JME
Member
Posts: 70 
Former World Start Member: Yes
World Start Name: JME
|
Post by JME on Jul 30, 2020 20:08:15 GMT -5
Judy, I am hoping you can come to my aid again. I will be receiving a new Dell Inspiration laptop next week with Windows 10. It has been a long time since I set a new computer up and am a little nervous about it. Can you give me any pointers or advise on what I am facing? My old 8.1 has been acting up and I figured it was time to replace it before it dies on me.
|
|
Phil
Member
Posts: 118 
Former World Start Member: Yes
World Start Name: Phil
|
Post by Phil on Jul 30, 2020 22:40:00 GMT -5
Start NOW to back up everything you will want on the new pc. An external drive or even thumb drive(s) will do. All of your documents, your desktop, your contacts, any important email that is not on the internet (gmail, yahoomail, hotmail etc are all on the internet), your download files (so that you can reinstall your programs). Anything that is saved to your present computer will be lost unless you save it elsewhere.
If you are like me and others here who prefer the feel of say Windows 7 as opposed to Windows 10 you may wish to install Classic Shell. www.classicshell.net/downloads/
The default browser will probably be edge. Unless that is your preference you will want to quickly download and install the browser of your choice.
|
|
|
|
Post by jholland1964 on Jul 31, 2020 6:53:45 GMT -5
Phil has pretty well covered it all. It really isn't difficult to go from 8 to 10. I never used 8 but went from 7 to 10 and had no problems whatsoever. I do use Classic Shell so things look and act pretty much the same. You will not need a 3rd party AV program as the built in Windows Security AV & Firewall are Excellent and I highly recommend them.
When you get the computer, plug in it, turn it on and follow the directions which will get you up and running. It will likely need some updates which you will be notified about. Allow it to update to get it up to "today" and after that install your preferred programs. I still use Firefox but also use EDGE quite often and I like it a lot too.
Once you have completed your basic set up and program install then give us a "shout" and we'll be happy to help with anything you need.
|
|
JME
Member
Posts: 70
Former World Start Member: Yes
World Start Name: JME
|
Post by JME on Jul 31, 2020 14:00:50 GMT -5
Thank you both for your replies. When I am up and running, I'll be back. Just hope this old laptop holds out until then.
|
|
JME
Member
Posts: 70
Former World Start Member: Yes
World Start Name: JME
|
Post by JME on Aug 4, 2020 12:29:01 GMT -5
Back again with two more questions: My new laptop arrived today and all I have done is take it out of the box. Question 1 - Can I plug my mouse into it before I even turn it on the the first time? I never did get comfortable using the touch pad and have always used a mouse on my all laptops. Question 2 - Do I have to be in front of my laptop while it does it's updating to react to anything? I have been told that sometimes it takes a long time to complete and I don't want to mess anything up. I will probably have to wait until my husband goes to bed so I can concentrate completely on what I am doing to set things up. (he has dementia)
|
|
|
|
Post by jholland1964 on Aug 4, 2020 12:35:59 GMT -5
I would plug it in first and let the battery charge fully and then you can turn it on, sorry to say you will have to temporarily use the touchpad and allow it to go through the usual set up. You will have to answer questions, make choices like language, time zone and that type of thing. This is NOT difficult it all is a matter of following prompts. Since this is a replacement for an 8.1 computer it is basically no different than what you are used to using.
|
|
|
|
Post by budgall on Aug 4, 2020 13:24:07 GMT -5
I also am not a touchpad person so I would plug in the mouse before turning the laptop on. Windows will see it and configure it during setup. I agree with Judy, plug it in and let the battery charge before setting it up and yes you will need to babysit it during setup. After initial setup run Windows update to get the computer up to date. Updating usually does not require babysitting but most likely will require a restart upon completion.
|
|
|
|
Post by jholland1964 on Aug 4, 2020 13:58:02 GMT -5
I also am not a touchpad person so I would plug in the mouse before turning the laptop on. Windows will see it and configure it during setup. I agree with Judy, plug it in and let the battery charge before setting it up and yes you will need to babysit it during setup. After initial setup run Windows update to get the computer up to date. Updating usually does not require babysitting but most likely will require a restart upon completion. Thanks budgall. It has been so long since I set up my computer that I couldn't recall exacly how I handled the mouse. But I do believe you are correct. |
|
JME
Member
Posts: 70
Former World Start Member: Yes
World Start Name: JME
|
Post by JME on Aug 6, 2020 19:23:55 GMT -5
Want to thank everyone for their help and encouragement. Now using my new laptop. Windows 10 isn't much different than 8.1 was, just find myself using the search feature often to find things until I get accustomed to where things are. Thank you, again!
|
|
|
|
Post by jholland1964 on Aug 6, 2020 19:46:50 GMT -5
Want to thank everyone for their help and encouragement. Now using my new laptop. Windows 10 isn't much different than 8.1 was, just find myself using the search feature often to find things until I get accustomed to where things are. Thank you, again! I knew you would love it and find it very easy to use since you had an 8.1 before this. I am Sooo Pleased for you!!! Any questions you know don't hesitate to ask but I have a pretty good feeling you aren't going to need much. Have fun!
