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Archive through August 17, 2009

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: General Discussions ARCHIVES: August 2009 ~ December 2009: All Things Technical: The Help Desk: Computer Problems? Ask Here:: Archive through August 17, 2009 users admin

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Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Saturday, August 01, 2009 - 9:13 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
Wireless Router. We have one with our Comcast cable internet, and it allows me to use two notebooks anywhere in the house. You do need to be sure that the other computers are able to receive wireless signals.

Don't know anything about their phone service. I kept my Qwest single line just to have a dial up backup for when Comcast goes down.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Saturday, August 01, 2009 - 11:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Biscotti, you will be able to have him do it easily. I presume you are talking about a desktop computer. You need a wireless adapter card for each computer that you want to use as wireless. (If you have a newer laptop, it probably already has a built-in wireless receiver). The advantage of having wireless adapters in your destop computers is that you don't have to have your computer in the same room where the cable comes in. For example, my cable comes in in the living room, and the two desktop computers are one in the basement and one in my office, NONE in the living room.

Okay, so you need one or two wireless adapters for your desktop computers. You only need one (for your sis's computer) if you have your computer in the same room as the high speed connection, and you can hard wire (with an inexpensive cable) your computer to the modem (which Comcast will supply).

Let me go find a link to the wireless adapters.

LINK

Hopefully that link will work. The wireless adapter for the desktop is the top item. Newegg is a reliable retailer, and Linksys is a reliable product, and that is a good price. Anything $50 and under is a good price. Not sure if Newegg could get them to you by Thursday, though.

Look at tomorrow's newspaper flyers. You can probably find Linksys on sale at Best Buy or Office Depot, perhaps Staples, but I don't have a Staples. I would go ahead and recommend you just get Linksys. People are happy with them, and if you ever need help, they have a WONDERFUL customer service section. The phone is answered by live people who speak English and know what they are doing.

So, the wireless adapter is to RECEIVE the signal in your computer. It is a piece of hardware that you (the Comcast guy, hopefully) will install IN your computer. There should be an open slot for it if you have never done a bunch of fancy stuff adding things to your computer.

Then you need a wireless router to SEND the signal to your computer or computers. Here is a link for that. The one I have is the second one down. A good price for that is also around $50-$60.

LINK

The one three below that, or fifth from the top, the one for $49 would also be fine. You just want a Wireless 54G router. (B is the real slow one, 11 Mbps, G is the faster one, 54 Mbps, N is faster still but not fast enough right now that you need it.) If you talk yourself into N, and I wouldn't, you have to have both an N router AND N adapters. Just get both G. That will be fine for you. And me.

I hope I haven't confused you. E-mail me if you have questions, address in profile, or maybe somebody else will explain it better.

Sometimes when you don't know jackplooie, you want somebody to just tell you what to get, and that is what I have tried to do.

Jimmer
Moderator

08-30-2000

Saturday, August 01, 2009 - 1:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
That's good advice. Linksys makes a very good product and the last time that I used their customer support (some time ago) it was absolutely first rate.

If she is uncomfortable about opening the computer and installing the adapter card, then a USB adapter might be a good alternative (it just plugs into a USB port so it's easier). It's a little further down the page.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Saturday, August 01, 2009 - 6:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Ooh! Excellent idea, Jimmer. Yeah, that might be the way to go, and you don't have to open the case and install a piece of hardware, although I am pretty sure it comes with instructions and is fairly easy. But yeah, I didn't even think of a USB adapter for the computer. You could get that. You still need the wireless router.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Saturday, August 01, 2009 - 7:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
The USB adapter is number 6 on the first link, the one for $37.32. You don't need the fancier one for $79 with a wi-fi finder. You will be able to find your wi-fi. It will be IN your house.

Biscottiii
Member

05-29-2004

Sunday, August 02, 2009 - 12:46 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Biscottiii a private message Print Post    
Okay! Okay! Now I'm Armed and Dangerous!

Thanks so much. I'm somewhat confused (only read this about 6 times lol) but I've got printouts of your comments, plus prints of both links with all the ones you both picked circled. So tomorrow I will peruse the ads (also have a coupon @ Office Depot for $15 off on $75 purchase) and will probably go 'do the deed' on Monday when I run errands.

I did look at Sam's Club yesterday (even though I didn't understand what I was looking at). They mainly had Linksy stuff (one router was $49.99) and everything used the "G" too. So, if I can't find any good ads I may just head back to Sams to see if these pics are the ones they have.

