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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Jay on 10 January 2007, 22:54:41

Title: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Jay on 10 January 2007, 22:54:41
Need some help please reply here and il message you..
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: sounds2k on 10 January 2007, 23:02:25
try me?
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: tunnie on 10 January 2007, 23:07:07
studying multimedia design here  ;) also been a techy...  :y
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Markjay on 11 January 2007, 00:48:44
Happy to help if I can...

Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Jimbob on 11 January 2007, 08:18:47
For starters define Computer!
Lot of us here with a lot of knowledge, depending what the problem is.
Give us a clue!
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: nixoro on 11 January 2007, 08:54:49
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For starters define Computer!
Lot of us here with a lot of knowledge, depending what the problem is.
Give us a clue!

With Jimbob on this one, post up I'm sure someone on here will have the answer to your problem :)
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: TheBoy on 11 January 2007, 09:31:30
Yes, people specialise in different areas. Give a brief overview of prob, then people can say if its an area they are familiar with...
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Auto Addict on 11 January 2007, 09:36:11
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Yes, people specialise in different areas. ...

Anyone any good with fences? Part of mine blew down last night. ;D
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Markie on 11 January 2007, 09:53:44
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Yes, people specialise in different areas. ...

Anyone any good with fences? Part of mine blew down last night. ;D


 ;D ;D and can anyone cook....... :-X
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 11 January 2007, 11:26:44
Is it a problem with Clipper, VO, or Xbase++?
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: nixoro on 11 January 2007, 11:33:55
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Yes, people specialise in different areas. ...

Anyone any good with fences? Part of mine blew down last night. ;D

Well back when my dad was chippying I helped him a few times with garden fences but I think its best left to someone nearer and a pro ;D

Good luck in getting it sorted.
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: bestseany on 11 January 2007, 15:08:48
I'll also try and help with any computer queries. I work in IT so may be able to advise.
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Del Boy on 11 January 2007, 16:49:24
Ask me if you like
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 11 January 2007, 17:32:27
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Yes, people specialise in different areas. ...

Anyone any good with fences? Part of mine blew down last night. ;D

What size panels AA? Condtion of the posts? Spikes or concreted in? or both?

Come on AA.... we need ALL the facts to give correct diagnosis of what the problem is   ::)
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Jay on 11 January 2007, 18:58:32
I want to upgrade my Windows ME laptop to XP  :P

Need help with this bit though, I put "data" on a disc and it shows up when I put it into my desktop but when i put the disc into the laptop it says "insert disk into drive" :-/
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: CaptainZok on 11 January 2007, 19:07:40
Are you using a cd or a dvd disc? Could just be youve got a cd drive in the lappy which can't read a  dvd disc.
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 11 January 2007, 19:14:49
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I want to upgrade my Windows ME laptop to XP  :P

Need help with this bit though, I put "data" on a disc and it shows up when I put it into my desktop but when i put the disc into the laptop it says "insert disk into drive" :-/

This is a genuine copy of XP you have isnt it? And licensed to you

If not unfortunatelty, on public forum, we would not be able to advise.
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Jay on 11 January 2007, 19:15:38
Well it worked with the Dell Graphics driver and I just copied that to a disc off me desktop PC! Im using a CD but ive got DVDs too, should I try a DVD?
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Jay on 11 January 2007, 19:19:32
Yes its a genuine copy
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 11 January 2007, 19:22:43
But, windows ME is a FAT32 file system and XP is NTFS, not sure that ME can read NTFS (suspect not)....how are you putting the data onto the disk...?
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 11 January 2007, 19:24:12
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Yes its a genuine copy

Ok just making sure  :y

What is the actual problem ? as im not sure what you asking?

Problem with graphics? or something else?
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Jay on 11 January 2007, 19:24:42
Im using Sonic RedordNow! It worked yesterday with the Dell drivers!

Is it better for me to just reformat the laptop and keep it on ME then? If so how haha
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Jay on 11 January 2007, 19:25:44
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Yes its a genuine copy

Ok just making sure  :y

What is the actual problem ? as im not sure what you asking?

Problem with graphics? or something else?

No the graphics sorted mate, I want to change it from win ME to win XP but its not recognisin the disc!
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 11 January 2007, 19:30:34
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But, windows ME is a FAT32 file system and XP is NTFS, not sure that ME can read NTFS (suspect not)....how are you putting the data onto the disk...?

Im not quite sure what the problem is Mark but with the post of upgrading to XP....XP can read FAT filesystems so shouldnt be a prob......agree Me is pants....and i dont think it can read NTFS....but other way round should be ok  :y
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: TheBoy on 11 January 2007, 19:32:31
Are you saying when you put the XP CD in the laptop, the laptop can't read it?  Is it not reconising it at startup, or cannot read from within Me either.  Is it a real XP CD, or a 'recovery' CD, if recovery CD, that may only work on computer it was made for for piracy reasons.

