Author Topic: The Technophobe Reader - Technology Help (Read 278128 times)

ginny · « **Reply #520 on:** April 23, 2012, 08:21:22 AM »

Welcome to The Technophobe Reader

Confused about Ihpones, Ipods, Ipads, Itouch, Androids, or anything else electronic? Don't know what a "text" message is? Don't have a Nook or a Kindle and don't know the benefits of an e reader? Feel left out of the rush of the new technology and wonder what all the shouting is about?

Have a new Iphone, Ipod, Ipad, Nook, Kindle, or I headache or are considering same?

Ask your question here! Other sufferers may be able to direct you to a source for help or help with their own experience.

This discussion has no "expert" moderator, we offer here no professional advice but we may be able to answer out of our own experiences, so ask or comment away!

Stephanie, I'm sorry you are not able to get a photo to show here (is that what you mean?)

We are a little short of technical help at the moment, but I'll try to help (we all should shudder at the very thought).

I just did a test run on putting one on my own profile and it worked so I can help after all.

First off:

1. Click on the word Profile at the top of every page
2. Look on the left for these words:

Modify Profile
Account Related Settings
Forum Profile Information
Look and Layout Preferences

You want the one in red. Click on it.

You will see this:

---   Personalized Picture:



---   I have my own pic:
Specify your own avatar by URL. (ex: http://www.mypage.com/mypic.gif)

---I will upload my own picture:

You want the red one.

People can't upload photos to SeniorLearn's server so the only one available for photos is that one.

Before you can proceed you need a small photo uploaded to something like photobucket which is quite easy.

This photo needs to be 65 pixels for the first setting, the width. So once you get it the right size, upload it to photobucket, name it and then look on the right and they will tell you the link so you can share it. Copy that link, you need the one which starts out http://

Then come in to your Profile as above, tick the I have my own pic box and paste in the link as shown above. VOILA! It will appear to you at the top of every page on the left and under your name in posts.

Have you uploaded a small photo to something like photobucket?

If so can you then link to it using this type of link? Where is your photo uploaded?

ginny · « **Reply #521 on:** April 23, 2012, 07:02:20 PM »

I have changed the instructions above to Stephanie to include more steps, let me know if they help?

Steph · « **Reply #522 on:** April 24, 2012, 05:50:21 AM »

Hmm, no photobucket. Simply do not use anything like that.. I do wonder how I uploaded the original picture, since that was no problem.. I will try and downsize it and upload from my pictures page. We will see.. Funny, I upload to facebook all the time and have no problems with that one.

Steph · « **Reply #523 on:** April 24, 2012, 06:03:08 AM »

Sorry.. One of those I cant do that sort of things. Sorry I eliminated the other pictures.. but it is not important and I cannot get my pictures to move over in this format for some reason.. It is in a new folder all its own, but it does not upload or transfer and copy is not something I do a good job at.. Ah computers..

ginny · « **Reply #524 on:** April 24, 2012, 07:33:10 AM »

Stephanie, can you send the photo you want to me, gvinesc@gmail.com, and I will put it up for you?

Steph · « **Reply #525 on:** April 25, 2012, 06:26:07 AM »

Ginny, NOw that I can do.. Later today.. I am already running late according to the two dogs..

ginny · « **Reply #526 on:** April 25, 2012, 08:03:07 AM »

Super!!

Steph · « **Reply #527 on:** April 25, 2012, 09:02:15 PM »

Ginny..Thank you so much. You are a whiz kid for sure.. Sooner or later, I must find out how far you are from Franklin.. NC. that is. I will be in residence from May 22 through October..

ginny · « **Reply #528 on:** April 26, 2012, 06:52:54 PM »

I'm so glad you like it, Stephanie, it's a beautiful photo, so dear.

I appear to be about 3 hours from Franklin, NC, but we might consider meeting in Asheville, that's doable for me as a day trip if it is for you.

Steph · « **Reply #529 on:** April 27, 2012, 06:04:35 AM »

Am not sure, but I think I am about two hours from Asheville.Will know more when I try it and let you know.

