laptop
 

As most of you know, I'm soon to be the owner of a laptop computer gifted to me by so very many of my friends here on this forum and some of the others. To you and all of the un-named people I will be forever thankful. The time is fast approaching when I will actually be able to make the purchase and we have been researching steadily.

We are almost ready to settle on this one from Circuit City:

Toshiba Satellite 17" Widescreen Notebook PC (P205-S6237)
* Intel Pentium Dual Core T2080
* 120GB hard drive
* Burns DVDs and CDs
* 1GB of DDR2 memory
* Built-in 802.11gb wireless
* Windows Vista Home Premium

It comes with a free: Printer, Router & Software after rebates and we can get In-home PC setup and data transfer for an extra $99.99 (we can sit it up on a table in the bedroom that will swing over my bed with the printer on the night stand)

Consumer magazine rates this one highly and the store is only about 50 miles away, so we can get service or problems taken care of easier.

I've learned everything I know on a Windows set up so I'm afraid to try to learn anything different. One of the serious symptoms of Sjogren's is brainfog and I was already brainfogged before I even knew I had that disease.

This will be the Cadillac of laptops and I've intentionally asked my husband to research for the larger screen as my vision is a serious issue. I really didn't expect one this nice, but am in awe that we can swing one like this.

Many, many thanks to all of you!!

Do any of you have any comments on this choice? Good or bad or anything. I'm asking before we try to purchase.

Billye

Sounds great!
 

I see it here on the website...
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Toshi...oductDetail.do

My son says: If you buy online there are often price incentives.

Looks really nice! You go girl!

Sounds Great
 

I am so happy for you and glad that I was able to be a small part of your choice. I say go for it, expecially with all those incentives! What a deal this sounds like - everything you need and then some.

How are you feeling?

Happy computing. http://bestsmileys.com/computer1/6.gif

Oh, this sounds like a really cool item!!!!

:hug:

Have a good time on it and keep posting.
Hope you're feeling up to snuff!!!

Love, mel

Yes Mrs D!
 

That's the one! I can't tell you all how excited I am. It's not a dun deal yet because Kmeb is still gathering the wherewithall and she has medical tests as well as funds to clear. But it's close enough that I'm getting very excited. Since all of this happened with my sacrum injury, I've dreaded the time I usually devote to the computer. Because it means sitting.:eek: You all know how much I've dreaded sitting over the years because of the area the neuropathy has chosen to inflict it's torture on. But this makes that look like a walk in the park.

This is really a good computer deal and I can't tell you all how much this means to me. There is just no way to thank you all. I know some of you and the thank you button on the forum is one way of thanking you, but it's not the real thank you I like to be able to do and there is always the chance I'd fail to thank someone if I missed a post. But from the bottom of my heart the thanks is there and you'll all probably get sick of the thank you's. But here's another one:

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) :) :)

Billye

Hi Billye;

My husband bought me a laptop for my birthday almost two years ago because I, too, have problems sitting. It is absolutely wonderful. The best gift I've received, ever! You will love it.

All my best,
Nancy-H

Billye:

Does it come with a webcam attached? You can take a picture of you lollying around using the laptop!!!

I for one would love to see a pic of you all nice and cozy with your hands tapping away on this thing.

Now isn't technology a fine thing???

mel

Billye
 

I am so relieved to think of you with a big big screen sitting on your lap. And the idea of a webcam is a good one. Although most of the time I'd rather prefer nobody to see what I'm looking like at the point I'm sitting at the pc!

Some computers even have them built in now.

Im just really glad you got a big screen.

Webcam?
 

No webcam Mel, I don't think it comes with a webcam, but we'll try to get a pic to post, if we can. I'd like everyone to know I actually got one. But you aren't getting one until I can get to someone for a haircut :cool:

Liza Jane,
It's not a done deal yet, but this is the one we've settled on.

