General topics.

bookluvr - I think you mean 32 bit versus 64 bit? Which basically refers to the register in your processor memory (versus your storage memory). If your laptop is newer than Windows 7, it's probably 64 bit. I gather your system has already told you what you need! But here is a link that tells you how to find your system info in different versions of Windows:

howtogeek.com/howto/21726/how-do-i-know-if-im-running-32-bit-or-64-bit-windows-answers/

I have no idea how to do this in Apple products.

If you were using a tablet, I would probably just say hook your tablet up to your laptop with your USB cable. Then on your laptop, search for and go into File Explorer. Scroll down the menu on the left until you see "This PC" and click on that. There, on the right, you'll see all your devices, including your laptop drive (usually your C drive), your DVD/CD drive, and your device (tablet) drive, plus any other drives you may have. You could then go into your tablet drive, find the files you want to save, and copy them to your laptop.

To do this, you'd create a file folder on your laptop desktop. Then in your tablet drive, highlight and copy (CTRL + C on your keyboard) the items you want to save. Then go to the file you just created, and paste (CTRL + V) them into the file. You can highlight a number of items all at once and copy + paste them, or you can just copy an entire file - say, if your photos are all stored in one file folder, just click on the folder and copy that.

But I don't know if that will work with an iPad???

I do often just save my files somewhere else when I need to (like a flash drive), rather than doing a full system back up, as it's less time-consuming. But if you have a LARGE number of files you want to save, or if you're not sure you can find them all on your own, then do a system back up. It depends how much you do with your iPad. When it comes to my tablet, personally, there are hardly any files on there I need to save, besides some photos and videos.

Dorianne, I'm going to be posting on your wall. I googled 'How to do factory reset on iPad Air" Why couldn't it be so simple?! I found a YouTube video. Guess what... my iPad Air doesn't have an i-Cloud in the Setting! ... Do you think maybe this is why niece & I had a difficult time from the beginning with me signing up to i-Cloud?.... {grumbling ... devices and I don't get along... IT always ends up taking over to troubleshoot my computer...} .. If you don't mind, I'm going to be sending you Help! messages in your Wall. {eyes rolling} Otherwise, I will beg bro from the states to go to Best Buy and just buy me a tablet and mail it over. Hopefully they will have a New Year's sale.

Be nice dear Veronica; there are too many of us that have tried everything, and in our mid sixties, are still gaining weight. Doctors say they don't know why; I think it's that we've eaten meat with steroids in it all these years, and if you read the labels of almost EVERYTHING, it all has some form of sugar in it, disguised by fancy names. Some of you have read my posts and know I'm not sedentary (I'm the one feeding horses 2X a day in below zero weather; up the hill, thru the forest, straight into the wind, upside down and backward (remember going to school?), and still can't lose - Aaaargh!

Dorianne, I'm desperate. Someone else also told me that I need to do factory reset. No, I should not do icloud to save my info. Best to hook up the iPad to my laptop and save it there but I must have iTunes. Well, I don't have iTunes on this new laptop. I tried downloading the app. 32gb or 64gb? I don't know. I hit 32gb..... After a while, it says I need to download the 64gb.. grrrr. Accomplished. I will save data later. It's 2pm and behind with laundry and haven't cooked RICE nor had lunch yet. ....

I only weigh 108 lbs but my stomach is big. I look pregnant. Several people I know who were 'big' have lost so much weight. 2 of them lost weight by cutting back their food. Instead of 2 scoops of rice for lunch, then dinner, they only eat 1 scoop. Rice is our staple food. Both have also cut their meal portions. One of them goes walking with his wife after dinner for the past 6 months. That's it! No Drastic Diets! No awful Gym Exercises. And they've lost weight!

So, I'm trying to cut down on rice, which I'm struggling. And I'm trying to walk on my glider after dinner... I'm not being consistent....

Er FF have you thought of shedding the extra pounds?

Hate buying new clothes. Hate it with a passion. Since ending my caregiving once my parents had passed, I am dealing with 30 extra pounds. Now I need to empty my closet and start over.

Standard sizing is no where to be found. A "large" made by one manufacturer is a "small" with another manufacturer. It's a guessing game when buying on-line and even at the store :P

Now I am trying to find knee socks that I can actually get more than half way up my leg. I even ordered "wide calf" knee socks and they weren't all that roomy. Do companies think everyone's legs are the size of Twiggy???

