Computer whiz!

Sure!  Not!


So to give you my tale of woe, and how I spent most of yesterday, let's just say that I become more and more sure of the fact that I should leave computers alone!


I did manage to set up the Home Group aspect of the two computers.  That's something I never quite could accomplish on the Gateway.  My disappointment however was that I was hoping I could access the internet using that set-up.  Nice try!  


That brings up another problem.  Years ago Comcast came out to fix my internet.  The tech got into the programming part of the internet on the desktop and this laptop.  When he did the desktop, I asked if I could also use the laptop connected to the modem.  He did something to both computers, and only the laptop would connect to the internet.  I didn't know this until he left.  Being the way Comcast is, I didn't call them back about the problem.  I didn't like it because that meant no modem and I was tethered with a laptop.  Not the way you want to be.


Well, now I figured out that there is something that will preclude ALL computers from accessing the internet using that modem, and I really believe that is the problem with trying to set up a modem even through this computer that works on the modem from Comcast.


To get around the password problem, while I had it opened, I set up another account.  Somehow I was able to get the same wrong password in so I could act as administrator.  That enabled the new used account.  I figured I could just put all my files there.


Well - back to my story.  I was worried about not having a CD RW on that little computer.  But I DO have a CD reader upstairs that goes with the big machine.  It works just fine with the computer up there.  If I want to write to something, I bought I huge external drive for back-ups.  So problem solved there.  The little computer has three USB ports. And I found the cable that moved the files from the old computer to the new one. Problem solved on that front.


I am able to get all my embroidery stuff on the little one either through thumb drives, the read CD, or the internet.  It has good internet capabilities.  Even though my phone will not work at the SSB, it certainly will act as a pretty good hotspot here in town.  Slow - but better than nothing.  


Also, I was able to solve the password problem.  Solving that problem caused another problem, but that was solved too.  I Googled password retrieval.   There are a lot of programs out there.  And that's where I felt "snake bit" again.


I tried to buy one of the programs.  It was touted as being $10 with an absolute guarantee that there was money back, and they would "never charge anything more" to the credit card.  


I bit.  I tried to buy their program.  It wouldn't take my credit card.  I have shopped on line for years.  I have never had a problem - at all.  Well, I tried a couple of times to get the company to take my card, but I kept getting an error message.  Then I looked further and there was a free site for these programs.  There was freeware out there!! I downloaded that baby immediately.  Put it on a thumb drive, and was ready the next time I booted.  It worked like a charm.  There is  no password on that computer now!  I was successful.


Later on Saturday afternoon, I was working on those bags when the phone rang.  To cut to the chase, unusual activity was noted on my card.  They asked if I had purchased any computer programs for $30.  I didn't own up to the fact I had tried, but I did say no.  I was scammed by that company.  Fortunately, the charge was removed and the card suspended.  Thank heavens!  Some things never end.  I hope that one has.  So much for their empty promises!


To sum it all up - I have a computer that fits better where I need it.  It has everything I need - including a 125 gig hard drive.  I know they make them even larger now, but for the money, I have a machine that will meet my needs for a long while.


Now I need to turn my attention to Comcast and this modem.  Then I don't have to take my cell upstairs to have internet access on that computer, and this laptop can once again be used away from the tethered line!


Peace.

Isn't there something else to talk about?

I'm talking about the weather here, but I do have something else to talk about - - before the weather.

I am having a problem with good old Blogger right now. I don't know why or how it happened, but I cannot post comments to any Blogger site. I know - keep my comments to myself. Yes, that might be a good plan.

I really am not sure this will make it to electronic space, but I am trying.

The weather for some folks just keeps on hitting and hitting. I am so amazed at how much damage has been done to lives and property. These tornadoes are devastating. I pray for all who has had their lives torn to shreds.

We continue to be dry and windy with very little humidity. Strange weather for Swampland. I expect it for the SSB, but now here. Friday night was a scare when the chatter or Facebook was about a huge wildfire in the next county from us. It was already a little south of us, and is now (yes that's right - people are being told to get out) continuing on a south trek. It is only about 60% controlled. What's going to happen next?

OK - Friday afternoon and I better get ready to do something else since daughter called and the Mexican restaurant time for the crews has been cancelled!

Success at last

- and I may not throw this computer as far as I can! Then again, I very well might when it takes a mind to do whatever it pleases like it did just a minute ago.

Since I had to transfer my programs to this computer, I have had three crucial programs that wouldn't run properly and/or required new installation including new passwords, etc. One guy and I almost came to blows through the computer over one, and wouldn't you know it - it is the most crucial to me. We had ourselves a breather, and then wonder of wonders, this computer decided to work properly. Just boom and things clicked. The program ran like a clock.

