HELP HELP HELP That **(&&^%$ laptop

OK -- I'm on the big computer to post this AND using Mozilla Thunderbird -- which btw, is easy to use once Jeri showed me all the things I needed to know!!! So, DH got AOL all set up properly on the laptop and I have my familiar screen, etc. Unfortunately, neither Netscape 7.2 or Mozilla Thunderbird have worked out! They both download but I can't seem to find the proper button to click to actually get to the newsgroups! I get e-mail and other folders in both programs but NO newsgroups! At this point, I will use either to access the newsgroups so I need help yet again! VBS ((*&&^$^&*(*())( yet again! I'm surprised The Karen hasn't posted about all of this. She's the one who held my hand and walked me through getting Netscape 7.2 set up so I'm hoping she can help me with the problems this time!! That being said, I'll take help from anyone at this point -- LOLOL! CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary

Reply to
Tia Mary
Loading thread data ...

Mary - Please don't take this the wrong way, but perhaps as frustrating as this all is I have an idea. Understanding that your DH is more than capable, expert, knowledgable, etc.... But sometimes it's hard to learn something without getting frustrated from people you know and love. So, I was thinking - when you move to Lizard Land - why don't you look into hiring someone to come to your house for a few hours a couple of times, and essentially do a private lesson set. They could walk you thru the set-up with your new integrated service provider, and be sure that the computer which YOU use is set up the best way for you - and undoubtedly leave the info so your techie DH can know what's up. Not that I'm recommending the Geek squad from Best Buy - not the best source - but there must be some independent computer guys that can do that. I have some friends here who did that, and it really helped them. In fact, a mutual friend of Donna & I (who like you is very creative, stitching/quilting, etc), and a little older than us, with a tech savvy husband seems to be your match in frustration with tech stuff. So much so that I actually spent 2 days helping her get set-up properly for an on-line course we're doing, and fixing some things, explaining to her how to do things. I think a stranger might've been better, but we made some progress.

Just IME, sometimes it's more frustrating when someone you know is trying to explain things that just don't seem natural or obvious to you.

We have linked service here - as in our phone, TV (fiber optic cable), internet all run thru the same company, and it works very well. We have good tech support from the company. But, getting set-up they had someone come out and do a basic "here's how it all is linked" thing. However, I believe that had we needed it we could have had a longer getting started, how it all works, including the access from the computer - what screens, etc, lesson. If Frontiernet doesn't offer more than a very basic installation help, though I bet like the other companies, they'll spend some time with you - then perhaps they'd recommend someone. Or do some looking thru a local college, comm college, Annie's List, Consumers' group, etc. Just something to consider.

Not to make you an expert, but to make you more comfortable, less frustrated and angry with the computer and all the technical types out there. Something for you to consider.

Ellice

Reply to
Ellice K.

I understand what you're saying and take no offense at all. I will have "bundled" service at the cabin for the Internet & phone service. Hopefully the person who comes to install everything will be able to help me. The problem with getting someone to come and walk me through working with any new program(s) is that the cabin is in the mountains and I don't know if there is anyone up there who does that sort of thing. What I will do is ask the ladies in my quilt group if they can recommend someone. I don't want to have to get someone from Showlow because that's at least a 30 minute drive and I bet it would be expensive. Then again, with a laptop, I can take it to a shop and have someone help -- no need to come to the cabin! DH and I are **still** trying to figure out why both Netscape & Mozilla T-bird download to the computer but don't give me any way to get to the newsgroups! On this computer, if I want the newsgroups in Mozilla T-bird, they are listed under the "tools" section and I just click on that. I tried it with the laptop and newsgroups just isn't there! Now THAT is frustrating! VBS -- oh well, we'll get it fixed eventually and I will blunder my way through learning what I need to know -- life goes on -- LOLOL! CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary

Reply to
Tia Mary

I understand that you're up in the mountains, but all in all, it may be worth your while. Plus, who knows how pricing for services is, likely the same or less than Atlanta area. Of course, compared to here anywhere is less ;^) With the laptop, undoubtedly there will be a shop of some sort that you could go to for some help. What town are you in, and what's nearby? I have a good friend in Sedona who is one of the founders of their EGA chapter (she moved from SoCal after retirement and closing her LNS - she still does finishing). I think she's pretty well wired in with the area, and is a great, witty, and feisty gal!

