Mom's Computer

[SARGE]

I already posted about her e-mail; now the icon wont even open. She uses AT&T/Yahoo, and [B]only[B] uses her PC for mail. She has pestered me over the phone about this and that the past few weeks, all concerning her e-mail. Talking to her, she doesn't know what a desktop is, and had to walk her into even using her browser. She's age 77. Anyways, her PC being a HP off the shelf and unable to find the CD that came with the thing, I want to do some maintenance but allow the option of nuking the whole thing. She's had it for years and of course has junk and frags - something I didn't want to get into with her. She did finally say it said "XP Home Edition" while booting up, all of course from the HP build from factory. Without her CD that came with the thing, I'm hesitant and out in left field trying to wipe it all out, even with a new HD, since the system CD has all the goodies on it.

My question - since I have the bucks, should I build her one from scratch (something I've done before), and even buy a copy of XP which I will keep at my locale of course? Would put some programs on it and even make a folder called "Mom Do this Weekly), referring to updates, etc. All she uses her PC for is e-mail, but the thing is so bogged down takes forever to even boot. Need some help on this one, fellers.

[Pride]

LOL well, honestly that could be a waste of money. I would suggest just buying an XP install so you can just simply reformat it. I dont think having a better pc is going to bother her any.

[David M]

She obviously does not need a high end gaming computer. Do you think you will always be the tech support or could she also use tech support from Dell for example? Maybe one of those $500 Dells might be the best thing? She gets tech support, a computer that is no longer a dinosaur and a computer you don't have to fuss with for her...and probably for less than a custom built computer that would have no tech support.

[Pride]

She obviously does not need a high end gaming computer. Do you think you will always be the tech support or could she also use tech support from Dell for example? Maybe one of those $500 Dells might be the best thing? She gets tech support, a computer that is no longer a dinosaur and a computer you don't have to fuss with for her...and probably for less than a custom built computer that would have no tech support.


That is actually a very good point. But i have heard some bad things about their tech support.

[Brad the best]

i would also say just go buy a dell for her , unless you want to build a computer because that is fun and it gives you an excuse . :)

but for the money i would just get a dell .

[bd1886]

Here is a very simple solution. If all she uses it for is e-mail...why not jump over to a linux distribution like Ubuntu. The thing is absolutely full featured for all the basics,simple to use (very "Windows like"),inherently virus free and nice looking to boot.Live cd's can be easily found and given a test run before an actual install. I've been running across the same "missing disc issue"on freebies and friends older, off the shelf boxes. This has been a truly nice way to go because it's quality and free! If gaming or working in a complex interactive environment (with other computers running Windows)... I'd say no. Not one person has had a slowdown,virus,pop-up or issue.(These folks know absolutely nothing about computers and appreciate the fact that their computer always "just works".) Just a thought... and may actually be less hassle for her in the long run too.

[glc]

It may have a recovery partition if you simply want to nuke and pave it.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&docname=bph07145

If not, you may be able to buy a new recovery CD from HP for about 20 bucks.

[HAL9000]

Here is a very simple solution. If all she uses it for is e-mail...why not jump over to a linux distribution like Ubuntu. The thing is absolutely full featured for all the basics,simple to use (very "Windows like"),inherently virus free and nice looking to boot.Live cd's can be easily found and given a test run before an actual install. I've been running across the same "missing disc issue"on freebies and friends older, off the shelf boxes. This has been a truly nice way to go because it's quality and free! If gaming or working in a complex interactive environment (with other computers running Windows)... I'd say no. Not one person has had a slowdown,virus,pop-up or issue.(These folks know absolutely nothing about computers and appreciate the fact that their computer always "just works".) Just a thought... and may actually be less hassle for her in the long run too.

Linux isn't an all in one solution... I can give you a prime example of a situation where it grinds the idea to a halt. Linux has no option for logging in without a username and password. Think I'm crazy? Ask my co-worker who spent 68 minutes on the phone with an elderly gentleman trying to get him to log into our website with a username and password. This is something that would keep him out of the computer entirely. Don't give me the excuse that it should be passworded either. There's no big loss if somebody stole the computer and read her e-mail unless she is some kind of international terrorist or keeps her secret chocolate chip cookie recipe in there that the Keebler Elves so dearly want.

[David M]

Hah...I actually agree with HAL this time. :)

[bd1886]

O.K...Just a suggestion that has worked for me and mine. (No fire breathing Linux Head here.) Just could be (and is) a good solution for many. My mothers 71 and handles it fine... with some wiggle room left to take on other stuff too! (Mmmm...Cookies!) A$20.00 purchase of an HP disk (as suggested by glc) sounds good to me too.