Billye

Webcam
 

My came with a webcam built in - (didnt even realize it until I got it home) - turned it on once and that was it! I decided if I ever used it I'm putting on a mask- made me really nervous! (dont want to scare anyone to death!) :eek:

Billye
 

When i was diagnosed with Sjorgren's 14 years they told me it will cause,
well you know. i'm so glad you mentioned the brainfog. That's the
perfect word. Good luck sweetheart..:hug: :hug: Sue

WebCam?
 

If you don't want to be 'watched' by who knows who...well, that's what post-it notes are for!
I am glad that you are getting the kind of screen that can help you SEE..! And, of course, being selfish [just a little bit], enable you to BE with us! Your grace, knowledge and simple stoicism about all your issues and their complications has, I know for SURE-been an inspiration to me, and I believe to others. We are all trying to show our love and appreciation as best as each of us can.

Just know that there's more good out there than we all can imagine! It's there, we just have to find better ways to share it all!

Hugs and soft fuzzies for all of your hurting places! :hug: 's - j

Duel core/ Intel, 1 gig memory, wow, she's a power machine plus all the extra's thrown in the deal, incredibly good deal i think.
ENJOY :) :) :)

Dahlek:

I am confused. I use my webcam to take photos of anything in my room (like me or Alan's muscles for example), then I save it to "my pictures" folder. Thats' how I got my avatar on the left side of my postings. Mrs. D reduced the size of the image and mailed it back to me.

And when I wanted to share my pic of my potatoes, I took a pic, saved it, and uploaded the image to photobucket.

Now I know what post it notes are, but what does that mean in relation to a webcam??

Thanks, Melody

My
 

Brother said ater seeing this got it,i told him to take a look see,
he just got it. So if he thinks it good i sure it must be,he was
into computers working for Fords. He's retired but still teaches classes.
I'm just surprised at the price, may you get whatever feels good
to you. Thank goodness for web cams that's the way i saw my 3 week
grandchild being born..Prices are really good now.

I want to say i know when my 29 yr. old son had Thyroid Cancer at the age
12 i'm not sure what we would of done without the help of our family.
Bless you both. And we get you to help us what more can we ask for.
Gentle :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: Sue

Apples come with webcams built into the case.
Be very careful of Vista. Check it out everywhere you can that is not a M$oft site. My son bought a dual core Toshiba similar to this one about 6 mos ago. A lot of his programs he had - will not run on vista without an upgrade ($$) - or missing drivers, or upgrades not available yet- too new.
He contacted Toshiba- they said they were 'working on that...."
Try to see if you can get it with XP Pro(not Home) & with ability to upgrade to Vista... later.(like 1 or 2 years when they issue SP's & get the bugs fixed -just like XP SP2 had to be done)

For Nide44
 

I've printed this for my husband. Thanks for all your help.

Thanks to all of you once again. :p

Billye

I don't know anything about Vista except it being a bit of a memory hog, but if its anything like Microsoft's normal new OS's, they can be a pain in the backside whilst they sort out all the bugs.
If you got XP loaded up and then decided you wanted Vista later on. then you will be up for the cost of an upgrade disc, a way around this if you want want to keep Vista and use it now, then if you have a spare Win 2000 or an XP OS disc, which most will have when upgrading, just get them to run a dual boot on it with Vista as being the 2nd one loaded, so you can still run any programs that aren't compatible with Vista on Win2000 or XP whilst Microsoft fixes up all its bugs on Vista.
This is the way i have my PC setup, a choice of win 2000 pro or XP home edit'.
good luck
Brian :)

Melody she means to cover the webcam so that the person you are talking to c ant see you, if you dont want them to

Vista Question - Brian? RFinney?
 

Hi - not sure about this but I believe a member posted that if you start with XP and then upgraded to Vista later (Rfinney?) - you have to reload all your programs - settings, etc and new drivers.... a huge job (I had to do it repeatedly with a defective computer I had this past year - 6 times - took a huge physical toll on me cause I couldnt afford to have computer support come out and do it for me so sat for days reloading software (especially six times! - too expensive..)... Brian, your suggestion sounds good - but how do you do that? RFinney - I think you had comments about the OS system change on reloading?