Prob with the USB thingy is that I'm maybe running out of USB ports on Sis' computer. Use one for the wireless mouse & one for the digital camera IIRC. What I think I will do is to pick them ALL up, then return what the Tech doesn't use. The laptop (which stays in one spot, need my desk and back support) is only 1 & 1/2 yrs old and Sis' desktop computer is only about 2 yrs old. So, like you said, the laptop MAY already be wired/adaptable, will be checking computer manuals on both tomorrow, now that I know what I'm looking for. Still, if the Tech isn't willing to help with this, I may go ahead and do the USB adapter on Sis' desktop, if needed.

Juju said: "Sometimes when you don't know jackplooie, you want somebody to just tell you what to get, and that is what I have tried to do."

Yes, that was EXACTLY what I was hoping for! And you both delivered! I figure that - if it's good enough for You Folks, it will do what all I need. Thanks from the Bottom of My Heart!

Biscottiii
Member

05-29-2004

Sunday, August 02, 2009 - 1:04 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Biscottiii a private message Print Post    
I know it seems silly to have to drag me (kicking & screaming) into the 21st Century. Software was my former career, we had IT Techs to handle the hardware. But, living on retirement income, I just have to be so cautious (esp at the rate they keep escalating the medical insurance rates).

But lastnight I was thinking. These blogs are my main source of entertainment (I definitely don't go for Bingo or bars). Also, this will resolve some Safety issues. Like, if there were a fire for example, my phone line isn't tied up so that I couldn't call 9-1-1 w/o logging off. I just hope this Comcast Tech is gentle.

Now, I just have to get my bedroom finished cleared out & cleaned up. Do you know? WRT the mold abatement crews, inspectors, plumber, contractors - now Comcast Tech - in the past 2 yrs, I have had MORE men in my bedroom than I have over the entire rest of my life! And I'm no Spring Chicken either.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Sunday, August 02, 2009 - 12:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Bics, I didn't see any good sales on Linksys G's today. It was all N, which you don't need, and in the $80 range. The prices at Sams sound good, and Linksys makes a reliable product (don't get D-Link; it is cheaper but less reliable). You can use Sams for your fallback purchase. That is good.

Your laptop probably already has a wireless card in it. If you have XP operating system, you can go to Control Panel and then Network Connections and see if a wireless card is showing there. If so, you can click on it and see if it takes you to a screen where you can detect wireless networks. I think you live in a fairly populated urban area. You might pick up several neighbor's wireless signals. You might even be able to log on to one of them if they have an unsecured signal, but you don't want to do that for a longterm solution, as it is technically stealing.

After you get your wireless system working, I would suggest you just do what I did and call the Linksys support telephone number and have them walk you through securing your signal.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Sunday, August 02, 2009 - 12:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Bisc, I was about right where you are now three years ago, one of the last people on the planet who still had dialup. I finally plunged in and figured out all the wireless stuff with some help from some techie folks on another message board. I have the $42.95 a month Comcast plan, not tied in with any other services so I don't have to have any sort of contract and can simply cancel it when we leave for the winter.

I have a university degree minor in computer science but it is from the day when a computer less powerful than your laptop occupied an entire building at the University of Illinois and was considered cutting edge for its time, LOL. I am by no means a techie now. I know just enough to get into trouble and then figure out how to get myself out of trouble again with a lot of Googling.

Biscottiii
Member

05-29-2004

Monday, August 03, 2009 - 4:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Biscottiii a private message Print Post    
Hehehe Juju, I was really surprised that the info you gave actually "SUNK IN"! I checked every ad too and they all said "N" and I said No, cause I'm just getting a "G". Why waste time running into their store?

Juju said: "(don't get D-Link; it is cheaper but less reliable)" I SAW that ad for $29.99, but said again No, I'm supposed to buy Linksys.

One thing I've learned, especially after working all the years with the crews, is that if I ask for advice and friends supply advice - it pays to TAKE it! I've never been steered wrong yet. Both you & Jimmer agree that Linksys offer excellent service, so that makes it worth a few extra bucks. Thanks for the tip on checking out later with them for security setup. I tried to check Network Connections on the laptop, but they're both Vista (dang, I miss our XPs we were forced to buy Vista crap when they crashed!) and I can't find any answers. The laptop manuals were junk too, I need to check their online help tomorrow.

It's not like I'm downloading music or heavy stuff, just Youtubes or .jpgs. After reading your info, I think I may do the wireless stuff on Sis' desktop because it's seldom used.

Her daughter did some serious identity fraud crap a year or so ago from another part of the state (keep wondering when the Law is going to be hauling her off to the pokey). So I don't put anything like Turbo tax info or banking on her computer - just in case the kid ever spends the night during Sis coming for a vacation.

Well, I got half my bedroom cleared out today. When all that mold abatement went down, it was a matter of rushing to shovel stuff ahead of contractors. I've been reluctant, but today I cleared out the kitty toys plus organized (shovelled) stuff into the closet. My kittens, Thelma & Louise, died some months before we discovered the mold so at least they didn't have to go through this nightmare. Anyway, I cried & packed and put two lawn bags of kitty toys down in the downstairs bedrm. Making progress, just have to go shopping now. Thanks again for all the HELP!

