Won't be able to be on here much this weekend. My laptop has stopped working again. Completely lifeless. Probably a power problem. Will give up this time and get a new one.
I wish I could do spreadsheets @Tanith - it would make it so much easier to keep my records and produce required information for the dreaded annual HMRC 'self assessment' tax return (which I can't believe is almost due again!!) at the touch of a button!. As it is, I have a large account book! I've entered relevant headings for each of the columns across the two pages when the book is opened out and enter the required figures monthly. It's then a relatively easy matter to add up the 12 entries (13 re, State Pension paid every 4 weeks not pcm!!) to arrive at a totals for each column. I have, at least, mastered doing the return online for many years now!
I keep a spreadsheet for my finances. Page 1, a summary, page 2 income, Page 3 all the regular payments; electricity, gas, phone, Council tax, water etc by month. and regular occasional payments such as car tax, insurance. Then the next 12 are sheets for each month. The links are used from the pages for the regular payments and income with additional lines used for any occasional uses for ATM, debit card and cheques.
When I get my bank statement I can check all payments out and in against the monthly pages. It takes a little time to set up the first one, but after that it is really simple. Backed up on USB stick (in the drawer) and a plug in hard drive (in the safe).
If you have a 5-10 year old 'desktop' pc, then you may be able to enhance its performance by using a Solid State Drive (SSD) as your boot device and your mechanical hard drive as a data storage drive. The machine may also require some additional memory as 4-8 Gb was regarded as being sufficient 10 years ago.
If you have a 5-10 year old 'laptop', then your options may be more limited. I would still recommend a SSD, but this may need to replace your mechanical drive as you could be limited to just one drive in the machine and space is limited. The same for memory, and laptop memory is significantly more expensive than desktop memory due to it being low profile.
Have got surge protectors on most of my electrical devices - I have seen too many fried systems. Am still surprised at how much I can still do on my old system- it even automatically connected to my network, printer and the internet. Even connects to laptop and mobile. Of course I had to input new passwords but that's all. I've got latest data on caddy so really am stable for now while I decide what to do next. I like to keep my stuff on my own equipment - don't put anything on clouds. I like to have my data available when I am offline.
We've got a large storage card that we've put all our photos and other files on after realising that if the machine they were on died we'd have no copies! Although I've recently used Google Drive to put some big files up so that someone else could view them via a dedicated link - it was quite easy.
A Raspberry Pi costs less than ÂŁ100 and is ideal for general use. It is also useful as a backup 'desktop' computer.
The biggest problem with upgrading the operating system is that many of the applications used also need to be upgraded (and they cost money). In addition some hardware such as an old printer, scanner or dedicated hardware device may never work with a new OS/Application.
Spot on @Tanith, we've had to persuade a relative that his old Medion computer will no longer run any modern software for editing videos and images. He decided to have fibre installed and go back in the internet after giving up many years ago due to the problems he had in using it. Mick has set up a basic laptop for him to begin with so he can at least browse the web to discover what spec of machine will suit him. I think he's going to have a steep learning curve when he sees how much has changed though. At home we use Linux with UBUNTU OS - much more secure and easy but it's still a bit of a niche user product. I think people don't realise that old Operating Systems and Windows are a security risk.We also have a Raspberry Pi box to run Kodi, although setting it all up has stretched Mick's understanding of the technical aspects and he's pretty smart so it's not for everyone - I couldn't have done any of it.
A cheap Uninterruptible Power Supply - They cost from ÂŁ40 for a 2 plug, 650 VA system. You need to identify how many plugs you need (one for the computer, perhaps one for a monitor, although it may plug directly into the computer, and perhaps one for the router). A three plug one, 1000 VA, will cost form about ÂŁ70. Basically these are big batteries that will work in the event of a power failure.
Surge protectors will smooth out any power spikes if your home has a power surge issue. They fit between the socket and the plug and cost about ÂŁ7.
Never thought that I'd look fondly at Vista! Seemed like chatting to an old friend - sad but true.
Anyway, another miracle happened half an hour ago. My laptop has stopped being a dead parrot. Time to back up again. Have noticed that both times it 'died'
an update of some sort was interrupted. I think that there must be an intermittent power problem. Will be looking on eBay later to see if I can pick up a cheap second hand laptop. That is if I can tear myself away from Vista based programs that I had forgotten were still working on my desktop.
Still not got my laptop to show signs of life. Just wish I could remember how I fixed it last time. Today I boosted up my old desktop computer and am amazed that it started up immediately. All I needed to do to load windows was press the F1 key. Pity the wireless keyboard didn't cooperate it was lifeless. I put new batteries in it - but that made no difference. Almost gave up - but then had the brilliant idea of using a cotton swab stick soaked in baby oil to clean the connections. It worked and after pressing the magic F1 key the computer started. The date was was 2nd July 2007. That was the last time I used this computer. I spent a couple of hours looking around. Amazing how much things have changed. I managed to get straight onto the internet. Just needed to update some drivers. It is working on Vista which is no longer supported by windows. Don't think that is a problem. Also managed to connect to the printer. Not sure that I need a new laptop now. I might just use my old compter and mobile phone.
Sometimes the wireless devices need to re-connect as the computer loses the connection information.
It is always worthwhile haveing a 'second' computer, and it does not matter if it is old.
