Question:
aww Tiny 
that’s rough – I have a hellish time concentrating too – I used to love to read novels, now I can’t finish a page – surfing web pages is as much as I can do — RB See these eyes so red Red like jungle burning bright Those who feel me near Pull the blinds and change their minds "tiny dancer" <tinydancer…@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:jwQ37.138751$Md.32884197@typhoon.southeast.rr.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Kat, > Thanks for saying that, I really needed it. I feel dumb enough already. > Before I stopped driving I did the same thing a couple times, lost my car. > That’s one of the reasons I quit driving. I got so upset and scared. And > then the last time I drove somewhere I was stopped at a stoplight, with a > big semi in front of me. It was an area that was kind of > business/industrial, no homes or anything. Well I’m sitting at this > stoplight, behind the truck, and this huge guy gets out of the drivers side > of the truck and starts coming back to my car. Okay, turns out he just > wanted directions somewhere, but he just terrified me. I saw him running > back to my car and I just froze. He had to be at least 6′5" and 250 lbs. I > was so scared I couldn’t move. I was shaking and couldn’t stop. I couldn’t > remember where I was or how to get home or anything. It was horrible. And > losing the car was pretty bad too. Once I was at the grocery, and this nice > young man was pushing my cart out to load the car, and we got outside the > store and I drew a total blank. I had no idea where I left the car. It was > pouring rain, and me and this kid are traipsing up and down the isles of > cars, I finally started crying, I felt so stupid, and the poor kid is > getting soaked pushing my groceries. Finally we came up the isle right > beside the store and there my car was, parked right next to the door we came > out! God did I feel like a total idiot! And one time I came out of a store > and couldn’t remember how I got there at all. I remember wondering "did I > walk here" Did I take a bus here? I didn’t have any idea. When I finally > decided I must’ve driven, I couldn’t remember what color my car "might have > been?" So when the incident with the trucker happened I just quit driving > all together. It was like the last straw. I can’t help the way I am, I > need my computer to have a way to communicate with you guys, if I could read > the book and understand it, I would. But I can’t hardly understand the > directions to the microwave, the computer book is horrendous. My head aches > just looking at it. > Take care, > tiny dancer > P.S. I’m going to do that defrag thing tonight while I’m sleeping, so if > you guys don’t hear from me again…………. > "Kat" <kathi…@frontiernet.net> wrote in message > news:9iojav$ieq$1@node21.cwnet.roc.gblx.net… > > Hi Tiny, > > Me too, so don’t feel alone. My car key ring, it says, "I didn’t lose the > > keys this time, I lost the whole damned car." That’s actually happened > > before, when the panic attacks have hit when I’ve been out somewhere. > > That’s why I bought that keyring when I found it. Just had to, it was > "me". > > *chuckling* Wasn’t funny when it was happening, but at least I can laugh > > about it now. : ) > > Ever heard that saying, "Of all the things I’ve lost, I miss my mind the > > most." I’ve tried to find that on a key ring too, but haven’t found one > > yet. One of the many joys of PTSD. Not! : ( > > kat > > "tiny dancer" <tinydancer…@hotmail.com> wrote in message > > news:sXK37.79433$ih.16761598@typhoon.southeast.rr.com… > > > Thanks so much Larry, I’m sending your posts to my email so I can print > > them > > > out and follow the instructions. One of the things that went first with > > my > > > ptsd was my ability to do more than one thing without looking back at my > > > notes again! Makes it really hard when I’m trying to follow a recipe. > I > > > used to be able to read it once and go ahead, now I’m constantly going > > back > > > to read it over and over! Even simple instructions on a frozen dinner > > throw > > > me! I sometimes wonder who stole my brain! :-( It’s a good thing my > > kids > > > are already grown because I could never work like I did when they were > all > > > young, having many things going on at one time and always knowing where > > they > > > were and what they were up to. Sometimes I reflect back on that woman > and > > > wonder "where she went?" And left me with this dunce that’s trying to > > carry > > > on! > > > Thanks again, > > > tiny dancer > > > "Lawrence Lusk" <lelvn…@charter.net> wrote in message > > > news:tkuj7s7po148da@corp.supernews.com… > > > > Sorry, meant to say "End Task" button on "Close Program" box. > > > > Larry L.
