[CanJan]

New Toshiba Laptop has been sitting here for a month; occassional MS updates, occassional virus scans - but no use at all - It's like an elephant sitting in my livingroom!!

I really need some hand-holding - like Where is "My computer"????? I feel like such a dunce <sigh> I have been in computers from day one - back in the good old DOS days; moved slowly up through Win 3.1; '95; '98 and XP Pro - Why can't i figure this one out?

Anyone???? (It scares me that this whole forum thread is EMPTY!!!!) No-one but me find the transition difficult?

[pam4gators]

It is now just computer, when you click on the circle window at the bottom it is in there. Basically it is the same as old windows but they made it more eyepleasing. There is a way to get everything looking like windows xp but right now I cant remember where that is.

[Sarah in VA]

Ok. First of all there are different versions of Vista. I have Vista Business, so mine might look slightly different, but they are all basically the same.

Pam told you about the Big Circle Window at the bottom left. That's the biggie. That's the "Start" of Windows XP. When you click on that you'll see a box come up with a large section on the right with a gray background. Your name, or the name of the computer should be at the top, then Documents (this is My Documents) and will take you to Windows Explorer, Pictures (My Pictures) Music (My Music), Search, Recent Items, Computer (This is My Computer), etc.. Also on this list is the Control Panel. You can select whether you want the new look or Control Panel Classic!

When you go to Documents to see your folders, be sure to go up to the menu bar and click on View. There are several ways you can view your folders, in the Medium, Large and Extra Large Icon options, the folders will be partially open and you can see what's inside.

This is a start. Just click around and discover. You'll be comfortable with it in no time. I sometimes have to work on my husband's computer which has XP and I think, "How strange!" I really do prefer Vista.

If you have any other, and especially specific problems. Just ask again.

Hope this helps get you started.

[sunnie2004]

yah just gotta play with it it is totally differnt & after almost 3 weeks or more I am just getting used to Vista I still dont like it but it is getting easier.

Best of luck!!

Caren

[Sarah in VA]

Caren,

Isn't this funny? You think Vista is totally different from XP and I think the differences are almost transparent! That's why they call them PCs - Personal computers. We are all just as different as our computers. The wonderful part of it is that we can all communicate.

To me, the operating system is just that - something that operates in the background and supports the programs I use to do my work. Which, for the most part, haven't changed, thank goodness! Using Vista, or any new operating system at first, reminds me of someone else cleaning my kitchen. All my things are still there and still work the same, they just may be in different places, and unexpected places.

C'est la vie!

[CRS]

I didn't even realize there was a Vista forum! I like Vista, now that my computer has more memory. I don't know if my problems were related, or an kink was worked out at the same time, but I really like Vista now. I've had it almost a year, and I remember how frustrating it was at first. I had the hardest time figuring out where to find my screensaver and background info!

Don't hesitate to ask more questions!

[Kricket]

I love my Vista! I have Vista Home premium.

When you hit the circle on the bottom left of the screen it brings up a smaller screen and you will see a "start search' using this will help you find programs, files etc. hitting All Programs will give you a list of your programs.

If you right click on the circle on the bottom left and go to Properties you can change to a classic menu - I haven't tried this cause I like the Vista setup.

It took me a few days just playing with it but I would not want to go back to XP. Hopr this helps!

[sunnie2004]

Sarah in VA, on Feb 19 2008, 08:57 AM, said:

Caren,

Isn't this funny? You think Vista is totally different from XP and I think the differences are almost transparent! That's why they call them PCs - Personal computers. We are all just as different as our computers. The wonderful part of it is that we can all communicate.

To me, the operating system is just that - something that operates in the background and supports the programs I use to do my work. Which, for the most part, haven't changed, thank goodness! Using Vista, or any new operating system at first, reminds me of someone else cleaning my kitchen. All my things are still there and still work the same, they just may be in different places, and unexpected places.

C'est la vie!

Lol Sarah so true but I truely wish someone would come & clean my kitchen up LOL I am getting used to it It is taking me a while the files seem to be placed differnt or should I say almost worded differnt.

Here is to learning new things!!!

Caren

ps well put Sarah!!

[bthornton17]

I love Vista - I love how the files are more 3-D. There are minor differences but playing with it will get you used to it. The biggest changes I had to deal with were in Office 2007 not Vista. The only big difference is Vista is a RAM hog, but I have 2G so it works pretty well. I can upgrade to 4 and thinking of doing it.

Keep playing and you will find things fairly easy.

[Sarah in VA]

Upgrading to 4 GB RAM is a big help. So glad to begin to hear some people say they like Vista. I agree with you Bethany, the biggest changes for me were in Office 2007 - again, things still there, but just in different spots, and the new features are fantastic!