And on webcam - mine is built into the lid of my laptop so I cant move it around - just stares at me! Would be great to have one that was mobile and film stuff going on around the room if I needed one!:confused:

"Melody she means to cover the webcam so that the person you are talking to cant see you, if you dont want them to"


Okay, I'm a dumb broad today!!!! Who is she talking to that she covers the webcam with post it notes!!! I don't talk to anyone with my webcam. I just make videos or take pics.

You can talk to people and use the webcam??? Oh, I think I know what you mean!!!!!!. Are you referring to Instant Messaging while you see the other person, or....when you have a microphone and you are talking to the person and you can see them via the webcams???

Now why on earth would you be talking to a person via a webcam and you wouldn't want them to see you!!!! Don't you have to give them your IP number or something like that?

Years ago, when my son had a webcam and we had a webcam, the first time, we used it to see each other, he did the yahoo messenger thing and I got a message on my screen that "Frank has invited you to view his webcam". I clicked on "accept" and there was my son, right in front of my eyes and then we talked via the microphone. Now it was a garbled conversation (this was 5 years ago, and I gather technology has improved right). But I'll tell you, it was the most exciting night of my life. Here we are, 3000 miles apart from each other and there he was, clear as a bell, right on my computer screen.

He no longer has a webcam but I never forgot what it felt like to see him on the computer.

I have friends (who have computers, and their kids have computers too) and they have grandchildren. But the grandparents do not have webcams. And I say "are you crazy, get a webcam for under a hundred bucks and you can "visit with your grandchildren, see them change on a daily basis. It's free because you are on the internet". They just shrug and say "no, I don't know how to hook it up, it's too much of a hassle!!!"

Boy, I'll tell you something. If I were a grandma, I would be seeing those kids all the time. That's how they don't forget their grandmother and grandpa!!! It's a way to reach out and stay in touch. You can make videos, they can make videos of their artwork, of their school work, you can mentor them. Grandparents are very important. I would have made a really cool grandmother, that much I know.

Oh well!!!!

Hi to all of you, and bye for now.
Mel

Using an XP disc, keep pressing the delete button whilst starting the PC, then set the boot order in BIOS for cd first then [C] hardive 2nd, save and exit, reboot with XP disc in player and away it will go, you must format all the hardive and it ask what size partition you want, say 30 gigs for XP and 90 gigs for Vista.
once thats all done just let the disc do its job, it will ask you simple questions along the way, its easy as, then load the motherboard drivers using INI files first, check in device manager to see if all drivers are installed if they are thats all.
With win 2000, use the 4 floppies then the CD.
Put the Vista disc in and select the second partition [D] for the vista installation and do the same, then load all motherboard drivers, and printer, etc.
Its easy but a bit time consuming, but i really meant for the shop to do it for her, they can do it easily whilst serving customers.

Upgrading XP to Vista i would think you would have to do a fresh installation then load Vista upgrade [ i think not 100% sure ]

Brian - another question
 

Thanks - that made sense...

Another question - what do you back up to? I had been using imaging software - but the latest versions were incompatible with many of my programs (and ironically their own virus program, which I use and like) and corrupted files - so axed that... I'm now using a simple program called "Karen's Repllicator" (the name of the program is a total coincidence!) - so I can at least back up all my data etc - and have external hard drive that just plugged right into the system - I have backups set for things like music library, data, pictures, "favorites on inet", express, etc... the external drive was inexpesive, and again, simple to hook up! no software required or anything.... just thinking about BIllye here - having lost all my I-net sites etc before was not fun and I know shes on the net lots!!!!!!:confused:

Since this is a computer thread I have a question about my HP Printer.
It's an HP Deskjet 3940.

I purchased my HP Media Center PC last year, my older printer (which I adored, and was an HP Photosmart printer 895 (at least I think it was a 895), well it cost us $250 when we purchased it and it had all bells and whistles, was a real heavy thing, worked perfectly, and if you wished, you could program to print pictures, etc. (I never did this). I did print photos off of my "my pictures" folder, but I really used it mainly as MY PRINTER!!!

