Category: Geeks r Us
Okay, I'm gonna do it (NO, NOT THAT YOU DUFUS) I'm going to get a new computer to replace my old xp machine.
I'm thinking of getting something that will work with jaws13. Probably windows/7.
I think I'd like to get a laptop that is as powerful as possible, and network it with my xp desktop. My xp has large amounts of disk space but is low on ram and processor power.
Any ideas?
Your suggestions are appreciated.
Bob
You'e got a few choices here. It all depends on how much you want to spend though. That's a huge factor in how much you're going to get. Without knowing your budget, it's kind of difficult to say.
Just off the top of my head, there's Toshiba Satellite P50, and there's a Lenovo IdeaPad Y510P. The latter is not quite as strong, but comes with a build-in hydrid solid state drive that'll cause it to do certain common tasks just a little faster (such as booting and the like). Both of these computers are anywhere from $900-$1100 though, so they're just above the midrange mark.
If you want to get a bit geeky and have a mac plus windows I would get a MacBook pro midd 2012 which has a I5 2.5 turbo boost to 3.1 processor and starts with 4 gigs of ram but can be upgraded to 8 gigs. Its got a 500 gig HD but can be replaced with 1 TB. I know its a bit older then 2013 or 2014 but keep in mind the price on such a computer has come down.
Yeah...what would you pay for such a computer though? Because you can get specs like that in a Dell for around six hundred bucks, maybe less. An i5 at 2.5GHZ is good, and 4 gigs of ram to start with is at least not bad, but if the Macbook is asking much more than the price I just roughly quoted, you also have the issue of switching to a mac, which is quite honestly more fuss than some people want to bother with.
hmm plastic or a computer well built, will last you for years and pretty much take anything you throw at it. I will take a MacBook running windows7 or 8.1 any day. NO bloat wear to clean off before I even begin to use it.
I need a budget, and an idea what you have now.
Next, what do you do! Over spending to check ones email is wasting money.
Bragging rights is different, over spending is usually what is required.
Delle XPS are nice too, but they are also expensive.
and if your really gonna spend dough, you might as well shoot for an ultrabook.
I have an XPS and I think they are wonderful. You can fiind them on sale just like anything else though.
The service is great on the XPS line.
Some good ideas, thanks.
I have a limited budget, so $900 and up is kind of out. I was thinking around $600.
Also, I don't really want to learn a new os with a mac.
Bob
For $600 you can get somethin really nice. I suggest a Core I5, 4GB of ram.
HP started an add canpain that bosts windows 7 is back by popular demand, so that is something to check out.
ya a mac is out, you did not specify on your first post how much you wanted to spin.
I was not bragging, its that depending what you need to do on a computer and if your willing to learn something new a mac might be the way to go to save money on purchasing a screen reader. However, 600 is out of a macs high price range.
Didn't say anyone was bragging. I said if he wanted bragging rights. Lol
Windows 7 never left John, you could always get it on a new machine pretty easy.
Dell sold them and still does.
For 600, I'd go Dell, HP, or Tosheba. I'm going to take a look and post exactly what I mean.
If we are doing budget, than we'll say we want the best for it.
That should be either 7 or Windows 8.1,. I like Intel processors, so I'd opt for a i5 4th generation.
Ram depends on the current sale, but I'll bet I can find you something with 6GB at least.
Machines are now 64 bit, so the more ram the better. 4GB minimal.
Lynova as well.
The reason I don't care for HP as my top pick, is due to them installing lower powered ram.
Example. Dell installs 1600 on all computers, even the low price, but HP might install 800 maybe 1300. If you want 1600 or 1800 you have to pay highter premiums.
HP's are really pretty, same with Tosheba.
I'll be back with my list or ones you can buy.
just a word of advice. you might wanna consider asking for a windows cd with your purchase in case your HDD fails.
the 4th gen will give you better battery life, as I understand it.
Naw. Windows 7 and 8 allow you to make a recovery disc or flash drive easy. It is one of the first things suggested when setting the machine up.
Next, if you have the key, and that is on a sticker on the machine, Microsoft will allow you to download it.
Last, most machines have a petition that has all the info on it so you can reset it to factory.
and if your HDD fails, a pertition wont do you any good.
however, having that backed up as a clone and the sticker that has your info on the box will help.
wayne, what advantage is there in having more than 4GB of ram
Because the computer is 64 bits, they run smoother.
He's blind, but it doesn't show, but video and such are smoother.
The price isn't much different, and the extra smooth is worth the 30 bucks in some cases, in others it come with.
At 600 it will be hard to find a machine with a Media drive that has a solid state.
If that drive fails, you've still got your backup, or you just simply download it all back for your new one.
On Dell this week, here are 2 I’d buy.
First is a desktop complete with a 21.5inch monitor.
Inspiron 660s
$499.99
3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5 Processor
Windows 7 Professional
8GB Memory
1TB Hard Drive
Sweet deal. Plenty power.
This next is a laptop, but this laptop will have the full keyboard with the number keypad, because it is an R.
Want the touchscreen, add 100 and you can get it. It has $50 in coupons savings, so if you order over the phone, and want the touch you could get it for $50 more probably.
Inspiron 15R Non-Touch
$549.99
4th Generation Intel® Core™ i5 Processor
Windows 8.1
6GB Memory
500GB Hard Drive
I like that one.
I saw 2 others a desktop with 4GB and a dual core processor for 379, no monitor.
A laptop for 449, but it has a standard laptop keyboard, so missing the keypad.
When working with screen readers, the keypad makes life easier.
