Lost Windows

[Janet]

It wasn't good news for me concerning my computer. I have Windows Vista on my laptop and the computer guy said more often than not, Vista crashes. He said Windows 7 is much more reliable, but would be at least $127. So he will load Windows Vista back on it with my backUp-CD's, but I will lose most all the info I have stored. I do have some things backed up on an external hard drive, so hopefully I can recover some things.

I've decided to start saving up for a Mac..... I've heard they just don't give you the problems that a PC does. It will take me a little while to save, but I can be patient... I hope. Should have it back in a day or so. I love my iPad, but prefer typing on my laptop.

[Blueyes]

It is harder to type on an iPad! I just have the plain, white 13 inch MacBook. I had a 17 inch screen before and I thought I would hate a smaller screen, but I don't. You can make things bigger with just a flick of your fingers. It's so nice to curl up with a small, LIGHT laptop! No viruses, no problems! My 2 sons and their wives have one each. They all insisted that I get one, and it is unbelievably easy!! I was so afraid it would be hard to use, but it's just not. As with anything different, you have to get used to it but it's easy!!

Mac computers are the same price everywhere. Go straight to the Apple site and read all about them:D

[JJJ]

I used to have Vista and it's true mine used to crash alot. I have Windows 7 and love it.

Mac is not bad but the reason I don't buy Mac is because there stuff is not compatible with other programs. If you buy Mac you will have to use only their programs which are more expensive.

I don't know how much you need a computer and for what. But there so many options out there for you. I love laptops and I'm on the lookout for a lighter, smaller one for school. There's also a netbook which is a smaller version of a laptop but you can't watch movies in there :( The notebook is good for games, reading but not if you really need to type. Now there are keyboards made for notebooks now so you might want to check that out.

[JJJ]

Here's something I used to do when the black screen came up.

http://maximumpcguides.com/windows-vista/windows-vista-hangs-at-a-black-screen-when-booting-up/

That way you don't have to pay anyone to do it. If you saved your stuff most likely your good. I hope you do have a memory stick and have all your pictures and important info save in it. If not go ahead and buy it since it's always handy. If you don't have alot to save a 2gb or 4gb is fine. I need a 16gb for all my junk :o

If your writing stuff remember to save after every paragraph.

[Janet]

Here's something I used to do when the black screen came up.

http://maximumpcguides.com/windows-vista/windows-vista-hangs-at-a-black-screen-when-booting-up/

That way you don't have to pay anyone to do it. If you saved your stuff most likely your good. I hope you do have a memory stick and have all your pictures and important info save in it. If not go ahead and buy it since it's always handy. If you don't have alot to save a 2gb or 4gb is fine. I need a 16gb for all my junk :o

If your writing stuff remember to save after every paragraph.

Wish I could have tried that before taking it in...oh well. I dont have a memory stick, just a hard drive to back things up on.

[Tiramisu]

I need a new laptop, maybe the dell 14z, thin and light. Saving my money and setting some goals for myself. My 17" is almost 8 years old and will make a cute yard ornament!!!!!

[gja1000]

Janet, you are right there are many many fewer problems with a Mac - and even though there are some programs that Mac is not compatible with, it is much more common for a PC program that is not compatible with Mac. Most Mac programs are compatible with PC stuff. It really isn't a problem though at all. Also, do not get a Mac Air - get the Macbook like Betsi has. There are some processor problems with the Mac Air.

[DianaB]

That's the pits to have computer problems!! They are so expensive to replace and it's difficult to figure out just what it is that you need. I don't have any recommendations on what to get!!

[Janet]

I don't really have any idea what I want either. I just don't want to spend a lot of money. Guess for now I will continue to check them out....Mac's and PC's.

[Blueyes]

Get it from Best Buy. Most of the time they offer a great no interest payment incentive.

[JJJ]

Best Buy is great. I just bought my boys a HP from Best Buy and it's perfect for them. Great memory storage, nice design for $300. Better than what I have at the moment.

[Janet]

We buy most of our electronics from Best Buy. Still don't have my laptop back. Hopefully they'll have it ready soon....feel kind of lost without it....lol

[judy]

I have Vista and it hasn't crashed in a long time. Definitely back up all your pix, music, documents, and whatever else you want to keep from now on. I use flash drives. My plan is to put everything onto flash drives and then delete them from my pc altogether. It's time consuming, so I have been putting it off.

I don't love my ipad. I prefer the big screen on my pc. I'm also familiar with how to negfotiate around it. I didn't need the iPad.

I do love my ipod! I have a lot of my music on it, sirius xm radio, audiobooks, Pandora,, and our local radio station. I bought a charger/speaker which allows me to listen to whatever I want without earphones. The sound is excellent too!

