turnonmyheels | Entries tagged with technologically impaired

I've been meaning to update about lots of things since vacation and I have utterly failed at that. Sadly, I'm still utterly failing because this is a professional request for help.

Situation: Windows Vista 64 bit work computer
Software: Pensoft PC Payroll
Issue: new printer

Now, every time I've had a new printer since Windows quit running XP and went on to other 'better' things, my payroll program won't recognize that I have authority to use the printer.

I mean, of all the fucked up things to deny me, it won't let me print.

[other programs such as Quicken allow me to use the printer without difficulty.]

Typically, the resolution has been to go into the program files in the C drive, right click, properties, choose the top box [run Windows XP (Service Pack 2)] and check the administrator button, apply, okay. Reopen Payroll software, select correct printer and rock on with my damn life.

Today, I had to install a new printer and my age-old solution failed. So I called Payroll tech support and spent an hour on the phone with someone who actually said to me "I'm not an IT person"

WHY ARE YOU WORKING IN TECHNICAL SUPPORT THEN?

had me perform my traditional method of fixing shit about a billion times. We went through some other archaic shit I've gone through before but had forgotten how to do. We got to the part where the dialog box wouldn't let me select "automatic" as the paper source for the printer.

Then she and I had a bit of a personality squabble [I've had a bad fucking day that went sour at 6 am and deserves it's own entry but I'd rather talk about Pacific Rim or GRACELAND OMG blah blah] made up, and then tried something different. Then she said yet again, "I'm not an IT person" and gave up.

Did I mention that tomorrow is pay day? I can always switch back to the old printer but it's not working well and I'd probably have to go through all of this again with the same result.

Any ideas how to make the payroll software acknowledge the fact that I'm allowed to use the God Damned Printer? The only idea I have is that I didn't restart the computer after the printer install ... but for real? How lame would that be? Don't get me wrong, it'd be AWESOME and easy but ...

Re-start was the solution. It sure made my morning easier.

I've acquired a copy Windows 7. It took 3 discs to burn but when I installed, it only ever prompted me to put the first one in the drive. Everything appears to be running a-ok. Should I go ahead and put the next disc in?

Leave well enough alone? There are three discs for a reason? Curiosity killed the cat?

Visually, I think things look much sharper. Speed-wise things appear to be *much* faster. Yay!

It appears that I haven't lost anything data-wise either. Everything was moved to a folder called Windows.old and is easily accessed.

My next string of questions begins with this: what free [if any] antivirus, spyware, trojan etc. programs do you recommend? I was using Kaspersky with the old OS because I had a copy of it from work. I went ahead and downloaded AVG Free yesterday but I do not know if that is enough on its own

Presuming my work copy of Office 2007 won't load [I think all the licenses are used] would it be safe to go into the Windows.old folder and use the existing copy? Should I copy it from Windows.old and put it on 7? Or is there somewhere safe I could acquire Word and Excel and not have all those other programs? I don't use them at home so I don't need them eating up space on my laptop.

I'm sure this is only the tip of the iceburg as far as questions go. Y'all are all probably going to hate me within a week.

Any advice/help will be greatly appreciated!

eta

If I was going to immerse myself in Fringe should I go back and watch all of season 1 or could I skip to season 2? I watched the front half of 1 and odd episodes here and there. Please advise.

Dear Flist,

I have a terrible problem. My beloved "Sammy the Christmas Snake" song has been found which is AWESOME. I've downloaded it to my computer and am able to listen to it there but I can NOT manage to the file from an .ogg to something that will play on my ipod.

I've googled. I've found a couple of things to try but they haven't worked for me. I saw one person leave a comment in a forum that if you didn't have a Mac not to even bother trying to change .ogg to mp3 or something else, to just wait until someone else did it for you.

So. Um.

Here's me, giving my Flist the biggest doe eyes ever to see if someone would PLEASE put this song into a format I can play on my ipod.

Please? Pretty, pretty, pretty please?

love
B

I have no idea where I'd be in this world with out