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General discussion

a few questions

Jul 2, 2007 12:07PM PDT

Hi all I have just purchased a HP 3 GHz 1014MB 32 bit Vista Home Premium, so far things have gone fairly good. I too have had a problem with the recovery disk, I will have to try the +R as the sales guy gave me the -R; when I get the proper disk do I just start over and do the recovery backup even though the computer has been used for a couple of days and no longer in the original factory state?
I also seem to be having trouble with the sleep mode...it doesn't stay asleep, after about an hour it wakes up all by itself; is it safe to turn it off at night I know this is a constant debate but my question is will it effect the computer in any way if it is shutdown on a daily basis, I know the computer does maintence at certain times of the day/night but I can do these manually if that is the only reason why it should be left on at night.
I also have a question about software, my kids have this game (The Sims) do I just install the software as I normally would even though the software doesn't stipulate Vista compatible.
Thanks....Liz

Discussion is locked

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A few answers...
Jul 2, 2007 1:20PM PDT

* The DVDs are created from a hidden protected partition on your hard drive, not from your working copy of Windows Vista. Thus, it doesn't matter when you burn them as long as you do so before you need them.

* The DVD-burning wizard only lets you create a single set of DVDs, so I recommend duplicating them so you have a second copy in case something happens to the first.

* As you said it's a long debate, but there is no great benefit either way...shutting down every night will likely have no noticeable effect. In fact, Sleep mode required a constant drain of electricity to keep the data in RAM, so shutting off the computer will save money on your electric bill every month.

* Leaving the computer on at night is usually just for convenience...let it perform updates and maintenance while you sleep and have it ready to go the moment you get up. There is no need to do such in most cases, and such is not actually performed while your computer is in Sleep mode anyways.

* As to The Sims, you can install it as you normally would. If you encounter problems it is suggested you review this help article from EA Games which addresses potential compatibility issues with Vista.

Hope this helps,
John

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Few Questions
Jul 2, 2007 1:44PM PDT

The factory restore the HP will preform is from a separate partition area on the hard drive reserved for this back up, it will not be backing up any of your current work, settings or programs that you have installed after you got the computer. It can be used if you want to restore the computer to the factory state at any time if you can not access this feature on boot up later on. I also had to have the +R type for this even on multi drives that say they do -R. The make restore disks option will remain able to use until you do the completed job. If in the end you can not make this back up even with the proper DVD type HP will send them to you if the program fails, they will offer to send them to you for a fee if you do not have a reason why you can't make them.

I have never used sleep mode or hibernate as they never seemed perfected and can be buggy, I do use turn off the monitor and hard drive, in the Power Scheme options, after a certain amount of time to save energy during the day if I step away from the computer for more then an hour and since my first computer in the mid 90's I have always turned them off at night - it was a debate then also, back then I turned all off with a power strip as repeated use of the power button made it so we had to replace them more often, now as things have progressed the computer turns off and the monitor goes into a wait state which draws less power. Just close all programs before shutting down so that it is graceful. Since we have a few computers here having them all running or even in low power mode would cost me more in electric for the yr and I have never found it hurt any of the computers doing this.

My kids and grandkids have SIMS and the extras and it seems to run on Vista without a problem, you just put the CD in and Vista will ask you if you want to run the software on the computer, the highlighted line usually ends with .exe. This will probably be after you click on Continue when the box comes up and asks you if you are sure you went to install something.

Northlite

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Thank You
Jul 3, 2007 12:57PM PDT

so much for your quick replies; as always it is greatly appreciated
Liz Happy