Buying a new computer

I went to Best Buy today armed with my printouts and found that the T6520 was the "old" model and was replaced by the T6524. I was ofered the display model for $100 less than the shelf price. They would restore the system....take off the Best Buy Software that customers can test it.

The T6524 was $150 more and was in a box, not used by customers.

I did not take the display model, because I wasn't sure if the keyboard or the tower was messed up.

I Thank you for responding. I may be posting asking for info on how to move everything from the old to the new computer. I will read past posts so I don't become a boor.

Thanks Again,
Sheila

...don't worry a bit about being a ''boor''; the point of this forum is to provide help - and no question is stupid unless it's the one not asked.

Now, about something you wrote:

I may be posting asking for info on how to move everything from the old to the new computer.

One way is to use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard built into Windows XP. It won't transfer everything, but hey, you've already paid for it:

HOW TO: Use Files and Settings Transfer Wizard in Windows XP:

List of Programs Whose Settings Are Migrated When You Use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard:

If you want to transfer more, then you may have to consider buying a dedicated transfer program. One well known one is Alohabob's PC Relocator; there are others out there as well. Or, you can just reinstall all the software you want to use on the new PC from your install disks/downloaded install files, as well as all data/music/video, etc. files.

I hope this'll give you a head start; and don't forget to backup the entire drive on the new PC to CD or DVD as soon as you've finished with the file transfer, so you won't have to mess with EMachines' recovery disk in case something really goes south later.

Paul

I am leaving town in about 30 minutes, so I will have to pick up this thread when I get back. I started copying files this morning. I am using a flash drive 512mb. I only copied a few folders and a mesage came up that said the destination disk was full. I thought the 512mb flash drive would hold everything on my computer. if my computer now is only 64mb, how can a 512 drive be full in 45 minutes?
I will read response when I return on Sunday night.

thanks,
Shela

You may only have 64 MB of RAM memory, but the files on your computer are stored on the hard drive NOT in RAM. Your hard drive space will be in numbers of Gigabytes. Even the older Windows 98 machines had 2-6 GB of storage but you didn't tell us how large your hard drive is.....512 MB is about half of a GB...So you should understand, the memory stick may need to be filled and emptied a number of times.

Hope this helps.

Grif

You may not have it displayed on your desktop. ON Windows XP, it can be hidden. Try this: RIGHT click on a blank area of the desktop, choose "Properties". When that loads, click on the "Desktop' tab. When that loads, clickon the "Customize Desktop" button. When that loads, in the "Desktop icons" section at the top of the page, place a CHECK mark in the "My Computer", "Internet Explorer", "My Documents" and "My Network Places" boxes. UNCHECK the box at the bottom that says: "Run Desktop Cleanup every 60 days". Now click on "Apply", then OK.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Grif, I have IE on the desktop, but I cannot make an Internet connection. When I try to open IE, message says not available while offline. Click to connect....of course I cannot connect.

I have tried to make 4 Internet connections. When I try to connect, message comes back 'user name and or password is not valid on the domain'. Now, there is a place that I noticed ....in one of the many boxes that popped up....to type in a domain. I typed MSN, but that didn't seem to work either.

I have been trying to call MSN and got through...explained my dilema and gave her my phone number....I was asked to wait and then ....disconnected. I am on the phone with them now, waiting for another agent.

I am not sure why my name and password will not work on the new computer. My account is up to date..(paid on time)...why I cannot get to MSN help on my old pc. It just shows page not available.

Sheila

OK...I am now using the new PC. I talked with support at MSN and the 3rd agent talked me through the process for over an hour. He had me make a few changes to some settings and then I installed ...just like I did 3 tiimes already...changed my password and so far I can connect. But...now I cannot send mail through OE. The agent said there was a server problem and I was rerouted to the Phillipines...rerouted?? I may be blonde but I think all calls are routed off shore.