Response:
Nancy, Thanks for the pc info, sounds like you are far more organized than I am. It’s noon and I’m still trying to get the energy going to get some work done… LOL Marti – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I run the Windows tools whenever my system operates strangely … after I > have saved my data … and every Friday at a minimum. I wish I kept my > house as clean as I keep my pc. Oh well, some things are more important to > me than others. 
> Now … I gotta call the auto mechanic … I’m well over my 3,000 mile oil > and grease schedule. > Smile and there will be something to smile about! > Nancy
Response:
Hi Marti! > Thanks for the pc info, sounds like you are far more organized than I am. > It’s noon and I’m still trying to get the energy going to get some work > done… LOL
Thanks for the kind words. I’m still trying to take a shower from 2 days ago. But … I really want a nap. Oh, these conflicts Smile and there will be something to smile about! Nancy
Response:
Sorry, meant to say "End Task" button on "Close Program" box. Larry L.
Response:
Nancy, you can run the screen saver if you set it to "blank screen" or you should turn the monitor off (or tell it to go to sleep mode in 5 min or so). Running a computer is not as easy as they make it out to be. Every couple of months when I visit my parents (can’t get myself to see them more frequently, all wrapped up in my PTSD) I have to defrag their computer and make sure the records they think are important are backed up. Maintenance Wizard works fine if you can get someone who knows how to set it up right and if you keep a regular schedule. I use the computer every time I can’t sleep or wake up from a nightmare so having a housekeeping task running would drive me crazy (as if that were possible <G>). PS Too many programs running might hurt your ram but what it really does is slow down your cpu. If you don’t use it often, find a way to turn it off or set it to not start when windows starts (that’s hard sometimes, still can’t figure out how to "not start" a few programs). Larry L. "Nancy" <ki…@cris.com> wrote in message
news:9inhc4$12r@dispatch.concentric.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Tiny! > > Now if I can understand what you’re saying, I don’t > > know what CPU is, but I have a bunch of those little doo-hickies at the > > bottom of my screen like the little man that means my instant message guy > I > > think, and DD which I think is maybe Download Demon?? The CD creator, the > > little arrows that mean go back etc. Okay, I just counted them, there are > > 17 of them. Is that what you mean?? > Well, those 17 doo-hickies are going to slow your computer down, whether it > is defragging or anything else. :/ I suggest that, before you do this > maintenance, you turn all the doo-hickies to "off" or "exit". If you right > click on each doo-hickie (it’s called an icon, btw , and get rid of it, > your defrag should be done much faster! > Also, if you have a screen saver working, turn it off as it also slows down > maintenance stuff. > OTOH, I’ve seen defrags take over-night if it is the first time someone is > running it and she has a lot of doo-hickies for programs she doesn’t use in > the ‘bottom of the screen’ (aka the task manager, probably), or has been > running the computer for 6 months without pulling any maintenance on it. > BTW, don’t you RTFM either? :) > Smile and there will be something to smile about! > Nancy > P.S. If you really need to keep all those doo-hickies, I suggest you load > the computer with as much RAM as you can, maybe 512. 600 megahertz is > faster than mine … you’re fine with that.
Response:
How about so stressed that you think about it all the time but can’t get yourself to do it. Drives me nuts. I can urge other people to do it but keep putting it off for myself. Larry L. "Nancy" <ki…@cris.com> wrote in message
news:9inhc7$e6t@dispatch.concentric.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Hannah! > > Thanks a lot for your help. What you’ve outlined is clear and easy to > > understand, thank you. > As one Apple person to the next, you are welcome! > Actually, when you think about it, there must be two types of us here on the > PTSD support ng: those who are so hypervigilant that they pull maintenance > every day and those of us who are so stressed out that we don’t RTFM. > Smile and there will be something to smile about! > Nancy
Response:
Hi Nancy! > As one Apple person to the next, you are welcome!
Well, we’re pretty much diehards, aren’t we. I run a small business from my home, and thanks to your encouragement, I’m defragmenting all 4 computers right now (three Macs and a pc) – I’m going from computer to computer, doing the maintenance for the first time in months. > Actually, when you think about it, there must be two types of us here on the > PTSD support ng: those who are so hypervigilant that they pull maintenance > every day and those of us who are so stressed out that we don’t RTFM.
