Category: Geeks r Us
Hey everyone,
I'm seeking some further help with getting my new computer set up, and since my last topic was screenreader-specific, I thought I'd create a second one:
For those of you who haven't seen the other post, I have a refurbished desktop that I'm pretty sure is an HP. It runs Windows XP Pro and JAWS 11, and I have Internet through Comcast. Whoever refurbished it at TCVI left a bunch of programs on it, so part of the plan for today is to remove whatever I can. I'm wondering, though, which versions of the following programs will be best with my operating system and version of JAWS:
AIM
Windows Live
Skype
Internet Explorer
Firefox
Microsoft Word
Adobe Flash Player
Windows Media Player
Talking Typer
And on a related note, I called Comcast this morning and heard an announcement saying that subscribers would be required to switch to Norton. I personally can't stand Norton and wonder if that will create any problems with my system.
Finally, I've been having problems with certain pages, such as the blog page here on the Zone. I get a program error and have to restart Internet Explorer. Is there anything I can do about this?
Thanks in advance,
Becky
what versions of the programs listed do you have? as for comcast forcing you to go to nortan, i'd say no, and double no. especially for screen readers.
Yeah, I'd update to all the latest versions of Messenger, Skype, Flash Etc, and do not, touch Norton, Mcafee/mcrappee, lol, AVG or any of the other screenreader-unfriendly antivirus or antispyware piles of shite floating around. Instead, I'd get Super Antispyware, Avast 4 or older, providing you don't go back any further to versions released pre-2003, since the latest versions of Avast, versions 5 and later aren't brilliant with JAWS 11 accessibilitywise, but they are useable with JAWS. Avast can be downloaded absolutely free, or you could pay around $40 for the licence key so you can then use Avast Pro as well as the freeby edition, which has the additional antispyware component. I'd also download the Combofix Utility setup from www.bleepingcomputer.com. This is a brilliant utility, which will clean your PC, delete any suspicious addware, spyware, trojan files/horses Etc Etc. You just let it run, go and mash a cupper, have lunch Etc, for anything between 5 minutes and half an hour, come back, hit OK when it asks you to restart the system so it can save the changes, providing you don't have built-in bluetooth on this refurbished PC. Apparently, that can mess up the built-in bluetooth if you're not careful. Also, it doesn't like it if you do not, disable your antivirus and antispyware programs while its running.
Jen.
Here we go.
AIM
Windows Live
You could make it easier on yourself and get miraspeak from blind-crawler.
Skype
Go to skype.com and get the latest version. Simple as that.
Internet Explorer
Wouldn't touch this, but that's just me. Run windows update to get the latest.
Firefox
Again, go to firefox.com and get it.
Microsoft Word
This one I'm not sure of You can get word 2007 from microsoft.com use it as a trial, then buy it I guess.
Adobe Flash Player
Filehippo.com should help you with this. You'll need sighted assistance to install it unless you have enough vision to use the mouse.
Windows Media Player
Again, run windows update.
One more thing you can do to make your life easier is to get filehippo update checker. This little tool checks your computer, then scans what it finds against filehippos database and brings you to a webpage where you can download any update that it finds. Completely accessible.
For antivirus I'd say avira antivirus (Completely free), super anti spyware, adn CCleaner, MyDefrag for optization and fefragging.
Wow, that's a lot to absorb at my level of expertise. lol. I appreciate the help. So, taking all that into consideration, my new questions are:
What should I do if I have no choice but to use Norton? It looks like Comcast is going to require it.
And, this one's for Mike: is it okay to get all the latest versions of all those programs considering I have an older operating system? Oh, and what's Mirospeak?
Becky
How the hell can Comcast force an antivirus program on you? Personally I'd tell them to shove it. Or at least tell them, if they ask, that you use it, because how will they know? Miraspeak is a program that brings together all your aim, Windows live, yahoo, and facebook contacts together into one program. It's very nice.
You don't have to change to Norton. It's not being forced just suggested. It is only a program. All updated programs will run on your OS, so no worries. To get all the updates for it go to www.microsoft.com/update. As far as adobe you can install it without sighted help easily. I think the poster here is talking about the internet explorer warning to install the active EXE. Simply useJaws cursor go to the top of the page and find the warning hit inter and follow directions. Easy.
Sounds like you have a nice computer as well. It will do you well.
As a side note, remember there is a jaws keystroke to get to any information bar when prompted in IE such as active x. Alt N will take you to the information bar and space bar will allow you to run or not run the active X control.
Thanks so much everyone. I've removed all the programs I won't need, turned on the firewall, run Windows Update, and played with JAWS a bit. I now have only three more questions:
How do I create a log-on for my computer?
How do I delete files?
How do I create folders?
Thanks,
Becky
Right, I lied. lol. I have another question. I just tried to download the latest Adobe Flash Player, but something is wrong. I supposedly completed the download, but when I went to a couple of sites that require the flash player, they told me I didn't have it. I ran Flash Fixer, but that apparently didn't work. What can I do?