It is so nice to know I can take the computer with me this weekend and work on the avalanche of embroidery designs. And hey, it will mean that I can devote my time to the computer instead of cleaning. How wonderful. Daughter and crew won't be coming (even though SIL wants to come so badly) because Monkey Boy had a t-ball game. It will be his first with this team, and for some reason she sets great streak to the first and the last. Oh, well.

Shadow goes to have the staples removed tomorrow. I can't help but being cautiously joyous. Two weeks ago I thought we had a dying cat. Here I was thinking that I hoped someone would be good to him when they had to take him when G and I are gone since our cats live so long, and what does he do? He tries to die on me!

I have some questions that I need to write down so I can remember them. If the answers go my way, I can say this has truly been a wonderful day. Three programs all settled here in my computer ready to go to work for me, and a cat that will live a while longer!

Peace be with you.

Back again

Hello there, let me introduce myself since I haven't been around here for a long time ... Well, it's almost that bad! The wonderful Swiss Army Knife of a mobile phone isn't ! Their internet coverage reached about half way to the SSB. That meant DAYS without the internet, and alas without being here!

When we got home, the backup battery was buzzing, a fact that took me about 15 minutes to diagnose. I went through each and every electrical thing in the study. I finally tugged on a cord in that sea of cords under my computer desk, and it let up. Ummm. I may be on to something here. So I pulled the backup/serge protector out and it was what was buzzing. Yeah - I am electrical wizard!

Then I looked at the new modem. It was dark. No lights happily dancing across the front of that black box. I unplugged it - I was sure. It still didn't light up with its happy little lights winking at me. Obviously, it was Comcast's fault. After all they have been here twice for it not working. First time they replaced a cable. Second time it was a cable and the modem. Their fault for sure.

So yesterday, I called and told them it was dead, dead, dead. And I was sure this is the problem because they have been out, and I checked it. It was dead. They said they would be out today. TODAY! Wow! That's a miracle. So I went to move some of the sundry wires and cables about - push them further to the back - and I thought I would re-connect the modem. You guessed it. It looked like a Christmas tree. So I told them "something had come up" and I had to cancel. Well - it was true! Sorta.

Later I decided to try to install the new router. I tried the new (old) computer that G brought from work - free. We installed Windows and thought we were on our way. It has been a paper weight for quite a while now. I was going to hook it up, and I did. Today I tried to go on line. I don't have the necessary drivers. Well, how 'bout that.

I went back to the old stand by. Re-hooked all her lifelines. Tried to go on line. I can 't. I have to call Comcast after all. Seems these days when you change hard wire hook-ups with different computers - the setting on the modem are wrong. I can't get that one on-line either.

So, ladies and gentlemen. We present Grandma K by way of the wonderful Sprint network. It works like a dream in the city. Oh well. Hello, Comcast? Yes, perhaps you CAN help me over the phone.

Peace be with you.

Wonder of wonders

I did something today I thought I would never do. I used to laugh at my kids for this very thing. I would mock commercials on TV. I thought this was absolutely silly and a waste of money. But I have joined all these people. I bought the top of the line Sprint carries. I think there might even be an app to make dinner in there somewhere.

SIL and Daughter took me to the store where they purchased their phones. You see I accidently knocked my air card on the floor when changing files from the Gateway to the new Dell. It shattered into three pieces. Well the cover came off and the sim card came out. When I went to the AT&T store, I could buy a new air card for $99 and add two more years on to my account. Since I am having a brain fart, I think I already went on and on about this. I have told every soul I know and even whined to a fence post.

Anyway, this contraption that owns me now is even its own hot spot. Right now the thing is laying there, plugged in to the wall, gaining strength to overtake me. It is scaring me to death. But it will get on the Internet itself. It just points to my inability to type. I tried to log onto one of my gmail accounts in the store. I never made it.

So now I have two entirely new applications to learn. I really miss the old XP. It was like a good old robe. Soft and fuzzy. Now I am using this Windows 7 wondering where some of the programs I downloaded onto it might have gone. I finally figured out how to make the icons small. They used to fill the whole screen.

So I have the new phone and the new computer. At least my phone bill will be less - in fact about half of what it was when it was cell phone with air card. I am curious about the speed of the new phone/computer/television/and who knows what else I have to find.

Filled with the internet - depleted with the money.

Peace be with you.