Can’t quite figure out what RTFM means, though. Hannah
Response:
Thanks so much Larry, I’m sending your posts to my email so I can print them out and follow the instructions. One of the things that went first with my ptsd was my ability to do more than one thing without looking back at my notes again! Makes it really hard when I’m trying to follow a recipe. I used to be able to read it once and go ahead, now I’m constantly going back to read it over and over! Even simple instructions on a frozen dinner throw me! I sometimes wonder who stole my brain! :-( It’s a good thing my kids are already grown because I could never work like I did when they were all young, having many things going on at one time and always knowing where they were and what they were up to. Sometimes I reflect back on that woman and wonder "where she went?" And left me with this dunce that’s trying to carry on! Thanks again, tiny dancer "Lawrence Lusk" <lelvn…@charter.net> wrote in message
news:tkuj7s7po148da@corp.supernews.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Sorry, meant to say "End Task" button on "Close Program" box. > Larry L.
Response:
Glad to be of help (at least so far, you won’t hurt my feelings if I messed up on my instructions, so you can yell at me later if I did). Until I got on the right anti-anxiety med, Clonazepam, I had big trouble concentrating on anything, plus no control of my anger. I still can’t read or write for long periods, 10 min tops, but that’s better than before. The thoughts come but they don’t bother distract me as much (most of the time). Larry L. "tiny dancer" <tinydancer…@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:sXK37.79433$ih.16761598@typhoon.southeast.rr.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Thanks so much Larry, I’m sending your posts to my email so I can print them > out and follow the instructions. One of the things that went first with my > ptsd was my ability to do more than one thing without looking back at my > notes again! Makes it really hard when I’m trying to follow a recipe. I > used to be able to read it once and go ahead, now I’m constantly going back > to read it over and over! Even simple instructions on a frozen dinner throw > me! I sometimes wonder who stole my brain! :-( It’s a good thing my kids > are already grown because I could never work like I did when they were all > young, having many things going on at one time and always knowing where they > were and what they were up to. Sometimes I reflect back on that woman and > wonder "where she went?" And left me with this dunce that’s trying to carry > on! > Thanks again, > tiny dancer
Response:
Hi Hannah! > Can’t quite figure out what RTFM means, though.
Read the manual. Smile and there will be something to smile about! Nancy
Response:
Hi Larry! > Maintenance > Wizard works fine if you can get someone who knows how to set it up right > and if you keep a regular schedule. I use the computer every time I can’t > sleep or wake up from a nightmare so having a housekeeping task running > would drive me crazy (as if that were possible <G>).
What do you mean by this? The Scheduling Agent? > PS Too many programs running might hurt your ram but what it really does is > slow down your cpu. If you don’t use it often, find a way to turn it off or > set it to not start when windows starts (that’s hard sometimes, still can’t > figure out how to "not start" a few programs).
The reason my computer _seems_ to slow down when I have too many programs running is that the cpu runs out of ram and has to start writing to disk as well as using ram for all the overhead. :/ Actually, the cpu is running just as fast as before, it just has more to do. The way to ‘not start’ a program is to go to Run on the Start Menu, type msconfig and look to the top right index card; click on this and turn stuff off as you like. Smile and there will be something to smile about! Nancy
Response:
Hi Nancy! >> Can’t quite figure out what RTFM means, though. > Read the manual.
<grin> I get it, thanks. Lisa
Response:
Hi Tiny, Me too, so don’t feel alone. My car key ring, it says, "I didn’t lose the keys this time, I lost the whole damned car." That’s actually happened before, when the panic attacks have hit when I’ve been out somewhere. That’s why I bought that keyring when I found it. Just had to, it was "me". *chuckling* Wasn’t funny when it was happening, but at least I can laugh about it now. : ) Ever heard that saying, "Of all the things I’ve lost, I miss my mind the most." I’ve tried to find that on a key ring too, but haven’t found one yet. One of the many joys of PTSD. Not! : ( kat "tiny dancer" <tinydancer…@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:sXK37.79433$ih.16761598@typhoon.southeast.rr.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Thanks so much Larry, I’m sending your posts to my email so I can print them > out and follow the instructions. One of the things that went first with my > ptsd was my ability to do more than one thing without looking back at my > notes again! Makes it really hard when I’m trying to follow a recipe. I > used to be able to read it once and go ahead, now I’m constantly going back > to read it over and over! Even simple instructions on a frozen dinner throw > me! I sometimes wonder who stole my brain! :-( It’s a good thing my kids > are already grown because I could never work like I did when they were all > young, having many things going on at one time and always knowing where they > were and what they were up to. Sometimes I reflect back on that woman and > wonder "where she went?" And left me with this dunce that’s trying to carry > on! > Thanks again, > tiny dancer > "Lawrence Lusk" <lelvn…@charter.net> wrote in message > news:tkuj7s7po148da@corp.supernews.com… > > Sorry, meant to say "End Task" button on "Close Program" box. > > Larry L.
