Now that's a nice feature!

Although it's also available in Windows 7, Split Screen is also a great feature. You can snap two windows to fill exactly half your screen on the right and left. This is what GreyFuss used to open up his failed hard drive in one screen and his documents folder on the new drive. Then he just dragged and dropped his files from the old drive to the new drive.

So anything on the left is installed and usable. Anything on the right MIGHT be installed and usable or MIGHT be something they want me to try. That's what I'm understanding and seeing. I did just "click" on a couple of the items (such as Netflix) to LOOK at what it might say and it started downloading (which I stopped) and then MY Microsoft purchased screen came up saying that I just recently purchased it. Apparently I am signed in and since I have purchased there I believe they do have a credit card on file.

Can you use that screenshot thing on game scenes?

I never got used to that Snap stuff. I used it one time but had trouble with it, therefore I didn't like it.

I do, however, like the calculator in Windows 10 and already pinned that to my task bar.

Mostly that junk on the right is links, sometimes links to things on your computer, sometimes links to things out on the Internet (some links to webpages, some links to downloads). Microsoft is deliberately trying to blur the difference between what's on your computer and what's out on the Internet.


Draclvr will have to tell you what might have happened there.

I suggest removing all those blinking squares on the right and not using that feature at all.
If I want a shortcut, I put it on the desktop or on the taskbar.

Some people recommend installing and setting up Windows 10 without being connected to the Internet. They say it's a much better experience without all those ads being thrown at you and trying to put you on a Microsoft account out on the Internet instead of a local login.


Sometimes. It varies with the game. You'll have to try and see.

None of the squares blink, at least not yet. I had removed at least one after looking at it (something about phones). The Netflix tile and the Candy Crush tile disappeared after I tried to look at them and stopped the downloads.

This is something I don't really understand at all:

"Some people recommend installing and setting up Windows 10 without being connected to the Internet. They say it's a much better experience without all those ads being thrown at you and trying to put you on a Microsoft account out on the Internet instead of a local login. "

I haven't logged into Windows 10 or seen anything asking me to. I am signed into my Office products but not into the Cloud. This is the kind of stuff that is beyond my understanding!!

I have to log into Windows every time I start the computer, whether it was Vista, Win7, Win8, or Win10. Maybe because I have "Pro" versions it does not automatically go to the desktop when I start the computer. Automatic login is a security issue if you have an administrator account .

It sounds like the person who built the computer for you may have set it up with automatic login to desktop. You should probably either give your account a password or create a limited account with the automatic login.
https://www.howtogeek.com/220660/why-you-shouldn%E2%80%99t-automatically-log-into-your-windows-pc/

I have Windows 7 Pro and I don't have to log into Windows when I start the computer.

Is it an account with administrator privileges, Marian?
If so, check the howtogeek link above.

When I log in there is a picture that comes up that is some picture that I did set in some old computer years ago but don't even know what it is actually associated with, apparently Microsoft somehow, like email or something. I was looking for someplace the other day to change the picture but never found what I was looking for. Well, I think I know where but don't have any other picture to use.

I've never had a password to log in to any computer and am actually afraid to have one (yes, another thing I am afraid of) as with my luck, I will end up locked out of my own computer.

More stuff I don't understand about:

"Automatic login is a security issue if you have an administrator account ." and
"You should probably either give your account a password or create a limited account with the automatic login."

I will go read the link to see if it clears anything up for me though.

Thanks!

Yes it is, Jenny, and I will check out the link you provided.

I also have a Windows 10 Pro CD sitting here, waiting to be used. I still haven't decided whether to use it to upgrade this computer or to buy a new computer. Weighing the pros and cons and figuring out what would be the most cost effective in the long run. I will probably just keep this one as is and get another computer but that will also depend on financial considerations.

I was supposed to take my computer in today to this guy and he just called and said that he had to cancel on me, that he had to do something else. Then he said that he thinks I should find some place else to take it. I asked him why and he said that he thinks this will be a challenge that he doesn't want to get involved in right now??? What challenge? Clean and replace some fans. He said it would take an hour maybe.

I'm so disappointed. Up early and ready to go and now the only other place is Best Buy. It took so long for me to finally make the call and now this. I really hate dealing with this stuff!!

I am disappointed too, oldbroad. I really don't understand why he backed out at the last minute.