Anyway, I will have to figure out how to use OE. Before anyone says anything, I like my Outlook Express, so I want to continue using it...if I can get it to work..lol
Sheila

You'll need to confirm that your OE "Outgoing server" and "Incoming server" settings are correct. If you used OE and MSN on your old machine, then check the old settings and make them the same. Go to your "old" machine and open OE, then click on "Tools", then click on "Account". When the Accounts window loads, highlight your current account, then click on the "Properties" button. Write down the information displayed there, especially the "SMTP" server information and the "POP3" server information. Now open Outlook Express on the new machine, follow the same procedures, then make sure the information is the same. If an account isn't created already, you'll need to create a new one..Usually, then installation of MSN software will have already created the account for you.

If you find that all the information is correct, then it's possible that the e-mail server is simply "down". Wait a few hours and try again.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Grif, I think the OE settings were correct. I did check them a couple of times. Since then I have been reading on MSN info that MSN Explorer handles the mail. I got the impression that I can't use OE with MSN Explorer. I haven't yet set up an e-mail account on Explorer. I can, however, read mail through Hotmail. I used that first before opening OE, so I could delete mail that junk.

I will look again at the settings for OE.

When the computer repair fella was here, he changed some settings that have to do with shading? and colors on pages. Do you know how to find those settings? He said they are not needed and just take up space or memory. I think I want them back. For instance, the scroll bars are very light in color instead of darker grey. Do you know what settings they might be?

Thanks,
Sheila

RIGHT click on a blank area of the desktop, choose "Properties", then click on the "Appearance" tab. When that loads, use the "Color Scheme" listings on the main page and the "Advanced" button to change the settings for various display items.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Grif...I followed your steps and chose 'Classic Style''.
That is what I wanted. It is familiar to me. I knew how to do that but I think I am getting brain freeze. I have been working on this for days. I know. I know, it shouldn't take this long, but .....

I checked my Outlook Express settings and they are pretty much the same. There are a few items not listed in version 6..I was using version 5...so it still will not work. I will have to try this again tomorrow.

I will also update my profile soon.

Thanks again,
Sheila
ps..I will be back

Do you have the software for that internet service? If so you could uninstall and reinstall go through the installation add you're user name and password again.Does not matter how new,old, used, what crappy computer it is,if it is not setup correct you want get online.If you paid for the call I would run you through it,its not hard.I have DSL lITE NOW but, when I had PeoplePC if I had trouble maybe like yours, I would uninstall and reinstall it going through user name and password.Pges not available means no connection to internet.

Earth91111, Well, I was connected to the Internet at the time of the page display,and now I just was trying to register my new computer and when I hit submit...same thing. But then a page came up to send an error report.

Gee Whiz..this shouldn't be so aggravating.

Thanks for responding,
Sheila

Ok,you were on line.Is this a Dell,Gateway computer?Can you access the internet? Do you want to register? You don't have to always register, unless it keeps popping up
and sometime ask you register now or later.Most of the time I don't bother reg, the crap.Unless its warranty,I would reg.If not,no law says you have to.Let me know what kinda puter,ok.

I am using an emachine T6524 Windows XO Media Center 2005. Emachines is now owned by Gateway.

I did get a reply back from emachines that said the problem may have occured because my Internet Explorer settings are not correct. It instructs me to Restore to an earlier time. I haven't done that yet. Also suggested that I reinstall Internet Explorer. Haven't done that either.

Sheila

So Gateway has E-machines now,not HP.Use Mozilla for a second fast loading browser.We just got a Dell and seem to be built well.Oh the XP Media center OS,thats cool.I wonder how you're setting got messed up,Gateway got it setup for you didn't they?Its good that you find out you're problem.I believe IE cannot be delete,at least on Windows 98. 98 you just go back to previous version and then dowload the lastest version.I had to do that once or twice with 98. I've had 98 for 7 years and upgraded it to Windows XP Pro but, power surge killed the motherboard so we got a Dell 2.4 GHZ 80 GB hard drive 512 MB memory plus 2 years warranty.Try Mozilla,I use it 99 % of the time and sometimes I have to use IE. You can have more than one browsers on you're machine.Let us know if all is straight. Norm!!!

