Replies

Thanks Doc … got the sucker! I had clicked a very confusing box in the set up for downloading using PSE8.
Mind you … all of this PSE8 gets to be confusing but I am a fast learner!
Ron

There is a photo indexing feature in PSE, so when you are not using the program, it might be combing your hard drive for images. Have you noticed it building up the index in the “Organizer”?

Thanks for your inputs. The PSE8 seems to have settled down a bit now (not driving the CPU as hard) so I think you are correct … its something to do with indexing, me being a new user maybe.
Ron

Thanks for all your inputs about this. The easy way I have tried from the info you provided seems to be to set page margins to the height (or width) of the pic size you want and they all come out correct size no matter how big they are in the original pic files. I am laminating pics into a storybook for my grandson so this will make the whole process a whole lot quicker.

I also ‘bit the bullet’ and today purchased Photoshop Elements 8 so out with all the ‘old programmes’ and in with ‘the new’. But this means a whole new lot of learning to do but at least all the photo mags seem to concentrate on this software so that will help.
Ron

Ron,
Hello again. Not an expert at all. Two and a half years with my first “PC”,…..

I reckon you are very brave … don’t think my stress levels could handle such! Might have a go at ‘walkabout’ on this laptop once I have a new standby available!
Ron

Hello RonH,
I tried B&R 10 (paragon) just for fun and it works, albeit very basic.

G’day and thanks for your input. Reads as if you are a true expert on pc’s … 50+ recoveries must mean a lot of experimentation! I am a ‘keep it simple’ retired folk ’cause I don’t have the pc skills to play with heavy duty stuff and you don’t have a lot of spare time when you retire … true!
I will do a check out but since the Paragon 9 works … well at least I can do a back up! … maybe I should stick with it. Just because there is a new version doesn’t mean that the old is broken. Bit like you and your Acronis TI-11 marriage I guess. Might ask Paragon why their newey is better … I think its only been released recently.
Thanks again
Ron

As more and more people use Office 2007 and Office 2010 test versions the newer format documents are going to become more common. It will be easier for those with older versions of Office or Works to just install the compatibility pack.

Joe

Thanks Joe and Hans for advice.
Joe. You mention above older versions of ‘Works’ can use this compatibility pack. I had a read but cannot see reference to users of Works being able to use this compatibility pack? Perhaps I have missed something.
Ron

I failed to mention that my need for QT was as a plug-in for Firefox. Thank you all for your suggestions. I will look into these to see if there is a solution that applies.

My real query, though, was why there was such a big increase in the size of the download. I find this very suspicious given Apple’s penchant for including unrequested software (Safari, anyone?) in their updates.

Paul,
I am not sure if this is relevant but I also downloaded the latest Quicktime (specifically selected QT only) and dear old Apple dumped 30+Mb of Apple Software Support into my programmes which I would need if I wanted iPod stuff, plus Apple Updates. So Quicktime and all the hanger-ons have now been axed off my pc forever.
Why do they insist on plonking unwanted/unneeded programmes onto computers without the users agreement?
Ron

Did you want to use the drive-in?
Long drive from Norway. Kinda damp also!

Good one Bob … Cape Cod must be a bit like here, wet and cold!
Oh, and send me a picture of your teller!
Keep well
Ron

Ron,
I have YET to have the need to use an ATM. Haven’t even bothered to get PIN numbers.
Plan ahead, get my cash before hand. I get out of the car and WALK into the bank, greet the teller and get my transactions done. Even get a smile from the teller!

Can I use your account!!!!
Ron

A one-time-passcode is pretty robust, so long as you require a hardware device as well as knowing a PIN you are reasonably protected against keyloggers and replay attacks.

Thanks for all your inputs. Yes, the hand held one-time device has its own PIN number to access a one-time code which then has to line up with a bank code on-line after you have entered your customer account number and your own PIN.
Crickey … soon it will be easier to pop down to the local bank branch to do your transactions … but of course they do not keep money now ’cause they say ‘go use our in-the-wall machine to get your money! Or is it their money?
Ron

Have you run chkdsk on the external drive? To run chkdsk, in Windows explorer right click on the drive, select Properties | Tools | Check now.

Joe

Thaks for that Joe. Even though the check disc said that no problems were found, the Vista back up worked like a dream afterwards! One question though … I use Vista Home Premium which, from my understanding, only allows the ‘Vista style’ of back up to back up my files. However when the back up was running there were many instances of ‘Program File’ back ups e.g. Works, Adobe, Quicktime etc. Are these the actual programmes being back up’d?
Ron

Continuing the saga …
Its some time since I last ‘investigated this. I do a full system back-up using the Paragon Drive BackUp 9 Express (the free version) from time to time but I thought that i would just try the in-built Vista back Up and start a new back up to an external hard disc instead of to dvd … thinking that it should be a lot quicker. But, even though I use a well known and trusted WD ext hard disc the below message comes up from ‘Vista’.

Where it says ‘The back Up Disc cannot be found’ is only due to the fact that I picked up this message for attaching to this request after I had disconnected my ext hard disc.
I use this hard disc for Paragon, some of my files/docs etc and all function as they should. Why does Vista say ‘its corrupted’ when its not? Does Vista require a special ‘format’ before it will use the external source? I noticed when using DVD’s that I had to wait ages whilst these were ‘reformatted’.
I am a bit loath to ‘fix my ext hard disc’ as per Vista suggestions as it will likely stuff-up all the files etc I have on it presently.

Any ideas?
Ron

Wow … how to smoke out the enthusiasts among us!
I have often wondered how to pronounce ‘Kaspersky’ … is it Kasper sky or Kasper spy. But whatever I reckon that its a b….. good AV, easy to use, well designed for idiot proofing (me!), priced OK, very quick with ‘help’ and above all it seems to do the job its designed for … though maybe they add something we don’t know about! No, only joking. Thanks Kaspersky for doing a great job … yes I am biased but I have also previously had experience of Norman, Norton and McAfee.

Keep the comments coming!
Ron

Ah the wonders of broadband … I wonder what it really is!
Ron

Crikey … seems like a lot of us are interested in up/download volumes and how to measure. As I said, I am convinced that my link was lots busier with the tbbmeter installed so I think that I will simply ask my service provider if they can advise my usage levels … surely they must know what goes up and down their lines!
As to the mobile broadband I have the same feeling as others that the speeds on offer will be a lot slower than ‘wired’ … will check with a couple of our Norwegian SP’s.
Ron