Now as I said, it worked perfectly with my Windows ME. But then I go and get this media center thing, (with XP) I try and hook up my beautiful expensive printer and I am told "This is not compatible" So I phone up Microsoft and they don't provide drivers any more for anything to do with Windows ME. I then phone up Hewlett Packard and I'm told "you can't use your old printer with Windows XP, it's not compatible"

So I went and got this piece of cr*p. And I'm being kind here. Not that it doesn't work...sure it works. But it's like a tinker toy compared to my Photosmart printer. I got this one at Radio Shack. Paid $59.00. What does that tell you??? I thought, wow, what a good deal!!! It was the only one they sold (that's what they told me when I got the computer through them.)

So I get this Deskjet 3940 (by the way, this is the second one, they had to replace the first one, it kept jamming). Well, I hate this printer. It reminds me of a Tinker Toy!! and it's light, it moves around too easily. To me, my old photosmart printer (well I loved that printer).

So I gave that old one to my friend and she has webtv from MSN and she loves this printer. The ink cartridges were very expensive but at least they lasted for a length of time.

Now the ink cartridges for this tinker toy thing, well it's #21 and on the ink cartridge it says HP-C9351A.

I absolutely hate this printer and the ink cartridges don't last for anything. They cost $18.00 in the computer store and I went back there the other day saying "you know, I bought an ink cartridge here last week and it it already out of ink. Do they make a better cartridge?,and she said "no, this is the only one for your printer". So my printer is a piece of junk. And I don't print every day. Only once in a great while.

So here's my question.

What printer (better than the one I have) when I save up some moola, what printer can I get for my HP Media Center, Windows XP computer??.
I will not go to Radio Shack any more.
Anybody know which printer I should purchase. I really hate this one!!!!

I just need some suggestions.
Thanks,
Melody

I just use Nero Enterprize with good quality media, seems to do a good job for me.:)

Zany fun with Sjorgren's
 

I got a new router and router table last month. I made two beautiful picture frames and trim for four bookcases on it. I don't know what a router has to do with computing, but it's your money to spend as you wish.

My dad had a Cadillac. I hope your new computer will be more dependable than his Caddy was. I know what people here are talking about. His electric Windows stopped working and we had a hard time seeing the passing Vista for all the smog in LA. Your new Cadillac will probably work better in Texas. At least I hope so.

Oh, and congratulations. May you have many happy years of use out of it.

P.S. My other router is a Linksys. It's been totally dependable for the past three years, is fast and completely transparent, was inexpensive, and was very easy to set up. We run two computers and a laptop off of it. Be aware that immediate neighbors can run their computers on your network if they have a WAN card. That doesn't bother me since I don't pass tax info or credit card numbers etc. on the network, but it's something for you to be aware of. You can run password protection and encryption, but that slows the network down.

Billye - another thought
 

Sorry to keep bombarding you with information!

I believe you said you have problems with your hands hurting, etc.. too.. mine are numb and what helps me a lot is to use an external mouse instead of the mouse pad right on the laptop... (they are very inexpensive) - also, another inexpensive but potentially helpful item - a USB hub that has extra usb ports - just plugs into a port in your puter - and then you can plug more items into the hub (the one I have doesnt have to be plugged into an external power source - some do - which is less hasssel) - and allows me to leave hooked up my printer, scanner, mouse, I leave the camera cord in to download photos, and also can use it for MP3 player etc.......

:winky:

Whooooah
 

I thought all I had to do was turn it on! :D

I'm going to print all of this for hubbie, but it is all greek to me at this point. I'm going to learn tho. I'll start with the basics and find my way thru it. I'm one of those that believes in reading the instructions before I start. I've taught myself to use a PC just doing it as I go. I've never had a lesson but I'm not afraid to just try to work it out. I've got lots of support hubbie and best friend here who is very computer literate. And I've always got all of you all to ask. :winky:

David,...I posted this and then re-read your post. I thought "what does this man mean about routers not having anything to do with computers?" It just now hit me what you meant about the router!! :) Shoosh! I'm dense. Quit picking on me. I've been sick. :)