Additionally, are you sure your PC can handle XP - XP demands more hardware than Me...
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: TheBoy on 11 January 2007, 19:33:18
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But, windows ME is a FAT32 file system and XP is NTFS, not sure that ME can read NTFS (suspect not)....how are you putting the data onto the disk...?

Im not quite sure what the problem is Mark but with the post of upgrading to XP....XP can read FAT filesystems so shouldnt be a prob......agree Me is pants....and i dont think it can read NTFS....but other way round should be ok  :y
Me cannot read NTFS (without using NTFSDOS or similar)
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 11 January 2007, 19:35:23
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Quote
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Yes its a genuine copy

Ok just making sure  :y

What is the actual problem ? as im not sure what you asking?

Problem with graphics? or something else?

No the graphics sorted mate, I want to change it from win ME to win XP but its not recognisin the disc!

Ahhh rite gotcha now...... :y Dont think you can upgrade from ME....to XP (and i see what you meant now Mark ;) )
Format time and start again i think!
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Jay on 11 January 2007, 19:36:18
 :o :o :o

Lost

 :o :o :o

I put the disc in and nothing, then i opened my computer and pressed the disc drive and it says insert disc
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Jay on 11 January 2007, 19:36:56
How do i just format it then?
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: TheBoy on 11 January 2007, 19:39:41
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:o :o :o

Lost

 :o :o :o

I put the disc in and nothing, then i opened my computer and pressed the disc drive and it says insert disc
Either the CD drive is knackered (try another CD), or the CD is knackered, in which case (presumably its new) return to vendor for replacement.  If not new, Microsoft will send out a new CD for a small handling/p&p fee (around £10 - £15 IIRC) once you have proved ownership (generally they just need the key)
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 11 January 2007, 19:42:38
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How do i just format it then?

There should be option in bios to boot from cd.......set it to this....then pc should boot of the cd and then follow the prompts.....but as TB says are you sure it can handle XP??
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 11 January 2007, 19:45:23
Quote
Quote
:o :o :o

Lost

 :o :o :o

I put the disc in and nothing, then i opened my computer and pressed the disc drive and it says insert disc
Either the CD drive is knackered (try another CD), or the CD is knackered, in which case (presumably its new) return to vendor for replacement.  If not new, Microsoft will send out a new CD for a small handling/p&p fee (around £10 - £15 IIRC) once you have proved ownership (generally they just need the key)

Can you upgrade from ME to XP? i didnt think you could?
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: TheBoy on 11 January 2007, 19:46:49
Quote
Quote
Quote
:o :o :o

Lost

 :o :o :o

I put the disc in and nothing, then i opened my computer and pressed the disc drive and it says insert disc
Either the CD drive is knackered (try another CD), or the CD is knackered, in which case (presumably its new) return to vendor for replacement.  If not new, Microsoft will send out a new CD for a small handling/p&p fee (around £10 - £15 IIRC) once you have proved ownership (generally they just need the key)

Can you upgrade from ME to XP? i didnt think you could?
Irrelevent. Never upgrade an OS. Always rebuild.

But, sounds like poster cannot read CD from within Windows, so cd drive or cd fault...
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Jay on 11 January 2007, 19:56:13
Nah the CD drive is sound ive used discs in it
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: TheBoy on 11 January 2007, 19:58:30
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Nah the CD drive is sound ive used discs in it
So is CD original XP one, or recovery one, or a copy?
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: theolodian on 11 January 2007, 20:02:46
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
:o :o :o

Lost

 :o :o :o

I put the disc in and nothing, then i opened my computer and pressed the disc drive and it says insert disc
Either the CD drive is knackered (try another CD), or the CD is knackered, in which case (presumably its new) return to vendor for replacement.  If not new, Microsoft will send out a new CD for a small handling/p&p fee (around £10 - £15 IIRC) once you have proved ownership (generally they just need the key)

Can you upgrade from ME to XP? i didnt think you could?
Irrelevent. Never upgrade an OS. Always rebuild.

But, sounds like poster cannot read CD from within Windows, so cd drive or cd fault...
So not quite like my POS then.  To belabor the obvious, try another CD within Windows?  Get a new computer?  Get out Sammy Sledgehammer?  Curse Winblows (just because)?  Withdraw from modern society?  Start a cult?  Have 20 wives under 20 years old?  Trick the other men into mass suicide next Persids?  Rip off truckloads of Viagra and BCP's?  Die of a heart attack in bed at the age of 32 from over-exertion?
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Jay on 11 January 2007, 20:09:29
Im over the fact i cant upgrade to XP now lol I just want to reformat it so its empty now? And keep it on ME
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: theolodian on 11 January 2007, 20:12:37
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Im over the fact i cant upgrade to XP now lol I just want to reformat it so its empty now? And keep it on ME
I'm hoping I can just get Linux on mine someday.  No luck since last summer.  Please keep me posted on what you find.
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: sounds2k on 11 January 2007, 20:20:02
hmmm one thing that comes to mind ... some old computers have trouble reading re-writeable CDs (CD-RW), try a normal writeable CD (CD-R) instead ... a giveaway to this is that the light on the CD drive flashes for ages after loading the disc, then eventually gives up and says no disc ... apparently CD-RW discs don't reflect enough light when compared to pressed CD's or CD-R's ...
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: TheBoy on 11 January 2007, 20:35:33
I go back to my question - is it an original XP CD, a copy of one, or a recovery CD.  It sounds like CD drive cannot read for some reason...
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 11 January 2007, 20:41:33
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
:o :o :o

