buy and other places like that. If you are
getting DSL, you will need a modem which I'd suggest you get from the
phone company. If you get your own, they will never know the settings
for it. When I moved from Lynnwood to Bellingham, I had a Verizon
modem...up here the phone company is Qwest and they couldn't help me at
all getting it all hooked up.

The other thing you can do to save money is if you have a freecycle
group near you, post and ask if someone has a modem they are not using.
Often people have DSL, then switch to cable so they no longer need the
DSL modem. I gave my Verizon one to a woman who needed it as it was just
collecting dust at my other apartment :-)

Carole

Michael B wrote:

> Get someone to help you get XP instead of Vista, which has
> considerably reworked the Operating System for Windows, and
> its security efforts have been described as the longest suicide note
> in history.
> http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut00...ista_cost.html
> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/12...drm_monstered/

Better still, buy a Mac :-)

Carole

Donna G. wrote:
>
>
> Ari,
>
>
> This will be my first computer.
>
> I currently have webtv which is on dialup service.
>
> And, yes, I do want to be able to use the laptop any where in my
> apartment and/or take it with me when not at home.

By "use" I take that to mean the Internet as well Then yes, you'll
need a wireless router or a wireless modem router if you're moving away
from dialup. Assuming you are moving away from dialup: who is going to
be your service provider? Will the service be provided by ADSL or cable?

Ari




--
spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply
Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please
volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
http://www.marrow.org/

Congratulations on deciding to get a new computer. I got a new desktop with
Vista!!!!!! Lots of problems hope I can get used to it. I understand that
XP is not going to be sold any more and probably tech support will
dicintinue in two years. Of course this is in Canada. By that way can
anyone tell me where the block sender is in Vista.
Sincerely
Lorrie F

"Donna G." <DKGBeeker@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:14607-485D8E3D-231@storefull-3116.bay.webtv.net...
>
>
>
>
> Hi Gang,
>
>
> Will be getting a laptop computer and am wondering what else do I need
> to get it up and running right off the bat? Someone said I need a
> router. Anything else???
>
> Don't laugh at me, but it has been quite some time since I really have
> worked on a computer and have never used a laptop.
>
> .
> .
> .
> .
>
> Donna
> .
> .
> .
> .
> 1.) ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we
> call them FRIENDS......
>
>
> 2.) J.K.M.A.
>

Carole wrote:
> Donna G. wrote:
>
>> This will be my first computer.
>> I currently have webtv which is on dialup service.
>>
>> And, yes, I do want to be able to use the laptop any where in my
>> apartment and/or take it with me when not at home.
>
> If you want to use it anywhere, make sure it has an airport type card
> installed.

Most new laptops have at least wireless g built in as a mini-pci now
rather than as a separate card. Is this notebook going to be a pc or a mac?


> You will then need a wireless router to connet it. If you get
> your service from your phone company, they will send someone to install
> the whole thing for you. If you are not familiar with all of this, it's
> probably worth whatever their service charge is

If the ISP doesn't charge a lot over retail for the wireless modem
router, then as you suggest it's a good idea to go with the one they
supply as they'll often have it either pre-configured or with a cdrom to
help with the configuration, so little on site support is needed.

Make sure you get enough line filters if you're using ADSL: one for each
phone, and a phone/adsl dual filter for the socket with the ADSL modem
so you can have a phone on that jack as well.

> You can get routers
> for good prices at Best Buy and other places like that. If you are
> getting DSL, you will need a modem which I'd suggest you get from the
> phone company. If you get your own, they will never know the settings
> for it.

Why not? Configuration for all modems is available to individuals and
tech support online. Tech support from the ISP should be able to walk
her through the configuration.

> When I moved from Lynnwood to Bellingham, I had a Verizon
> modem...up here the phone company is Qwest and they couldn't help me at
> all getting it all hooked up.

Verizon probably put borked firmware into it - you may have had to
reflash it with a generic firmware supplied by the manufacturer. We get
that type of practice here, too, with large phone companies acting as ISPs.

>
> The other thing you can do to save money is if you have a freecycle
> group near you, post and ask if someone has a modem they are not using.
> Often people have DSL, then switch to cable so they no longer need the
> DSL modem.

Definitely! Several people I've helped out here have acquired their
modems that way.

> I gave my Verizon one to a woman who needed it as it was just
> collecting dust at my other apartment :-)

Good advice, Carol These modems tend to last a long time.

Ari


--
spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply
Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please
volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
http://www.marrow.org/

Tin Lizzie wrote:
> Congratulations on deciding to get a new computer. I got a new desktop
> with Vista!!!!!! Lots of problems hope I can get used to it.

I have you put service pack one on it yet? Updated drivers? Both of
these can help solve a lot of problems. However, microsoft have made
such a bad name with vista that Windows 7 (next year) will probably fast
become de rigeur.