Landileigh
Member

07-29-2002

Monday, August 03, 2009 - 12:33 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Landileigh a private message Print Post    
i have a Linksys G and it's never given me a lick of problems

Cathie
Member

08-16-2000

Monday, August 03, 2009 - 4:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cathie a private message Print Post    
I got a new work laptop, first one with Vista, and am so frustrated. I have always used Paint Shop Pro for graphic editing and have tried installing 3 different versions without any success. They all worked well on Windows 2000 and XP. I tried JASC PSP 9, and Corel PSP XI and X2. I read all the help files at Corel, made sure the latest graphics driver is installed on the laptop, etc., and still no luck.

The software always appears to install without problem, but when I double-click on the app icons a brief "working" sign appears, then nothing.

We are going to a reunion this weekend and I really need a photo editing program on my laptop to procss and print photos there. Does anyone know of a tip to get these to work, or a reliable reasonably priced photo editing program for Vista?

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Monday, August 03, 2009 - 8:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Cathie, try Windows Live Gallery, free download from Microsoft. It is pretty versatile and easy to use and FREE! Just Google for it. I don't know why it wouldn't work on Vista. But just to be sure, put Vista in the search term.

Windows Live Gallery Vista free download - that should work. since it is a Microsoft product, you might have to be using Internet Explorer to download it.

Biscottiii
Member

05-29-2004

Thursday, August 06, 2009 - 8:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Biscottiii a private message Print Post    
Reporting via my NEW HSpeed Internet service and I can't thank you Juju & Jimmer & Karuuna enough! This is downright shocking, more than I was prepared for & my mouth keeps dragging the floor.

When the Comcast guys showed up (they called and asked if they could come 1 hr early) I met them at the door and asked them to "be gentle with me!" They laughed and the whole experience was great! When I showed them the router & USB adapter you suggested, they just started opening the box (I didn't even have to ASK!!!) and started hooking that up in the 3rd bedrm next to the phone connection box. Asked me to bring down my laptop which DID have wireless already (all that cleaning, and they never even went upstairs!). After setting that all up (they even did the Linksys Security Code!!) then they went into Sis' bedroom and set up the USB adapter there.

When I told them that the blogs had told me what to buy in the "G" stuff, they BOTH said I had been given EXACTLY the right advice. Said an "N" setup would have required much more, like addl card, & there's no way I could have used it enough. Said they normally don't do the router install unless I would be renting from Comcast for about $5/mo but do it on a case by case (Yeah, they took pity on an old lady) & said by doing this way the equip would pay for itself in less than a year. I got the impression, though, if I had done the "N" thing, they wouldn't have done it. They also agreed that for the stuff I'm doing the 1meg (lowest tier) at $24.95/mo forever price was all I need since I'm not downloading games/music.

They got such giggle showing me how much faster to pull up things like Youtube or popping in a youtube tape and watching me. What lovely guys and they answered EVERY question, like Sis and I can BOTH be on the internet at the same time! If I don't get a request for feedback tomorrow on my new email acct, I'm writing the company (no mention of the wireless to get them in trouble tho).

I sure hope TVCH doesn't archive or take this thread away. I would bet more people will have need of the info you provided down the road. Again, THANK YOU!

OMG! Even the cowgirl clipart doesn't take 5 minutes to pop in here! Unbelievable!

Jimmer
Moderator

08-30-2000

Thursday, August 06, 2009 - 8:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
That's great Biscottiii! I'm happy it worked out so well for you and you had those nice guys to help get you started. It's good you were prepared for them with all the equipment as well so they could set it up for you. You'll sure enjoy having the huge speed increase and before long you'll be wondering how you did anything without it.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Thursday, August 06, 2009 - 10:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Yay Biscotti!!! I want you to know I did even think of you today and wonder how it went. You had not reported back on what you ended up buying where, but I figured you had probably gone to Sam's and got the Linksys G stuff. I am glad it went so well, and that they even set up the security code for you. Kudos to Comcast installation guys.

Isn't it absolutely amazing the difference it makes? I held out with dialup for so many years, and I regret it. There is a whole other world out there, which you now belong to.

Um, you wrote your security code down somewhere right? Now that you have your own "wi-fi" you can have somebody visit you, and they can bring their laptop, and they can log onto the internet using your wireless connection. You just have to tell them the name of your wireless connection (hopefully the Comcast guys asked you for a name, but if they didn't, it will be Linksys something by default, and it will be the strongest signal you can receive), and then give them your security code. When they try to connect, they select your connection from among the choices that appear, and then a popup will appear asking for the security code, and they enter it twice, and are in!!!