Frybabe · « **Reply #530 on:** May 28, 2012, 11:34:36 AM »

Yeaaaaaa!

I now have my Linux OS up and running downstairs and connected to the net. I am using the newest Mint version just out called Maya (Mint 13). Now, if it gets too hot upstairs, I can pest everyone from down here.

HaroldArnold · « **Reply #531 on:** May 28, 2012, 12:49:30 PM »

Well now that's interesting! I have not heard the word Linux in years. What type of computer, is it on and how is it working? I now have a new DOS Window 7 HP notebook with a decent chip, 2GB RAM and a good graphic card. I can't say the break in period was easy since it took some six weeks to get it really working good.

The HP tech telephone help was always there in minutes, but too often there were too many 3 plus hour sessions without solution. The principal problem was not the computer but a wifi wireless mouse. In all they sent two replacement mice all of which refused to pair properly with the computer. Finally after a 4 hour telephone session they were going to start over the next day by restoring the computer to its as shipped state. That afternoon I happened to notice that a short cut to a Mouse Control Center had been placed on my desktop. One of the options provided from this link was labeled "Paring Wizzard." I clicked it and in minutes the mouse was paired and was working fine a situation that has continued since.

Frybabe · « **Reply #532 on:** May 28, 2012, 04:41:04 PM »

Wow, don't you just love it when everything is supposed to work just fine out of the box - and doesn't? My Linux machine is an older (5 years?) desktop - Systemax with 64bit dual processors. Originally it had Windows Millennium working under (or over?) Vista which refused to update to Windows service pack 3 without totally screwing things up. So I had my fun time with the service tech for days too, until he completely reinstalled the original.

Over the years, I have tried partitioning my Windows based machines and installing one Linux version or another and using a dual boot. Windows never would play well with Linux, so eventually one, the other, or both would crash. Of course, the last major catastrophe could have been a bad drive, but it was an excuse to upgrade to a new system.

When I got my newest machine (HP with Windows 7) almost two years ago, I decided to dedicate this one to Linux. Originally, I had Ubuntu on this one, but when I decided to hook it up wireless I had to upgrade to Mint. The wireless USB drive I got would not play with Ubuntu without a bunch of workaround programming. Mint saw the drive immediately. So far, I like the Mint. This version is not the debian version, so it is more user friendly for those who don't program much if at all.

Frybabe · « **Reply #533 on:** June 15, 2012, 08:01:21 AM »

Came across this article today.

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18440979

HaroldArnold · « **Reply #534 on:** July 04, 2012, 11:23:11 AM »

My six year old Dell desktop computer died July 2nd. I am sure it is a final hard drive failure' but a friend with more Computer tech experience than I will look at it. I suppose I could replace the hard drive and reinstall windows. I will look at the cost since a new purchase might well be cheaper.

Also I have an alternate computer available. Perhaps in anticipation of of this event this spring I purchased a well equipted HP notebook. Also there is the I-Pad .

mabel1015j · « **Reply #535 on:** July 04, 2012, 01:14:06 PM »

Regardless of the alternatives you have available, it's always frustrating to have a piece of IT equipment not working.

Jean

JoanK · « **Reply #536 on:** July 07, 2012, 03:38:57 PM »

My nephew sent me a link which will tell you if you are infected with "malwear". If you're clean, it comes up green, if not, red

http://www.dns-ok.us/

pedln · « **Reply #537 on:** July 07, 2012, 03:51:11 PM »

JoanK, I went to that website and came up green, but this was also on that page. Have you been to the fbi.gov site yet?

Quote

Had your computer been infected with DNS changer malware you would have seen a red background. Please note, however, that if your ISP is redirecting DNS traffic for its customers you would have reached this site even though you are infected. For additional information regarding the DNS changer malware, please visit the FBI's website at:

FBI site

JoanK · « **Reply #538 on:** July 07, 2012, 05:05:37 PM »

No, I haven't. thanks.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #539 on:** July 11, 2012, 03:51:46 AM »

Thanks Joan - I just had a go, and it was green - hooray!

Rosemary

jane · « **Reply #540 on:** July 16, 2012, 03:25:20 PM »

I was amazed to discover that free wi-fi is available all over Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. All of our hotels offered it free, and they all had at least one and usually two computers for guests to access. The numbers of people of all nationalities we saw in airports with Ipads and laptops continues to boggle the mind.

jane

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #541 on:** July 22, 2012, 03:33:05 PM »

I am still having a lot of trouble with my Kindle, which is not yet a year old.

It keeps saying the battery is flat. I connect it to the laptop, the red light comes on at the base, I leave it to charge, eventually the green light comes on - seems to be fully charged, then within a couple of hours at most (with no usage at all) it is completely flat again.

Any ideas? All advice much appreciated - I presume it is still under warranty (thank goodness) but if I have to get it replaced, I will presumably lose all the books I already have on it. Or do I?

Rosemary

Frybabe · « **Reply #542 on:** July 22, 2012, 04:04:03 PM »

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/forums/kindleqna/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx1GLDPZMNR1X53&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx26QURMTRBEIUS#Mx2H351YF17UA1E

The above is an answer to the battery not staying charged, below is the forum I got it from.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/forums/kindleqna/ref=kindle_help_forum_search?cdQuery=battery+doesn%27t+recharge

You may have to log in to your account see it. Hope someone has answer for you.

LarryHanna · « **Reply #543 on:** July 23, 2012, 10:21:13 AM »

Rosemary, if you got the books for your Kindle from Amazon then you will never lose them as they are in your archive. If you were to access them using your computer with a Kindle app you can get all the same books. If you have put on books from other sources those I don't think are stored by Amazon in your account. The Nook works the same way with any books acquired through Barnes and Noble. I haven't checked the links in the message by Frybabe, but think your unit would charge better using the charger that came with it rather than via the usb cable to the computer.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #544 on:** July 23, 2012, 12:26:56 PM »

Thanks so much Frybabe and Larry. I followed those links and deleted 2 books that were waiting to be indexed, and I also turned the wifi off - the trouble is, it was previously very obvious when wifi was on or off on my Kindle, but now they have 'updated it' and you have to go into settings then do something with 'airplane mode', whatever that may be - I wish they could just leave things simple!

I will see what happens now, and if it's still not working properly I'll try to find the charger (though I don't remember there being one with it - but that means nothing, there probably was!)

Thanks again

Rosemary

Frybabe · « **Reply #545 on:** July 23, 2012, 02:24:37 PM »

I hope that works for you RosemaryeKaye. I understand that leaving the Wifi on uses more power, so I rarely have it on. Also, I turn my Kindle off at night and don't turn it on again until I want to read on it next time. Usually, once I turn it on, it is on for most of the day.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #546 on:** July 23, 2012, 03:18:44 PM »

Frybabe, I know this is a really stupid question, but how do you turn it off? If I press that little button on the end (ie the base if you think of it as a book) I just get the screensaver - it doesn't actually go off.

Can't ask teenagers that one, the patronising sighs will be too much to bear

Rosemary

maryz · « **Reply #547 on:** July 23, 2012, 05:36:21 PM »

Rosemary, on my Kindle (not the Fire), I hold the slide for 10 seconds, then it goes off (blank screen). Just sliding and releasing the button turns it to the screen saver.

salan · « **Reply #548 on:** July 23, 2012, 06:01:40 PM »

MaryZ. My Kindle works the same way. Hold the button for 10 sec or so to completely turn it off.
Sally

Frybabe · « **Reply #549 on:** July 23, 2012, 06:03:15 PM »

Same here.

A User's Manual was already downloaded with my Kindle when I got it as a gift. When I went to check the User's Manuals on Amazon, I discovered that you must buy one unless you are a Prime member, then it is free. What is up with that? Doesn't a basic user's manual come free with all new Kindles?

maryz · « **Reply #550 on:** July 23, 2012, 06:21:54 PM »

Frybabe, I've had two kindles, John's had one - none came with a paper user's manual. It's in the machine. And I HATE!!! that.