...to the internet using Internet Explorer? If so, then let's disable Error Reporting..Sometimes it can cause problems of it's own. Here's how to do it.

1. Click Start.
2. Right-click My Computer, then click Properties.
3. Click the Advanced tab.
4. Click Error Reporting.
5. Place a dot/tick in the ''Disable Error Reporting'' box and leave the CHECK in ''But notify me when critical errors occur'', then click on OK.

Next, download and install the most recent Windows Script Engine from the link below. It can help with those special pages that require scripting.:

Windows Script 5.6 for Windows 2000 and XP

If you still continue to have issues with Internet Explorer, try fixing it using the IEFix utility from the link below:

IEFix Utility
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/IEFIX.htm

And as Earth9111 suggested, it's always a good idea to have a backup plan. Firefox is a free browser worth having. You can use both Firefox and Internet Explorer without removing the other.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Grif, I can connect to the Internet when I click the blue E icon for Internet Explorer.
The page will appear saying it will not display while offline. At the same time, the computer is connecting.

I can also connect using the Butterfly, and the MSN Explorer page opens. I think that is the proper way to connect...using the butterfly?

When it connects, the page for MSN Explorer appears. I then minimize it...refresh Internet Explorer page...then go to my Hotmail. I always look at my mail in Hotmail before opening Outlook Express. I can delete junk there.

I open Outlook Express and read my mail.

I guess I am used to seeing the Hotmail layout in IE. I don't like the Hotmail layout in MSN Explorer, so I'd rather not use it.

When I surf the Internet, for something new, I use Google and go from there.

I will keep a copy of your response in case I have to disable Error Reporting. I can't get to it now, but I will have the printout when I need it.

I am slowly getting my settings and preferences the way I want them.

Thanks,
Sheila

Now I understand why you can't connect using the Internet Explorer icon on the desktop. Even though Internet Explorer may open up, it doesn't mean that you're actually connected to the internet. You're experiencing something that is normal. Especially when using dial-up connections, the ISP sets a specific icon and dial-up properties for it's connection. (Is your MSN connection a "dial-up" connection or a "broadband" connection like cable or DSL?){/b] Although sometimes you can configure the Internet Explorer icon to work, it's better to use the ISP's icon to connect.

If you wish to use Internet Explorer, or any other browser for that matter, you can simply minimize the MSN browser and open another. Apparently, that sounds like the procedure you're already doing.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Grif, I have a dial-up connection. Yes, I have been minimizing MSN Explorer to connect with IE. It is a few extra steps, but I can live with it.

When I open with MSN Explorer, a box comes up to ask if I want to make MSN mail my default email. I have been clicking no, and then go to Outlook Express.

Is that a problem?

Thanks,
Sheila

There is no problem saying "No" to the request. If you want to leave Outlook Express as your default, continue to choose "No" when the MSN program request to be the "default". That's perfectly normal and many mail programs ask the same thing. The same request would occur if MSN Mail were your default and if you opened Outlook Express. OE would ask the same thing.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Thanks for all of the help. Everyone on this forum is so helpful. I will be back.....

Sheila

We'll be waiting!!!

Then it depends on what you want to do with the computer. To be secure, you should at least format the drive..If you have sensitive data on the machine and you want to be MORE secure, you can use a free program called Killdisk which destroys data and overwrites the drive so that prior data becomes almost impossible to retrieve even by special programs.

If you don't have sensitive data on the machine, once the drive is formatted, if you want to sell the computer, or donate it, then you may want to reinstall all the factory software...In this type of situation, you'll probably be safe to simply use the Recovery CD's to format the drive, then reinstall everything back to factory condition.

Hope this helps.

Grif