And my new slacks look like clown pants.... perfect fit at the waist, but so baggy elsewhere. Wish I could wear pajamas to work !! Those do fit nicely.

I will need to drag myself to the store to buy a new winter coat. I can get my old ones on but I can't zip it up because I have gain too much weight around the waist. Maybe I could be like a teenager who refuses to button up their jackets :)

So....BFF's hubby is a former tech guy, now an electrician (there's more money in it!), and the only actual person I know with a genius level IQ. Most of what I know, I've learned from him. He hasn't steered me wrong yet.

The problem with Windows is they load it with so much bloatware (junk, third party software they get paid to include) that it does make your PC freeze or crash. The trick is to get rid of it right away, but it's even better to get a tech person to install a clean version of Windows operating system. I have 2 laptops - 1 with Windows 8.1, 1 with Windows 10. I killed the hard drive on the Win 10, so when I took it to be replaced, the tech guys installed a BEAUTIFUL clean version of Windows with no bloatware, no junk, no extra anything. I don't even have to have a passworded sign in screen. I never have one single problem with it - it runs like a dream. My Windows 8.1 laptop has been a PITA for sure - for one thing, they tried to make it look like Android (smart phones) and it's just DUMB.  And despite getting rid of a lot of the bloatware and doing 2 factory resets, I've also had to do lots of little fixes to it. I'm about to send it for a new hard drive "just because" and get a clean version of Windows with it, as well. Worth it.

Tech people recommend doing a factory reset every six months to a year on Windows.  This isn't hard to do yourself (it's just reinstalling Windows), but it does mean backing up all your files and then later reinstalling all the software you added beyond Windows. 

My brother sent me his old Samsung 5 smart phone, which he reset and cleaned up, and it is like a brand new phone. So it's not necessarily that old tech is the problem, it's that it does need to be completely reset from time to time. This is thanks to malware, trojans, and other bad guys that usually slip in through advertising.

For updates: they normally don't make NEW updates once they've decided a product's time is up, but it is possible to get the existing updates online after a factory reset. Usually from other sources like geek websites.

Also I don't agree with people who say you can't have multiple windows open. This is what Windows was MADE for! It's why it's called Windows. Maybe it's different on Apple tech - I admit to knowing nothing about Apple products. (I had an iPod once, which I killed with boob sweat from shoving it in my bra while I was working! And that's the extent of my experience.) Anyway....I run some games that use a LOT of system resources, along with my web browser and some other applications running at the same time. Sometimes I run a resource heavy game and a movie at the same time! It DID freeze a lot when I did this on my Windows 8.1 system. It doesn't freeze, ever, on my clean Windows 10 machine. I have to make myself remember to give it a reboot every once in awhile, because it runs so well.

You also have to watch for sneaky third party add-ons when you are installing new software. It's easy to breeze through those "next" boxes and not pay attention, but that's how they sneak extra junkware in. You have to uncheck the boxes on every screen. These third party add-ons also eat up your system resources and sometimes carry malware.

I do strongly recommend Firefox browser for having multiple tabs open. There are a few websites that are just problematic, and will crash any browser anyway, but for the most part, Firefox is a simple browser, without a lot of extras, that runs steady.

Some browser crashing problems - a lot actually - are caused by ads. I recommend uBlock Origin, which is a free ad-blocker you can find online. Some sites detect you're using it and make you disable it (which is easy to do), but otherwise, it blocks the ads off pages you are viewing. You can get uBlock Origin for your Apple and Android browsers as well as the Windows ones like Firefox, Chrome, and Internet Explorer.

One more thing - Norton and McAfee are notoriously problematic programs, if anyone is using them for security. Even tech folks recommend staying away from them. I use Avast, which has a free version (they will try to upsell their paid version, but you don't need it.) AVG is also good. (Ditto with the upselling though.)

This has been your Daily Tech Moment with Dorianne. Lol!

