I have developed a certain amount of respect for your general knowledge of computers etc beyond just Access.

I have a 3 year old Dell notebook - the warranty ran out in January. I recently (May) replaced the hard drive. Now it has a faulty RAM slot. Fortunately there are two, so it is still functional. I was hoping this one would last until 2009 when I retire.

Can the slot be repaired? Is it worth it? Or would it be better to get a new notebook? I don't really want to get involved with Vista until some of the bugs I've heard about are addressed.

If a RAM slot "goes bad", it is usually "fixed" by simply blowing it out with dry air and inserting and removing the stick of memory several times. They are almost always gold plated so no corrosion ever develops, just dust and dirt.

If a RAM slot "goes bad", it is usually "fixed" by simply blowing it out with dry air and inserting and removing the stick of memory several times. They are almost always gold plated so no corrosion ever develops, just dust and dirt.

I will see if it can be cleaned out. Given the threat of static I think I will have my local repair person look at it first.

Have you played with Visat and Office 2007 yet?

Have you played with Visat and Office 2007 yet?Neither one yet. I'm dragging my feet on a Vista PC until the complaints subside, probably with SR1 which I understand is being rushed to press.

I have developed a certain amount of respect for your general knowledge of computers etc beyond just Access.

I have a 3 year old Dell notebook - the warranty ran out in January. I recently (May) replaced the hard drive. Now it has a faulty RAM slot. Fortunately there are two, so it is still functional. I was hoping this one would last until 2009 when I retire.

Can the slot be repaired? Is it worth it? Or would it be better to get a new notebook? I don't really want to get involved with Vista until some of the bugs I've heard about are addressed.

KEEP IT GOING - hopefully you are like most of us old school people will backup everything important... if the notebook goes kaput you will just have to buy your retirement machine a little early.:)
Get some contact cleaner from an electronics outlet and give the slot a wee squirt of the Electrician In A Can... it should make it work - or not but it cost you only about $2.95 for the spray.
I dont see why the notebook wouldnt last until 2009 - my 286 with win3.11 is still going strong - though not in daily use and the batteries have long since gone kaput, leaked and disposed of...:eek:

Have you played with Visat and Office 2007 yet?

Why change XP for Vista? XP has done a great job for me, and what I've seen in forums about Vista isn't all positive. Sure the graphics are cool, but when you need a good computer for work, you don't look at fanciness.
I might get a new computer with Vista for home and buy the flight simulator, but will definitely keep XP at work.

As for Office 2007, I haven't seen much differences worth the switch.

50to1

What's with the small font? I moved from Utteraccess to here when they redesigned the layout and a smaller font was used, O K I know it's my fault I can't see too well, no central vision in right eye, left eye Lazy eye from birth now trying to do work of both but managing with normal fonts, so why, please?

Brian

50to1

What's with the small font?

I agree, I don't bother to read it because it's so small.

Col

To save on ink, perhaps!:D

I agree, you should think about the elders.;)

Ahh Colin - its so a few sneaky comments can be brought in , that might bypass your eagle eyes-only kidding:D


I would recycle-reuse the laptop - if it works then keep it - do some decent back up , dragi tout as long as poss

I say keep your laptop for quick/on the go type things. And make a new desktop!!!!!!!

50to1

What's with the small font? I moved from Utteraccess to here when they redesigned the layout and a smaller font was used, O K I know it's my fault I can't see too well, no central vision in right eye, left eye Lazy eye from birth now trying to do work of both but managing with normal fonts, so why, please?

Brian
Please accept my humble apologies... :o


Never thought people with eye prpoblems would have their screens set so they couldnt see the small font... I have mine maxed out because I have macular degeneration...

Brian you need a perscription screen (only kidding) ... (Not nice to take the mick out of someone who suffers - although I hope you will forgive the jest ..)


g

Please accept my humble apologies... :o


Never thought people with eye prpoblems would have their screens set so they couldnt see the small font... I have mine maxed out because I have macular degeneration...

If you set the screen to see the small print don't you end up with lots of scrolling?, this was what happened on UtteraAccess and made scanning posts a pain in the neck instead of the eye.:D

Brian

Brian you need a perscription screen (only kidding) ... (Not nice to take the mick out of someone who suffers - although I hope you will forgive the jest ..)


g

Taken as meant, my daughters have been giving me a hard time about my being follicly(sp) challeged for 30 add years.

brian

Thanks for verifying my thoughts guys. Just because we're old doesn't mean we're useless.

I was only considering Vista and Office 2007 if it looked like I had to buy a new system anyway. I back the notebook up religiously. The backup made losing my hard drive less painful.

I also have a Toshiba notebook running WindowsME without problems (I realize that sounds like an oxymoron). I will keep on chugging with WindowsXP and on the notebook.

a friend of mine (yes I have 1 ) is still using old PC from way back, and his thoughts on this are - is it still working yes , do I need faster no. right keep the PC he has, no need to upgrade - when it dies he will at that point buy the best he can afford . and milk that one for as long as possible ..

g

[...]with lots of scrolling[...] a pain in the neck instead of the eye.:D
Brian
You meant pain in the finger.:rolleyes: :D

I've never run an 'upgrade' on an existing OS set-up. Always run a clean install from scratch with a fresh new drive, using the old drive for back-up and gradual cross-over of files.

