Greenlee Gazette Gets New Computer

After all day driving around, buying a computer, bringing it home, realizing I needed parts, going out again, coming back, realizing my old router needed replacing, going out, coming back. . . I'm finally done! Well, done, until I realize I'm missing a program or something.

The new computer is a Dell Inspiron with an Intel Core i5 processor and a 24" monitor. All very cool. As always--even though I'm a veteran PC guru--there were ample headches along the way. Primary among them was just the sorting out of the spaghetti wires, and cleaning the desk area, above and below. Then putting it back. The wires are slightly fewer with a wireless mouse and keyboard, but it's still a nest.

So far--after replacing my ancient router--I've had a pretty smooth time of it. The monitor is massive. The computer is quick in everything it does, so far. The new computer accepted my old hard drive and a Light Scribe DVD burner without complaint (though I did have to run out for longer internal cables). I moved all of my music--12,000 files or more--in a matter of minutes from the old drive to the new.

The only thing I have to complain about is the long, tiring day, and the $800 bill! Also, it will be a long time before I buy another Hewlett-Packard computer.

Blogging again hopefully sometime Sunday. Good night!

New Computer: Adapting to Windows Vista

My new computer has been wonderful, and also a headache. Getting all of my software, and all of my hardware to work with Windows Vista has been a challange. I haven't figured out why everyone hates Vista yet, but I am discovering a few of my own limitations.

I started using Windows with version 3.0, and have self-taught myself all of the ins and outs. My familiarity with Windows quirks is quite extensive, but ends with Windows XP SP3, unfortunately. I sorta skipped Vista, except for the basic version I have on my notebook computer. So, the newness of Vista to me is a little baffling. Some of the file structure still confuses me, and because it is not compatible with my old (1995) scanner, I had to get a new one.

I bought a Hewlett-Packard OfficeJet J4580, which is an all-in-one fax, scanner and printer. The instructions are opaque to say the least. And though my computer is also an HP, it refuses to recognize that the new machine is family. So the control panel (referred to obliquely in the manual) says that no HP devices are installed. But it is. And it scans and prints. But I can't set any preferences or change the Fax settings. Arrrghhh. I'm far from a newby, but I'm stumped.

So I have my fourth weekend project. I will solve it. I always do. But what do novices do? I can't imagine.

Changes at Greenlee Gazette

One more time, I beg your indulgence, while I upgrade my office space. Today--after many abortive efforts, and much study--I bought a new desktop computer for my office. As you probably know, upgrading is more than just plugging in, and getting going. You also have to reinstall any software you used on your old computer, and make sure everything is compatible.

Because of this, posting may be light or nonexistent this weekend. I'll be back after everything is up to speed. My new computer is an HP Pavilion a6537c-b, with a 22" monitor and many bells and whistles. It was a "one more left" special at Sam's Club, and I just couldn't resist. I'll write a more complete review of it, as I get a little more familiar. In the mean time, thank you for reading, and bring your friends!

UPDATE: This is kinda weird. I'm sitting in my office, and Saturday Night Live has just ended. I've got my old computer (a Dell Pentium 4) performing a "Windows Easy Transfer" to my new computer (an HP Core 2 Duo). It's taking freaking forever (so it is obviously not a "Windows FAST Transfer"), so I'm typing this from our notebook computer (a Dell Celeron). So, I have three computers in the same room! Add to that The Other Half's computer (an HP Pentium 4), and the one sitting derelict in the garage (an old IBM Pentium II), and we have five computers in this house!

I think we'll leave The Other Half's computer alone for now, ditch the Pentium II, store my old Pentium 4 (in case somebody's computer dies), and pare ourselves down to three functioning computers, and one in storage. That also leaves us with a 17" and a 19" flat panel monitor, along with an old 17" CRT. I think keeping the spare 19" will do, and we'll donate the other two monitors to my bosses' sign company.

On top of this, we might be buying a new house, now that we've started renovations here! So, it has been an interesting weekend so far. How about you?