My new $600 laptop (from last year) cannot handle multiple windows opened and being used. The same with my work desktop. Uhm... several IT from work told me that I'm not suppose to use multiple windows. I said that the program allows us a max of 9 windows/tab. Why should I be limited with only 1 or 2 windows? The system cannot handle it. ....So, Customer 1 calls me, I get their rsvn info. Hang up and I'm doing the final touches... Phone rings, I answer, open a new window and do that rsvn. Hang up, assign seats, etc... Phone rings, I open the 3rd window, book their rsvn...etc... So IT says that I shouldn't keep opening these windows. Our rsvn sales agent's eyes widened when she saw me using several windows. She told me that's why my system keeps freezing.... Here at home, my new laptop is like work. It tends to freeze and then the whole browser crashes. I have several websites opened and multi-task between my email, Agingcare, Amazon (wishlist checking), and usually an online comic.

As for the iPad, I guess you're right. My iPad is actually the original iPad Air. It's several years old. Time to retire. I guess I should buy a new tablet. I haven't bought the charger yet because deep down, I knew that wasn't really the problem. Thanks.

Hey Book, haven’t been reading this thread but noticed your iPad woes.

I got an iPad mini as a retirement gift about 4 years ago. We’re older digital idiots around here but I was able to get the thing set up and used the hell out of it for about 3 years.

Then it started getting stupid on me. Took forever to load a site and so on. Tried the latest upgrades etc. finally gave up, went to staples and bought a basic full size iPad for $300.

Friends who are more digital savvy than me tell me the things just wear out, won’t accept the new upgrades and not worth the money and hassles of trying to get them fixed. Planned obsolescence at its finest I spose.

The new one is great. My wife just bought a new laptop using windows and it’s been a total pita. I can find a site, read for 15 minutes while she is still cussing and stomping around with her $800 laptop.

I much prefer the touch screen Mac/Apple stuff but they bug the crap outta ya with trying to sell apps and features I don’t want.

Dorianne, I'm not going to resent the iPad. I don't know how to re-do all that stuff again. Fave niece was the techy of the family. She's now living in the Mainland. I'm really very inept when it comes to electronic devices. So, far now, I'm going to order a new charger for the iPad. If that doesn't help, then I will buy a new tablet.

With regards to the mobile industry. I read an article on how these companies would keep updating their versions until the mobile no longer is compatible to the new updates. The company is completely aware that this forces their customers to buy the newer phones. Or did I hear this on the Kim Commando radio show? Or was it another talk show radio?

Oh my gosh! My oldest sis just screamed loudly in her bedroom. Then she started giggling... Uhm... she's getting worse mentally? I Will Not Be Her Caregiver!!!! It's just Not Fair!!!! I need to live My Own Life for Once! I've been caregiving since I was in my mid-20's. I'm over 50. I refuse to do any more "Obligation" family duties.

Oh gosh, thanks Ali! :-)

Dori, how to reply to PMs...

Click on the avatar/name of the person you want to PM, that takes you to their wall page where Hugs are posted. Depending on the user's settings, the Personal Message check box at the top right of the Hug text box will already be checked, or you can check that box and the message/Hug will post as a Private Message. 

@bookluvr - did you get your iPad reset? Got your PM but I don't know how to reply to PMs here. Maybe you can't.

Also, you can always drop by with goodies for the staff. I think they will appreciate that, too.  Edible goodies.

I think it’s nice, too. If I had worked there, I think I can swing a $15 budget for a present. I bought dad a nice cheap throw blanket for $6.99. It’s only 60”x50”. He used to like just covering his waist down to his ankles. Feet sticking out of the blanket. I bought him several designs. His favorite, which he commented all the time that it was pretty - was the one that was light beige background with old fashion designs of a simple country scene. I’ve seen thick inexpensive socks at Ross, too.

Cwillie, my favorites that the govt caregivers gifted to my mom was a mini manual grinder. Another xmas, they gifted her a mini (under 6 inches) but Very Good Quality (emits powerful light) battery powered lantern. (I still have it & in excellent condition 10 years later!) And the other xmas, both parents got a very strong grocery bag made of strong cloth. It’s not like those recyclable bags with cheap material. I’m still using those bags with the govt caregivers logo on it.

When I read your comment about the facility gifting their clients, it brought back fond memories of mom and dad’s govt caregivers, too. Yearly, I usually donate to them under dad’s name when they’re doing fundraising for their organization. I usually gave about $50. I think I will continue to do this yearly. Too bad as my parents were long time clients (over 20 yrs), no one from this organization came to their funeral. Unless they came and didn’t sign in the book.

cwillie, it's not too late. Drop off a big box of donuts with a happy New year card from mom and they will be very happy.