I'm leaving Vista well alone for at least another service pack or two :p

If you set the screen to see the small print don't you end up with lots of scrolling?, this was what happened on UtteraAccess and made scanning posts a pain in the neck instead of the eye.:D

Brian

I have a 21" set at 1024 x 768 makes a BIG difference :D

I have a 21" set at 1024 x 768 makes a BIG difference :D

Bragging again?:p ;)

I have tried Vista and Office 2007. I love office 2007 but do not like Vista at all. I ended up reloading XP pro with Office 2007 and will not use Vista. From what i could tell it doesn't offer anything new. It was dog slow compared to XP and i use a 3.6 3 gig memory pc with a ATI video card. Also I had all kinds of trouble getting Microsofts flagship vista game Flight Sim to load.

Hooks

I have tried Vista and Office 2007. I love office 2007 but do not like Vista at all. I ended up reloading XP pro with Office 2007 and will not use Vista. From what i could tell it doesn't offer anything new. It was dog slow compared to XP and i use a 3.6 3 gig memory pc with a ATI video card. Also I had all kinds of trouble getting Microsofts flagship vista game Flight Sim to load.

Hooks

It was the same with VS 2005 against VS 2003. 2005 is just so much slower but I have to use it for the .net 2.0 framework.

Can the slot be repaired? Is it worth it? Or would it be better to get a new notebook? I don't really want to get involved with Vista until some of the bugs I've heard about are addressed.

Sorry to dive in here, but this post gave me a couple of thoughts :

Why use a notebook/laptop in stead of a PC with a (removable) USB HD
I don't seem to get around with these pads and small screens.

Replacing a PC with a 2nd hand ( there are lots of them on e-bay), is more economical then replacing a notebook

Vista on a PC is not a happy marriage, let alone Vista on a notebook...


if the notebook goes kaput .....


Order a new one with Linux installed ;)

Sorry to dive in here, but this post gave me a couple of thoughts :

Why use a notebook/laptop in stead of a PC with a (removable) USB HD
I don't seem to get around with these pads and small screens.

Replacing a PC with a 2nd hand ( there are lots of them on e-bay), is more economical then replacing a notebook

I have two reasons for using a notebook.

1. It allows me to work from home (my commute is an hour plus depending on traffic and weather - remember this is Canada). I don't have authorization for an office notebook, so they won't provide any support. It's easier to lug a notebook when I have to go in rather than a PC! Not all the programs I have on the notebook will work on the office computer.

2. I have limited physical space at home. I have room for the notebook, keyboard, full size monitor (19") and printer and that's it. The printer is an all-in-one to save space.

Order a new one with Linux installed

I'm too old to learn a new operating system. I've had the virtues of Linux extolled by many, but I can't be bothered. :(

At least I expect DOS-based products to be flaky. No surprises there.

Bragging again?:p ;)

For clarification...
I have BEEN PROVIDED WITH a 21" set at 1024 x 768 BY MY CURRENT EMPLOYER and it makes a BIG difference :D

at home I have to still use a 17" CRT on a PIII for development of apps :)

I'm too old to learn a new operating system. I've had the virtues of Linux extolled by many, but I can't be bothered. :(

At least I expect DOS-based products to be flaky. No surprises there.

Get thee behind me Satan, never but never say that you are too old to learn, it may not be worthwhile if the timescale for use is short but that's a different argument, anyway do you intend to use a PC when you have retired?

PS My excuse is that I'm too lazy, not enough time, other priorities, etc; but definitely not too old.:D

Brian

Here's what I'd do in RexesOperator's shoes. Not that I'm saying he should do it.

Toss out the computer.

Buy me a iMac. Buy Parallels and a OEM Windows copy. I'll stick to XP for now.

Install Parallels, then install Window. Sandbox the Windows so it has no networking capability.

Browse the 'net with iMac. If Windows need something from 'net, it's a download and a toss over to the partition space.

No virus. No spyware. No silly 'gotchas' to deal with.

But hey, that's just me.

Here's what I'd do in RexesOperator's shoes. Not that I'm saying he should do it.

Toss out the computer.

Buy me a iMac. Buy Parallels and a OEM Windows copy. I'll stick to XP for now.

Install Parallels, then install Window. Sandbox the Windows so it has no networking capability.

Browse the 'net with iMac. If Windows need something from 'net, it's a download and a toss over to the partition space.

No virus. No spyware. No silly 'gotchas' to deal with.

But hey, that's just me.

I may end up doing that when I retire. But for now, let sleeping dogs lie.

Get thee behind me Satan, never but never say that you are too old to learn, it may not be worthwhile if the timescale for use is short but that's a different argument, anyway do you intend to use a PC when you have retired?

PS My excuse is that I'm too lazy, not enough time, other priorities, etc; but definitely not too old.:D

Brian

I have a nearly flat learning curve (some say I go downhill first).

I never said I was too old to learn - playing with Access proves that. Just learning a new operating system.

In this case though and since I only have two years to worry about - better the devil you know. Once I retire and I have all the time I need I will consider Linux and/or a Mac (I KNOW one is an operating system and the other is a computer).

Here's what I'd do in RexesOperator's shoes. Not that I'm saying he should do it.

Toss out the computer.

Buy me a iMac. Buy Parallels and a OEM Windows copy. I'll stick to XP for now.

Install Parallels, then install Window. Sandbox the Windows so it has no networking capability.

Browse the 'net with iMac. If Windows need something from 'net, it's a download and a toss over to the partition space.

No virus. No spyware. No silly 'gotchas' to deal with.

But hey, that's just me.

Fully agree, albeit in my case replace iMac with Linux PC. :rolleyes:

I may end up doing that when I retire. But for now, let sleeping dogs lie.

And sometimes it's a case of "better the devil you know":eek: