Category: Geeks r Us
I just literally got a new 8.1 computer a couple hours ago and am surprised that I can even get online with it because there's not much else I seem to be able to do with it right now. For instance, I have no clue if HJ Pad in JAWS even exists anymore because I
was looking for it after I couldn't find Microsoft Word and I wanted to type this and spell-check before I posted it.
I was trying to find where I could set sound settings for things like getting new mail in Outlook 2013, and in Outlook 2013 setting the time to retrieve new mail every minute, like I had it set when I was using XP, but also no luck in that regard.
Maybe these points aren't the best place to start learning about 8.1, but I figure I have to start somewhere and since I couldn't find any programs or apps to type a message in I figured I'd kind of start there.
It might be easier not having a computer right now because having one and not being able to work with it is the most frustrating thing in the world. Thanks for anyone who can shed a little light on 8.1
It works. There are lots of board topics here that will help you.
Read the ones on Windows 7, because these are good.
Microsoft office works as it always did sort of. Many of the same things you know will work in 8.1.
You don't need to set how fast your email is checked simply because it comes to you as soon as you receive it if you have Outlook open, and your internet is working properly.
Read the boards, and you find thing.
It is difficult to just tell someone how to use 8.1. I have suggested to use it just as you always used Windows.
It is not 8.1 that is all that different, but many times the users abilities.
That isn't a put down, so don't take it as one, but many people had there computers specificly configured, so now when it is time to use Windows as Windows was built, they don't know how.
Microsoft has keyboard shortcuts on the site as well. Do a search for these.
Hope that helps you.
I'll tel lyou this from the start (because I just made the transition a little under a year ago): if you're not comfortable with the wierd app interface windows 8 forces you to use, obtain a program called classic shell. it's a customizable start menu which organizes things such as the start menu into a more familiar (and customizable) configuration. Windows 8.1 isn't bad necessarily. Some things are actually easier to access, such as your settings. Magnifier and narrator have gotten a much-needed face lift also. The only thing that gets confusing is the differentiation between programs like you're used to, and apps. Win 8.1 is made with tablets in mind, and so that changes teh whole dynamic of your computer. It gets even more confusing when you have an app and a program called the same thing. Internet explorer is such an example. Ensure you're using the program internet explorer, not the app. Otherwise, shortcut commands are y our friend, and Windows 8.1 has some really useful ones.
The reason the confusion comes between programs and apps are you haven't read down your list.
This list can be found by pressing the Windows key and control tab.
Some are both app/program, and the new language is sometimes use app.
If you are using a tablet that is not running a full version of Windows 8.1 you are using apps. Otherwise, on a PC you have both.
You can also tell the difference when you open them.
That's not why I was personally confused, but I see your point. The only problem with that CTRL tab list I've found is it dismembers any programs you've got. For instance, if you install something like JAWS, everything that would be under JAWS in the classic start menu would be a selection on the list mentioned above. It's a way to get cluttered abnormally fast if you install a lot of programs. Now, perhaps there's a way to avoid that from happening?
Okay, I just got back on the computer after I had to reinstall everything because something happened, so I haven't looked at this thread since I created it a couple days ago. Mr. Guardian, what's this classic chell program and where can I find it?
Also, I'm using Outlook 2013 for mail, and if someone could tell me how to flip the display from newest first to oldest first on top I'd really appreciate it. I suppose I could live with it this way, but I've spent the last sixteen years having it displayed the other way and it's hard getting used to.
I did managed to find HJ Pad, but it seems like a cumbersome process having to type out "JAWS 15 utilities" and then arrowing down all that way. Tried to create a hot key for it, but my PC wouldn't let me. Suppose I'll go bacfk and try to see if I could at least pin it to the start screen.
For real, I didn't feel put down by your remarks. Sometimes it takes a few hard truths, I know. The thing with Outlook Express that I did was that I had it set to receive mail every minute and was wondering if I had to change a setting in Outlook 2013 for it to do the same thing. I've only been messing with my PC again for about an hour, but so far so good. At least I haven't crashed it yet...
If I understand correctly, BG you want to see things under the installed programs related.
Press your applications key and either open it, or go to the program location.
You'll see these things once you arrow to it.
A program can be put anyplace you like, start, desktop, task bar.
Check it out.
Not to the poster, There is a way to set so your old mail shows first, or new mail. I'll explain that.
I have to look at the settings.
To organize the order of your mail.
Open the folder you want to organize.
Press your applications key and arrow down to arrange by.
Right arrow, and find the one you want.
Press the space bar to check it or press enter on it.
Now you have it like you want it.
If that wasn’t what you are looking for, say and I’ll tell you another setting.
Outlook as a wonderful help menu as well.
You can also click on view settings and set things there as you like them.
forereel, thanks for the tips. I did copy a file from my external onto my desktop, but not real sure I want to put everything there. What fun. A friend of mine told me that they're already hard at work on Windows 9, and the rumor is that it's supposed to be more like Windows 7, which someone asked me why I even bothered with 8.1 when I could have just upgraded from XP to 7. Wish he would have said something before I did it...
If you can learn 7, you can learn 8.1.