Computer Wars

As I sit here in my fuzzy state because the physical therapist will be here about 9:30, and I have only had a single cup of coffee, I have to reflect on yesterday"s fiasco.

The lap top has been acting wonky, so I have been trying to salvage web sites, passwords, etc from it before it may expire completely. It was really acting up yesterday, so in my great wisdom, I thought it would be wise to run a scan to try to clean up the hard drive - anything to see if it helps.

My "subscription" to McAssee had lapsed. I wasn't too upset because I have what consider a great firewall, so I didn't re-subscribe. I thought I could use the old program to run a scan on the computer. Guess what? NO, Nope Nada. You haven't rented us again. You just think you own this program. You have only been renting it all these years. If you want to check your computer, pony up the money, sweetheart.

So I did. Then came the download. I didn't sign up for a life time of sitting at my computer, trying to get the program to download. But that's what I did. At first, I couldn't get the program onto my computer. The error message kept popping up that the download couldn't start.

I guess the trojans lurking in the far recesses of the hard drive threatened the little new program. It was too timid to even open. Finally about 5 yesterday, the program downloaded. This after about twenty restarts of the computer.

Last night I went to bed with the killer doing its thing on the computer. It had gotten to about half of the hard drive. Sometime in the middle of the night, the virus killer completed its task. I turned on the computer this morning, and there were the results. There were four items, including of all things a trojan from FIREFOX. Ye Gad, this is supposed to be the safe way to surf the internet. What would I have had if I had been using the terrible Microsoft Explorer. Mmmmmmm, yeah.

So that's what has been going on with this dear little lap top. She is no longer bright and shiny. She sports some information taped to her large keyboard. She has a few dings, I mean after a;ll, she has quite a few miles on her having traveled from here to the SSB and back. But I love her more than the first day. I have proven it by buying her a new lap top cooler. The other one proved to be no where near as sturdy as she.

What a way to waste a good summer afternoon, right? At least I got a lot more of my novel finished by reading while waiting!

Peace be with you.

I'm back, I'm back!

I'm back in more ways than one. Yes, we are back in Swampland after an exciting weekend full of testosterone. The guys were really a lot of fun. They provided lots of laughs, especially when Contractor Dude decided to sit in the high grass. He ended covered in chiggers. Bad move! I would spend another weekend with them.

I'm back in the land of the internet. I don't know if my problem was the air card, my computer, Firefox or all of the above (or none of the above). I would get on line, and then I couldn't get anything done. The internet would just lock up. The air card showed it was well connected and working at its break neck speed (3.5 Mbps). But after a bit, I couldn't get anything in or out. I would then connect to Explorer, and things would work some better, but the end was the same. Anyway, I am connected this morning.

One of the things I did get accomplished was to get pictures of the things I have been working on. I will get them downloaded today. I want to post them on the website, and I will post some here also.

I have lots of time to work on the pictures today, and tomorrow, and so on until next week. I got word of the sewing machine. They finally got to it yesterday. It seems everyone brings their machines in this time of year. I guess we are all busy little sewers! Anyway, they have the USB port ordered. I guess they don't stock them. I must be the only idiot they have! The amazing part of this story is that it is going to be covered by the warranty. I broke the thing. It was my fault. But, I'll gladly take the warranty! I do have to wish I could get it back sooner because I have so much yet to do and so little time. After I get it back, there will only be a few days before the show.

Peace.

One day I don't want to have again!

From the beginning, today has been the pits! I hope I never have one like this again. Allow me to share.

When the alarm for G went off at 6:15, I knew I needed more sleep. But I got up to let the cat out of his crate, let the dog out, and turned on the tv so he could get traffic alerts.

When he left, I returned to bed, setting my alarm for 8:45, which is a much more civilized time of day. The alarm went off, and I reached to the bedside table for my glasses. They were not there. I knew Shadow had been climbing all over me, and he had gotten on that table, but I didn't think there was a problem with the glasses. There was.

I searched and searched. They were no where. I looked for my next oldest pair. They must be at the SSB. That left me the newest that I cannot see anything with. Now that I have a new driver's license, I am restricted to driving with glasses. Oh, my.

I am still searching and the phone rings. I thought it was daughter, but it was the man from the generator place (the one we ordered mid-June, that is sitting in the backyard, finally, but not hooked up). He looked into our problem with the installation. I discovered last night that our original salesman no longer worked for this company. Well, C gave me his name and direct line. We'll see what happens here.

I go back to look for my glasses.

Oops, it's overtime for Simone's pill. She decides this is the day to fight me over that blasted pill. The phone rings - again.