[PBarnes]

I have Vista Home Premium too and like Sarah, I didn't have any problem switching from XP. I know a lot of people have problems with Vista, but I really can't say that I have.

[nicole_j]

me too. I like the search and the help stuff that pops up is really helpful... solved a few problems that way.
Hope you find your way around it soon.

[sam]

Hi, I have Vista Home Premium and have been using it since Feb 07. I love it and can't say that I have had any problems. Even my PSE4 and PSP9 worked fine since the day I loaded them.

Don't forget to check out the Microsoft Windows website. It should be listed under Favorites. There are all kinds of demos and tutorials to help you become familiar and comfortable with Vista. I found it very helpful when everything looked so foreign.

Hope that helps a bit and Good Luck.

Sharon Here's some fairy dust to help you out.

[cricket331]

I've had Vista for a year now and love it. I'm like Sarah, it's an operating system I find it easier to work with, and I like the "browser" type back button, and the 3d, look. I have 4gb of RAM so that helps a whole lot. You can always do a search on google to find tutorials, or try about.com, and look under computers.

good luck

chris

[Canyon Momma]

Ooh. Today is a bad day to ask about Vista. I have had it for a year and have loved it for the most part. BUT last night I got the upgrade for CS3. I was so excited to use it. But I have been wrestling all day trying to get it loaded. AAARRRGGGHHHHH!!!! I have to get familiar with it before Saturday because I have a 2 day workshop this weekend. Sigh. Off to work with it some more. Good luck with your Vista. I am sure all will be fine.

[SodScrap]

Hello!

All 3 of my computers have Vista! When I first got it last summer it was frustrating, however, it was on the laptop that I didn't use much, so I was going back and forth!

I love Vista! Every now and then I still get stuck at something quirky, but it's all good!

[CanJan]

pam4gators, on Feb 19 2008, 06:16 AM, said:

It is now just computer, when you click on the circle window at the bottom it is in there. Basically it is the same as old windows but they made it more eyepleasing. There is a way to get everything looking like windows xp but right now I cant remember where that is.

OK - I'm back (some day if anyone is interested I'll describe a week in "this Old House" in the midst of an extreme canadian Winter!)
Thank you so much to all who are responding! found "Computer" - Whoopee But still cannot find the program I downloaded. Hmmmm I know it went into a folder called downloads - but have not located it yet!

Thanks for getting the ball rolling Chris!

I don't mind sharing that I'm in my 70's and determined to master this - What other choice do I have? <Grin>

[CanJan]

Sarah in VA, on Feb 19 2008, 08:18 AM, said:

Ok. First of all there are different versions of Vista. I have Vista Business, so mine might look slightly different, but they are all basically the same.

Pam told you about the Big Circle Window at the bottom left. That's the biggie. That's the "Start" of Windows XP. When you click on that you'll see a box come up with a large section on the right with a gray background. Your name, or the name of the computer should be at the top, then Documents (this is My Documents) and will take you to Windows Explorer, Pictures (My Pictures) Music (My Music), Search, Recent Items, Computer (This is My Computer), etc.. Also on this list is the Control Panel. You can select whether you want the new look or Control Panel Classic!

When you go to Documents to see your folders, be sure to go up to the menu bar and click on View. There are several ways you can view your folders, in the Medium, Large and Extra Large Icon options, the folders will be partially open and you can see what's inside.

This is a start. Just click around and discover. You'll be comfortable with it in no time. I sometimes have to work on my husband's computer which has XP and I think, "How strange!" I really do prefer Vista.

If you have any other, and especially specific problems. Just ask again.

Hope this helps get you started.

Thanks so much Sarah, So "Documents" is the window to all files on my hard drive? I don't see a download file there
By the way this is called Vista Ultimate - and is on a Toshiba Satellite 17" screen. Because I needed the best video card I could get,
It was on sale - but with no other programs than the OS - so I need to understand everything in order to get programs I have loaded on it, and get some freebies downloaded as well. I managed to download and save the Lavasoft Ad-Aware program (2007 Free) that I'm using on the XP but cannot locate it. When I get that figured out, should be able to do a bit more.

[CanJan]

CRS, on Feb 19 2008, 09:03 AM, said:

I didn't even realize there was a Vista forum! I like Vista, now that my computer has more memory. I don't know if my problems were related, or an kink was worked out at the same time, but I really like Vista now. I've had it almost a year, and I remember how frustrating it was at first. I had the hardest time figuring out where to find my screensaver and background info!

Don't hesitate to ask more questions!

OK - I'm asking : Where is my screensaver and background info? Oops - never mind the old right click on the desktop still works!
None of my own pics or digi scrapping on here yet, but I changed my background photo at least - small steps CJ, small steps....