Response:
Hi Kat, Thanks for saying that, I really needed it. I feel dumb enough already. Before I stopped driving I did the same thing a couple times, lost my car. That’s one of the reasons I quit driving. I got so upset and scared. And then the last time I drove somewhere I was stopped at a stoplight, with a big semi in front of me. It was an area that was kind of business/industrial, no homes or anything. Well I’m sitting at this stoplight, behind the truck, and this huge guy gets out of the drivers side of the truck and starts coming back to my car. Okay, turns out he just wanted directions somewhere, but he just terrified me. I saw him running back to my car and I just froze. He had to be at least 6′5" and 250 lbs. I was so scared I couldn’t move. I was shaking and couldn’t stop. I couldn’t remember where I was or how to get home or anything. It was horrible. And losing the car was pretty bad too. Once I was at the grocery, and this nice young man was pushing my cart out to load the car, and we got outside the store and I drew a total blank. I had no idea where I left the car. It was pouring rain, and me and this kid are traipsing up and down the isles of cars, I finally started crying, I felt so stupid, and the poor kid is getting soaked pushing my groceries. Finally we came up the isle right beside the store and there my car was, parked right next to the door we came out! God did I feel like a total idiot! And one time I came out of a store and couldn’t remember how I got there at all. I remember wondering "did I walk here" Did I take a bus here? I didn’t have any idea. When I finally decided I must’ve driven, I couldn’t remember what color my car "might have been?" So when the incident with the trucker happened I just quit driving all together. It was like the last straw. I can’t help the way I am, I need my computer to have a way to communicate with you guys, if I could read the book and understand it, I would. But I can’t hardly understand the directions to the microwave, the computer book is horrendous. My head aches just looking at it. Take care, tiny dancer P.S. I’m going to do that defrag thing tonight while I’m sleeping, so if you guys don’t hear from me again…………. "Kat" <kathi…@frontiernet.net> wrote in message
news:9iojav$ieq$1@node21.cwnet.roc.gblx.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Tiny, > Me too, so don’t feel alone. My car key ring, it says, "I didn’t lose the > keys this time, I lost the whole damned car." That’s actually happened > before, when the panic attacks have hit when I’ve been out somewhere. > That’s why I bought that keyring when I found it. Just had to, it was "me". > *chuckling* Wasn’t funny when it was happening, but at least I can laugh > about it now. : ) > Ever heard that saying, "Of all the things I’ve lost, I miss my mind the > most." I’ve tried to find that on a key ring too, but haven’t found one > yet. One of the many joys of PTSD. Not! : ( > kat > "tiny dancer" <tinydancer…@hotmail.com> wrote in message > news:sXK37.79433$ih.16761598@typhoon.southeast.rr.com… > > Thanks so much Larry, I’m sending your posts to my email so I can print > them > > out and follow the instructions. One of the things that went first with > my > > ptsd was my ability to do more than one thing without looking back at my > > notes again! Makes it really hard when I’m trying to follow a recipe. I > > used to be able to read it once and go ahead, now I’m constantly going > back > > to read it over and over! Even simple instructions on a frozen dinner > throw > > me! I sometimes wonder who stole my brain! :-( It’s a good thing my > kids > > are already grown because I could never work like I did when they were all > > young, having many things going on at one time and always knowing where > they > > were and what they were up to. Sometimes I reflect back on that woman and > > wonder "where she went?" And left me with this dunce that’s trying to > carry > > on! > > Thanks again, > > tiny dancer > > "Lawrence Lusk" <lelvn…@charter.net> wrote in message > > news:tkuj7s7po148da@corp.supernews.com… > > > Sorry, meant to say "End Task" button on "Close Program" box. > > > Larry L.
