Comments for Ask The Computer Lady http://askthecomputerlady.com/questions If you have computer questions, this is the place for you Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:32:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on How To Create Curved Text in PagePlus by penny5301 http://askthecomputerlady.com/questions/2012/01/how-to-create-curved-text-in-pageplus/comment-page-1/#comment-771 penny5301 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:32:03 +0000 http://askthecomputerlady.com/questions/?p=4580#comment-771 Hi Computer Lady: While trying to follow your instructions for making a curved text in MS Word, I discovered that it makes a big difference whether you have the MS Professional Suite or the Home/Student version. I have the Professional version on my desk top and Home/Student on my laptop. What a difference! Please let everyone know that the Home version doesn't have all the tools that the Professional version contains. Depending on your planned use of the program, consider which will fill all of your needs. In the future, I will spend the extra $$$ for the Professional version!!! Hi Computer Lady:
While trying to follow your instructions for making a curved text in MS Word, I discovered that it makes a big difference whether you have the MS Professional Suite or the Home/Student version. I have the Professional version on my desk top and Home/Student on my laptop. What a difference! Please let everyone know that the Home version doesn’t have all the tools that the Professional version contains. Depending on your planned use of the program, consider which will fill all of your needs. In the future, I will spend the extra $$$ for the Professional version!!!

]]> Comment on Laptop Cursor Runs Amuck by jornada http://askthecomputerlady.com/questions/2012/01/laptop-cursor-runs-amuck/comment-page-1/#comment-768 jornada Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:32:53 +0000 http://askthecomputerlady.com/questions/?p=4594#comment-768 Whenever my computer's cursor jumps around, it's because of dust under the keys. After I clean out the dust, the cursor behaves normally again! Whenever my computer’s cursor jumps around, it’s because of dust under the keys. After I clean out the dust, the cursor behaves normally again!

]]> Comment on Laptop Cursor Runs Amuck by lynne http://askthecomputerlady.com/questions/2012/01/laptop-cursor-runs-amuck/comment-page-1/#comment-767 lynne Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:10:05 +0000 http://askthecomputerlady.com/questions/?p=4594#comment-767 My employer provided me with a large screen laptop as I have a vision impairment. I found the touchpad hard to use so I bought an optical mouse. The cursor ran amuck - I am a touch typist so didn't always notice that the cursor had jumped away from where it should be typing. I called our computer engineer who was unable to turn off the pad with the function key allocated to that job. He then went to the website of the company who made the computer (Asus) there he found the answer - download a piece of software called Elantech Smart Pad and that did the trick. Pad now disabled. Hope that helps someone. Thanks for all the helpful information Computer Lady. My employer provided me with a large screen laptop as I have a vision impairment. I found the touchpad hard to use so I bought an optical mouse. The cursor ran amuck – I am a touch typist so didn’t always notice that the cursor had jumped away from where it should be typing. I called our computer engineer who was unable to turn off the pad with the function key allocated to that job. He then went to the website of the company who made the computer (Asus) there he found the answer – download a piece of software called Elantech Smart Pad and that did the trick. Pad now disabled. Hope that helps someone. Thanks for all the helpful information Computer Lady.

]]> Comment on Best Free Antivirus by MardiK http://askthecomputerlady.com/questions/2012/01/best-free-antivirus/comment-page-1/#comment-762 MardiK Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:21:06 +0000 http://askthecomputerlady.com/questions/?p=4567#comment-762 Elizabeth, I do computer repair. Malware infections are the most common problem that I find. For Windows users, I have been installing Microsoft Security Essentials (free) and Malwarebytes (Pro) and my customers have no problems. But, Microsoft recently added free malware protection to Microsoft Security Essentials. It is hard to beat free when it works really well and this does. Elizabeth,

I do computer repair. Malware infections are the most common problem that I find. For Windows users, I have been installing Microsoft Security Essentials (free) and Malwarebytes (Pro) and my customers have no problems. But, Microsoft recently added free malware protection to Microsoft Security Essentials. It is hard to beat free when it works really well and this does.

