Buying a New Computer By Jenny Leitzke, Tampa PC Users Group Leitzke4@TampaBay.rr.com Last week we took the plunge and purchased a new home Compaq computer. It was the Cadillac version and began becoming obsolete as soon as we walked, computer in arms, out the door. We prepared ourselves before the purchase by making a checklist of everything we needed or wanted. The purchase went very well. Loading the software did not. We now wish we had made an ordered list of the software and files we wanted to transfer. Like our home, the old computer was in dire need of some Spring Cleaning. We did not want to transfer over all the old software or all the old files. This is where the work came in.

First problem: The printer. The old Hewlett Packard printer works great for our needs. When loading our old software, we were alerted that one of the software files was bad on our disc set. We could not load the software successfully. Our old printer was not listed under optional printer types you wish to add either. No problem, they said, just download it off the Hewlett Packard web page. Yes, they had it. No, we couldn't download it. We didn't have Internet service on the new computer yet, and the file was too large to copy onto disc from the old computer. What to do? Install the old Internet service onto the new computer. Sounds simple right? Wrong. Like any semi-intelligent person, we used the wizard that comes with the new Compaq Windows ME. We pulled up the AT&T WorldNet service wizard and let it do the work for us. There are default settings the wizard begins to select for you. Since people don't load server software on a regular basis, the default settings sounded pretty good the first time we went through the process. That was when the problem started. The new wizard incorporated the business option of having a 9 before your access number. Of course, in our household that does not apply. Next, the wizard automatically applied "00" before the access number. Each time we tested the sign-on, we called the operator. After 3 times, it still wasn't connecting. The operator was getting a little annoyed with us, so we stopped to see what was actually happening. We began selecting different options in the boxes. Over the next 30 minutes, when we finally found the selection, that gave us the desired access number that our modem should have been dialing in the first place. Wizards don't always make the installation process easier. We were then able to activate our existing account on the new computer. We went to the Hewlett Packard web page, downloaded the correct software, and danced like elves at a wedding when the software loaded successfully. We are happier campers now that we can print.

Second problem: The silly little software programs that we take for granted. Some necessary software is not already loaded on the new computer. For instance, Acrobat Reader (for viewing documents) and Music Box (for listening to clip art music clips) were two programs missing. These are available as a free download at many different sites. When we tried to remember which sites, we couldn't. After a few days on the Internet and opening web sites, our computer automatically loaded both of these files. Voila!

Third problem: Our eyes were bigger than our desk. Make sure you allow enough room for all the additional items you have now purchased with your computer. We have extra computer ports so of course we added a scanner, a three speakers set, and a joystick. Don't forget the Cadillac 19" monitor we could live without.

Fourth problem: When changing Internet service companies, be prepared to give up your well-loved email address. With a world to deal with, someone else out there might have already selected your cute email address. You might need to add a number to the end of it. Warning: If the other email name is almost identical to yours, everyone you know might accidentally send your email to that other person. With AT&T WorldNet we were able to use a 10-digit address. With our new Road Runner service, that address is limited to 8 digits only. Good-bye cute addresses with more than 8 digits.

Last: With the bad comes the good. We had Road Runner service installed for free on the new computer. Being a student at the University of Florida, we received a $10.00 a month service discount. Our access is fast and it doesn't tie up the phone line any longer. We have two girls in the house to do that. We really cut a deal on the free installation. They ran the cable up into the attic, and out the garage. A year or so ago, with lawn work being done, the original cable line was accidentally cut outside. The Road Runner people dug up and buried all new cable. For free. We threw in the two cold sodas.

More next month I'll be back with feedback on those new items we purchased with the computer. u