I'll be back with other brands.
so things like the web would load better. faster.
Maybe its personal experience, but i've had nothing but problems from 90 percent of the dell laptops i've used.
You actually can get some good ultra book deals with 6 gb ram, and an SSD for around 600. I'll have a look around.
I've been using this del laptop for 8 years without a problem.
I haven't had to do any major things to it.
Just replace the CMOS battery, the keyboard, and upgraded the ram from 2GB to 4GB. hell I'm still runnning the install of windows that came with it installed on dec 23rd, 2006.
I forgot one of your requirements. You have Jaws 13, so you would have to upgrade your Jaws in order to use a machine with Windows 8.
That cost I think would be $260, if I’m not mistaken, and that might be an option.
If not, you can purchase a windows 8 machine, and purchase a copy of Windows 7. I have seen Windows 7 home premium on sale for around $75, and a quick look on Amazon has it listed for $85.
If you’ve got some sighted support, switching is not hard, and you can go back to Windows 8 when or if you want at a later time.
The advantage of upgrading Jaws, would be the benefit or purchasing a better equipped machine at a lower price, because you can now use Windows 8.
The Dell Laptop I posted at $549 goes up to $699, if Windows 7 is selected.
The desktop is in the sweet stop, and a beautiful deal, however.
Here is an example of what Dell has this week for a laptop in your budget range.
This one lacks the number keypad, and is a lesser machine all around, but a good running computer.
I have one with an I3, and it works great. I has 6 GB however.
Inspiron 15 Non-Touch
$449.99
It has a 4th generation I3 processor, 4GB memory, and a 500 GB hard drive.
You have a $50 jupon, so could pick up a wireless keyboard to cover the lost number keypad.
Here is one that is a tad over your budget, but nicely built. It is going for $629.
It is on Amazon.
Toshiba Satellite C55-A5355 Windows 7 15.6-Inch Laptop (Satin Black in Tax Horizon)
• • 2.6 GHz Core i5 3230M
• • 8 GB
• • 750 GB
• • Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Open the box, load Jaws, rock!
There you go. An idea of what I might buy if I had $600. I saw an Ultra book for 479, but remember, these don’t have the media drive, nor will they have a full keyboard.
If this is going to be my main machine, I’d want that comfort.
I'd say personal experience would be about right. I've purchased several Dell computers, for myself, and others, and have only had one that was an issue, but Dell stood behind it, and it was just fine after free repairs.
Just depends.
John, no, not exactly about web pages. Or I should say, not for us.
How fast a web page loads has lots of factors. Your internet speed, the page, how many people are on that page, your computer, and a host of other stuff, so 6 GB won't necessarily fix slow pages.
When a video, or a program is running, if you have a lower powered machine it is jerky. The more power, or ability to spread data so to speak, makes things smoother.
Have you ever been typing on a lowered power machine with Jaws when you've got several things running at once and noticed a lag in what you type? It is like that.
You have 6 GB, you can run many things, and not have that lag.
That is the only way I can describe it.
honestly? the only boxes I've used are my own. its always been with the latest upgrade of jaws, and i've not have a problem with typing using my older specs.
Your computer I'll bet is plenty powerful.
It depends on what you are running, and how many items at once.
I have both an I3 with 6 GB and an I5 with 8 GB. My I5 computer is able to run far more things, and lever lags at all, but I can push my laptop in to a slight lag, or it will be slower opening, say a document, but won't lag.
Example. The other day I was having a Skype chat, had music playing, my email was open and receiving, I was online doing some shopping, and I also did some typing in a word document I was doing.
All that was running nicely on my laptop.
Now, if I do that on my older computer, the word document would have been slower to open, or the email would lag a bit.
for us, it is just slight, but if you were watching a video, you'd see it jerking.
yep. it jerks, and things get pixilated as it tries to sync back up with the audio. It doesn't always work. lol
I have at work, UPS and Contact Desk top express, along with excel and jaws 11 some times lag the heck out of the old desktop I use at work. My mac can handle more tasks then that computer. To be fare its about 4 years old :).
lol. my puters are both 8 y years old, but probably run so well cause it wasn't lower specs at the time.
Desktop is a Custem whitebox P4HT 3.0GHZ Processor, 4GB of DDR2 ram on a 40 gig HD.
Laptop is a Dell Inspiron E1705 T2250 @ 1.73GHz processor, again with 4GB of DDR2 ram, running on an 80gig HD.
the only time i notice lag on my laptop is if i'm recording with sound forge, and have to minimize to the desktop
Personally, I love my Mac, it is well built, isn't made out of plastic, and the keyboard is amazing! It's just personal preference, though. Web pages load faster, for example, if your computer has a solid state drive, though, these are quite expensive, but the price is coming down slowly. I bought one on Amazon for my other laptop for around $159.00, and it works like a charm. It's a Samsung Evo series 250 GB drive. I honestly think that HP is a better build than Dell. Who knows, maybe Dell has changed how well their computers are constructed. A thought is to purchase a Mac off of EBay? You may be able to find one close to your budget. Windows isn't that difficult to set up on a Mac either, so you would have the best of both worlds. You would have VoiceOver on your Mac partition and Windows on your other.
I to love my mac for the same reasons has hardy boy just posted above my last post.