No wonder you hate dealing with this stuff. This guy does not sound very reliable and if he was a business, he'd be getting a bad review from me. I'm very lucky to have three small local computer businesses that do repairs etc within 10 miles of me. And none of them would do anything like this.


I guess if you want to take it to Best Buy, they will at least do the job without bailing out on you.

Thanks Marian and Draclvr.

It is supposedly this business here though it is run from his home in an area that I'm somewhat familiar with, having grown up just a mile or so south of where he is.

https://www.soaringeaglecs.com/
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=soaring+eagle+computer+services

I had contacted him a couple of times via email (4 years ago and 1 year ago) and he wanted to set up a phone interview which I thought was being kind of difficult instead of just answering my questions in the email. I never did call him back then. This was the first time I called him. I guess I was right. Difficult!

I had researched several places but the only 2 I feel comfortable with that I think would clean a computer is this guy and Best Buy. Does Best Buy clean computers?

Since I'm up and ready to go, I was going to call Best Buy but my brother decided he should just go there and ask them in person if they'll do the work since he is going out in that direction anyway. I guess I have to bring my own fans to Best Buy also, which is fine. I just don't know if the fan in back is the same size as the fans on top and if there is a fan inside that I cannot see? I know the side fan is bigger but I am not worried about it.

Also, 4 years ago he mentioned upgrading to Windows 10 and when I talked to him on the phone last week that was the first thing out of his mouth when I said it was a Windows 7 computer. I told him I have a Windows 10 but want to keep the Windows 7 and explained that I'm a gamer and also have a Windows XP that I use. He didn't seem to understand that though.

I would sure think that Best Buy would be willing to clean the computer. Let us know what your brother finds out.

They thought he meant cleaning up files or something. We're just going to bring it in and see what happens I guess. I'm so sick of this life, I don't even care anymore!

I would tape a piece of paper to the computer telling what's wrong with it.
Something like "computer runs hot, needs dust cleaned out, non-working fans replaced, possibly new thermal paste."

That's a good idea, Jenny.

Yes, thank you. I already wrote a list out. I do believe my brother corrected the person.
I'm sorry. I'm having a bad day all around today.

I've been gone all day and just got home and checked this thread. oldbroad, I can look up what size your fans are if you can tell me which case you have? If you don't have the paperwork, it should have something on the case itself.

Thanks Draclvr. I emailed Mike. He said there are 4 fans, all 120mm. The side fan is bigger (I don't know the size) but I'm not going to worry about that one. I have 5 - 120mm fans that I purchased from Amazon.

Then you should be good to go. As I've said before, where else can you get personal customer service like Mike gives!

My brother was going to just take my computer in to Best Buy this morning but I told him that when I had contacted them last year they said to call 20 minutes ahead, so I called. Good thing. Nobody would have been available right now, so I set up an appointment for Friday morning 10:00.

They check it out first, give you an estimate and write up the paperwork, and then you have to pay BEFORE they do anything with it. I've never heard of such a thing. I'm trusting them with my expensive computer, any sensitive documents that are in it, and I have to PAY to leave it there with them. Wow!

I know they will be probably 3 times more expensive than the other guy would have but my other option (in my eyes even though this may not be true) is to not be able to use an otherwise good computer just because of some dirt and fans.

Have I mentioned how much I hate dealing with this stuff?

You MAY have mentioned this!

My take on this is that you should absolutely make sure this WIndows 7 computer is running happily for a long time. You'll just have to take it off the internet next February... or January, I can't remember. As much as I would loathe taking a computer to Best Buy, the other guy sounds WAAAAY too unreliable to me. And the fact that he questioned why you would want to have different computers available for gaming tells me he's also a little clueless.

Your appointment for 10:00 Friday morning sounds pretty good to me. I think they have a rather large problem with people not paying and that's why they want payment up front.

Draclvr - my paperwork says: Apevia Black/Green X-Dreamer 4 (4 5.25, 5 3.5) 5 Fans

Mike told me the 4 fans were all 120mm but the guy at Best Buy was saying the one on the back is smaller and won't know about the one in front until he opens it up. What do say? Just curious. It doesn't change anything really. The Best Buy charge won't change. They were not much more expensive than the other guy would be and maybe even less expensive if the other guy took longer than he thought it might. It should be ready for pick up in a few days. I can't wait. I have some game series installed on there that I'm waiting to get back to playing.