HELP!!! Computer problem! [Archive]

blackthorn

11-12-2018, 03:32 PM

A couple of weeks ago Gail's computer began to show signs it was going to die. So, before that happened, she decided to purchase a new computer, which she did. She got the new PC from Staples here in Kamloops and part of the deal was they were to transfer everything from her old PC to the new one. That's when the problems started. It appears the "Tech" (and I use the term loosely), is almost totally incompetent (or just plain lazy). The PC was supposed to be ready in a couple of days but it was not. Staples had the computer for over a week and when we finally went in to get it the tech said all was done except programming the printer to the new PC. Gail told him she would figure it out herself (which she did). She also found there were several things that had not been transferred. She has been successful in recovering most of the data/pictures etc., but she is having problems getting her ability to produce Word Documents to work. She cannot produce a word document at all. The OS is, of course Microsoft Windows 10. Can anyone help? I should also state I am almost computer illiterate and Gail is no expert either (but miles better than I am) so any help should be couched in terms simple. Thanks.

marek313

11-12-2018, 04:42 PM

I'm not a big fan of Staples or Best Buy and their geek squat but anyway. I'm going to leave file transfer alone because I dont know which folders they were going to move etc. Microsoft Office though doesnt come with new PCs. Some might have a 30 day trial version installed but one way or another it will need to be purchased and licensed. If you dont want to spend money of MS Office try Open Office which is free. Its slightly different then Office as it has to be otherwise MS would sue but it has essentially the same functionality as MS Office.

https://www.openoffice.org/download/index.html

Texan74

11-12-2018, 05:11 PM

another option would be to dual boot and run Linux. it really wakes older systems up and its all free software.

popper

11-12-2018, 05:13 PM

marek313

11-12-2018, 05:22 PM

another option would be to dual boot and run Linux. it really wakes older systems up and its all free software.

Thats not a realistic setup for someone that doesnt know much about computers. Me and you can run multi boot platform but Linux isnt for everyone and even more so if you dont specialize in IT and your only familiar with Windows. For standard users Windows is easier to use.

Down South

11-12-2018, 05:26 PM

Correct, Office suite does not come with win10, must purchase separately - you can buy one with it installed. If getting a new computer, buy a large external hard drive (NOT a thumb drive!)and copy anything you want saved to it. Reverse process for the new machine. It is also a good backup for YOUR files (not the OS files) that you should maintain off the computer. Wipe the hard drive from the old computer (smash it is best solution).

What he said. I have a portable hard drive that my computer backs up to. "I have to tell it what I want backed up".
Also correct, MS Suite does not come on new computers. You have to purchase it.
If you have the MS CD's and the key, you may be able to install it on the new machine.

CastingFool

11-12-2018, 08:57 PM

Imo, windows 10 is worthless. Microsoft did a job on the consumer. XP was a much better program

dragon813gt

11-12-2018, 09:09 PM

Thats not a realistic setup for someone that doesnt know much about computers. Me and you can run multi boot platform but Linux isnt for everyone and even more so if you dont specialize in IT and your only familiar with Windows. For standard users Windows is easier to use.

I agree w/ this. I’m computer literate and Linux isn’t easy. And it certainly doesn’t run like windows. I was running it in a virtual machine on my server to see if I could switch to it. The answer is no for many reasons. It has its place but for the casual user it’s not there yet. It’s definitely leaps and bounds ahead of where it was even a few years ago.

To the OP, have her download Libre Office or Open Office. Both are free replacements for MS Suite and they’re fully functional. Don’t pay Microsoft when there’s a fully capable free product to use. I prefer Libre because Open Office likes to crash constantly on my laptop. And the recovery feature is a joke.

nun2kute

11-12-2018, 09:43 PM

I am in the "I need to take a computer 'Class'" class. Somehow I managed return my laptop to windows 8 from 10 (hated 10) I did it angrily (lost everything not on external drive) and don't know what or how I did it, but I not angry at it anymore. Never liked MS Office, found Open Office and like it, I have it on a Laptop which doesn't go "Online" much at all. Haven't had any problems with it crashing yet. (Knock on Wood) I took my best laptop to a Tech to get help once, (150$) he made the mistake of mentioning that all they did was do "Updates". So that's what I do now. So far it's worked out for me. Good luck getting yours working, I definitely feel your pain !