[pam123]

Since her only uses are email and the very occasional web browse I'd get her on Linux and put in a router.
That would keep her safe from the web nasties and not stress her out.

[glc]

Pam - I talked about this with Sarge when I was in Dallas last week - she is out in the boonies on dialup. Remember the comfort situation - she is used to Windows and you don't want to introduce a whole different interface. I don't think AT&T/Yahoo has a dialup client for Linux.

[edfair]

Rather than going out and buying new I would look for off lease used stuff with installed XP.
But it depends on whether you have access to such.
I'm buying used Dells in the $200 range , GX240s, good speed, good memory, good hard drive , and with XPP selling for $140. the result is the hardware is about $60.
The downside is needing an XP CD if you have to nuke and pave it again. Or if you have access to ghost you could clone the drive and eliminate the need for the CD.

[Kuch]

Here is my suggestion; money depending.

Go visit mom and fix her current computer. You knock out two birds with one stone; get a nice visit out of the way and her computer will be up and running.

[glc]

Kuch - that was my original suggestion, but he will probably want to bring her computer back to his place where he has broadband to do the work. Downloading and updating cleanup and protection utilities takes forever on dialup. I no longer will do onsite maintenance for customers unless they have broadband - I bring it back to the shop.

[SARGE]

Pam - I talked about this with Sarge when I was in Dallas last week - she is out in the boonies on dialup. Remember the comfort situation - she is used to Windows and you don't want to introduce a whole different interface. I don't think AT&T/Yahoo has a dialup client for Linux.

As I wrote previously (somewhere), she didn't (and prolly still doesn't) even know how to get onto the Net. She never uses Windows for anything and when I suspected and wanted to rule out she was locked-up, had her click on the Recycle Bin to see if another window would open. Took some impatient minutes on my part to explain where the Bin was, on the Desktop, then she asks where that is. Anyway that part worked. All she knows how to do is click on a certain icon to get onto her e-mail.

Anyway, she had Dad hook up her other PC, and even with me explaining all the cords are universal, and rather than unhooking just behind the tower, he took them all out and laid in a pile on the floor, something I said beforehand NOT to do. That PC was recently "fixed" by someone after a lightning strike(don't ask, please) and has same problem. A half-day now reconnecting all the cords at both ends which was unnecessary my communications and patience wearing very thin. I'm backing her up to plug a phone into the jack for dial tone. She can't figure out which is a phone cord from all the "wires back there". I'll forget even testing the modem.

I'll get the problem fixed but learned many things. We here maybe subconsciously think everyone knows as much as we do about computers, and think they know what a desktop is or even what a phone cord looks like, surely at the least. Most of us could sit down at Mom's pc and analyze it and fix in a minute, perhaps several, but I want you to imagine doing all the very simple things above over a phone to someone who has no clue what you're talking about, plus trying to keep your cool. Ain't happening... :eek:

[glc]

Yup - and one of the last things you want to do for someone like that is suggest Linux.......

[Kareeser]

Hehe...

Sarge, have you ever considered installing some sort of VNC program, so you can take over in case something happens?

This way, at least software problems will be easier to handle...

[edfair]

Yeah, phone support like that is a real PITA. I've done my share.

[Patrick]

idk if its just the computers ive bought but all of mine come with xp or vista disk so y cant you just take a copy of xp form your comp or a friends and use the product key on the side insted of buying a new copy?

[SARGE]

Hehe...

Sarge, have you ever considered installing some sort of VNC program, so you can take over in case something happens?

This way, at least software problems will be easier to handle...

From what I gather, XP we both have has something called "remote assistance" meaning I can access her PC online. Haven't a clue how to do that and don't mind trying something new but have a feeling it would open up a whole 'nother can of worms on her end walking her thru her part once I figured out my end...besides she can't even access the Net anyway. Today she said she's buying another computer that will work and tried to explain that's like buying a new car just because she has a flat tire, never mind loading the software for e-mail and ending up with same problem. Going out there fellers, emotions in check, praying for patience and if the dogs don't bite (really) will somehow, someway get her squared away. I asked for this burden a few weeks ago and my 3 siblings abandoned ship with their smiles. I very much appreciate your input and know you understand. I hope you never have to go thru these things over the phone, especially if you have a Mom 77 years old whose life evolves around her dadgum e-mail!! The so-called gurus at Dell, etc., surely keep a bottle of aspirin and panic disorder pills on their desk. Ain't no way I could do their job even before lunch. I'll report back someday, after having my own hands on her PC , okay??