Biscottiii
Member

05-29-2004

Friday, August 07, 2009 - 12:00 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Biscottiii a private message Print Post    
wi-fi, I thought that was some sort of game, like my Sis stood in line 2 yrs ago Christmas.

"your own "wi-fi" you can have somebody visit you, and they can bring their laptop, and they can log onto the internet using your wireless connection."

Now, I understand why those Comcast guys got so excited telling about visitors bringing their laptops & how I can go out to some coffee places to do my stuff (don't think so, but the coffee sure sounds good). They wrote the security code on my pink customer copy of the invoice (no carbon copies) and both brought up several times how I need to keep this info safe, heck yes I always save my receipts. (Now, Juju I begin to understand why, thx).

Biscottiii
Member

05-29-2004

Friday, August 07, 2009 - 1:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Biscottiii a private message Print Post    
Okay, you're probably gonna think I'm a chump WRT my purchasing efforts. So I will lay it out & hope you don't laugh at my efforts.

I had that rewards card at Office Depot, $15 off $75 purchase. Armed with ALL my blog copies & circled links saying what I should buy. Asked what aisle, it wasn't clear. Then, I got their Computer Expert (Baby Boomer looking) guy coming forth to direct me (wouldn't you know). He agreed with Juju & Jimmer's thoughts and spent about 15-20 minutes further educating me. Got Juju's router (on sale $59.99 down from $79.99) and Jimmer's UBS adapter @ $49.99.

Okay, I'm happy and headed for the checkout counter. Bounced out my $15off - but THAT'S why I even came into your store! Back of the card in VERY tiny print, it says Not Valid for any technology or consumer electronic products... sorry, the print is so small that I can hardly read it even now with my reading glasses so I can't say precisely.

Went ahead and paid, feeling miffed. However, the Baby Boomer guy HAD spent time talking and I have a problem with people getting free advice, then heading for Walmart to buy cheaper, just me. Only ONE "G" router left on that shelf, I would have looked kind of obvious and it wasn't his fault for the Rewards which weren't a reward.

Okay, now Sam's is just across the street, needed milk anyway. So I went back there to see what they really had. However, NOW that I know what I'm looking for, it turned out that it was an Adapter with "G" acceptability which I went ahead and bought just in case (Comcast Guy didn't like as much as Jimmer's thumbnail Adapter from Office Depot) for $50. At Sams, the router and everything else turned out to be "N" @ $99.99, I was wrong from my 1st venture.

So, all I have to take back is the Sam's Adapter for $50 and so, what the heck, Office Depot made a sale keeps it in the neighborhood. But the Office Depot guy spent time with me & Comcast Guys were happy, so I think this worked out fine.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Friday, August 07, 2009 - 11:34 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Yay Bisc!!

Yep, that security code is important. BUT, if you lose it or somehow screw it up, I think you can always push a reset button somewhere on the router (might have to insert a ballpoint pen point, so you can't reset it by accident) and go back to no code and then put a new one on later.

What I do with stuff like that is store it in an online e-mail account. I have a folder there named SAVE, and I send myself e-mails with important codes and numbers in them and file them in my SAVE folder, so it is physically out of my house if I would lose the paper copy, or fry my hard drive or something.

That was a decent price on the hardware, so don't worry about it. You had almost NO shopping around time.

Iheartkaysar
Member

08-16-2005

Sunday, August 09, 2009 - 11:52 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Iheartkaysar a private message Print Post    
I use Firefox and I get terrible picture quality. Everything is flat and two-dimensional. Is there a download I can use to improve my picture quality?

Jimmer
Moderator

08-30-2000

Monday, August 10, 2009 - 6:33 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
I'm not sure what you mean by picture quality? Do you mean the quality of graphics that are displayed in your browser? Do they look better if you use a different browser like IE?

Grooch
Member

06-16-2006

Monday, August 17, 2009 - 8:21 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Grooch a private message Print Post    
Help! My coworker's computer just got infected w/ the Total Security virus. Does anyone know how to get rid of it?

Retired
Member

07-11-2001

Monday, August 17, 2009 - 9:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Retired a private message Print Post    
Grooch, I found this

Link

Sounds like your coworker might have to boot into safe mode to download the suggested program in order to install and run it.

Good luck.

Grooch
Member

06-16-2006

Monday, August 17, 2009 - 10:06 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Grooch a private message Print Post    
Thanks, Retired. I gave up before I read your post and I had the computer guy come and pick up the computer. I'm not paid enough to try to figure this stuff out. lol!

Retired
Member

07-11-2001

Monday, August 17, 2009 - 11:56 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Retired a private message Print Post    
You're welcome. I'm sure the computer guy will know what to do.