Boolit_Head

11-12-2018, 10:16 PM

You just ran smack into one of the failings of windows. The registry causes more problems than it fixes. The best way to backup and restore files to Windows is to use something like drop box to keep them synced up to a server. Then when the computer dies you replace and not restore things. You reinstall programs and the important docs are synced back down from the server.

I am a MCSE and expert in multiple Unixes and Linuxes. I build hi performance compute clusters for a living. When a Windows box has issues I tell them to reimage/reinstall it. It's not worth the time to fix it.

WarEagleEd

11-13-2018, 01:50 AM

To the OP, have her download Libre Office or Open Office.

Both of these are good. I use Open Office on a stand-a-lone computer at work mostly for the spreadsheet application (think Microsoft Excel). I have Libre office on two personal laptops and desktop. I am sort of in the process of weening myself off of Microsoft Office products and over to Libre Office.

Ed

Land Owner

11-13-2018, 09:11 AM

The Microsoft junk software on Windows 10 machines that is supposed to simulate 2013 Windows Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) will work for about 90-days and then require you to purchase a license (PAY TO PLAY) in order to print, input spreadsheet line items, etc. That STINKS! What an underhanded trick! Plus, it will not open former MS Office files.

Here is a $12.99 opportunity (free shipping) located on Amazon.com that is compatible with 2018 Windows 10, MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. For that low price, it is worth a try:

https://www.amazon.com/Business-Microsoft-Alternative-Compatible-PowerPoint/dp/B00N3F15I0/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1542114374&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=microsoft+windows+10+64bit&psc=1

Wag

11-13-2018, 11:40 AM

Someone said it earlier, she has to get the Microsoft Office software installed on the new computer. If she has the installation CD from the old computer with all of the registry codes, she'll be able to install it without any difficulty.

Even if she has the registry codes, she can download the installation file from the MS website and install it that way. (We don't use CD's any more! :-) )

--Wag--

DerekP Houston

11-13-2018, 11:49 AM

Save yourself some money if you aren't computer literate. Install "Libre Office" (you can google that spelling) and you should be able to open your old documents again. Don't pay for the microsoft experience if you don't have to, if you don't use any of the advanced features just about any word processor will work for you.

DerekP Houston

11-13-2018, 11:50 AM

I agree w/ this. I’m computer literate and Linux isn’t easy. And it certainly doesn’t run like windows. I was running it in a virtual machine on my server to see if I could switch to it. The answer is no for many reasons. It has its place but for the casual user it’s not there yet. It’s definitely leaps and bounds ahead of where it was even a few years ago.

To the OP, have her download Libre Office or Open Office. Both are free replacements for MS Suite and they’re fully functional. Don’t pay Microsoft when there’s a fully capable free product to use. I prefer Libre because Open Office likes to crash constantly on my laptop. And the recovery feature is a joke.

lol i should've have read your response first, it covers all my points. I switched my grandparents and parents to libre office at the win 10 upgrade.

DougGuy

11-13-2018, 12:32 PM

Yep, the Libre Office suite is all FREE and does everything M$ does except cost you money! I run linux on all mine and it comes already bundled, it opens all M$ document files and works great.

Want to do something cool? Get one of the 120gb SSDs that Newegg is selling for $20-ish bucks each free shipping for Black November sales, and disconnect the Windows drive, connect the SSD and install Linux Mint LMDE3 edition, it is built on Debian and is very stable and VERY easy for a windows user not only to migrate from windows to linux, but you can download the LMDE3 .iso file and burn it to a USB stick with a free app called Etcher, then boot from the USB and you can run the full installation of linux without even installing it to hard drive, so you can try it out.

I’m computer literate and Linux isn’t easy. And it certainly doesn’t run like windows.

You haven't ran any of the recent builds of Linux Mint! The Cinnamon desktop version is very much windows 7 looking, it is simple and unadorned with playskool colors and bloated M$ junk, the menus all open nicely when a cursor is held over them, I recommend you try the LMDE3 edition that is out now and rethink linux!