[Kareeser]

Ah, the beauty of it is, that properly configured, you could log into her computer and access it without interaction on her part.

I'm sure others here on PCMech have their own ways of doing VNC, and can assist you, but I choose to use a third-party program, UltraVNC (the other *VNC programs work just as well, though).

In a barebones string of thought, all that needs to be done on the server is installation of the server program, and opening of required ports (both on router, and windows firewall).

I shouldn't hijack this thread with needless details, so I'll PM you some other information :)

[bailey]

not sure I would want to do that on a dial-up connection

[Kareeser]

The beauty of UltraVNC is that you can set the viewer to instruct the server to compress the outgoing data stream.

Granted, the user on the other end is stuck with 8 colours, but it should still be faster than over-the-phone :)

[glc]

She would have to get it dialed up and connected and get the VNC server running...........

[bd1886]

Definitely no linux. They do have those little e-mail boxes. (Can't remember what they are called?) My mother in- law has one but she has never hooked it up.

[Kareeser]

She would have to get it dialed up and connected and get the VNC server running...........

Ah, true enough, but if Sarge can teach her to double click to check her email, he can teach her to double click to dial up :)
The VNC server would be loaded as a service and started on startup, of course...

[SARGE]

Update: Mom bought another PC, Dad loaded the software for AT&T/Yahoo and she can check her mail. She now has 2 good HPs sitting on the floor with 2 good monitors she says are messed up. As I said, she had a flat tire so bought a new car. Am feeling a little guilt but alot of frustration since they live so far away. Would love to get my hands on both of the PCs she says are messed up. Oh, as an aside, the broken PCs came with printers in the package and she says they are also not working, especially on her new PC bought last night (no free printer with that baby). Forget explaining the printers need drivers/software loaded for the OS. Out of 4 siblings, I got stuck with all this but feel more frustration from the not being able to get my cotton-pickin' hands on the machines, rather than at a 77 year old Mom who can't even figure out how to get on the Net, what an address bar is, much less delete it and type in another like Yahoo.com. All she does is click "a little picture" as she calls it, then her mail comes up. Geez, Lord, give me patience, but give it NOW!

[pam123]

Gaahhh!!!!
I have "inherited" the relatives from my cousin who used to keep the all the family connected and I'm empathize!

[SARGE]

She's fussing about the thing looking different - have a feeling since she bought last night it has Vista on it. Am going out there and bring back 2 HPs with their printers and do the low-down on everything. What I will then do with 2 good PCs and printers is beyond me. I hope you fellers at least live close to your close ones and can run over and do your thing in a few minutes to get things straight. I'm an already old coot trying to remedy Mom who is 77 out in the boondocks...

[LeftyAce]

I've got the same problem, but thankfully my mom's got dsl....

You might take a look at www.logmein.com Someone'll have to install the client on her end, then it's just browser based access for you (With two layers of passwords) to take full control of the computer. I bet it would work fine once she started up the dialup connection.

Just installed some software for my mom using it yesterday....SOOOOO much easier than "Ok, what do you see now...."

[jamesrpm]

Sarge , where are your folks located ?, maybe one of the forum members could stop by to lend you a hand.

[SARGE]

Sarge , where are your folks located ?, maybe one of the forum members could stop by to lend you a hand.

Ain't no way but thanks for the suggestion. She's semi-happy with her new PC but says can't connect to her bank as before. She doesn't know how to get on the Net and I have no idea how she did it before. I can walk her thru that I hope. She thinks having the other 2 PCs in the house sitting on the floor has somehow messed up or at least going to mess up her new PC, as though they're someone in a house coughing and spreading germs. All I want to do is tell her how to get on the Net, go to Yahoo and Chase, and she'll be happy. After years of using PCs, she didn't even know what the Recycle Bin was, etc. I suppose my main point of all this is that we take for granted what we know, expect others to know at least the basics, then get frustrated trying to help them over the phone when one doesn't even know what a desktop is, much less what Internet Explorer is. I'm just venting - thanks for listening and the support. :)

[SARGE]

As of today she's back up and running. They evidently sent her a CD for Vista for AT&T/Yahoo but Dad screwed up the e-mail addys when installing and not knowing the software, I couldn't help him correct it. I told him to call AT&T and have the techs earn their money. She's happy now. If she'd just get DSL there would be no problem but being in the boonies not gonna happen.

[pam123]

Glad to hear that peace and harmony are now restored!

[SARGE]

Glad to hear that peace and harmony are now restored!

And the preacher said, "AMEN".