]]> Comment on Upgrading from XP to Windows 7 by ron007 http://askthecomputerlady.com/questions/2012/01/upgrading-from-xp-to-windows-7/comment-page-1/#comment-755 ron007 Sat, 07 Jan 2012 21:29:26 +0000 http://askthecomputerlady.com/questions/?p=4550#comment-755 As you say "backups are good!" The programs will have to be installed from their source CD/DVD's or installation files. They cannot simply be "copied" or restored back from the XP backup onto Win7. Again, as you say it depends on the type of backup. If the backup is simply copying files to a new location (external drive) then all you have to do is copy them back. If the backup is an image type backup, it will take a little more work. "Better" backup tools allow you to create an "Emergency Disk" with a copy of the program on a bootable CD/DVD that allows you to use the DVD to restore to a crashed HD. As well, they will allow you to access/copy individual files without doing a restore. This allows you to copy individual files from the backup to the new installation. Some virtualization tools will allow you to "mount" backups as virtual drives, again, allowing you to copy the required data files to your new HD. Another option is partitioning the new drive. Most new machines come with relatively HUGE HD's, 500GB and more. Windows needs 20-30 GB and the apps about the same. The rest is unused in a new computer. It is easy with Win7 disk management tools to create a partition on the HD that is large enough to allow you recover the old XP installation into. Then you can copy the data files to the "C:" drive and finally eliminate the partition and the old backup. Actually, keeping the partition is a better idea after reformatting the "D:" to get rid of the no longer needed old installation. Relocating all of your personal data files on the separate "D:" drive, including the desktop, documents, pictures, favorites (etc) folders gives you flexibility. When it is time to, inevitably, re-install Windows you don't have to worry about losing all of your personal data files at the same time. As you say “backups are good!”

The programs will have to be installed from their source CD/DVD’s or installation files. They cannot simply be “copied” or restored back from the XP backup onto Win7.

Again, as you say it depends on the type of backup. If the backup is simply copying files to a new location (external drive) then all you have to do is copy them back.

If the backup is an image type backup, it will take a little more work. “Better” backup tools allow you to create an “Emergency Disk” with a copy of the program on a bootable CD/DVD that allows you to use the DVD to restore to a crashed HD. As well, they will allow you to access/copy individual files without doing a restore. This allows you to copy individual files from the backup to the new installation.

Some virtualization tools will allow you to “mount” backups as virtual drives, again, allowing you to copy the required data files to your new HD.

Another option is partitioning the new drive. Most new machines come with relatively HUGE HD’s, 500GB and more. Windows needs 20-30 GB and the apps about the same. The rest is unused in a new computer. It is easy with Win7 disk management tools to create a partition on the HD that is large enough to allow you recover the old XP installation into. Then you can copy the data files to the “C:” drive and finally eliminate the partition and the old backup.

Actually, keeping the partition is a better idea after reformatting the “D:” to get rid of the no longer needed old installation. Relocating all of your personal data files on the separate “D:” drive, including the desktop, documents, pictures, favorites (etc) folders gives you flexibility. When it is time to, inevitably, re-install Windows you don’t have to worry about losing all of your personal data files at the same time.

]]> Comment on Mozy Saved My Recipe File! by DanOaks http://askthecomputerlady.com/questions/2011/12/mozy-saved-my-recipe-file/comment-page-1/#comment-754 DanOaks Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:19:53 +0000 http://askthecomputerlady.com/questions/?p=4492#comment-754 Hi Elizabeth, I am the CEO of DVO Enterprises and the creator of Cook'n. There is not a major bug in Cook'n...or any bug that would cause the problem that you described. If there was, we would be completely and absolutely overwhelmed by the thousands and thousands of people who purchased Cook'n 10 since its release 2 months ago. Can you imagine the outcry! Without knowing more details, it's difficult to say why you had this problem. The reason it happened again and again even after re-installing is because it sounds like the problem was with your data files and re-installing does not over-write your recipe data. Although I am the President of the company...and, as a result, very busy, I would be very happy to set aside time to help you and to find out more about the specific problem you had. If you would like my assistance, please send an e-mail to dan@dvo.com and I will help you. Best wishes! Dan Hi Elizabeth,

I am the CEO of DVO Enterprises and the creator of Cook’n. There is not a major bug in Cook’n…or any bug that would cause the problem that you described. If there was, we would be completely and absolutely overwhelmed by the thousands and thousands of people who purchased Cook’n 10 since its release 2 months ago. Can you imagine the outcry!

Without knowing more details, it’s difficult to say why you had this problem. The reason it happened again and again even after re-installing is because it sounds like the problem was with your data files and re-installing does not over-write your recipe data.

Although I am the President of the company…and, as a result, very busy, I would be very happy to set aside time to help you and to find out more about the specific problem you had.

If you would like my assistance, please send an e-mail to dan@dvo.com and I will help you.

Best wishes!