Oh dear - playing always gets me in trouble - I saw "briefcase" clicked on it and now have this "briefcase icon on my desktop. Afraid to delete it, so I will just move it to one side for now - interesting read - about "synching" laptop files with another (desktop) computer - that might come in handy when I know what I am doing!

[CanJan]

Kricket, on Feb 19 2008, 11:45 AM, said:

I love my Vista! I have Vista Home premium.

When you hit the circle on the bottom left of the screen it brings up a smaller screen and you will see a "start search' using this will help you find programs, files etc. hitting All Programs will give you a list of your programs.

If you right click on the circle on the bottom left and go to Properties you can change to a classic menu - I haven't tried this cause I like the Vista setup.

It took me a few days just playing with it but I would not want to go back to XP. Hopr this helps!

My problem is I have very little time in the day to "play" <sigh> OK - I tried the search and found things - It presents a little crazy - I asked for "downloads" and it came up with everything - and evidently it is not directly under "C" drive, but under C:\Users|Jan|Downloads.

So my first question is how do I simplify this - skip "User" altogether????? Would like my files directly under C:\

Then I found the downloaded Lavasoft Application and tried to run it - Got this error:

C:\Users\Jan\Downloads\Lavasoft Adware\aaw2007.exe is not a valid Win32 application. Now what?????

[CanJan]

bthornton17, on Feb 19 2008, 12:22 PM, said:

I love Vista - I love how the files are more 3-D. There are minor differences but playing with it will get you used to it. The biggest changes I had to deal with were in Office 2007 not Vista. The only big difference is Vista is a RAM hog, but I have 2G so it works pretty well. I can upgrade to 4 and thinking of doing it.

Keep playing and you will find things fairly easy.

Oh great news about vista being a RAM hog <sigh> have 2 gigs - but had that in XP and PSE5 still froze up on me, been in the habit of deleting history and closing files and saving frequently, even with the upgrade to 2 gigs of RAM (on the XP) had hoped this better video card would solve the problem, but I'm a long way from even loading PSE5 on the laptop. As mentioned - this came bare bones with no software, and I'm not likely to have the $ for an Office Update. (Shhh don't tell Uncle bill - but I'm going to experiment with one of the Freebie "office" look-alikes.
I'll continue with the Desktop XP for any needed office procedures. I just gave away the 512 RAM chips; wondering if this laptop has room for more chips or will I have some more chips to give away if I upgrade to 4gigs RAM???

[CanJan]

sam, on Feb 19 2008, 10:21 PM, said:

Hi, I have Vista Home Premium and have been using it since Feb 07. I love it and can't say that I have had any problems. Even my PSE4 and PSP9 worked fine since the day I loaded them.

Don't forget to check out the Microsoft Windows website. It should be listed under Favorites. There are all kinds of demos and tutorials to help you become familiar and comfortable with Vista. I found it very helpful when everything looked so foreign.

Hope that helps a bit and Good Luck.

Sharon Here's some fairy dust to help you out.

Thanks Sharon, I did go to Microsoft - didn't find much - I googled for Vista tutorials too - lots of them - and they all want to sell me a course or a book. I know I can lick this if I get enough time at it! If I could just get a hold of the concepts - I have always worked directly on my hard drive - I want to see it, organize it - folders; subfolders; sub/sub folders etc.... so far I just cannot visualize vista <sigh> I'm not familiar with the different "Vista's" - this one says "Ultimate" but that could be at the bottom or the top of the Vista ladder - I have no idea. I will be continuing to use the desktop XP for years to come, so the more I can relate one to the other the better it will be for me I think?

[CanJan]

cricket331, on Feb 19 2008, 10:35 PM, said:

I've had Vista for a year now and love it. I'm like Sarah, it's an operating system I find it easier to work with, and I like the "browser" type back button, and the 3d, look. I have 4gb of RAM so that helps a whole lot. You can always do a search on google to find tutorials, or try about.com, and look under computers.

good luck

chris

Chris - thanks for the about.com site - I found a tutorial there that should fit the bill; still getting errors though. I was just scrolling the page in this tutorial: and a window popped up: Internet Explorer has encountered a problem with an add-on and needs to close >>>>
the add-on is flash.ocx from Macromedia so look like my only option is to click the continue button ..... goodbye tutorial! Also notice that my Google home page that used to be simply www.google.ca now has /webhp tacked on - anybody know what that is????

Will try the tutorial again>>>>> Lost track of time - Must get some sleep>>>>> Will try to bookmark the tutorial in about.com and continue another day. Many thanks to everyone - I'll be back here as soon as I can


Scrap Girls ROCK!!!