Frybabe · « **Reply #551 on:** July 24, 2012, 08:45:23 AM »

They apparently didn't think a print manual was necessary since one is loaded into the Kindles. That is a problem if something goes wrong enough you can't get to it, but then I guess they expect you to returned it for repair or replacement if that happens.

pedln · « **Reply #552 on:** July 24, 2012, 09:26:56 AM »

I've never turned my Kindle off. Duh, guess I thought "sleeping" was off. Haven't had any battery problems so far. When I remember, I keep wireless off.

But after your comments, I wanted to read what the manual had to say, and if you're like me, when you want specific instructions, it's easier to search on the computer than on the Kindle itself. So after I read your comments about turning off, etc., I went to my computer to see what the manual had to say. My Kindle for PC wouldn't open. Nor my Kindle for PC2 (laptop). The Kindle itself seems to be working.

Sent an email to Amazon support and they sent back saying "we need to talk more," with a link for them to call me back, so now after a good night's sleep, I'll tackle that one.

I'm thinking maybe it was those blasted Windows updates that come along every now and then. Or maybe when I renwed my Norton and they had to get on my computers by remote.

Frybabe · « **Reply #553 on:** July 24, 2012, 09:29:21 AM »

Well, that's interesting. Let us know what happens.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #554 on:** July 24, 2012, 03:58:35 PM »

Curioser and curioser....

Well so far mine is still charged today, but it is refusing to let me open any of the items downloaded in the last couple of weeks, says I need to delete them and reload them from the laptop. It will happily open older stuff. It's been so simple until now - I've only had it 8 months so I'm not too thrilled that it's acting up already. And I do feel it could well be something to do with their having 'updated' it without any say-so from me. I didn't want it updated/upgraded or whatever, I liked it perfectly well the way it was.

Too much technology!

Rosemary

salan · « **Reply #555 on:** July 24, 2012, 05:40:04 PM »

Amen, Rosemary. My Droid phone is constantly updating programs, some of which I didn't even know I had and did not want. Grrr!
Sally

pedln · « **Reply #556 on:** July 26, 2012, 10:27:03 PM »

I don't know what Amazon is doing. Finally got on the phone with them yesterday and they said the reason my Kindle for PC and Kindle for PC2 (laptop) wouldn't open is because Amazon updated its software.

So they sent me an email with a link, I clicked on it, it downloaded something and now I can get Kindle for PC. Everything was as it had been before, collections and archived items still the same.

Will do the laptop tomorrow.

This is the first time I've had any real problem since I bought the Kindle almost two years ago.

Frybabe · « **Reply #557 on:** July 27, 2012, 07:40:40 AM »

Interesting that the Kindle for PC didn't automatically check for updates. Many programs can be set to either check for updates or automatically update. Occasionally, I find one that doesn't.

Actually, I had a bit of weirdness happen with my Firefox browser. It kept saying I was up to date, but I knew they were advertising the newest update several numbers past my version. In the end, I discovered that for some odd reason, one of my last updates turned it into the Enterprise version, not the normal version I have always used. Anyhow, it turns out that the Enterprise version doesn't have all the security features of the regular version according to Mozilla. That upset me a little. All is well now that I have it updated to the newest regular version (14).

LarryHanna · « **Reply #558 on:** July 28, 2012, 03:54:39 PM »

Just a note about battery life on electronic devices. Most devices will darken the screen if there is no use for a set period of time, which you can change in settings of the device. While this doesn't turn the device off it does save the battery as it is the screen, including screen brightness, that creates the impact on the battery usage. It is a good idea to keep the wi-fi turned off in the settings unless you want to access your archive in the clouds to download a book or get to the bookstore or to archive a book which you have finished. It certainly is fine to turn the device off completely and the Kindle and my iPad reboot very quickly. However, my smart phone takes a few minutes to completely reboot and become available for use again.

JoanK · « **Reply #559 on:** July 29, 2012, 04:03:25 PM »

I've found with my kindle, if I don't turn the wifi off when I'm not downloading, then I have to recharge the battery every few days.

News:

Author Topic: The Technophobe Reader - Technology Help (Read 278128 times)