Becky
I don't understand what you mean by how to delete files or to create folders, it's not any different than other computers. As for log on, i think you mean adding a password?
I've never created folders before, though, and I've only deleted a file once or twice. And yes, I mean creating a password. I went into "User Accounts" but couldn't figure out how to do it.
You'll need to get a third party firewall, because the windows built-in one doesn't work at all. You can try the free sunbelt firewall that use to be kerio.
Another really really good one is sygate personal firewall. I'm not sure if you can still find it, if not PM me and I have the .exe. Ok, to answer your questions.
To delete a file, go to where the file is, press your delete key, then press the yes button. The file is then moved to your recycle bin, which can be found on your desktop. If your sure you want to delete it, go to your desktop, select recycle bin, press either your applications key or shift+F10, and go down to empty recycle bin. Press yes, and bye bye file.
To create a folder, go to where you want to create your folder, go to the file menu, select new, and in the submenu select folder. Give it a name, press enter an their ya go, one empty folder.
To your flash question, that's why I get the .exe's and install them that way not through a web browser.
Thanks again everyone.
And I have another question. lol. How do I make a page my home page?
Thanks,
Becky
If you're using IE, and you're on the page that you'd like to be your home page, press alt t for tools up arrow to internet options, and tab once for the button that says use current button.
Becky.
I'm sure you can't wait to start enjoying your computer, but questions like how to deleet files and make new folders are *very* basic questions.
If you don't kno how to do this, how do you know that the software that you uninstalled isn't needed? Just because you might not ever use it, it doesn't mean that it isn't important. I'm also wondering how on earth you uninstalled the programs.
I don't know what sort of services you have ware you are, but I really suggest trying to find some form of classes on how to use computers before you break something. The fact that your playing with your firewall when you don't even know how to make folders is pretty scary, plus, if the system was set up correctly, it should already be on anyway.
I know that probably wasn't what you wanted to here, but I'm only trying to stop you from breaking your computer.
You don't need any of the nonsense from Comcast or any other isp. You just need a username and password and you can set up the connection yourself or have someone else do it for you. their software only messes up the machine. AVG is perfect accessible. I use it all the time. IE became horrible after version 6, at least for me, though others seem to like it. Firefox is very nice. I've always found Miranda difficult to use, and I've been using computers for 14 years. Some love it, so maybe, you'll have luck like they did with the adapted versions. You can add your AIM contacts to windows Live Messenger. You just can't voice chat or send files to them. I've never used AIM so don't know if it's accessible or not.
I have to agree. The windows firwall works people, but I can understand how she can delete programs, but not understand creating or deleting folders. As for that log on if you forget you'll have a hard time getting that fixed, so if you are the only user forget it until you are better skilled. I'll post an easier way to delete files, but I don't know why you need to yet?
aOkay files and folders. Here are some basics, but not the only way.
In XP press windows key. You are in the start menu. Next use arrow key sup down left right until you find my documents. All computers are not setup the same, so you’re my documents might even be on your desktop. It could even be a separate folder from windows my documents, but in your case probably not. Your computer was redone, so is most likely set nicely and general, providing you haven’t changed much learning. Okay. Smile. Open it then you can use the alt key or applications key. Now you’ll need to use the arrow keys up or down to find new. Use right arrow and up or down to work the list. You see folder and other choices. If you choose folder hit inter then name it hit inter. Now that folder is in your documents. You can send things to that folder. That is just a simple way, but you’ll need to play around to learn more about it. Deleting things is as simple as going to it and hitting the delete key and agreeing you want to delete it. Again some reading, or maybe a class will help, but it is possible to learn by doing.
AIM is accessible, though I'd say use aim adhack to get rid of the ads at the top and make your computer breathe when running it.
As far as I know, Aim 7 isn't accessible, you'll have to use an older version. I agree that Miranda can be a bit frustrating to set up, but once you have it running it works much better than Aim. I've also had no problems with IE 7, though my preference is Firefox.
aim 7.2 works quite nicely acutally, using it now and like it somewhat
B3n, I appreciate your concern, but I assure you that I'm capable of using a computer without breaking it. There are just certain things I have never done. I have basic knowledge of Microsoft Word, but have never really created folders or deleted things before. When I uninstalled all the programs I wouldn't need, I had my best friend on the phone with me, as she's much more computer-savvy than I am. If there was a program that neither of us were sure about, we googled it. I've only ever had one other computer of my own, and it was stolen before I had a chance to really personalize it, so there's a lot I don't know how to do.
Forereal, the reason I need to know how to delete things is because of all the documents and things that were left on here. Whoever refurbished this comp left about a million programs and files on it.
thanks again guys.
Becky
Well now you can! Also use that latest AIM it rocks and you can connect with your Facebook fans too. Smile. I wonder why they left so many files on, but okay. As a side not after you finish deleting everything run the disc clean up and defrag. These, if you haven't already, can be found by Windows, start Type P to programs. You might need to hit inter to oepn it, or it may open, or a right arrow. Now Type A fore accessories. Inter or right arrow. Then S system tools and use the 2 I suggested. Enjoy the box. Smile.