Small town, small facility (47 beds on the nursing home side according to the website).
But now I feel bad I didn't get them anything.

cwillie I think that is pretty darn nice! Wish my MIL facility felt that way...

Oh yeah, my understanding is these are gifts from the staff, each employee draws a name and buys that person something. Sis was here for a visit and asked someone she knows there about the gifts, otherwise I probably would have gone on making the wrong assumptions. A laundry aid told us "we think of our residents as family".

That is odd, cwillie, and I hope staff didn't fund the presents

Hoca gave out a lip balm and a few pieces of off brand candy - a comfy throw sounds extravagent in comparison

I found out today that the mysterious gift that appeared for mom at the nursing home (a red plaid throw and fuzzy socks) was from the staff drawing names and playing Secret Santa. I'm not sure how I feel about that... while I'm touched that the staff all pitch in to make sure there is a gift for everyone I'm a little concerned that participation isn't optional, and I'm wondering why the families weren't told about it but were left to wonder where these items came from (if they have noticed them at all). I've got to admit I assumed they were bought with proceeds from the bake sale fundraiser, maybe even from the owners, I never dreamed they were from the staff.

ff,
I would hesitate to find out if the missing have passed.
Not sure I want to know.

Sendhelp, I got less holiday cards, too. Looking at my list of MIA, it seemed a bit strange. I've been at the same home address for 25 years. Makes me think a mail truck somewhere went off course, had a fire, etc.

Some in my address book are quite elderly. One lady who I had met on a cross-country train ride back in the 1970's, we use to mail to each other once a year during the holidays. She recently turned 100. No card last year, nor this year. Chances are she had passed :(

When my Mom had passed first two years ago, I took my parent's holiday card mail and let them know Mom had passed on. Did the same when my Dad passed last year. Half the people on the list I had no idea if they were relatives or old friends. Some I even wrote "are you old friends of my parents or related to my parents?". One was my Dad's lst cousin. Of course, I realize that not all relatives of a dearly departed would even look in an Address Book and write to those names.

I need to play detective for those missing people who didn't send a card for a second year.

Guess I should wait Cwillie.
This last week of 2017 is just crying out for organization early.
I remember my last on sale clearance calendar missing a day.

Since I am so interested in the full moon, maybe I will get a full moon calendar from the Farmer's Almanac.

How is your year-end shaping up? Did you avoid coming down with that cold?

Here's a modern idea!  Live a life that it doesn't matter if we know the date, day, or hour.

Calendars always go on sale after the new year Send. They certainly aren't the best way to check the date though, thank goodness for my desktop and my phone!
As for christmas cards, I got a single personal one and a handful of the kind sent out by businesses and politicians. Well, I didn't send any either. I also got some emails, a text and some phone calls though..... it's the modern way.

My calendar is about to run out in 4 days.
Has not even crossed my mind yet to get a new one-or two.
Placing them everywhere helps with "WHAT DAY IS IT?" when all about you are giving misdirects, misinformation, and the day is right, but the date is wrong....the date is right, but the day is wrong! Teaching myself to no longer discuss the day/date around here.

My senior moments will be just that......mine. No sense letting anyone else know when I am not sure of today's date. imo.

Was wondering if moving recently caused a delay in those few Christmas cards catching up. We did not move, but received very few cards this year. Maybe I should not have shredded one of the only cards received.

I know it will take awhile to get back up to feeling okay after the flu, going on 17 days now. More candy please.

Pam, that is a hoot. Guess the writer thought whomever lived in the house got married to someone with your last name :)

I put on my detective hat and started digging. I love solving mysteries. My boss said a few years ago he got something similar, and it turned out after he searched down the address and found a telephone number, it was actually a business trying to sell a product.

I think I will take this card photo/envelope to my boss, he tends to be the town crier, so maybe it was someone he knew and they asked for my address.

FF I had to laugh! After we lived n our present home for 4 years.. we got a long photo filled loving family letter,, from people we did not know! To our name! Seems they were relatives of the people we bought the house from. A.. how did they get our name? B.. How did they not know we were not their relatives? we sent the letter back with a very nice letter, including the real relatives new address. I;m guessing they may need one of our threads..LOL