Thank you all so very much for all the info.
Billye

Hi Billye

I am thrilled that you are getting what you want to make life that bit more enjoyable and most of all - keep in touch with us;) I am watching every posting on this thread and thought I would offer one more site for you to look at regarding your chosen laptop. I am not suggesting it is bought from Amazon, just that there is a lot more info on their site. BTW they have made a mistake in screen size, it should be 17" as they mention in their description later on. Here it is:-
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Satell...902210&sr=1-24

Whatever you do enjoy Billye and by the way how are you feeling?!!! I hope you are improving quickly.
Take care - Tony :hug:

Billye - in case you would like to read Toshiba's actual info on the P205-S6237 here is their site. BTW I don't want to get involved in any controversy over Vista but Bob and Brian do have a point. Please be careful.
http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/...368658&seg=HHO

Tony :hug:

Billye/Superlady - I just hope you can really
 

GET the most adaptable, usable system for your needs...Your recovery is going to be long...and probably painful...I for one am truly grateful we could pool resources in a way that YOU can get not only what you want, but what you need...and then some!

One thing you HAVE been silent about tho, is HOW ARE YOU DOING? Good, bad, indifferent? We care, you can tell and we worry and you are obtuse about how you are doing..is it set-backs? just plain PAIN? or new wrinkles? I sure hope you've not fallen and are afraid to tell anyone! Well, you know!

More soft hugs and insulating fuzzies to cushion any 'incidents'...I hope you are well past the 'bedpan' stage! [Went thru that this winter w/my knee-very humbling!]

:circlelove: - j

Question about bedpans!!
 

I deleted my post about a separate topic.

Melody

You really don't have many/any
 

CHOICES?

Amended as requested! I'd had my 'puter off due to a thunderstorm going by! - j

Sort hugs and fuzzies - and DON'T FALL any more - please?

Thank you all,
 

Dahlek and Melody,:hug:
This subject would be a good thread in itself and I've got a lot to contribute to it,:o but I'd really like all the info we can get on the subject of the laptop here in one spot in case I try to link up someone to it to understand what we are all talking about. I really hate to put Mel's note about being in the hospital and using the bedpan in front of the computer store salesman. :o It all prints out on one page when I print. I'll post a separate post about my condition.

Billye

Billye:

I removed the post.

All the best,

Mel

Billye,

I just now read through this thread and and have taken a look at the Toshiba you want to buy. I have owned quite a few Toshiba notebooks - for many years I used one all day at my office. I have had good results from them with fewer than expected problems or repairs. In fact, I still have one of those at home that my wife prefers to use over a newer one. The reason: the keyboard is roomier than on most notebooks. The Satellites typically offer this kind of trade-off.

This particular Satellite continues in that vein - it has the closer to full sized keyboard in exchange for a slower processor. In fact, that would be almost my only concern about this unit. Frankly, it is on a dead-end Intel platform that is being completely phased out. However, that may not really matter at all. If you are going to be doing web surfing, emailing, and word processing, then it should be fine. I would suggest trying to bump up the RAM to 2 GB. On a machine like this, it will make a difference.

The above paragraph leads me into asking what else do you plan to do with this machine? Is there any of your own software that you are planning to load onto it? How about any hardware items, such as printer, scanner, etc.?

You can get a machine with a more up to date processor for about the same price, but of course it will have its own trade-offs. The only other thing that I see missing is Bluetooth. I am a bit surprised that it is not included, but for you I am thinking it won't make a big difference. If you were really going to use this as a "portable" unit, then it would be a problem. But it sounds like not the case - please let me know if you are thinking that you might want to lug this around a lot. It certainly will be fine for some lighter-duty stuff, but it is just too heavy for day-to-day transport. And actually, it is lighter than a few others in its particular class.