All true - sorry about the continual frustration. You just gotta do what you gotta do - though sometimes quirks with computers are either something so obvious we never think of it, or some buried secret. Which is why even though I'm pretty tech savvy, I still buy some handbook about whatever Operating System I'm using - as it has all the clues about doing things, and helps greatly to have a real, paper, reference in hand at times.

Sure you'll get there !

Ellice

Reply to
Ellice K.

I'm in Heber/Overgaard which is in the eastern (and a bit north) part of Lizard Land. Sedona is more or less in the center & north-ish. My nearest town is Showlow and I have seen a computer help store there so that's where I will go if we can't get the laptop to operate Mozilla T-bird or Netscape 7.2. If all else fails, I will just go to the Library in H/O and see if anyone there is more computer savvy than DH. They offer free computer time at the library so someone there has to be able to take care of them. If that doesn't work, I'll go to the high school -- there has to be a techie kid at the h.s. who will be able to help :-). CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary

Reply to
Tia Mary

All good plans. Just consider after trying some free help, that if you're really so frustrated & getting baffled - paying for some dedicated help might just be the thing. Even asking at the high school for some smart kid to tutor you for a couple of hours.

Ellice

Reply to
Ellice K.

Just for Kicks - on your computer click on the Help button and see if there are topics on newsgroups - There should be!!!

Now fire up your laptop and access Netscape or Mozilla T-bird click on the Help button and see if there are topics on newsgroups - There should be!!!

If there aren't any topics on newsgroups on your laptop then your download got corrupted somewhere during the process. The fix may be as simple as the following;

(1) On the laptop remove Netscape & Mozilla. Usually done by going to "Settings" & "Remove Programs" click on each program and delete them. HOWEVER!!! both Netscape & Mozilla may have their own delete programs - if so use those.

(2) Now reboot the laptop.

(3) Seeing as how you trust yourself not to be a virus writter go to the microsoft security section of your laptop and disable all functions of it, go to your anti virus program and disable all functions of it.

(4) Now download Netscape & Mozilla to your laptop.

BEFORE DOING ANYTHING ELSE RE-BOOT YOUR LAPTOP!!!!

(5) Access Netscape or Mozilla on your laptop and see if the newsgroup button appears. Hopefully it does. If it doesn't check the Help button to see if there are any newsgroup topics. If there aren't any topics on newsgroups on your laptop then your download got corrupted AGAIN somewhere during the process.

(6) For the time being go to the microsoft security section of your laptop and enable all functions of it, go to your anti virus program and enable all functions of it.

(7) Send Fred a.k.a. Harpo a nasty note! LOL!

Actually you should just try getting one program to work before trying the other.

You haven't told us what operating system is on your laptop - windoze 7 or ?? with or without Internet Explorer 8 or 9?? Last time I heard there were loads of problems with IE.9 but they were mostly to due with Java Scripts.

If you or your DH knows how to search the program files on your computer you could try the following;

(1) On your computer Open or Explore - My Computer - Local Disc - Program File Folders - Netscape File Folder and see if there is a file named Netscape.HLP (That is the file folder for HELP topics.) There should be.

(2) On your computer Open or Explore - My Computer - Flash Card - Netscape File Folder and see if there is a file named Netscape.HLP (That is the file folder for HELP topics.) If there isn't then lownload Netscape to another Flash Card. Repeat this step (2) search again and confirm the help (HLP) file is there on the Flash Card.

(3) On your laptop Open or Explore - My Computer - Program File Folders - Netscape File Folder and see if there is a file named Netscape.HLP (That is the file folder for HELP topics.) If there isn't then lownload Netscape from the new Flash Card. Repeat this step (3) search again and confirm the help (HLP) file is in the Netscape File Folder. Fire up Netscape and see if you have a newsgroup button or newsgroup topics in when you click on the help button.

What you are trying to do is isolate/identify where things are going wrong.

(a) Is the *complete copy* of Netscape being copied to the Flash Card? Yes or No?? If No - redo!

If Yes -

(b) Is the *complete copy* of Netscape being copied from the Flash Card to the laptop? If Yes and nothing works or No nothing works this would indicate that your version of windoze or IE is blocking the files that you need for Netscape to work properly.

It has been my experience that Windoze and IE has never liked competition. One way around this is to open internet options and make Netscape your default browser for internet and e-mail. Do an immediate reboot. This works for a while but sooner or later Windoze and IE resets internet options to make them top dog again.

Hang in there and you will eventually get things working don't request the US Navy Seals pay Microsift a visit just yet! LOL

BTW you have yet to mention how your laptop is connected to the outside world.

Fred

Reply to
Fred

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.