DerekP Houston

11-13-2018, 03:41 PM

I'll give you credit, mint is pretty painless and I run some VM's of it for my homelab, but asking my dad to use it was not the same as giving him windows ;). I'm still on cinnamon 19, i'll see if there's another flavor released but it does run a nice lightweight OS.

dragon813gt

11-13-2018, 05:14 PM

You haven't ran any of the recent builds of Linux Mint! The Cinnamon desktop version is very much windows 7 looking, it is simple and unadorned with playskool colors and bloated M$ junk, the menus all open nicely when a cursor is held over them, I recommend you try the LMDE3 edition that is out now and rethink linux!
Tried Mint and Cinnamon about three months back. There’s a learning curve and to many issues for me to switch. I’m still running 8.1 and have had minimal problems. Until this laptop dies I’m not changing. I will continue to try the new versions as they come out. But as it stands I’m not going to switch.

popper

11-13-2018, 05:45 PM

Installing office (or Win) on a new machine isn't all that easy. MS uses a hash system to ID your copy AND the computer, they want to to pay to re-rent their SW. Sometimes it will install but not run, or sometimes you get the note that it is pirated.

NyFirefighter357

11-13-2018, 11:13 PM

Download Apache Open Office it works the same as Windows Office but is free. I did it and haven't looked back. IT will also open your existing windows docs. https://www.openoffice.org/

When your done you should copy your hard drive to an external Hard drive and is it as your main data storage. This way when your computer dies all you need to do is plug the external hard drive into your next computer and you have all your data.

2T or 4T external hard drives are as little as $69 https://www.google.com/search?q=external+hard+drive&client=firefox-b-1&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiP7N_-99LeAhVKnOAKHRZRBhMQ_AUIEigB&biw=1181&bih=964

WarEagleEd

11-14-2018, 12:45 AM

When your done you should copy your hard drive to an external Hard drive and is it as your main data storage. This way when your computer dies all you need to do is plug the external hard drive into your next computer and you have all your data.

Believe it or not, Microsoft makes a pretty easy to use little app/program called SyncToy that can be used to backup files to an external hard drive. It is the progam that I use for this purpose. When backing up your files it looks at the date the file was last modified and if the file on your HD has a newer modified date than the one on your external HD (or wherever your backup destination is) it will overwrite that file with newer version. I'm no Microsoft fanboy, but if you are running Windows, SyncToy is a good, simple app for backing up files.

flyingmonkey35

11-14-2018, 01:13 AM

dragon813gt

11-14-2018, 08:15 AM

Believe it or not, Microsoft makes a pretty easy to use little app/program called SyncToy that can be used to backup files to an external hard drive. It is the progam that I use for this purpose. When backing up your files it looks at the date the file was last modified and if the file on your HD has a newer modified date than the one on your external HD (or wherever your backup destination is) it will overwrite that file with newer version. I'm no Microsoft fanboy, but if you are running Windows, SyncToy is a good, simple app for backing up files.

No need to use that program. File History is built into the OS and is accessible from the Control Panel. Set it up once and don’t worry again.

blackthorn

11-15-2018, 01:30 PM

Thank you to all you wonderful people who posted computer advice for us at Ralph's request for information. I downloaded LibreOffice and it works wonderfully...I can also access all my old documents as well. Your support has been deeply appreciated! You're awesome!!! Prayers from all us Canadians for those affected by the terrible wildfires in California. Take care of yourselves...always thinking and praying for our allies in the US! Gail McMillan

Tackleberry41

11-15-2018, 02:59 PM

Buy a new computer, buy a new copy of word. Just way microsoft operates.

I use a free one off the internet.

DukeInFlorida

11-15-2018, 04:03 PM

IF you have the original disks that installed MS Office on your old computer, and therefore the legit serial number for it, you can use that to install the suite on your new computer. I did that when I upgraded from an old laptop with Win7 to a new desktop computer with Win 10 (which I love, btw). I had to call MIcrosoft, and the fellow was very helpful (once I got past the language issues. He was obviously off shore somewhere). It required uninstalling the suite from the laptop, which was easy after transferring all the work files to the new computer.

Additionally, there's a utility that is worth buying for helping move all working programs from an old computer to a new one:
ZINSTALL (https://www.zinstall.com/products/zinstall-migration-move-to-new-computer-to-windows-7-with-all-your-programs-and-files-no-reinstalls?rf=c3a2-6&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiY3z5JfX3gIVCgNpCh1jrQxpEAAYAyAA EgI21_D_BwE)

I bought it, and connected the two computers through my network, and it transferred everything perfectly. Basically making a clone of the old computer onto the new one. It's a well spent $119. I ran it with the anti-virus running (they warn you that it will take a lot longer that way), but I wanted to be safe. Took a day and a half, and it was done. Without the antivirus running, it would have been done in a couple of hours. It's a safe to use utility.

That's my two cents worth.