> I
> understand that XP is not going to be sold any more and probably tech
> support will dicintinue in two years.

Yeah, two years after the last service pack. So, unless they make an XP
SP4 (SP3 was just released), then updates will cease in May 2010. I
probably won't ungrade my hardware enough to require an OS upgrade until
then anyway.

> Of course this is in Canada.

Global MS policy - there are extended support plans for certain business
contracts I believe.

> By
> that way can anyone tell me where the block sender is in Vista.

A google search for:
block sender vista usenet
turned up this:

http://groups.google.com/group/micro...4670448dd62e89

Two methods in there, one to prevent future messages from appear and the
other to do that and remove ones you can already see

> Sincerely
> Lorrie F
>
> "Donna G." <DKGBeeker@webtv.net> wrote in message
> news:14607-485D8E3D-231@storefull-3116.bay.webtv.net...
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi Gang,
>>
>>
>> Will be getting a laptop computer and am wondering what else do I need
>> to get it up and running right off the bat? Someone said I need a
>> router. Anything else???
>>
>> Don't laugh at me, but it has been quite some time since I really have
>> worked on a computer and have never used a laptop.
>>
>> .
>> .
>> .
>> .
>>
>> Donna
>> .
>> .
>> .
>> .
>> 1.) ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we
>> call them FRIENDS......
>>
>>
>> 2.) J.K.M.A.
>>
>


--
spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply
Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please
volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
http://www.marrow.org/

Thanks Ari
I appeciate the Information that you looked up. Now if I could get all of
my other problems solved. Oh well perhaps "tincture of time"
Sincerely
Lorrie F
"spodosaurus" <spodosaurus@_yahoo_.com> wrote in message
news:485e4455$0$11583$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
> Tin Lizzie wrote:
>> Congratulations on deciding to get a new computer. I got a new desktop
>> with Vista!!!!!! Lots of problems hope I can get used to it.
>
> I have you put service pack one on it yet? Updated drivers? Both of these
> can help solve a lot of problems. However, microsoft have made such a bad
> name with vista that Windows 7 (next year) will probably fast become de
> rigeur.
>
>> I understand that XP is not going to be sold any more and probably tech
>> support will dicintinue in two years.
>
> Yeah, two years after the last service pack. So, unless they make an XP
> SP4 (SP3 was just released), then updates will cease in May 2010. I
> probably won't ungrade my hardware enough to require an OS upgrade until
> then anyway.
>
>> Of course this is in Canada.
>
> Global MS policy - there are extended support plans for certain business
> contracts I believe.
>
>> By that way can anyone tell me where the block sender is in Vista.
>
> A google search for:
> block sender vista usenet
> turned up this:
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/micro...4670448dd62e89
>
> Two methods in there, one to prevent future messages from appear and the
> other to do that and remove ones you can already see
>
>> Sincerely
>> Lorrie F
>>
>> "Donna G." <DKGBeeker@webtv.net> wrote in message
>> news:14607-485D8E3D-231@storefull-3116.bay.webtv.net...
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Hi Gang,
>>>
>>>
>>> Will be getting a laptop computer and am wondering what else do I need
>>> to get it up and running right off the bat? Someone said I need a
>>> router. Anything else???
>>>
>>> Don't laugh at me, but it has been quite some time since I really have
>>> worked on a computer and have never used a laptop.
>>>
>>> .
>>> .
>>> .
>>> .
>>>
>>> Donna
>>> .
>>> .
>>> .
>>> .
>>> 1.) ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we
>>> call them FRIENDS......
>>>
>>>
>>> 2.) J.K.M.A.
>>>
>>
>
>
> --
> spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply
> Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please
> volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life:
> http://www.abmdr.org.au/
> http://www.marrow.org/

spodosaurus wrote:


> Why not? Configuration for all modems is available to individuals and
> tech support online. Tech support from the ISP should be able to walk
> her through the configuration.

Tell that to Qwest. No one in their customer service was willing to give
me the settings, so I ended up having to get one of their modems.
Thankfully I got one free so they screwed themselves :-)


> Good advice, Carole These modems tend to last a long time.

Yea, I've toyed with the idea of going cable, but where I live there are
too many problems with it. Friends are always telling me it's down or
there are problems connecting. So I'm sticking with Qwest's DSL for now
as I've also locked in their starter price for lifetime

Carole

On Sun, 22 Jun 2008 5:26:17 -0400, Carole wrote
(in message <6c6k5oF3eplpsU2@mid.individual.net>):

> Better still, buy a Mac :-)
>
> Carole

yeah, but if all your local friends who can give you advice and help are PC
folks, you just do tend to drift that way. And even now, more games are
available for PCs. We now have one of each, bu i still prefer the Mac and
I'm holding out for a Mac laptop one day!

--
Nann
remove the Gator cheer to email me
Change everything. Love & forgive.