This time it is Daughter. Now yesterday she didn't call at all. Neither Simone nor I have had breakfast, and I still am wearing glasses that make the world blurry. This morning, she talks, and talks, and . . .

After a long while, she decides to go to work, and I get the pill for Simone again. This time she takes it.

I go back to looking for my glasses. I have a dental cleaning 11. It is almost 10. I finally find them. They are peaking out from under the bed. I swear they weren't there an hour ago.

I come into the kitchen to prepare Simone's food. I know I don't have time for coffee. That's bad. But I get my breakfast together.

I go back to the bedroom to get dressed. I am almost dressed. The phone rings.

Now, you have to understand I go days without a phone call (with the exception of Daughter). My cell phone plan has 450 minutes. Usually 400 roll over. But today, I am Mrs Popularity!

It is my DIL's mother. She has investigated rolled turkey roasts for the family reunion. I will tell that story tomorrow. The roasts are EXPENSIVE!!

I come in to boot my beloved laptop. I want to be ready to get on line when I get back from the dentist. It doesn't load right, and I have no internet. The internet is working, but my ISPs are not allowed. In fact, even my firewall can't activate.

I installed the "recommended update" for the air card yesterday. It changed a lot on this computer. I really don't know what all, and the kicker is that even the air card wouldn't access the internet. I am calling ATT today - when I catch my breath. Their update is a disaster. Right now, all programs for the air card have been removed.

Last night was the real beginning of my terrible times. I really wanted to watch Hell's Kitchen. G wanted to watch the PBS (it's begging time, so they have decent programming) program on Steam Engine trips. Well, he rarely asks to watch anything. I bopped into the bedroom to set the timer on the stone age VCR. I did that. When I went to check the program an hour after it aired, there was no program. That VCR is difficult to set. When we had a power outage (see - need the generator), the wrong date was put in. So no Hell's Kitchen. I guess I'll try HULU after a bit.

I so hope your day is a good one. Someone on this earth needs a good day!

Peace.

Such service

On Wednesday, the person from the title company that was handling the closing of the lake property called - while I was out for a few minutes, of course, saying they were going to send the papers to G's email at work. In fact, they had already sent them.

He looked them over and saw that only one lot was listed. So that had to be corrected. His IT people at work told them the system would be going down at 6 pm, so he told the title company to send the updated paper work to my main email.

Normally, that would be fine. Yesterday - not so much. The day began with a call from Daughter. Her sitter was sick, and Son in Law was still in Arizona. He would be landing about 10. So I went over. I took my computer and logged on to her router. There was nothing new in my mail.

Son in law did come in at the appointed time (for a change). I went home and logged on here. Things were fine until about noon. My server went down. Wonderful Comcast! (It's acting like it may again.) I had no service. So I called G at noon and told him to check my email.

Finally yesterday afternoon, the papers came in. We had to take them to a notary to sign, and they wanted them back TODAY! Anyway, we got it all done. The papers went off at 5 pm. They should arrive today.

The notary was at the bank. I never go into the bank. I will go through the drive through and hit the ATM. That's it. She showed me all the new things they offer. I am now in the 21st century banking!

So the property is gone. It is the way it is. It's time to move on.

Peace

Yes, I'm here

And I have been here all weekend, but C*mcast has not been since last Thursday. This has been horrible.

I thought I was having computer problems on Friday. I even deleted a program that I suspected of conflicting with my logging on. That wasn't the problem. My problem was one of those slow, insidious little things. I would get error messages that F*refox couldn't find the host. Then I would switch to M*crosoft, and it would fix things - somehow. Then it got to where it couldn't log on.

I fiddled with the modem on Saturday. It wouldn't respond to my sweet murmurs. I couldn't coax it into life. So I bit the bullet and called. I tried letting them send a refresh signal. Nothing. I was beginning to sweat a little.

I called. I was disconnected from the first person. The second tried deleting my modem and then reconnecting it. Nothing. So I had to have a technician come out. The first available appointment? Today between 2 and 5.

Well, the good news it that I am up and running. Thank heavens. When I went to my Y*hoo account, there were something like 350 messages. Most were ads from the groups, but even so.

I went to lunch with G and Daughter yesterday. I asked her how much her air card was. You know - it isn't really any more than my cable connection. I think I am going to change. Then I would have service at the SSB - even though it is s l o w. I know this from Son In Law's. But that's ok. I would have it on vacation this year too. I won't have to pay for internet at the hotels. Yea!

But more than anything - I am back in touch. I can respond when I am directed to a web site. Yes! Things are good.

Peace.