Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Updating My Computer


I do not know what operating system you use on your computer. Truthfully I do not know that much about operating systems or much else about computers for that matter. All I want is to be able to do what I wish to do and do it as easily as possible.

In order for my computer to work well I do have to maintain it. Again I do not know very much. But I have a son who knows a lot about computers and it is one of his great joys in life to keep up with news about computers and changes being made in the technological world.

Because my son enjoys it so much he keeps my computer up-to-date and in the best working order possible. If I have a problem all I have to do is call him and he is right here to help me fix it. Usually that involves me moving away from the computer and letting him do his thing. I am good at helping like that.

We use the Windows operating system. When I moved back to this part of the country my son and I each got a laptop computer. My old computer was just that...old. My son still has his regular computer but I only use the laptop now.

Recently all Windows 8 users were notified that Windows was upgrading to what they claim will be the final system, Windows 10. They say that from now on any improvements will simply be updates to Windows 10.

The upgrade was free to all Windows 8 users. What a deal! So we signed up to be placed on the list for the upgrade.

We received notification that Windows would be providing small upgrades to prepare our computers for the new system when it was ready.

My son was excited. I was ready but I am suspicious of change. It probably has something to do with my age.

The morning arrived that my son came out of his room all excited because the computer in his room had been upgraded to Windows 10. He spent many long minutes (hours?) extolling the virtues of the new system. He could hardly wait for the birth of the new system on his laptop and mine.

His laptop was ready a couple of weeks later. Installation did not go as smoothly as his older computer's had been. But he played with it a little bit and was up and running in no time.

A week or so later it was my turn. I clicked the go ahead buttons and waited to get this brand new system. It failed.

I was aggravated because I had just spent several hours trying to get the stupid thing. That meant I had no access to my computer but I needed to be aware of what was happening because I might need to click on a button.

My son suggested waiting a couple of days until the updates loaded (again) and then try (again). So I did. Being an optimistic person I waited a few days and tried (again). It failed (again).

My son went to work checking to see what might be causing the problem. He discovered some errors in my computer that needed to be repaired. So we did that.

Then we tried the upgrade (again). It failed (again). My son said he would check online to see if anyone else had any problems installing the upgrade. So I waited a few days.

He came up with several things to try. We tried them. Each time the upgrade failed (again).

Now I am used to this sort of thing happening to me. It is a common occurrence. For some reason I am one of those people the gods of technology do not smile upon. I was content to continue using what I had. I was used to it. There was no rush to me. My son was another matter.

By now a month had passed and I still had no luck with the installation. My son thought perhaps a fresh install of the old Windows system would help. So that is what we did. He removed all my music and pictures and stored them on his computer so I would not lose them. Then the installation began (again).

Eureka! The installation finally worked.  I now have Windows 10.

To be honest I see little difference. But I do not know much about that sort of thing.

I still have my email program. I still have all my news programs. I had to re-install my jigsaw puzzle game and my solitaire game.

There are a few differences in the way things look but even those are not anything major. There are a few things that are found in a different spot but that will be a minor inconvenience until I get used to it.

So I have Windows 10. Except for the interruptions I endured to get it I have been operating as usual. And I guess I will continue to do so.


12 comments:

  1. I might have torn out my hair in the meantime. Glad you're up and going.

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    1. My son was tearing out his hair instead. I am resigned to the fact that I am one of those people that this kind of thing happens to. It does not bother me and is even a source of amusement at times.

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  2. I tried upgrading to windows 10 from window 7 but I couldn't download it. Maybe it's because I did not register or maybe my PC is too old. Anyway, I like the way Windows 7 works so I just might keep it until I get a newer PC someday.
    My wife has the same problem with computers that you do. I had to reinstall windows on her laptop once.

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    1. Windows 10 is a good system. I do recommend it. And unlike Windows 7 it is virtually virus free.

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  3. Good for you and your son to get Windows 10 installed and (finally) operational. I have resisted the urge to upgrade and will continue to do so because I am not interested as my desktop PC will be replaced by the end of this year of the start of next year with most likely an iMac desktop so I can link all the other Apple products to it. My older HP desktop operates fine for me now so why ruin things?

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    1. If you like what you have then you should have that. And a new computer will have whatever new features that brand offers. Never fix what is not broken.

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  4. I've heard a lot of people complaining about this update. I went with Apple computers several years ago and I've never looked back. Good luck with your issues.
    R

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    1. I have had no further trouble. The fault was with a drive on my computer not in the Windows program. I know a lot of people who prefer Apple to Windows. Whatever you like to use is a good choice for you.

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  5. I've been hearing that about Windows 10! I had an extreme amount of trouble with Windows 8 and the (Sony Vaio) laptop I bought that it was installed on. They weren't compatible! After fighting with it for about a year, I gave up and bought a MacBook Pro. Life has been peaceful ever since!

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    1. As I said it was a drive in my computer that was bad and that was why I had problems. But peace is something I strive for so I am happy that you have found yours.

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  6. Great that you finally got it to work in the end. Greetings!

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    1. Thank you. It would not have happened without my son's diligence. Greetings to you.

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