Marc's server is up and running and performing spectacular. How about the everyday problems us computer illiterates have? With the amount of talent here in the Cove, there isn't anything that can't be resolved. If we aren't too proud to ask. Well, I'm ready. And, I'm not too proud to ask. I recently saw a post from a member who had a problem with extra tiny fonts. I don't know where I saw it. I don't know if it's related. So, here goes. I recently acquired a new computer-Windows XP-Home version. Even with my 14" monitor, I have never had to use magnifiers to see the icons and all associated fonts. I tried everything within my undersized cabeza to make them bigger. Any help out there? This thread can be a sounding board for all those people new to the world of computers and nobody will scoff at the question. (And get away with it) I promise. Okay, here we go! :bonk: :confused:

Sure Energy,

Is your screen resolution ok? (Right click on the desktop, pick properties and go to settings. Check the screen area settings). Try changing the settings. Did that help?

/Claes

Or, if the problem is in Internet Explorer, click view, then text size, then adjust.

Good idea, Sheriff.

I think the tiny font thread was

http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=7430

Under the coffee break talk heading, titled "looking for help" -- that one?

Windows XP-Home version. Even with my 14" monitor, I have never had to use magnifiers to see the icons and all associated fonts. I tried everything within my undersized cabeza to make them bigger. Any help out there? This thread can be a sounding board for all those people new to the world of computers and nobody will scoff at the question. (And get away with it) I promise. Okay, here we go! :bonk: :confused: Hello Energy, I had the same problem with my XP Business edition. I messed with it one two many times and ended up without a screen of any sort except black! :frust: I took it in to the computer store and a tech said I had my resolution set to high and that the computer was set up to use two monitors. He fixed it and disabled the two monitor option and now I don't screw around with it anymore! :biglaugh: Good Luck.
Paula

Try changing the resolution to 800x600 or 1024x7??.
Even with a 21" monitor at work and 30 year old eyes anything higher and I'm squintting all day!
Right click anywhere on desktop area (not on an icon).
Select properties.
The last tab on the right (display?) change the resolution to something smaller.

SOmewhere in the properties box there is the option to select font sizes/styles
example XP Standard, large, extra large. (Sorry no XP at work to get exact WORK INSTRUCTIONS OR PROCEDURES :vfunny: ).

I think the tiny font thread was

http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=7430

Under the coffee break talk heading, titled "looking for help" -- that one?
little-cee,

You are correct. If I had remembered, I would not have started another thread on computer problems. :thanx:

Let's say I buy an external device -- maybe an external hard-drive or CD-RW -- for my computer and the new device says it connects via USB 2.0. Can I still use it on my 3 year old computer that only has the earlier (USB 1.0?) USB capability?

Let's say I buy an external device -- maybe an external hard-drive or CD-RW -- for my computer and the new device says it connects via USB 2.0. Can I still use it on my 3 year old computer that only has the earlier (USB 1.0?) USB capability?
Yes you can. USB 2.0 devices are backward compatible.

Yes you can. USB 2.0 devices are backward compatible.Right, except you should be aware it will only operate at the slower speed of the USB 1.0. Read the tech specs of the device and it will usually tell you the speed to be available at the older USB level.

Richard and Wes,

:thanx:

Power Point.....Any programs out there, that will open up Power Point Presentations? I mean free. In another thread we discussed Open Office (I think), but the download time for dial up was 6 hours and even then it was interrupted using U.S. locations. Is there anything else that would work? Excel, Word, etc..is O.K. I just want to open up the ppt attachments here in the Cove. Unfortunately, XP Professional doesn't have it. :( :agree:

Go to http://office.microsoft.com (or Google) and search for "Powerpoint Viewer". I think they are free to download.

You may be in luck, energy.

A few years back I used a (Microsoft) prg called Power Point Viewer, and I seem to recall it was free :eek: . I have no idea if it is still around, but try a search for it.

Added later: Aha... Beaten to the punch... :vfunny: Hullo Atul.

/Claes

Here's the actual link where you can download the viewer (it's about 2.8 Mb)

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?amp;displaylang=en&familyid=d1649c22-b51f-4910-93fc-4cf2832d3342&displaylang=en

Yep - right around the time I joined the cove was when I downloaded it for free. I couldn't read any of the good ppt attachments here! I just google searched "powerpoint" and managed to come to a screen that said "Click Here for free powerpoint viewer." I shoulda posted the query here and saved some time.

Thanks, Richard, Atul, Cari and Claes. Got it now. :thanx:

Hi All,

There are a number of viewers available for the microsoft suite of products and Visio. We realise at work that not everyone that has a PC (about 80 of them) requires every program but they usually need to read them so people that haven't got programs like Publisher and PowerPoint just have the viewers. It saves the company a packet on software licenses.

Greg B

Right after I fixed the font problem in "looking for help" thread I had another problem. Thought for sure I had a virus, but made sure I was current, and nothing showed up. Here's what would happen..

I would be in Outlook ready to type a message and the computer would "jump" to inbox, sometimes to MS Word, sometimes to the Sent files. It was COMPLETELY out of control - I would be 1/2 way through a sentence, and boom another screen would be active. Gremlins had taken over. Thought maybe the touchpad was having problems.

Come to fine out, I had accidently turned on "speech recognition" so if the radio or TV were on, the computer was reacting to sounds it heard and just following the commands. Of course everytime I swore at it...something new would happen. :bonk:

I pulled my application to the nut-house when I figured that out.

Laura,

How long did it take you to figure out what you had done? I know it would have taken me a while.

Laura,

You need to name your computer "Hardy", then you could take that act on the road. ROTFLMBO

About a week. The microphone dialogue box did appear and ask to be "trained" but I thought by cancelling out, I was turning it off too. Somehow it became a default "on" so rebooting didn't help.