Response:
Tiny, Me too, again. : ( RE: why you quit driving. Was dissociating so badly, I would "come to" somewhere, with no idea how I got there, what I was doing there, where I was at, or where home was, and sometimes. Or my husband tells me I say I’m someone else sometimes, and I have no memory of doing or saying anything like this. Its terrifying. And so is losing my car. I just get hysterical when that kind of stuff happens, usually end up balling. And why I don’t trust myself to go out either. I just can’t take the stress of it. To come to somewhere, and not have a clue how you even got there? Was losing time left and right, sometimes days/weeks at a time. The more I stay at home, the safer I feel, and the less I dissociate. That guy coming at you, asking for directions, that would have knocked my socks off too. Big time! I always have to have some sort of weapon with me when I do drive, be it a crowbar, hammer, baseball bat, lead pipe, whatever. I hate what this does to us. It’s not "us" though, it’s what the PTSD does TO us, you know? I’ll remind you of that if I think you need to hear it, and you remind me if you ever think I need to hear it, how about that? Because sometimes it just helps to hear those words, out loud. At least I know it does for me. : ) It’s just so hard to concentrate. I’ve never read my manual either, I couldn’t do it. Like my brain is just swiss cheese up there, I can read stuff, but 2-3 minutes later, can’t remember it for the life of me. If someone set down with me, tells me how to do it, and lets me do the keystrokes, then usually, even if I do forget, I can remember if I fool around with it for a few minutes. But if I get real nervous, about anything, forget it. I’m so lucky, I have a friend who’s a computer whiz, and whenever I run into trouble, I call him. He’s the one who set up my computer for me, and has taught me how to do stuff. I’m so thankful he helps me. (he’s one of my husband’s highschool buddies, they’ve known each other all their lives, and just a really good guy) My computer helps cut down on the isolation so much. Know EXACTLY what you mean, I’d be lost without mine. It’s like my social life consists of the people at the other end of my computer, my husband, and my husband’s friend. My monitor’s been screwing up the last week or so, and even though I have a year warranty on the stuff, I’m thinking of going to get another monitor, a cheapie, so I can still stay in touch with all of you while this one gets sent back to the manufacturer. Nope, its not just you Tiny. : ) kat "tiny dancer" <tinydancer…@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:jwQ37.138751$Md.32884197@typhoon.southeast.rr.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Kat, > Thanks for saying that, I really needed it. I feel dumb enough already. > Before I stopped driving I did the same thing a couple times, lost my car. > That’s one of the reasons I quit driving. I got so upset and scared. And > then the last time I drove somewhere I was stopped at a stoplight, with a > big semi in front of me. It was an area that was kind of > business/industrial, no homes or anything. Well I’m sitting at this > stoplight, behind the truck, and this huge guy gets out of the drivers side > of the truck and starts coming back to my car. Okay, turns out he just > wanted directions somewhere, but he just terrified me. I saw him running > back to my car and I just froze. He had to be at least 6′5" and 250 lbs. I > was so scared I couldn’t move. I was shaking and couldn’t stop. I couldn’t > remember where I was or how to get home or anything. It was horrible. And > losing the car was pretty bad too. Once I was at the grocery, and this nice > young man was pushing my cart out to load the car, and we got outside the > store and I drew a total blank. I had no idea where I left the car. It was > pouring rain, and me and this kid are traipsing up and down the isles of > cars, I finally started crying, I felt so stupid, and the poor kid is > getting soaked pushing my groceries. Finally we came up the isle right > beside the store and there my car was, parked right next to the door we came > out! God did I feel like a total idiot! And one time I came out of a store > and couldn’t remember how I got there at all. I remember wondering "did I > walk here" Did I take a bus here? I didn’t have any idea. When I finally > decided I must’ve driven, I couldn’t remember what color my car "might have > been?" So when the incident with the trucker happened I just quit driving > all together. It was like the last straw. I can’t help the way I am, I > need my computer to have a way to communicate with you guys, if I could read > the book and understand it, I would. But I can’t hardly understand the > directions to the microwave, the computer book is horrendous. My head aches > just looking at it. > Take care, > tiny dancer > P.S. I’m going to do that defrag thing tonight while I’m sleeping, so if > you guys don’t hear from me again…………. > "Kat" <kathi…@frontiernet.net> wrote in message > news:9iojav$ieq$1@node21.cwnet.roc.gblx.net… > > Hi Tiny, > > Me too, so don’t