I know there was a suggestion you look into buying online. I would agree that you should check it out. Usually all computers are sold at a discount online, although this type of machine is probably not as heavily discounted as some. And it sounds like you need/want the other stuff they are throwing in, so you may not do too much better online, but I do hope you check.

kmeb,

Yes - you are right. I did post about trying to buy XP and then putting
Vista on later. The only proper way to do that is to do a fresh install by wiping the partition clean. Then you have to reinstall and reconfigure all of your programs and software. Not fun at all.

It is possible to do a dual-boot setup. Once it is correctly set up, theoretically it is easy to do. A potential drawback is that at some point, such a setup is very likely to get corrupted. It is not really a big deal - I had one that get doing that for a month until I figured out the cause. So, someone needs to be technically comfortable with such a setup because they will have to repair it when it breaks. Fixing is usually quick and easy, but some folks may not want to mess with it. Another drawback is disk maintenance, which now becomes more complicated.

I don't think this kind of setup makes much sense for most folks, with the exception of gamers and some folks who special software/hardware needs. Anyone buying a new machine now needs to know if they are in that category, but if they are not, then dual-booting XP and Vista, is a needless complexity that is anti-productivity. Now dual-booting Windows and Linux -- whole other story.

Rfinnery, :D here we go again, :) mate a dual OS setup done by someone that knows what they are doing can come in very handy, eg- some pc users are crippled if their one and only operating system goes a muck, it may only need a driver to get going again but seeing they have not got another OS they can't use the net to get one downloaded, so they are in trouble, on the other hand with a dual setup it enables the user to switch over to their other OS which is normaly running perfectly and they can download a driver or go to Microsoft for help or whatever they have to do to get it running again, it gives the user the opportunity to get themselves out of trouble, without the hassles of going without their computors until a pc tech can fix it for them, of course a hardware problem is a different story.

So mate, i can't see how it is needless complexity that is anti-productivity, if you have not got a pc to use, thats when its in a anti-productivity state.
I have never had any file corruption because of having a duel OS either, i can only see that happening if the user caused it themselves, by moving unscaned files from one partition to the other.
Having a duel boot using either Linux or another Windows OS would create the same amount of maintenance on the disc anyway, which is no big hassle.

My idea of having a dual boot was that if Vista was coming with the deal why not have it installed anyway, its not going to harm any other OS on the same drive, saves a bit money down the road if wanting to upgrade later on, it will probably take quite a while before Microsoft will have the bugs out of Vista, therefore having a proven OS like XP or win2k to fall back on would come in very handy as a backup.

I have been doing some reading about Vista today as i didn't know much about it than it is a memory hog, which i do now agree that another one gig of ram would come in very handy as running Vista needs 1 gig itself, so to run any other programs the extra memory would be good idea.
What i did read today was that XP & Vista will live happily side by side if another small primary partition is setup initially, because Vista like to be setup in a primary partition.
Computors, aren't they fun :D :D

all the best
Brian :)

I didn't read through the posts but my uncle is a computer guy for a job. I am clueless anyways when I got my laptop I called him. He recomended the inspirion 1501 and I know my mom got it with some upgrades and warrenties. I really like it so far though only have had it since the winter.

Brian,

Ask yourself if you think Billye understood everything you were saying. I do not really disagree with what you are saying about dual-boot, at least as it applies to folks with some technical skills and knowledge. As I have said to others here, my recommendations are based on what I think is best for her. And I just don't think that the dual-boot system you are talking about makes sense for her. I could easily be wrong. I do feel sure that from this discussion she will know if she wants to go this way or not.

Frankly, I do not understand why you keep making statements about Vista. You admit that you know very little about it, yet you are quite willing to make recommendations to her about what she should do. Some others here have been guilty of the same thing. Just ask yourself, if this was a medical treatment, would you be so willing to make such a recommendation based on what you know?

Why is it that everyone who dabbles in computers thinks they know what is best for someone else? I have seen so many mis-statements, it is just disheartening. I have tried to steer away from getting into direct arguments as it just deflects away from the real purpose - to help Billye. But I would be glad to debate you about this, but how about in another place?

I will respond to questions from Billye, or make other comments that I think will be helpful for her. I will not enter into debate in this thread.

rafi