Laura,

You need to name your computer "Hardy", then you could take that act on the road. ROTFLMBO

:biglaugh: Made me think...you can swear at your computer all day and get work done. After you train the mic to learn F-U is "File...New" , S-O-A-B "Save As?" That's about what was happening.....

I'm a big fan of keyboard shortcuts, and I noticed a while back that Alt-F U is file setup in most programs...

I would be in Outlook ready to type a message and the computer would "jump" to inbox, sometimes to MS Word, sometimes to the Sent files. It was COMPLETELY out of control - I would be 1/2 way through a sentence, and boom another screen would be active. Gremlins had taken over. Thought maybe the touchpad was having problems.
LMAO... :biglaugh: That reminds me of a prank I pulled once (or twice) If you change the extesion of for instance a sound file to .scr, you can access it as a screen saver. The unsuspecting victim would see nothing on the screen but suddenly after a minute of inactivity a trumpet fanfare would blare out (Loudly, because I turned his volume way up :vfunny: ). Nasty, eh?

/Claes

There are guide books "idiot's guide to ........" that are very good. I have one for office 2000. Available at Wal-Mart for about $12. If I recall correctly I saw one for XP.

There are guide books "idiot's guide to ........" that are very good. I have one for office 2000. Available at Wal-Mart for about $12. If I recall correctly I saw one for XP.

You know - after a really testing round of golf, my husband presented me with "Idiots guide to golf" I didn't go over real well. :biglaugh:

I'll bet you the cost of the book, it doesn't mention the idiodic situation I got myself into!!!

LMAO... :biglaugh: That reminds me of a prank I pulled once (or twice) If you change the extesion of for instance a sound file to .scr, you can access it as a screen saver. The unsuspecting victim would see nothing on the screen but suddenly after a minute of inactivity a trumpet fanfare would blare out (Loudly, because I turned his volume way up :vfunny: ). Nasty, eh?

/Claes

That's a good one! :biglaugh:

I recently put together a presentation for a show we are going to in February. I burned it to CD and intend to use a lap top for the show. My problem: When I play the CD on the office computer, the transition between "slides" is very smooth with all the effects that came with the program. When I play it on the lap top, it's sluggish and jerky. I defragged, disc cleaned dumped extraneous files. Any other suggestions beside getting a new computer. :bonk:

I recently put together a presentation for a show we are going to in February. I burned it to CD and intend to use a lap top for the show. My problem: When I play the CD on the office computer, the transition between "slides" is very smooth with all the effects that came with the program. When I play it on the lap top, it's sluggish and jerky. I defragged, disc cleaned dumped extraneous files. Any other suggestions beside getting a new computer. :bonk:
Without knowing the specifics, there are a couple possible things. A likely option from what your describing is that the laptop has less memory than the office computer (or the memory could be damaged). Have you noticed any other video or graphic problems on the laptop, or just when using the CD?

Without knowing the specifics, there are a couple possible things. A likely option from what your describing is that the laptop has less memory than the office computer (or the memory could be damaged). Have you noticed any other video or graphic problems on the laptop, or just when using the CD?

Never ran anything on it except photos of projects. This program has music, random fancy features between slides, credits, intro's, etc.. :frust:

Copy the presentation to the hard drive of the laptop and see if it still does the same thing (just to eliminate the CD drive). If it is still slow and jerky then it probably is a memory issue. Depending on the laptop you could probably just add more memory instead of buying a new one.

Copy the presentation to the hard drive of the laptop and see if it still does the same thing (just to eliminate the CD drive). If it is still slow and jerky then it probably is a memory issue. Depending on the laptop you could probably just add more memory instead of buying a new one.I suspect the problem is all related to the CD drive speed on the laptop PLUS RAM. The suggestion to download onto laptop hard drive is excellent (provided you have space on the drive.) Alternately, rent a laptop for the duration of the show. Why buy new just for the show if the laptop serves you for everything else?

Thanks Richard and Wes. My project for tomorrow. Tonight it's the Bowling alley! :thanx:

All pervious suggestions are good ones, but just on the outside chance, did you make sure there are no smudges, dirt, etc. on the CD? Maybe try burning it to a different CD.

All pervious suggestions are good ones, but just on the outside chance, did you make sure there are no smudges, dirt, etc. on the CD? Maybe try burning it to a different CD.

Everything be brand spanking new. Thanks Mike. Using an external CD burner, of which you have showed interest. I'm taking a copy of the application to my buddy's house, after bowling. Not too sure how that will come out, considering bowling and all :vfunny: :thanx:

Everything be brand spanking new. Thanks Mike. Using an external CD burner, of which you have showed interest. I'm taking a copy of the application to my buddy's house, after bowling. Not too sure how that will come out, considering bowling and all :vfunny: :thanx:

So....how'd it come out?

I've had brand-new CD's -- name brand (Memorex) that had a substantial % bad right out of the box. Never had that problem with any other brand -- even the cheapo no-name stuff that you can get free after rebate. :frust:

So....how'd it come out?

It appears to be insufficient memory. I loaded the program, on the lap top, which contains a sample show and it does the same thing. When I do the same thing on the office computer, it flies. Because the show is one day and the presentation will be looped to run continuously, nobody will really care. It's basically 158 slides of completed projects, interspersed with our logo every 5 slides. Hey, the longer the logo stays on, the better!!! :vfunny: :thanx:

Energy,

I have had a similar problem when using different burners and readers. I burned CDs on a 'Lite-on' and it could not be read by another brand CD reader. It worked fine on other 'Lite-on' CD readers. (This was a read/write CD.)

Greg B