feel alone. My car key ring, it says, "I didn’t lose the > > keys this time, I lost the whole damned car." That’s actually happened > > before, when the panic attacks have hit when I’ve been out somewhere. > > That’s why I bought that keyring when I found it. Just had to, it was > "me". > > *chuckling* Wasn’t funny when it was happening, but at least I can laugh > > about it now. : ) > > Ever heard that saying, "Of all the things I’ve lost, I miss my mind the > > most." I’ve tried to find that on a key ring too, but haven’t found one > > yet. One of the many joys of PTSD. Not! : ( > > kat > > "tiny dancer" <tinydancer…@hotmail.com> wrote in message > > news:sXK37.79433$ih.16761598@typhoon.southeast.rr.com… > > > Thanks so much Larry, I’m sending your posts to my email so I can print > > them > > > out and follow the instructions. One of the things that went first with > > my > > > ptsd was my ability to do more than one thing without looking back at my > > > notes again! Makes it really hard when I’m trying to follow a recipe. > I > > > used to be able to read it once and go ahead, now I’m constantly going > > back > > > to read it over and over! Even simple instructions on a frozen dinner > > throw > > > me! I sometimes wonder who stole my brain! :-( It’s a good thing my > > kids > > > are already grown because I could never work like I did when they were > all > > > young, having many things going on at one time and always knowing where > > they > > > were and what they were up to. Sometimes I reflect back on that woman > and > > > wonder "where she went?" And left me with this dunce that’s trying to > > carry > > > on! > > > Thanks again, > > > tiny dancer > > > "Lawrence Lusk" <lelvn…@charter.net> wrote in message > > > news:tkuj7s7po148da@corp.supernews.com… > > > > Sorry, meant to say "End Task" button on "Close Program" box. > > > > Larry L.
Response:
Hi Hannah (and anyone else interested)! > > So … if you are running a pc and Windows I will walk you through > > ‘maintaining your computer’ in direct e-mail to keep us on topic. > Is this too long to post here?
Not if I can be as creative as Rudy. Scan disk and defrag and backup all come with Windows; Norton provides more stuff to do the same things and more, but for beginners both Norton and McAfee can get one into more trouble than they are worth IME. This is the voice of someone with PTSD who went from an Apple IIgs to a pc and is hypervigilant wrt excessive coding slowing down processors. You get to scan disk, defrag and backup by left clicking on the ‘My Computer’ icon which starts off on a pc with Windows 98 at the upper left hand corner. Then you right click on the icon for the ‘C’ drive, go down the menu to ‘Properties’ and left click on it. At the top of the open box is an index card which says ‘Tools’. Click on this and you will see the 3 basic maintenance tools plus how long ago you executed them. If you have either McAfee or Norton, you will probably see a 3rd index card which says their name … my suggestion is to learn and run the provided Windows tools before you advance to the expensive add-ons. I run the Windows tools whenever my system operates strangely … after I have saved my data … and every Friday at a minimum. I wish I kept my house as clean as I keep my pc. Oh well, some things are more important to me than others. IMO Windows corrupts itself when I don’t have enough memory installed for the applications I use. Running these 3 keeps the Windows’s abuse to a minimum. After these comes RegClean … another topic when you are ready. Was that clear? anyone else have some suggestions for the basics of computer maintenance? Now … I gotta call the auto mechanic … I’m well over my 3,000 mile oil and grease schedule. Smile and there will be something to smile about! Nancy
Response:
Thanks Nancy, I forwarded this to my email so I could print it out. But I did find that defrag thing last night and clicked on it, but I left it going all night long and when I got up this morning, probably a good 8 hours, it was only at 57% done, so I shut it off so I could use my computer. It does seem to be working better, but I know it’s not "done" yet. Should it be taking that long a time to run?? I mean 8 hours and only 57% finished. tiny dancer "Nancy" <ki…@cris.com> wrote in message
news:9in0b7$k1n@dispatch.concentric.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Hannah (and anyone else interested)! > > > So … if you are running a pc and Windows I will walk you through > > > ‘maintaining your computer’ in direct e-mail to keep us on topic. > > Is this too long to post here? > Not if I can be as creative as Rudy. > Scan disk and defrag and backup all come with Windows; Norton provides more > stuff to do the same things and more, but for beginners both Norton and > McAfee can get one into more trouble than they are worth IME. This is the > voice of someone with PTSD who went from an Apple IIgs to a pc and is > hypervigilant wrt excessive coding slowing down processors. > You get to scan disk, defrag and backup by left clicking on the ‘My > Computer’ icon which starts off on a pc with Windows 98 at the