Dan

]]> Comment on Moving Pictures by MardiK http://askthecomputerlady.com/questions/2011/12/moving-pictures/comment-page-1/#comment-743 MardiK Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:05:58 +0000 http://askthecomputerlady.com/questions/?p=4523#comment-743 Elizabeth, Actually, when it comes to the "Moving Pictures" question from Pam, I think you misunderstood the question. When selecting multiple pictures or files using the "pick and choose" method by holding down the Ctrl key, all is well unless you slightly move the cursor on the highlighted item. When you have selected an item or items and you move the cursor, it tells Windows that you want a copy and it instantly makes copies of all that you have highlighted up to that point. Irritating. To avoid having this happen, hold down the Ctrl key and just do your "picking" a little more slowly so that your cursor doesn't move the highlighted item. Fast clicking seems to always result in the movement that produces the unwanted copies. In the event that you DO happen to create unwanted copies, all is not lost. Just continue to hold down the Ctrl key and touch the letter Z. Windows will ask you if you are sure you want to delete these copies. You click yes and continue to "pick" more pictures until you have selected all the ones you want. Then release the Ctrl key and cut, copy, attach, or upload your highlighted selections. Elizabeth,

Actually, when it comes to the “Moving Pictures” question from Pam, I think you misunderstood the question. When selecting multiple pictures or files using the “pick and choose” method by holding down the Ctrl key, all is well unless you slightly move the cursor on the highlighted item. When you have selected an item or items and you move the cursor, it tells Windows that you want a copy and it instantly makes copies of all that you have highlighted up to that point. Irritating. To avoid having this happen, hold down the Ctrl key and just do your “picking” a little more slowly so that your cursor doesn’t move the highlighted item. Fast clicking seems to always result in the movement that produces the unwanted copies. In the event that you DO happen to create unwanted copies, all is not lost. Just continue to hold down the Ctrl key and touch the letter Z. Windows will ask you if you are sure you want to delete these copies. You click yes and continue to “pick” more pictures until you have selected all the ones you want. Then release the Ctrl key and cut, copy, attach, or upload your highlighted selections.

]]> Comment on Extracting Images From Movie by putergirl http://askthecomputerlady.com/questions/2011/12/extracting-images-from-movie/comment-page-1/#comment-742 putergirl Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:42:23 +0000 http://askthecomputerlady.com/questions/?p=4516#comment-742 For Susan who wants to extract a frame from a movie clip and save it as a picture on her computer. I, too, use Windows 7 on my HP laptop. It came with "Windows Live Movie Maker". I open the program > click on "add videos and photos" > I then play the video and when it gets to a frame I want to copy, I pause it, then click on SNAPSHOT. It opens a new window that allows me rename it and save it to my pictures folder. Easy to do. Good Luck. If you still need help, leave a comment. For Susan who wants to extract a frame from a movie clip and save it as a picture on her computer. I, too, use Windows 7 on my HP laptop. It came with “Windows Live Movie Maker”. I open the program > click on “add videos and photos” > I then play the video and when it gets to a frame I want to copy, I pause it, then click on SNAPSHOT. It opens a new window that allows me rename it and save it to my pictures folder.
Easy to do. Good Luck. If you still need help, leave a comment.

]]> Comment on Mozy Saved My Recipe File! by JoStratton http://askthecomputerlady.com/questions/2011/12/mozy-saved-my-recipe-file/comment-page-1/#comment-740 JoStratton Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:59:49 +0000 http://askthecomputerlady.com/questions/?p=4492#comment-740 My recently received Cook'n (Version10) is not operating properly. The main problem is that I have to open it several times before it actually opens. Do you have any suggestions as to what I should do? jostratton64@shelbybb.net (Kentucky) My recently received Cook’n (Version10) is not operating properly. The main problem is that I have to open it several times before it actually opens.

Do you have any suggestions as to what I should do?

jostratton64@shelbybb.net (Kentucky)

]]> Comment on Mouse Connection by ddl1061 http://askthecomputerlady.com/questions/2009/12/mouse-connection/comment-page-1/#comment-739 ddl1061 Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:40:15 +0000 http://askthecomputerlady.com/questions/?p=2384#comment-739 Hi Frances, All you have to do to make your mouse work is buy an adaptor that has a ps/2 port on one end and a USB connector on the other end. They only cost a couple of bucks. If I could send you an attachment, I would send a picture of one. Hi Frances,

All you have to do to make your mouse work is buy an adaptor that has a ps/2 port on one end and a USB connector on the other end. They only cost a couple of bucks. If I could send you an attachment, I would send a picture of one.

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