Lost

 :o :o :o

I put the disc in and nothing, then i opened my computer and pressed the disc drive and it says insert disc
Either the CD drive is knackered (try another CD), or the CD is knackered, in which case (presumably its new) return to vendor for replacement.  If not new, Microsoft will send out a new CD for a small handling/p&p fee (around £10 - £15 IIRC) once you have proved ownership (generally they just need the key)

Can you upgrade from ME to XP? i didnt think you could?
Irrelevent. Never upgrade an OS. Always rebuild.

But, sounds like poster cannot read CD from within Windows, so cd drive or cd fault...

I do agree TB....as registry probs always go with the upgrade....
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: nixoro on 12 January 2007, 08:43:24
First off is the copy of XP genuine and if a dell version is it going on a Dell Laptop, If its a Dell CD and going onto another brand PC chances are there will be errors in the installation in any case, and if its an older laptop chances are the MOBO will not be supported. If its an illegal copy and you dont have the licence key its pointless even trying, best to have genuine.

Usually Dell CD's are bootable hence specifying in the bios to boot from disc now if it was one where the files were dragged across and dropped onto another disc you may have missed the bootfiles.

As mentioned previous are you 100% sure the laptop you are putting it on will be able to cope and also no point in upgrading as its always best imo to do a fresh install.

You say
Quote
Nah the CD drive is sound ive used discs in it
when?

Seems to me you have a knackered if its not reading CD's now.

Just my tuppence, worth feel free to delete if its infringing anything. :y
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: Admin on 12 January 2007, 09:20:39
Everyone is throwing too much random infromation around, which will be confusing Jay.

Ok, Jay, first things first. What are the specifications of the laptop?
To find this out, press the Windows logo key (bottom left of keyboard) and Pause/Break key (top right of keyboard).

This will bring up a screen showing system information.
Main things are Processor and speed + memory (bottom half of screen)

From that we can ascertain whether you can run XP or not.

Now. the disc reading error can easily be checked by simply sticking another disc in. Try a music disc for instance.

After all that we can properly advise further.
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: bestseany on 12 January 2007, 09:22:29
Did you finalise the CD when you burned it?

Just a side note - CD's don't use hard disk file systems (like FAT and NTFS), they use the CDFS file system so will be compatible across all OS's.
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: supermop on 12 January 2007, 09:57:42
The only reason your laptop is unable to read the CD, would be a faulty CD or a faulty CD drive. All CD's use a filesystem called CDFS, so it matters not what version of windows you run. You CAN upgrade your ME machine to Windows XP, but as TB has said, it is unadvisable. It is best to install Windows XP on the laptop from scratch.

Before you get started, you will need to gather an exact list of what hardware your laptop is using, in order to get the correct Windows XP drivers for it. Usually these are included on the original installation CD that came with the laptop, but as the it seems quite old, this may not be the case. Refer to your original manual for the list of hardware it runs.

Best way to upgrade: Insert the official Windows XP installation CD-ROM into your laptop, and reboot it. Before Windows ME loads up again, it will ask you to "Press any key to boot from CD". Press the RETURN key at this point - most vendors still haven't put an 'any' key on their keyboards yet :P

Windows XP setup will load up after scanning your laptop. Follow the instructions through, and eventually you should be able to reformat your laptop if the setup program deems it capable of running XP. Once thats done, you can sit back while XP installs itself. It will pause at several intervals as it needs some minor user input (like selecting languages and inputting the CD Key etc). After about an hour to an hour and a half, you should be looking at your nice new Windows XP desktop. All you need to do here is install the hardware drivers that you should have downloaded/found, as per paragraph above.

If you are unable to install Windows XP, I recommend installing Windows 98SE or Windows 2000 rather than Windows ME. It is a much more stable operating system and a lot faster. Windows ME was one of Microsoft's biggest mistakes. You can get Windows 98SE anywhere, as MS no longer support it, and copied/pirated versions no longer concern them.
Title: Re: Anyone good with computers?
Post by: tanker12uk on 12 January 2007, 18:37:39
Just a quick one ME to XP is a no go as the two o/s are to close and it will fail. As to keeping ME I would not I for my sins am a system builder and fixer when the break them and I will not touch an ME system as they suffer from a cascade failure which seems to start the day you instal it.

You can back up your files to a second hard drive or a usb caddy or memory stick aqnd then do a clean install as shown in the previous message if it ran ME it should handle XP

but check you specs to be shore with a lap top anything over a 1gig processor and 256mb of ram will run it but hard drive space can be a problem any less than 20gb and its not worth it 40gb and its ok

if I can help pm me and I'll help if I can

Tanker