The battery in the computer may require replacing as it holds all the 'computer based' information. These button cell batteries are relatively cheap and last about 10-15 years.
Oh what a nuisance @Flossy đ§đ§đ§đ§ what do you fancy for your new one? After my last experience, I will never again buy anything from Currys. My laptop never arrived and it took months to get my money back. Fortunately, I had used my credit card so ended up utilising them to get it back. That's why I always make a point of using a credit card if purchasing anything over ÂŁ100, especially online. Using son Jonathan's Amazon Prime, my new laptop arrived the next day!!
Used desktops, calculators, slide rules, pen paper .... and send letters and used the phone. For those who needed urgent messages there were telegrams and Mitch Wafflemore.
I wish I could do spreadsheets @Tanith - it would make it so much easier to keep my records and produce required information for the dreaded annual HMRC 'self assessment' tax return (which I can't believe is almost due again!!) at the touch of a button!. As it is, I have a large account book! I've entered relevant headings for each of the columns across the two pages when the book is opened out and enter the required figures monthly. It's then a relatively easy matter to add up the 12 entries (13 re, State Pension paid every 4 weeks not pcm!!) to arrive at a totals for each column. I have, at least, mastered doing the return online for many years now!
I keep a spreadsheet for my finances. Page 1, a summary, page 2 income, Page 3 all the regular payments; electricity, gas, phone, Council tax, water etc by month. and regular occasional payments such as car tax, insurance. Then the next 12 are sheets for each month. The links are used from the pages for the regular payments and income with additional lines used for any occasional uses for ATM, debit card and cheques.
When I get my bank statement I can check all payments out and in against the monthly pages. It takes a little time to set up the first one, but after that it is really simple. Backed up on USB stick (in the drawer) and a plug in hard drive (in the safe).
If you have a 5-10 year old 'desktop' pc, then you may be able to enhance its performance by using a Solid State Drive (SSD) as your boot device and your mechanical hard drive as a data storage drive. The machine may also require some additional memory as 4-8 Gb was regarded as being sufficient 10 years ago.
If you have a 5-10 year old 'laptop', then your options may be more limited. I would still recommend a SSD, but this may need to replace your mechanical drive as you could be limited to just one drive in the machine and space is limited. The same for memory, and laptop memory is significantly more expensive than desktop memory due to it being low profile.
Have got surge protectors on most of my electrical devices - I have seen too many fried systems. Am still surprised at how much I can still do on my old system- it even automatically connected to my network, printer and the internet. Even connects to laptop and mobile. Of course I had to input new passwords but that's all. I've got latest data on caddy so really am stable for now while I decide what to do next. I like to keep my stuff on my own equipment - don't put anything on clouds. I like to have my data available when I am offline.
A Raspberry Pi costs less than ÂŁ100 and is ideal for general use. It is also useful as a backup 'desktop' computer.
The biggest problem with upgrading the operating system is that many of the applications used also need to be upgraded (and they cost money). In addition some hardware such as an old printer, scanner or dedicated hardware device may never work with a new OS/Application.
A cheap Uninterruptible Power Supply - They cost from ÂŁ40 for a 2 plug, 650 VA system. You need to identify how many plugs you need (one for the computer, perhaps one for a monitor, although it may plug directly into the computer, and perhaps one for the router). A three plug one, 1000 VA, will cost form about ÂŁ70. Basically these are big batteries that will work in the event of a power failure.
Surge protectors will smooth out any power spikes if your home has a power surge issue. They fit between the socket and the plug and cost about ÂŁ7.
@Flossy đ§đ§đ§đ§ my desktop runs on XP and although it's slow its does I need it for. I have lots of card making stuff on it. đi
Never thought that I'd look fondly at Vista! Seemed like chatting to an old friend - sad but true.
Anyway, another miracle happened half an hour ago. My laptop has stopped being a dead parrot. Time to back up again. Have noticed that both times it 'died'
an update of some sort was interrupted. I think that there must be an intermittent power problem. Will be looking on eBay later to see if I can pick up a cheap second hand laptop. That is if I can tear myself away from Vista based programs that I had forgotten were still working on my desktop.
Still not got my laptop to show signs of life. Just wish I could remember how I fixed it last time. Today I boosted up my old desktop computer and am amazed that it started up immediately. All I needed to do to load windows was press the F1 key. Pity the wireless keyboard didn't cooperate it was lifeless. I put new batteries in it - but that made no difference. Almost gave up - but then had the brilliant idea of using a cotton swab stick soaked in baby oil to clean the connections. It worked and after pressing the magic F1 key the computer started. The date was was 2nd July 2007. That was the last time I used this computer. I spent a couple of hours looking around. Amazing how much things have changed. I managed to get straight onto the internet. Just needed to update some drivers. It is working on Vista which is no longer supported by windows. Don't think that is a problem. Also managed to connect to the printer. Not sure that I need a new laptop now. I might just use my old compter and mobile phone.
Oh what a nuisance @Flossy đ§đ§đ§đ§ what do you fancy for your new one? After my last experience, I will never again buy anything from Currys. My laptop never arrived and it took months to get my money back. Fortunately, I had used my credit card so ended up utilising them to get it back. That's why I always make a point of using a credit card if purchasing anything over ÂŁ100, especially online. Using son Jonathan's Amazon Prime, my new laptop arrived the next day!!
It's a pain isn't it what did we do before laptops & tablets lol