 BlueHugs.gif (6.39K)
Number of downloads: 0

[CanJan]

Canyon Momma, on Feb 19 2008, 11:10 PM, said:

Ooh. Today is a bad day to ask about Vista. I have had it for a year and have loved it for the most part. BUT last night I got the upgrade for CS3. I was so excited to use it. But I have been wrestling all day trying to get it loaded. AAARRRGGGHHHHH!!!! I have to get familiar with it before Saturday because I have a 2 day workshop this weekend. Sigh. Off to work with it some more. Good luck with your Vista. I am sure all will be fine.

Hope you solved your problem Tracy! My biggest problem is in finding my PSE5 Disk so I can load it on the laptop; have already given hubby the PSE4 so I can't fall back on that - I do NOT want to spend money on upgrading to PSE6 - but where oh where did that CD go???? Been looking high and Low for weeks now <sigh>

[cricket331]

CanJan, you should try the firefox browser. I think it's so much more stable than IE. It rarely crashes and they have so many really cool add ons. There are other little differences that I love, like when your reading your newsletter in the browser, when you place your mouse over the items used, it brings up the name of the item before you even click on it. Something little like that really made reading the newsletter even MORE enjoyable if thats possible

[Sarah in VA]

CJ,

Good to see you back and I'm glad you're getting more comfortable with Vista. I know what you mean about working from your hard drive - or the C drive - I'm very much a Windows Explorer oriented computer user. And it really is all there, just in different spots. The Downloads folder is in the User folders, just under the Documents. I think what confused me at first, especially was that the Program Files were not in the Documents! And you can still scroll down and find the C drive, if that's what you are looking for.

When you have time to explore (not having to produce anything) just click around in there and see what pops up. It comes a lot easier when you're on a hunting expedition rather than desparately trying to find something to finish a job. ;-)

Just click on your User Name, Documents, Computer, anything will get you into Windows Explorer. Now maximize that window so you can see everything and on the left side of your screen go to Desktop, collapse all the other folders to get a good view of what's there. Then beginning with the top one, Your Name, begin expanding the folders to see where everything fits together. To me, it's like taking it apart to see how it works!

Hope this helps, not confuses!

[Canyon Momma]

I spent over 3 hours yesterday at Staples (where I bought CS3) and they couldn't get it downloaded either! It looks like I will be spending hours on the phone trying to get an Adobe tech to help me. I went through the same thing with CS2 and the tech was VERY rude after I had waited 2 hours. Sigh...and I have soooo much spare time.
I just can't wait to try out my CS3!!! I hear it has some wonderful features.

[CanJan]

cricket331, on Feb 22 2008, 09:55 AM, said:

CanJan, you should try the firefox browser. I think it's so much more stable than IE. It rarely crashes and they have so many really cool add ons. There are other little differences that I love, like when your reading your newsletter in the browser, when you place your mouse over the items used, it brings up the name of the item before you even click on it. Something little like that really made reading the newsletter even MORE enjoyable if thats possible

I have Firefox Christine - had to download it so I could upload Layout Data to the Gallery!!! Only use it to come here - but that's all on the XP for now - I have nothing on the laptop yet - not even my mail. Once I know what I am doing and have my protection in there I will use my thumb drive to get some of the utilities I'm used to installed (hope they are Vista capable!)

Have not used Firefox for much else - so you will have to tell me what all the wonderful add-ons are <smile> right now, I'm just glad it solved the numerous edit attempts in the Gallery!

<<<< love the Cow

CanJan

[CanJan]

Canyon Momma, on Feb 22 2008, 11:35 AM, said:

I spent over 3 hours yesterday at Staples (where I bought CS3) and they couldn't get it downloaded either! It looks like I will be spending hours on the phone trying to get an Adobe tech to help me. I went through the same thing with CS2 and the tech was VERY rude after I had waited 2 hours. Sigh...and I have soooo much spare time.
I just can't wait to try out my CS3!!! I hear it has some wonderful features.

Tracy - I'm so sorry - that must be very trying I see adobe is trying to sell us CS3 at a 50% discount - $300 - is that what you got?

Any of you think CS3 is a better buy than PSE5 or 6 - on the other hand - do I need any more program for the little time I have to Scrap?
That's a good question and an answer really not expected on that one <Smile>

[Autopia Deb]

Don't mind the newbie, I'm just going to jump in and rant for a second.

I am a computer professional, I support them for a living, so I'm pretty comfortable navigating and using Window Operating Systems. But I have got to say I am this >*< close to taking my laptop that came with Vista and rolling back the OS to XP.
I've finally gotten it so all the Vongo pop-ups are gone and it doesn't "Blue Screen" regulary anymore. But I am not liking the way it has removed or hidden a lot of the administrative abilities. That and I bet my programs will scream without Vista hogging all that RAM. My old desktop used to run XP acceptably well with much less RAM than the 2GB my laptop has.

That said, it's very pretty to look at.