upper left > hand corner. > Then you right click on the icon for the ‘C’ drive, go down the menu to > ‘Properties’ and left click on it. > At the top of the open box is an index card which says ‘Tools’. Click on > this and you will see the 3 basic maintenance tools plus how long ago you > executed them. If you have either McAfee or Norton, you will probably see a > 3rd index card which says their name … my suggestion is to learn and run > the provided Windows tools before you advance to the expensive add-ons. > I run the Windows tools whenever my system operates strangely … after I > have saved my data … and every Friday at a minimum. I wish I kept my > house as clean as I keep my pc. Oh well, some things are more important to > me than others. > IMO Windows corrupts itself when I don’t have enough memory installed for > the applications I use. Running these 3 keeps the Windows’s abuse to a > minimum. > After these comes RegClean … another topic when you are ready. > Was that clear? anyone else have some suggestions for the basics of computer > maintenance? > Now … I gotta call the auto mechanic … I’m well over my 3,000 mile oil > and grease schedule. > Smile and there will be something to smile about! > Nancy
Response:
Tiny, hope you don’t mind if I jump in here. My computer has kept me going many times when I might have given up altogether, so keeping it running is an essential part of my PTSD treatment. Defrag should not take that long (unless you have a very slow CPU and a VERY big hard drive). Did you have some other program running that writes to the hard drive regularly while you did the defrag? Everything should be off, including the virus checker and disconnect yourself from the internet if your hook-up is 24/7. Defrag will start itself over again if something writes to the drive it’s working on. Hope this helps. Larry L. "tiny dancer" <tinydancer…@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:PAE37.78117$ih.16507699@typhoon.southeast.rr.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Thanks Nancy, I forwarded this to my email so I could print it out. But I > did find that defrag thing last night and clicked on it, but I left it going > all night long and when I got up this morning, probably a good 8 hours, it > was only at 57% done, so I shut it off so I could use my computer. It does > seem to be working better, but I know it’s not "done" yet. Should it be > taking that long a time to run?? I mean 8 hours and only 57% finished. > tiny dancer
Response:
Thanks Larry, jump right in, I can use all the help I can get. I’m a total dunce on the computer and not much good at retaining what I read. I’m much better at watching someone do something, scribble myself notes, and then try to follow my notes. Now if I can understand what you’re saying, I don’t know what CPU is, but I have a bunch of those little doo-hickies at the bottom of my screen like the little man that means my instant message guy I think, and DD which I think is maybe Download Demon?? The CD creator, the little arrows that mean go back etc. Okay, I just counted them, there are 17 of them. Is that what you mean?? I have no idea if I had some other program running. I closed my outlook express mailbox and I am hooked up to the internet all the time because it’s through my cablevision, not a phone line. I have 600 megahertz and 128 RAM, if that helps?? Thanks, tiny dancer "Lawrence Lusk" <lelvn…@charter.net> wrote in message
news:tkua2h7j0oun4d@corp.supernews.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Tiny, hope you don’t mind if I jump in here. My computer has kept me going > many times when I might have given up altogether, so keeping it running is > an essential part of my PTSD treatment. Defrag should not take that long > (unless you have a very slow CPU and a VERY big hard drive). Did you have > some other program running that writes to the hard drive regularly while you > did the defrag? Everything should be off, including the virus checker and > disconnect yourself from the internet if your hook-up is 24/7. Defrag will > start itself over again if something writes to the drive it’s working on. > Hope this helps. > Larry L. > "tiny dancer" <tinydancer…@hotmail.com> wrote in message > news:PAE37.78117$ih.16507699@typhoon.southeast.rr.com… > > Thanks Nancy, I forwarded this to my email so I could print it out. But I > > did find that defrag thing last night and clicked on it, but I left it > going > > all night long and when I got up this morning, probably a good 8 hours, it > > was only at 57% done, so I shut it off so I could use my computer. It > does > > seem to be working better, but I know it’s not "done" yet. Should it be > > taking that long a time to run?? I mean 8 hours and only 57% finished. > > tiny dancer
Response:
Hi Nancy! Thanks a lot for your help. What you’ve outlined is clear and easy to understand, thank you. > I run the Windows tools whenever my system operates strangely … after I > have saved my data … and every Friday at a minimum. I wish I kept my > house as clean as I keep my pc. Oh well, some things are more important to > me than others.
