September 18, 2006
I think I'll have to throw them out...
I get a ton of questions about computing from many people. At work, my friends, my neighbours, my private clients. It finally sunk in that perhaps it could help others to pass on what I know. It'll be a hodge-podge of stuff.
I asked Jan how she enjoyed her new computer. She told me that she believed she got a bare-bones machine and found that she had to update many drivers on her machine to make one or the other program work for her. She had moved from an elderly computer with Windows 98 to a new Celeron with Windows XP Home. So far, so good.
Then she tells me that her peripherals, such as her printer and scanner don't work right. "I think I'll have to throw them out" she sighs.
My advice to her: Don't throw out anything until you've tried everything else. Remember, you switched from a Windows 98 OS (operating system) to Windows XP, perhaps all it takes is to turn off the computer, unplug and replug printer and scanner, boot up and see if the OS recognizes them. Windows XP has a lot of generic drivers built in that could just be enough. If this doesn't do it, note down the complete names of these peripherals (example: HP laserjet 1000 series), go to each manufacturer's website (examples: www.hp.com, www.canon.com) and try to find updates drivers and/or software packages for that printer or scanner. Download and install them. This might do the trick.
Sometimes it's an obscure thing that isn't mentioned anywhere. I found out by calling Canon that my old scanner won't work if it's plugged into a USB hub, it has to be plugged directly into an USB port on the computer. So, if I hadn't called Canon support, I would have gotten rid of a perfectly good scanner. Those support phone numbers can also be found on the manufacturers' websites.
Speaking about manufacturers' websites... gotta flame Corel. Corel is, at the moment, the worst... WORST! company in my list who hides so completely behind their website, even their phone system keeps sending you back to it. I couldn't for the life of me connect with a real, live person to get a question answered. Their website is also full of traps. They really make you work to get anything found or done in their pages. If they didn't have some good software I wanted, I'd have just left... All thumbs down, Corel!!
Corel is not alone in telling you everything about their website and how wonderful it is, when you call them. Would I call if I wanted to surf? Answer the phone already!
The new computer:
I asked Jan how she enjoyed her new computer. She told me that she believed she got a bare-bones machine and found that she had to update many drivers on her machine to make one or the other program work for her. She had moved from an elderly computer with Windows 98 to a new Celeron with Windows XP Home. So far, so good.
Then she tells me that her peripherals, such as her printer and scanner don't work right. "I think I'll have to throw them out" she sighs.
My advice to her: Don't throw out anything until you've tried everything else. Remember, you switched from a Windows 98 OS (operating system) to Windows XP, perhaps all it takes is to turn off the computer, unplug and replug printer and scanner, boot up and see if the OS recognizes them. Windows XP has a lot of generic drivers built in that could just be enough. If this doesn't do it, note down the complete names of these peripherals (example: HP laserjet 1000 series), go to each manufacturer's website (examples: www.hp.com, www.canon.com) and try to find updates drivers and/or software packages for that printer or scanner. Download and install them. This might do the trick.
Sometimes it's an obscure thing that isn't mentioned anywhere. I found out by calling Canon that my old scanner won't work if it's plugged into a USB hub, it has to be plugged directly into an USB port on the computer. So, if I hadn't called Canon support, I would have gotten rid of a perfectly good scanner. Those support phone numbers can also be found on the manufacturers' websites.
Speaking about manufacturers' websites... gotta flame Corel. Corel is, at the moment, the worst... WORST! company in my list who hides so completely behind their website, even their phone system keeps sending you back to it. I couldn't for the life of me connect with a real, live person to get a question answered. Their website is also full of traps. They really make you work to get anything found or done in their pages. If they didn't have some good software I wanted, I'd have just left... All thumbs down, Corel!!
Corel is not alone in telling you everything about their website and how wonderful it is, when you call them. Would I call if I wanted to surf? Answer the phone already!
# posted by pixeldrummer @ 13:38 