Hi,
I'll try and explain the different parts of a computer and how they impact performance in a more compact & correct way:
CPU: sometimes known as a processor. For desktops the two main makes are Intel (widely considered the best in terms of CPU performance) and AMD (better value for money & better graphics). For laptops & laptop type devices other makes are available which are mainly rebranded ARM chips although this isn't overly relevant in this situation. Examples of a CPU working include audio & video editing (excluding the loading of files), compiling & file compression so spending more on a CPU will decrease the time it takes to do these things. Pro tip: most people feel that they need an Intel. Most people are wrong and would notice no decrease in performance if a comparable AMD CPU was used instead. If budget is a concern I would opt for an AMD.
RAM: sometimes known as memory & not to be confused with a hard drive which is classed as secondary storage. Total amount of memory is often a multiple of 2. Can run at different speeds; comon speeds as of the time of writing are 1066, 1333 and 1600MHZ. Higher speeds are available but aren't usually offered as part of a mainstream system. Faster RAM is noticeable when programs are run that have been written to test or "benchmark" the performance of a system but for real world usage 95% of people won't notice a difference. Not really worth obsessing over in my opinion, especially if you're not building the system yourself. General rule of thumb is that the more applications you have open at once the more RAM you'll need. For consumer type use cases 4GB is usually acceptable although 6GB will usually speed things up a bit & 8GB provides some futureproofing.
Hard drive: two main types; most comon is a spinning disk but solid state disks (SSD's) are becoming more popular. Hybrid disks now exist which combine the two to give you the best of both. Advantages of spinning disks include larger capacities and lower prices; advantages of SSD's include drasticly increased throughput due to there being no moving parts & quieter operation, again due to there being no moving parts. For desktops, budget permitting, it is becoming comon to have a SSD for your OS and programs but to also have a larger spinning disk for all of your data. Hard drives store your operating system, programs and files, so using a SSD will affect performance when any of these things are opened - E.G. at bootup, when opening programs and files and in some instanses while web browsing. Pro tip: quite a few people feel that SSD's are unreliable but most of these people really don't have a clue what they're talking about, or they fail to mention the reliability / unreliability of spinning disks. The fact of the matter is that all consumer hard drives (spinners and SSD's) are produced in a way that keeps costs down & capacities high as opposed to increasing reliability. SSD's have a finite number of read / write operations that can be performed until cels start dieing which depends on the type of memory being used; hard drives also have a lifetime although this is noticeabley longer than an SSD. Drop your laptop and your spinning disk stands a good chance of dieing where as your SSD should be fine. Try to use your SSD after 4 years (a sudo random number as SSD life isn't usually measured in years) and you'll experience slower performance; try to use your spinning disk after 4 years and performance may well be identical to said disks performance on day one of you using it. Moral of the story is that all consumer storage is unreliable so a: don't worry that much about SSD reliability and b: do backups.
Hope this is of some help.
Cheers.
also. there's the type of processor too. CoreI3's are good for word processing, edeting of emails etc.
CoreI5 are the c consumer grade, you can do more advanced stuff faster with a Core I5, and Core I7 are really meant for majorly intense gaming.
now t the thing I dont understand is the difference between the desktop processors vs mobile vs Adam and Bey Traile and what the differences are as far as performance is.
I believe that the Adam and Bey Trail are slower, but are better for longer lasting battery power on laptops.
I'm also not sure how much the GHZ of the processors matter in today's world.
I know that Intel has turbo boost, which will increese the power during more heavier tasks.
I know that 7 and 8 can run on 1GHZ processors, but what does MS consider running? i mean just how slow is that.
I once had a desktop with an AMD chip, and I didn't notice any difference in terms of performance between that processor and an Intel.
My only reason for liking Intel over AMD is I find the run coller, and seem to last longer. I've had AMDE machines quite before Intel.
Also, AMD's system are cheaper. AMD's work well, I just prefer Intel.
Do not ever EVER EVER get an HP laptop! I had two of them back to back, and after 1-1.5yrs the motherboard disconnected from the power supply, so you had to either send it in for repair or fiddle around with it to make sure the power supply was connecting. I've had two Toshiba laptops, and they have both survived dropping, falls, and heavy uses, my first for 4 years, my second for 7.
Just thought I would jump in, since I have no knowledge about RAM, processors, etc., but I do have a very definite bad experience with HP.
Kate
i think everybody has there dud stories .
by the time the zone is done, every company will suck. lol
john, while I don't disagree, and one experience would not be enough to turn me off a company entirely, the two HPs having the same problem after only 1-1.5 years of use was enough to warn me away from them. If others have had success, great, but I think you should be able to take your laptop everywhere with you and not have to worry if your power supply is going to connect to your battery. I've had two toshibas and both have worked far longer and far sturdier than any HP I've had.
Kate
I have seen problems with them all. HP laptops anyway, seem to be the most easy to break if you carry them about.
Pretty machines, so, it is a personal thing again. Buy the service contract if the company you buy is not something you've used before.
and keep backups of your stuff in case you do need to send it in for repair.
Much thanks for all the advice and discussion.
Let me try to describe what I now have, and what I'm thinking.
Currently I have:
Operating System Windows XP Home Edition 32-bit SP3
Intel Pentium 4
RAM 1.00GB Dual-Channel RDRAM @ 397MHz (4 slots filled up, I filled the last two slots in 2010)
Motherboard Dell Computer Corp.
Hard Drives
112GB Seagate ST3120023A (ATA) 48 °C
298GB Western Digital WDC WD3200JB-00KFA0 (ATA) 40 °C
Operating System Windows XP Home Edition 32-bit SP3
Computer type: Mini Tower
PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE x86
Installation Date: 6/28/2005 12:46:54 PM
Audio Rocketfish 5.1 (I added this in 2011).
security: microsoft firewall, and microsoft security essentials.