It is a big decision!!! Cnet.com has come out with reviews for 2011. I haven't checked it out yet, but I like their reviews. Amazon's customer reviews are very helpful too. Consumersearch.com is also helpful.

[Janet]

Thanks Judy for the links. I will check them out. I'm sorry you don't love your iPad. I really do love love love mine. The only thing I'm not thrilled with is when I try to type very much at one time. For FB it's not bad at all, but if I want to post a longer post like on here, I screw up just about every time. So frustrating.

[gja1000]

Thanks Judy for the links. I will check them out. I'm sorry you don't love your iPad. I really do love love love mine. The only thing I'm not thrilled with is when I try to type very much at one time. For FB it's not bad at all, but if I want to post a longer post like on here, I screw up just about every time. So frustrating.

Janet, I thought you got a case for your iPad for Christmas that had a keyboard with it. I don't like to type on my iPad either, but you can get a keyboard for it so typing is just like on a laptop. I know they make a case or a stand maybe that has a keyboard. They also have a fold up keyboard (for travel) that is nice. I need to get one, but just haven't done it yet because I don't like to type on my iPad either.

I think more people are using iPads for work, rather than just for personal use. Our teachers and students use them extensively in class and clinical (clinics and hospitals for our student nurses). You can do some amazing things with them in terms of medical and educational uses.

If I were you Janet, I might think about getting a keyboard for my iPad, while you are saving for your laptop. I think that would help to use the iPad while you are waiting to get a laptop. If I remember right, they were about $69.00 at the Apple store (online or in person store)

For me the iPad is invaluable as I can be online and connected to work or family when Gary and I travel to more remote places that don't have wireless (eg. national forests) but do have cell service. I couldn't live without my iPad now

[judy]

The ipad keyboard is such a good idea for Janet, Gayle!

You might find that you really don't need another laptop at all, Janet.

I don't like the ipad because I don't get cell service locally, so it is basically useless out of the house. In the house, I have my pc, which I am used to. Even if I take the ipad with me, chances are I won't get internet service around here. I really don't need it either. I don't work, so have no real need for being in touch with anyone. I got very used to not being available, because we don't have many cell phone available areas.

Life in the boonies! Being retired, I like it. Coming from frenetic NYC, this simple, calm life suits me so well.

[judy]

The ipad keyboard is such a good idea for Janet, Gayle!

You might find that you really don't need another laptop at all, Janet.

I don't like the ipad because I don't get cell service locally, so it is basically useless out of the house. In the house, I have my pc, which I am used to. Even if I take the ipad with me, chances are I won't get internet service around here. I really don't need it either. I don't work, so have no real need for being in touch with anyone. I got very used to not being available, because we don't have many cell phone available areas.

Life in the boonies! Being retired, I like it. Coming from frenetic NYC, this simple, calm life suits me so well.

Here is a link for a great keyboard for your ipad, Janet. If my pc died, I would try this!http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Rocketfish%26%23153%3B+-+Advanced+Series+iCapsule+Keyboard+for+Apple%26%23 174%3B+iPad%26%23153%3B/1609376.p?id=1218273818721&skuId=1609376

[Janet]

Thanks Judy!! Looks like a full size keyboard. Gayle, I did get one of those for Christmas from Ricky, but it's a small keyboard and about as hard to type in as the iPad. I think I'll just go to a Best Buy so I can try them out.

Same here Gayle, i use my iPad a lot. I use the notepad, calendar, have the school calendar loaded and now some great books to read. I just wish I had my laptop back so I don't get too far behind on keeping it updated.

[gja1000]

The keyboard on the link I sent is the exact same keyboard I use with my Mac desktop computer. It came with my Mac desktop (free) and yes, it is full sized. The only thing it doesn't have is the number pad off to the right of the letter keys. When I am using the calculator on my desktop, I wish I had the number pad, but since this keyboard was free, I don't want to buy a bigger keyboard with the numbers, so I just make do. :D

[Janet]

I have the numerical keyboard to the right on my laptop and love it, but I really don't care if I have one or not with the iPad, just as long as it is full size.

[Janet]

I am so happy to have my laptop back and almost have it back to where I like it. Sure does take a long time...wow. Still having some trouble with my iPad and computer together. There is a newer OS 5.0 I think, but when I try to update the iPad it says something to the effect that I could lose my pictures from my iPad. Since I lost them all that were on my computer, I sure don't want to lose them off my iPad. Still have some things to try with my external hard drive, but ran into problems there too, although I do think I have them figured out now....at least I hope so. Wish me luck.

[DianaB]

Good luck!!! :crossfingers::crossfingers: