Cathy,
Normally, when you plug the AC adaptor, a light will come on indicating that the laptop is running on AC. If the light comes on, then the adapter is good and even when the battery is pretty old, the laptop should work; if the light does not come on, then you likely have a bad AC adapter and it is not repairable. Most laptops come with Windows and Outlook Express already installed as well as MS Works, that includes a word processor and spreadsheet an;, unless you have a specific need of MS Office, for the type of user you describe, you really do not need any additional software. Javier, Javier Valencia 913-915-3137 _____ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of cfgrimes Sent: Sunday, August 09, 2009 10:20 AM To: RBASE-L Mailing List Subject: [RBASE-L] - RE: Any Suggestions? Thanks, Javier, a power supply problem never occurred to me since it was plugged into a/c outlet and at least tried to start, but wouldn't start at all by battery alone. I did try plugging into several different outlets, and wouldn't know how to fix bad power supply. Think best just to go with the Dell Inspiron 15 laptop, which should be around $800 total before rebuying couple other basic software programs. You're right about my Mom being the same as your Dad. She has a memory problem (in Assisted Living Facility), so never turns it on herself. But both my sister and I access her email and the Net each time we go over there, and she really enjoys it then. Cathy ----- Original Message ----- From: Javier Valencia <mailto:[email protected]> To: RBASE-L Mailing List <mailto:[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, August 09, 2009 7:52 AM Subject: [RBASE-L] - RE: Any Suggestions? Cathy, You might want to make sure that the power supply is indeed working. I ran into similar problem with a Toshiba that would do just about the same thing you mentioned and I found out that the AC power supply was not working and the computer would die as it started to boot and the battery did not have enough charge left to complete the boot.. If that is not the case, I agree with Ken that a new laptop might be a better option. If your mom is any thing like my dad, her entire usages is e-mail and internet and these applications are more dependent on a fast connection rather than a fast computer. There are now laptops (netbooks) available from $200 and full laptops from $300. If you have an existing monitor, you can use it to replace the built-in screen that tends to be small or you can pick an older CRT monitor for $5 at a garage sale; $20 will buy an external keyboard and mouse. Javier, Javier Valencia 913-915-3137 _____ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of cfgrimes Sent: Sunday, August 09, 2009 4:23 AM To: RBASE-L Mailing List Subject: [RBASE-L] - Any Suggestions? I hope it is ok that I ask a non-RBase question. If not allowed, please disregard. My 87 year old Mother's Compaq laptop (Presario R3000) just died. Sometimes will start up into Windows, but then immediately shuts itself down before I can do anything (AC power connected). Tried starting with battery alone - nothing. Tried starting in Safe Mode, went through some steps then shut down. Checking on the net, I've found this to be a frequent problem with Compaq laptops going back to 2005 and continuing - hundreds of postings with this problem, which is really annoying that they could continue to sell defective machines. Most of the ones who said they fixed it said it was a heat sink problem, which seemed to fix it when they replaced - but others said motherboard problem. I'm hardware illiterate, so have to depend upon a repair person/company I am hoping someone out there can recommend a company that is honest, competent, and hopefully not too expensive. I am in Huntington Beach, California, and we have Computer Geeks, Geek Squad and Frye's locally. Have read good and bad reviews of each. If anyone can recommend one of these (or anyone else in the area), I would really appreciate it. Thank you. Cathy Grimes