Speech Jaws v13, and latest version of NVDA.
As you see, this is a minimally useful computer, but I have been satisfied with it.
I probably wouldn't do anything if microsoft weren't discontinuing support for xp.
I don't want to use jaws14 or windows/8 because of the cost and minimal benefits.
I'm thinking of getting a laptop with good power and RAM, networking it with my xp machine, and continuing to store books and music on the xp.
My budget will allow about $600 to $700 for this upgrade.
Does this all make sense?
Can I do it?
Thanks.
Bob
yes I see tiger direct selling laptops but a lot of them have win8 installed on them.
Yes. You don't even need 600 if you are happy with that power. Remember I told you Dell had a computer for 379? That be way better than you have now. In fact, it be so much faster, you'd think you spent big bucks. Smile.
If you don't mind a desktop, you can find any from just about any company for 400 or less that would be just fine.
Laptops as well, but the company will matter, because some don't offer the full sized keyboard in the lower price range. If that matters, and you don't wish to use an external, I'd say 450 tops.
Post if you want a laptop or desktop, and I'll give you 4 that would do you.
You must stick with windows 7, and that isn't a problem.
Woe, great.
I think I'd rather use a laptop, though a desktop is not out of the question.
I don't mind using an external keyboard. Last time I went searching for a replacement keyboard, all I could find were specialty keyboards for word processing, entertainment or excel. I finally found a plain old keyboard in a pawn shop. It's still working great if you don't mind all the gook.
Bob
Keyboards are easy. Wired or wireless.
Okay, I'll be back with what I'd buy.
The other machines I posted were over kill, but fit your budget. 500 is more the line you need.
I saw one this morning that was like 379. Has a 17 inch screen though, so kind of big to carry around, bot other than that great for you.
Are you going to be caring the laptop about?
I see the laptop as being pretty stationary.
I think I'd rather have a wireless keyboard.
Dell has a machine for $449 E-Value Code: FNCWC2405SW7
It has the 4th Gen i3 processor, 500GB hard drive, 4GB memory.
Don’t like it, return it for full refund.
New Egg.
Lenovo Essential B590 Intel Core i3-2348M 2.3GHz 15.6" Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit Notebook, Upgradeable to Windows 8 Pro
Part#: 59366616
GPU/VPU: Intel HD Graphics 3000
Optical Drive Type: DVD±R/RW
Chipset: Intel HM77
Model #: B590 (59366616)
$419 for this one. Return is different, plus if you don’t like shopping online call them.
Amazon has this one.
Lenovo B590 Windows 7 Pentium 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black) 59410452
• Product Details
• • 2.4 GHz Intel Pentium Dual Core 2020M
• • 4 GB
• • 500 GB
• • Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Theres an idea of what is available.
For Wireless keyboards I like Logetech because they are basicly plug and play. Prices range for about $15 and up. $30 gets you in the sweet spot.
Okay, I finally made a dicision.
I want to thank everyone who chimed in. I don't think I could have decided without your help.
Here's what I'm getting. How did I do?
Toshiba C70-AST2NX2 Satellite C70 / i3-3210M / 17.3" / 4GB / 750GB-5400 / Intel HD / Windows
Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 Product Key Card (for PC bundle)
Toshiba Wireless Keyboard and Wireless Nano Mouse bundle
This is all for $709.00.
I'll keep jaws13 for as long as it works, I'm learning NVDA, jaws upgrades are too damned expensive.
Once again thanks for all your help, I really couldn't do it without your wonderful advice.
Bob
Bob, thanks for this info! I am in the same boat you are (running Windows XP, JAWS 14)... so need a Windows 7 machine. I was looking into a Toshiba... so let me know how this one works for ya!
Kate
Should run nicely.
the 5400 RPM drives are the slower drive, so I woulda opted for a 7200 RPM drive.
but other then that I think you did great!
i g got a question about your older desktop system. is 1 gig of ram the max that thing can support?
Fraid so.
Oh yeah, Kate, I'll let you know once the computer comes in.
Bob
I am thinking of getting the Toshiba Satellite C50-A-00J
4GB RAM
500GB HDD
5400RPM, but anything is better than what I got now!
what you got now?
yeah bob you needed to get a new one.
my older systems are maxed out in the ram department but can handle 7 very very well.
in fact i'm runnin 7 on my del laptop from 2006 and it works amazingly well!
Kate, get yourself a 7200 RPM drive instead of the slower 5400 RPM.
OK, so after having done a bit more research, I have seen that JAWS 14 works with WIndows 8.1... which COMPLETELY brings me back to the drawing board. Anyone used this? Should I stay with Windows 7, or go to 8.1?
Also, since I am planning on buying a copy of Office, then I will alsor eceive Window Eyes for free...
I thought I had it all figured out, but the researcher in me...
UGH!
Kate
Hi Kate.
Frankly the gestures thing scared the hell out of me, and the fact that I'm running jaws13, made me stay away from windows 8.
Bob (fighting technology all the way)
LOL fair enough!
I use gestures with my phone, but I kinda figure that I have heard enough crap about Windows 8 that it gives me pause about 8.1.
So... perhaps will not fight the technology; simply use what I know.
Kate
first, Jaws14 does work with Windows 8, but 15 works better. Jaws14 doesn't support the touch interface.
unless you are gonna get jaws 15, i'd stick with windows 7 for jaws 14.
if you do decide to get 8, you should update to 8.1 update 1. This update comes out on patch Tuesday (april 8th, 2014.)
if you do update to 8.1 update 1 , and opt for a non-touch device, one of the new features is that it automaticly senses if you are using a tuch screen or non-touch screen. If it is a non-touch screen it wont show the apps view, but instead stick to the desktop view.
you can uninstall all the tuch apps if you decide you don't want to use them.
Here's my other piece of advice. If you know Windows 7 already, stick to it. It'll work well with Jaws 14,and it'll serve you well (by being supported by Microsoft) until January 2020.
If you need help with finding a laptop or desktop, let me know. I'll be glad to help and I enjoy doing that type of stuff.
Second thoughts:
In Post 50, I spelled out what I was getting for around $700. It included a Toshiba C70-AST2NX2 Satellite C70 / i3-3210M / 17.3" / 4GB / 750GB-5400 / Intel HD / Windows 7.
I called toshiba today to change the quote, asking them if they could put ie9 on the machine, as it comes with ie10.
They couldn't do that (which didn't surprise me). However, I was greatly put off by their phone system: it took me three tries to get through to a live person, and the girl I got was almost rude.
I pointed out an error in the shipping order (they misspelled my sister's last name).
She just flatly said they couldn't change the quote in any way.
I'll probably wind up getting it anyway, but I think I want to do a little more shopping first.
Bob (hating technology all the way)
On the question about Windows 7 or 8 here is what I think.
If you will upgrade your Jaws at anytime in the future, you'll want to go with windows 8. I say 8, but I mean 8.1 or whatever.
My reason for this, is you keep abreast if you have the Jaws that supports new developments.
Next, you will find you can get lots more computer for a lower price if you go with the current windows.
Now, if you are going to stick with 14, I'd stay with windows 7, because the upgrades shouldn't outstrip your 14 to quickly that will be available for 7.
I was going to correct you John, to say Bob's machine has a 5400RPM drive. But he posted the specs again.
For general computing the 5400 RPM drive works just fine, and you'll not miss the extra speed.
You can install IE 9, but I don't believe you'll need to. Try it as is, and see what you have.
Okay, just wanted to bring this topic one more time.
I got my computer yesterday and, so far, it's great. I posted the specs elsewhere in this topic, so I won't do it again.
Now my learning jag begins in earnest.
Just wanted to thank everyone for their help.
Bob
Good stuff! I didn't find Windows 7 that difficult to learn; it was simply a matter of not being freaked out about the change in wording of things. Very little has actually changed, with the exception of Microsoft Office.
As for me, I've changed my mind about my laptop. I am hoping now to purchase the Toshiba Satellite C40-A-005
and have also looked at the Toshiba L750-12M
Keep letting us know how it works!
Kate
Well, I'm writing this using windows/7, nvda (I can't find my authorization jaws cd).
A new external keyboard (where most of the keys are where I expect them to be.
Actually, things are going much better than I expected.
The terminology is different, and the speech sounds different.
Bob
The speech? How so?
Also you don't need the CD, just type your Auth number in the box.
You press start authorization . It ask for your CD, but you select you don't have it.
Next it as if you want to au using the internet and that is already selected.
Than you follow the prompts and you are set.
you can call FS and they'll give you the auth number if you need it.
Glad you like your new puter!
Damn, I once knew that about typing in the auth number but I forgot. So I'm off to try that.
Thanks guys.
Bob
Post your issues, and we'll fix em. Lol
Not only that, but chances are others too shy to ask have your same issues.
Okay, here's another challenge, and I suspect it's a little more difficult than the authorization number thingy.
I want to copy the full path to a file into the clipboard. Someone said on a forum I read that all you had to do was to do a right shift click on the file, and one of the options was to copy the path of the file in the clipboard.
No problem, right? Not so fast!
It turns out that jaws doesn't have a keystroke to do this. You can shift left click with the insert+shift+NumPadSlash. But, insert+shift+NumPadAsterisk yields an asterisk and a beep from your computer.
So, you say, what's this got to do with windows/7?
On the xp I had a little program called CopyPath which would do this for me. But, it won't run on seven.
Don't you love progress?
Bob
If I am understanding you correctly, you want to do a right mouse click.
If your PC has a full keyboard, the right mouse click is at the top of the number keypad third key from the left.
If not, you useshift and the number 9.
To see the copy option, press the applications key and go down.
Don't have the applications key shift F10 will show you that menu.
If that wasn't what you meant, explain better?
Another method I used with Windows 7 to copy a file is to get on it, and press the shift and the left arrow key.
Now I can put that link, or shortcut anyplace I like.
wayne he is wanting to copy the pass to the file.
say the file is in
Windows 7: Just control c on the file itself. Then you can paste it into the run dialog.
But, shift right click, you say?
Hold the shift key down and press the applications key. That'll do ya. That's not specific to one screen reader over another.
For those that convince Apple Mac is much more expensive than the ordinary PC. Well, its really depending on what you compare with. If you compare the similar specs machinese, you are more likely than not, need the similar sort of budget. If you compare a computer that you can perhaps work for 2 or 3 years, compareto something that you can work for 5 to 7 years, then surely, you will pay less for something that you'll work for 2 to 3 years, compare to something that will give you 5 to 7 years or more life.
I got a Dell XpsM2010, i got it in mid 2007 on around $2000 budget. That was not include any Office and only come with Windows XP Home. After it got upgraded to XP pro, and MSOffice enterprise, i end up spent around $2500 to $3000 for the machine.
Don't look at the face vallue, you will be surprise what you can spend on an ordinary PC, compare to a Mac. Learning new OS could be hard for sure, just like if you don't know how to ride and bike, and trying to enter a bike rase in a week and trying to be the top of all. However, giving the time and patient, you will get there. Not to say, with Mac, you really have the option to put window on it, and the good news is that you can put which ever window OS version that please you.
Well the file path, I just do like I said.
I press shift left arrow.
Control C and it is on my clipboard and I paste it where I want it to go.
no wayne.
I think what he is tryin to do is not copy the actual file, but the pass to the file name.
Here let me give an example of what I think and bob can verify if this is what I mean.
Say he has a file called "bob.txt.
It is in folder
c:all usersbobmy documentsbob.txt.
he wants to have the pass of that file copied to the clipboard.
So in windows xp my guess is that there is a program called copy file pass.
He could right clikc on the bob.txt file, and from within the context menu copy the full pass of that file.
Then when he pasted the contents of the clipboard, it'd paste
C:all usersbobmy documentdbob.txt.
This is the pass to the file and not the actual file itself.
I don't know that there is a way to do this.
The copy pass program somehow had a shell extention in the context menu that would let him do what he wanted.
Is this what you are asking to do, bob ?
Exactly John.
I don't want to copy the file, I want to copy the address of the file.
You said it much better than I ever could.
About the shift right mouse click: pressing the right mouse button is done by pressing the numpad slash (third key from the left on the keyboard) but pressing shift numpad slash doesn't give you a shift right mouse click, like it should, it gives you a slash.
I've looked in the keyboard manager, where all this crap is defined, and everything else is there, but not a shift right mouse click. It pisses me off, because it's kind of like freedom scientific is saying "them blind people ain't never going to need that."
Bob
virtualize the window and then copy the path to your clip board. That should do it if your wanting to copy text to the clipboard.
How would that work?
Its not copying the full pass.
say he's within folder C:usersbob and the file name he wants to copy is really long.
Sure he could copy the virtualize window, but he'd have to do several steps to get what he wants this way.
Let me lay out the long drawn out steps that you suggested.
After he opens C:UsersBob
1. Press JawsKey+alt+W to open the virtualize window.
2. find the title of the window (which would only show the folder name that he is in currently.)
Hit ctrl+c to copy it.
Hit escape to close the virtualize window.
Go to the place that he is going to paste the copied pass in.
Paste the copied pass with Ctrl+V
So far his pasted pass would only be: C:UsersBob
Alt+tab to the window that has his C:UsersBob folder open.
Find the file that he is wanting to copy.
Hit his context menu key
Arrow down to rename
Hit enter
Hit home to get to the beginning of the file name
Use ctrl+shift+end to select the entire file name.
Hit ctrl+c to copy this selection
Hit escape to get out of the file rename window (without changing the name of the file).
Alt+Tab back to the window that has the parshal pass from before... (which if you remember is only C:UsersBob
Hit end to get to the end of C:UsersBob
Hit ctrl+V to paste the file name that he just copied.
Now he'll have C:UsersBobFileName
All this assumes that he even has his windows 7 set to show the file pass in the title, and the extention of the file (if he so chooses to have that included).
Seems like a very long, drawn out and needlessly complicated way for him to do what he wants.
Thanks for your suggestion but surely there has got to be a better way than that.
I only wrote that out to illustrate just how many steps is needed to do it the way you suggest.
The other way he did before (by having a shell in the context menu), did it for him a hell of a lot easier than this.
All he'd have to do in that case is go to the file in question, hit context menu key, and select something to the effect of Copy full file pass to clipboard.
Then all he would need to do is go to the place that he is going to paste this in and hit ctrl+V to place the copied pass, including file name.
Once again, John you are right.
But, I am worn out after reading your instructions.
Let me explain what I'm doing so maybe it will make more sense.
I have arthritis in my hands really bad so typing is a real chore for me.
I found a neat little program which will let you create all kinds of hotkeys to do all sorts of things. It's called autohotkey, if anyone wants to try it out google autohotkey and go to the first result.
I use it for putting my email address, hard to remember passwords, and even expand a few things like "for your information" from "f y i".
Anyway, I have a file on my xp desktop called "bob's notes" where I put appointments, phone numbers etc. I moved it over to the windows/7 laptop desktop. With autohotkey I can press alt+ctrl+b to bring up the file. However, autohotkey has the old address hard coded in it.
I was simply trying to get the new address of the file. It's not a big deal, I just hate to find that I can't do what I want to because of a limitation in jaws.
Bob
Hmm. so if you can find the file pass of that file, you can then paste the pass in the hotkey program ? is that it?
Once you paste the pass, the hotkey program will know what pass to use to open that file. is that it?
Will you need to do this for only one file? or are there multiple files you are looking to use hot keys to open .
Here's another suggestion.
How about if you just make a shortcut to the file?
You can use ctrl+alt+something to open the file this way too.
Ah. Got it now.
I'm still lost on the right click, because I can right click.
I'm going to check out something.
I don't know about the file path without the file quickly anyway.
I do what to learn about this mouse click however, because when something ask for it, I seem to be able to right click.
Or I should say use the mouse buttons, I get to the menu with either the applications key, or shift F10.
Have you looked for an updated version of the program that works for you, or programs?
Bob, i'm using a wireless keyboard, its a Logitech Wireless Combo MK520
Didn't you say you were using a Logitech keyboard also?
have you had anybody sited to help you out??
just to the right of the spacebar is the alt key. If you are using a Logitech, let me know if to the right of that is something called a function key.
I think my keyboard is a tosheba, but, thankfully, there's no function key anywhere. It's a standard keyboard with three sound-oriented buttons: vol-up, vol-down and mute.