Also, upgrading from 8.1 to 9 will probably be as simple as it was to upgrade from 7 or 8. The process has greatly been fixed and even we can do it without help.
This is what I mean by knowing Windows. XP has many elements of 8.1, 7, Vista, and such.
I am speaking from a blind persons prospective, because visually they are different, and this has been a problem for the learning curve and why some don't like it.
8.1 solved many of these issues for PC users however.
Have you read the how to page on Microsoft's site yet?
Here are some pages right here on the Zone to help you.
There is one by Domestic Goddess, so look at her profile. She was buying a new computer at the time.
What to Expect from Jaws 15 and Windows 8.1
Windows 7 Versus Windows 8
help with Outlook 2013
My Issues with Windows 7
recommendations for a new computer
Questions About Windows 8?
Upgrading to windows 8.1
Quick and silly question about JAWS and windowsnotifications
Hunting for a new laptop, Windows 7 Vs 8
Lucki, if you google classic shell you'll find it quickly. Forreal, thank you for the suggestions. That does work, but I still find it a little cumbbersom. if I had no choice but to do it this way, I could, but I'm going to stick with classic shell for the time being.
One really nice thing about Windows 8.1 I will say is the ease with which you can reformat or refresh your computer. You still need to find drivers and all of that fun mess, but actually reformatting and refreshing is become much less of an issue. It all just takes a bit of getting used to for those of us so used to XP. All and all, windows 8 isn't bad, it's just not what we're used to. Although I've found it's incompatible with a lot more than 7 apparently is. For instence, Magic screen magnification. Zoomtext has windows 8 compatibility, but Magic still hasn't caught up. Windows 8 does have a pretty decent built in magnifier in a pinch. it even does full screen if you want it to. But it's still pretty stripped down.
No need to find drivers.
Set your Windows updates to do it for you.
Next, any program can be placed on your desktop. In that way you don't have to go looking for the ones you use daily as I suggested?
On your desktop works faster.
There is also a tool that updates drivers in 8.1. If interested say, and I'll tell you about it.
I just spent the last hour going through all of the different managers and finally found where to shut off the announcements of headers, lists and tables. Phew! I guess JAWS thinks those things are helpful to everybody, but I like as little extraneous chatter as possible. Aside from setting a dictionary setting, though, is there any way to turn off the announcements of links on a page because I hate it when JAWS says "link" every few words and would rather put up with a missing word every once in a while. Sorry if all my questions seem lame, but I went from XP to 8.1 and am still finding things a little rough. Did manage to turn sleep mode off in Windows, but still trying to get my new mail sound notification changed and it doesn't seem to stick. Oh well, need a break and some breakfast right now.
Press insert F11, or open your systems tray however you do this.
If your laptop is set to laptop layout press the number lock key in place of the insert.
Type the letter S until you hear speakers.
Press enter and you hear volume mixer.
Type the letter S again. This opens up your sounds.
Now tab down and you’ll find Windows.
You’ll be changing the sound schemes, and I assume you know how to do this.
In Windows you arrow to the sound you want to change.
The desktop mail will be there.
There is another way as well.
Go to the start menu.
You get there by simply pressing the Windows key no matter where you are.
It also doesn’t matter where you are on the menu, because search is active.
Type system sounds and press enter.
Arrow until you hear change system sounds.
Press enter there and you’ll be back at the sound schemes.
Don’t forget to save it after you’ve modified it.
Also, schemes can be downloaded from the Microsoft website.
I don't know if you read the other boards, but the search box can do much for you as to finding things and gaining information on how to do things.
Windows Update will definitely help with default drivers. Everything your computer came with when you got it as far as drivers will be reinstalled. But I have a Toshiba, and since their intel video driver is actually out of date compared to to the intel website, I needed to do it manually. I would be interested to know about that tool though, Forereal, if you don't mind.
In the search simply type
update device drivers.
arrow to it, but it will be first.
Click it on and you are now in device manager.
Tab onceand you'll be in your PC.
Arrow to the device you want and right arrow to open it.
Example, I arrow down to display adapters. I right arrow and open it.
I am now in properties. I control tab to driver and tab to update.
Vary cool.
yeah, Windows 8 is pretty good when you don't know where you're going. Again though, it's a matter of your PC's manufacturer drivers actually being up-to-date with the driver manufacturer. The update driver button goes by the computer manufacturer's standards. Not often you'll need to care, but every once in a while...
I'd not really check that often. Maybe once every 6 monts?
If your manufactor has a section for upgrades on your specific model, I'd check that first to see if they have some.
I'd also like to say that knoing where you are going is not hard.
Example, you wanted to update your drivers. Type that question in the search.
Sound, type it in the search.
Control panel? You have the idea.
Most time asking a question or refrazing that question will get you the result or place you want to ggo.
I've gotten lazy as to looking for things. I do it so I can learn another way, but when I wanted to find the driver update to answer your question, I asked the computer.
Yeah, new Windows is good for that.
Same idea has worked since Vista actually.
So users of Windows 7 can do the same.
even typing in hj pad with out the spaces will find it for you just ignore when it
says app after the result if it's a program because according to 8/8.1, any
program is an app.