Absolutely! My computer is my lifeline, far more important to me than a clean house. > Now … I gotta call the auto mechanic … I’m well over my 3,000 mile oil > and grease schedule.
Maybe I should make that phone call, too. Thanks again. Hannah
Response:
Hi Hannah! > Thanks a lot for your help. What you’ve outlined is clear and easy to > understand, thank you.
As one Apple person to the next, you are welcome! Actually, when you think about it, there must be two types of us here on the PTSD support ng: those who are so hypervigilant that they pull maintenance every day and those of us who are so stressed out that we don’t RTFM. Smile and there will be something to smile about! Nancy
Response:
Hi Tiny! > Now if I can understand what you’re saying, I don’t > know what CPU is, but I have a bunch of those little doo-hickies at the > bottom of my screen like the little man that means my instant message guy I > think, and DD which I think is maybe Download Demon?? The CD creator, the > little arrows that mean go back etc. Okay, I just counted them, there are > 17 of them. Is that what you mean??
Well, those 17 doo-hickies are going to slow your computer down, whether it is defragging or anything else. :/ I suggest that, before you do this maintenance, you turn all the doo-hickies to "off" or "exit". If you right click on each doo-hickie (it’s called an icon, btw , and get rid of it, your defrag should be done much faster! Also, if you have a screen saver working, turn it off as it also slows down maintenance stuff. OTOH, I’ve seen defrags take over-night if it is the first time someone is running it and she has a lot of doo-hickies for programs she doesn’t use in the ‘bottom of the screen’ (aka the task manager, probably), or has been running the computer for 6 months without pulling any maintenance on it. BTW, don’t you RTFM either? :) Smile and there will be something to smile about! Nancy P.S. If you really need to keep all those doo-hickies, I suggest you load the computer with as much RAM as you can, maybe 512. 600 megahertz is faster than mine … you’re fine with that.
Response:
Ok Tiny, and this might help someone else also. You have much too many things running at the same time. Press (on the keyboard) Ctrl, Alt, Delete all at the same time. A box will come up called "Close Program". This shows all the programs you have running right now. Click on everything EXCEPT Explorer, Systray and Rundll and click "End Program" for each (only do this before you run defrag). Rather than get anxious about re-starting the other programs just re-start your computer after the defrag is done. Should take an hour or so (maybe less). Email me if you have a problem. Remember, the worst that can happen is that you might have to turn off the computer and then turn it on again. IF you know how (feel comfortable), do a back up on files that are important before you defrag (I should but I seldom do). Larry L. "tiny dancer" <tinydancer…@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:g4G37.78527$ih.16553171@typhoon.southeast.rr.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Thanks Larry, jump right in, I can use all the help I can get. I’m a total > dunce on the computer and not much good at retaining what I read. I’m much > better at watching someone do something, scribble myself notes, and then try > to follow my notes. Now if I can understand what you’re saying, I don’t > know what CPU is, but I have a bunch of those little doo-hickies at the > bottom of my screen like the little man that means my instant message guy I > think, and DD which I think is maybe Download Demon?? The CD creator, the > little arrows that mean go back etc. Okay, I just counted them, there are > 17 of them. Is that what you mean?? I have no idea if I had some other > program running. I closed my outlook express mailbox and I am hooked up to > the internet all the time because it’s through my cablevision, not a phone > line. I have 600 megahertz and 128 RAM, if that helps?? > Thanks, > tiny dancer
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