About the right click, Wayne, it's not right click I'm concerned with, it's shift right click, and, I suspect ctrl right click. These don't seem to work, though they should.
I tried the file transfer wizzard (whatever it's called) yesterday. I'm kind of anxious to get all my music on the laptop. Anyway, this file transfer wizzard looked pretty neat, so I started moving files that way. It moved stuff for about four hours and told me I had five days and twenty hours left. Anyway, I aborted it, and I'm glad I did. It didn't move any of my music, but it moved a bunch of crap I didn't want to begin with. Any ideas on taming this beast?
I tried moving my music through copy and paste through the network, and that seemed to work okay, still slow. I think I may try filling up a jump drive and depositing it on the laptop. This would take several transports as I have about 20 gig of music, and the biggest thumb drive I have is eight gb.
Bob (having fun all the way)
hmm file transfer wizard.
i'll have to look into that.
"C:UsersForereelDocumentsclothing and shoe wish list...docx"
Now that I understand what you want to do Bob, I gave it a try.
Here is how I do it.
I go to the file I want to just copy the path, but not the file.
On my keyboard, I do not have an applications key, so I use, shift F10 to make the right mouse click, because in this area, the right mouse button doesn’t make the menu open as you’ve discovered.
I never really thought about it, because I don’t open the menu that way.
Under that menu I find
Open edit, copy, properties, and such things.
I did not give the order, but these are some of the things I have in there.
I arrow down, or up to “copy as path�, and press the enter key.
Now what you see at the top of this post is what is now on my clipboard.
I go to the place I want to place this information, like this post, and do control V to paste it.
There is no need to do a keystroke to copy it, because that is what entering on the “copy as path� does.
If the keyboard has an applications key, that key is located on the right hand side of the spacebar third key over, or next to the windows key, the one with the little circle on it, on a standard keyboard.
Your wireless keyboard can also be configured so that a key opens this menu as well, if you don’t have the applications key.
That I can’t explain, because I don’t have a Toshiba keyboard, but Logitech, one of the brands I feel are most accessible to use and setup.
On a side note, your wireless keyboard can be configured for many task, to aid in less hand strain.
Opening the media player, internet explorer, or choice of browser, any office applications you might like using such as your word processing program, and many other things.
Mainly, this is done using the F keys after you turn on the navigation menu.
On my keyboard to turn that menu on, I have a key on the right hand side of the space bar.
What you see is exactly what came from my computer, so your file path name can be anything, but it will be on your clipboard.
File transfer is a bit tricker to explain.
I think for us, the best method is the thumb drive, or a cable connection.
20GB isn't all that much. If you want to just put it, buy a 32 GB thumb drive, about 12 dollars, and just drop the complete music file on it, and deposit it as is on your new computer.
Wipe the drive clean, and move anything else you want.
This insures you put your files exactly where you want them to be on your new computer.
If you had machines with both Windows 7, this would be easier.
If you need to know where to get the 32GB thumb drive, let me know, and I'll post it for you.
Also, I am interested. Does your laptop have a full keyboard, one with the number keypad?
I think it should without looking it up?
If this is so, when you loaded Jaws, did you select laptop layout, or desktop layout?
If you selected laptop layout, change it to desktop layout, because the full keyboard works better this way in my opinion.
If what I'm talking about is muddle, tell me and I'll explain. Lol
How does the file transfer wizard work?Is that the thing you were telling me about that networks two computers together wayne?
This way I could get more than 32 GB.
See here is what I am thinking of doing.
Do a huge amount of data transfer that I wanna listen too.
Keep this data on the hard drive on my laptop (only for listening too.)
Once I listen to one file I delete it. I keep going thru all this until they're all gone.
then I do another nice swof of data.
would the file transfer wizard do what I want?
I don't need another external HD wayne lol
Is that the same as the home group thing you were telling me about? or is this different.
Let me explain a little further what I have in mind wayne. I know you and I talked about this, but I'm just thinking that thumb drive thing wouldn't be what I wanted, cause I want more than 32 gigs of data to go with me. I also want it to be all accessible on the laptop, (no external drive to carry along with my laptop)
so here's what I'm saying.
i'd have a second copy of the data that would be my permanent copy.
the data that I'd transfer would be to listen to once, then delete it when i'm done.
What I was telling you about home group, is not exactly file transfer.
The file transfer is for basicly making your new machine have everything that was on your old machine.
Home group requires both or all computers to have Windows 7 up, and allows for using files between the computers in the group, and at home.
Example, I have a laptop, and a desktop. Both of these are in my home group.
If I set in the kitchen with my laptop, or anyplace near enough to access my router, or be connected, I can see ande use the files on my desktop as if my laptop is the same computer, but the desktop files do not download to my laptop.
I can play music, read documents, and depending on the permissions I set, edit them as well.
Maybe I have a big family. My mate has a computer, my daughter and son have a computer, and my butler. I have one computer in the family room that has a large drive, so stores all the music/video files.
Everyone connected in the house to the home group can use these files in on their computers without having them. The desktop is like a server.
For you cloud storage is good like the one I told you about.
http://www.cnet.com/news/get-50gb-of-idrive-ios-cloud-storage-for-99-cents/
If both computers have pro versions of the Windows, you can use remote desktop, and I've explained that as well.
Hi.
Wayne, my keyboard is a full keyboard, and I have jaws set for desktop.
Your note about shift f10 menu is interesting. You're so right, that menu does contain copy path command. It's got a few other goodies not in the menu that comes up when you press the applications key. I don't remember what they are right now, but, if you are interested in more detail let me know and I'll get it for you.