Judy
|
|
MrBill
Member
Posts: 165
Former World Start Member: Yes
|
Post by MrBill on Aug 7, 2020 13:18:54 GMT -5
If you click on the ORB, the 4 little squares on the bottom left, it will bring up about everything you need to see as to what is on it.
|
|
|
|
Post by bigbarney on Aug 9, 2020 3:08:57 GMT -5
If you click on the ORB, the 4 little squares on the bottom left, it will bring up about everything you need to see as to what is on it.
I think it is easier for someone who is just starting with Windows 10 to refer to the 'Start' button rather than calling it the ORB. |
|
|
|
Post by jholland1964 on Aug 9, 2020 7:50:11 GMT -5
If you click on the ORB, the 4 little squares on the bottom left, it will bring up about everything you need to see as to what is on it.
I think it is easier for someone who is just starting with Windows 10 to refer to the 'Start' button rather than calling it the ORB. Agreed. Plus, JME's previous computer was 8.1 and that is very similar to 10 which she stated in her last post;
|
|
|
|
Post by Everton on Aug 9, 2020 8:38:07 GMT -5
Just out of interest the "Start Button" name changed to "Orb" way back in Windows Vista but is still referred to as the Start Button by most.
Except Microsoft - they now just call it "Start".
I think Windows 8 did not even have a start button/orb at all as it was replaced with the Windows Key opening the Start Menu.
Does anyone actually still use the Start Button/Orb ?
I rarely do - the Windows Key for Start Menu and Windows Key+Q for search, which like JME I use quite often.
Windows Key+X opens the Admin Menu from which I Restart or Shut Down, open Settings etc (the same as right clicking the Start 'button')
|
|
JME
Member
Posts: 70
Former World Start Member: Yes
World Start Name: JME
|
Post by JME on Aug 9, 2020 10:51:42 GMT -5
Thank you again for all your help. I did understand when I was told to click on the orb button, although I never heard it called that. Previous to turning on my laptop I asked a friend, who was using Windows 10, how to shut it off when I was done. I then learned it was the same as I did with 8.1. I was very surprised when clicking Start to find in the menu "Documents" and when I clicked on it there were all my documents from my old laptop. Now I just have to get accustomed to using the keyboard. I had a full size keyboard plugged into my old laptop after some of the keys on it stopped working.
|
|
MrBill
Member
Posts: 165
Former World Start Member: Yes
|
Post by MrBill on Aug 9, 2020 11:44:21 GMT -5
I think it is easier for someone who is just starting with Windows 10 to refer to the 'Start' button rather than calling it the ORB. Agreed. Plus, JME's previous computer was 8.1 and that is very similar to 10 which she stated in her last post;
Well I think that it has been called the ORB for so long, why change now. |
|
|
|
Post by jholland1964 on Aug 9, 2020 13:01:45 GMT -5
Thank you again for all your help. I did understand when I was told to click on the orb button, although I never heard it called that. Previous to turning on my laptop I asked a friend, who was using Windows 10, how to shut it off when I was done. I then learned it was the same as I did with 8.1. I was very surprised when clicking Start to find in the menu "Documents" and when I clicked on it there were all my documents from my old laptop. Now I just have to get accustomed to using the keyboard. I had a full size keyboard plugged into my old laptop after some of the keys on it stopped working. Glad things are falling in place for you. You know you still may be able to plug that external keyboard into this new computer, especially since the computer was an 8.1, have you tried? |
|
JME
Member
Posts: 70
Former World Start Member: Yes
World Start Name: JME
|
Post by JME on Aug 9, 2020 14:05:41 GMT -5
No, Judy, I haven't tried plugging the external keyboard in, but have thought about it. I am trying to make the adjustment first. Thank you for suggesting it.
|
|
|
|
Post by bigbarney on Aug 9, 2020 18:33:36 GMT -5
Agreed. Plus, JME's previous computer was 8.1 and that is very similar to 10 which she stated in her last post;
Well I think that it has been called the ORB for so long, why change now. In using computers for well over 20 years, I have never heard the start button referred to as the orb. |
|
|
|
Post by jholland1964 on Aug 9, 2020 19:00:55 GMT -5
Well I think that it has been called the ORB for so long, why change now. In using computers for well over 20 years, I have never heard the start button referred to as the orb. Honestly Barney I never have heard that either. Everton said I never owned or used Vista. It came out 13 years ago and if that name was first used then you had 12 years before that when it was not called Orb but called Start Button and after Vista came Windows 7 & I don't recall it being called an Orb then, I didn't call it an Orb anyway, I called it a Start button just like I had since my Windows 95, 98 and XP. |
|
|
|
Post by Everton on Aug 10, 2020 4:20:42 GMT -5
I never meant to start an orb argument. I always called it a start button but have very often seen it referred to as the Orb. I never used vista. I just thought it was interesting that’s all. That’s why I said ‘just out of interest’ Makes no difference to me as I don’t use it. www.computerhope.com/jargon/s/start.htm |
|