About the transfer wizzard, John, I'd be very careful using that thing. I used it for a while and now have garbage I never intended to transfer on my laptop. For example, for most entries in my favorites I have two entries: one that works and one that points to a location on my desktop. (yuck!)
I have most of my music moved. I first used cut and paste, first going to the network showing my music files, and copying them to the clipboard. Then I went to the location on my laptop where I wanted to store the files and pasted them.
the copy and paste on windows is pretty smart. It knew I was going over a network and told me when there was a network error and gave me the option to retry, skip or cancel.
This is a good option if you can baby sit it. But, in my opinion it is very slow.
I got better results by copying the files I wanted to a thumb drive. Then pasteing them where I wanted them.
Bob
See, for exactly the issues you posted about the transfer wizard is why I agree the thumb drive is a better option for us.
You can delete the extra entries if you want, but that is more work you didn't have if you use the thumb dirve.
Thanks for the offer Bob, but I can see exactly what is in that menu. I only posted a few things to illustrate where I was.
Mine has a few custome entries, such as my virous program, safely remove files, that allows me to basicly burn them, and some other stuff.
I didn't want to post the list, because that might have been confusing.
But your file path is there, so.
I use shift F10, the Jaws keystroke, I don't know if it works with other screen readers, because my wireless keyboard, and my laptop both have no applications key.
Bob i'm curious how did you do the networking thing?
If you have a full keyboard, you can press shift with the applications keys also. That is the shift right click command right in Windows.
A good key to use on context menus elsewhere also for more hidden options.
I've never needed to add the shift when I had an applications key, but you are correct, and I've not thought about that.
Just want to point out something.
i have and own at least two Logitech keyboard, wireless and wired. In both of my keyboard, the fn key, also known as the application key is on the Left of Left Alt key...
And, same with MS keyboard that i used to have. Not all keyboards got the same layout for function keys...
Mine doesn't have an applications key at all, left or right. I've also had two of them.
I wonder if these are made different styles depending on the country you purchase them in?
The function keys can have different applications, but I can change the behavior of mine.
Also, don't you use a Mac? Without looking, aren't the keyboards different for these?
I do use Mac, but also pc as well. Actually, Mac and PC keyboard can be similar. There are ways that you can modify pc keyboard to Mac. in general, basic different is that you have command key instead of control key, and Apple/application key instead of Alt key...
My logetech keybord has the space the right alt key and then the function key.
I believe you can change it if you download some sort of software package from Logitech, though I haven't bothered to look for it.
You use the function key plus f1, f2, f3 etc to do different things.
Shift+applications, now there's a neat idea, I wonder about ctrl or alt as other possibilities.
The autohotkey program I mentioned earlier, could convert the shift+NumKeyMult to a shift right click, but as I started reading about how to do it in the help manual, it got more and more difficult.
John, I really can't explain how I got to the network. I think I just typed "network" in the search box. Perhaps I brought up windows explorer and kept arrowing around until I saw the D drive on my xp. If you really can't do it, let me know and I'll pay more attention next time.
Bob
Typing network will get you there.
Going to the systems tray and opening the icon that shows what you are connected to gets you there.
Acction center gets you there, but from the search box, or the systems trey.
I personally still wouldn't use that tool as a blind person though, but go for it. Smile.
Logitech keyboards key function can be changed with the keyboard.
It takes some practice, or just sighted help. No downloads required at all.
This has been my experience anyway.
Why wouldn't you use that tool as a blind dude, wayne ?
I use a application called sharp keys to remap the keys on my mac; my right option and right command key are delete and application.
With a thumb drive you know exactly where you files will end up.
With the transfer Windows decides.
There are ways to set it, but I don't believe these are accessible.
Cleaner transfer. Note Bob ended up with extra shortcuts and such.
Yes, I would strongly recommend avoiding the file transfer wizzard.
Bob
no no. i'm not talkin about the file transfer wizard . I was wondering why you would avoid setting up a network to network the two computers together so you can transfer stuff back and forth
I didn't suggest that.
With Windows 7, there is no need.
You just use home group.
I like Dropbox too. Put it in dropbox it is on all your devices.
Download it if you want it on the other computer.
Easy. No cables, heavy lifting, sweating trying to figure out how, and all that.
One drive comes with Windows 7 and 8. Does exactly the same thing.
You are use to doing things the old way John. Smile.
I have DropBox but don't know how much space I have with it.
Between DropBox, OneDrive and Bitcasa maybe I could have all 3 going at the same time grin.
Hi,
Has anyone ever tried the logetek solar wireless keyboards? I saw one advertised and it was interesting... I guess if there's no sun out, it has batteries. Since you guys are recommending computers, I want a HTPC. That is, a home theater pc; this way, I can have more control over what I want to play through my home theater, instead of trying to rely on receivers that aren't accessible. I have an Apple TV which is nice, but a PC will expand my playing possibilities. I looked at the Nuc made by Intel, but I'm not sure what else is out their.
I went to drop box to see what I could do.
Bottom line, nothing. I have gone through the "getting started" crap, and, still can't find out how much space I have, or how to put files in the mythical space I have. (grumble, grumble).
Can I use one-drive on my xp computer?
Bob
OneDrive and XP don't get along.
The free basic dropbox gives you about 250MB to 500MB or use to.
I had a few people sign up and got more space.
Dropbox is downloaded on all the devices you want to use it on.
Anything you put in it on one computer, will be on everything else.
They are probably giving at least 500 GB now, because everones else does free and up.