Windows Vista and XP

[copticorthodoxboy]

Hello all,

I received a new laptop a few days ago.  I'm sorry, I'm not too good with technology, so if I misuse terms forgive me.  My new laptop runs on windows Vista (I'm not really sure what that means) and not XP (my friend pointed this out yesterday).  I've encountered two problems:
Problem 1: Trying to transfer old Word documents from my old compter hasn't worked.  I'm not sure why, but my laptop fails to open the document up "cleanly" (there is a bunch of computer "jargon" all over the document).  I suppose my computer is loaded up with Windows 2007.
Problem 2: When using Chinese characters in e-mails, 5 out 6 people (all have Chinese loaded up on there computers) were unable to read the characters (receiving just boxes).  Strange thing is, when we use msn instant message they can read my Chinese characters.  In all cases, I can read their Chinese characters.  Perhaps someone could look under my photo of the beloved Chinese singer Deng LiJun (Teresa Teng) and tell me if they can read the characters (granted that the person has Chinese load up onto their computer).
If anyone can inform me of what I can do to solve these problems, I'll be more than thankful.  Both aren't problems that need to be modified by tomorrow, but when school starts (at the end of August) I need the ability to e-mail my Word documents to myself so I can print them off another computer (since my laptop isn't connected to a printer).
Thanks in advance to all that can help.

Shawn

p.s.  If anyone has any information on how to help, please use simple but detailed steps.

 

[friartuck]

Dear Coptic Orthodox Boy,

You may have a few issues that may not have been addressed in your post. In order to answer your questions, a little more information is needed.

1. Which version of Microsoft Word was the documents originally and are you sure you Word in the new laptop or is it Microsoft Works? If it is Microsoft Works you have a problem, because most of the new computers do not have the necessary filter for importing Word documents.

2. Have you installed the Chinese and other fonts or are you relying on the computer to have this already? You may have to reload your fonts.

Any clarification might help get this issue resolved.

Friar Tuck

 

[PeterTheAleut]

1. Which version of Microsoft Word was the documents originally ... ?

This you can see just by looking at the file extension for the old Word documents.  Microsoft Office Word 2007 saves files with the *.docx extension by default, while earlier versions of Word save files with the *.doc extension.  If the file has a *.docx extension, it could have been created only in Word 2007.

 

[copticorthodoxboy]

Friar Tuck

Haha, I was afraid of this.  Technology and Christology...I'll never grasp it

As PetertheAleut stated that older versions have .doc at the end, I think that is what it had (I'll have to recheck.  The old documents are on my parents computer, and I'll check tomorrow). 

Concerning the Chinese, I'm not sure if it was loaded on originally or not (it is a dell).  Actually, when I received the laptop I gave it over to my friend (haha, what a great learning experience eh?) to load it up.  However, yesterday I was at my other friend's house and him and his girlfriend were messing around with the control panel so maybe they did something to load up the Chinese.  But...I could read and write Chinese before that.   

Perhaps you could send me your e-mail (via PM, don't worry my laptop is void of viruses, and I have no idea how to make one anyways) and I could send you a "sample" document and you could try to figure it out?  That is, if you are willing.

If not, I might take it up to my university and get some computer wiz to help me out.

Thanks

Shawn

 

[Asteriktos]

Fwiw, if the documents aren't too sophisticated (e.g., quotes and bold and color changes galore), you could always copy and paste the info from the documents to the blog or something, and then copy and paste them into a new document. (This is supposing that your old computer is still up and able to connect to the net, I guess).

 

[copticorthodoxboy]

Asteriktos

Thank you for the suggestion.  Though that is a temporary fix, I think it would be best to get to the root of the problem and correct it. 

Shawn

 

[PeterTheAleut]

As PetertheAleut stated that older versions have .doc at the end, I think that is what it had (I'll have to recheck.  The old documents are on my parents computer, and I'll check tomorrow).

If your document files do have .doc at the end, Word 2007 should read them without any issues, so maybe your problem is related to something else, such as having MS Works instead of MS Office 2007 installed on your laptop.

 

[ozgeorge]

Don't ask me. I was turning my laptop upside-down and shaking it to reboot for three months before I realised it wasn't an Etch-a-Sketch.

 

[copticorthodoxboy]

George

A number of years ago, a friend of mine had a good laugh when he asked me to successfully turn on his computer.  It took me about 5 minutes to figure out how to turn that evil machine on.  I've come a long way since then...but...I'm certainly no genius with modern technology.

Shawn

 

[chris]

Coptic Orth Boy--

Since you're new to laptops and all, here's a tip that has helped me: after I used a laptop for a few months it always seems to get heavier and heavier the more I use it.

So, I have learned to delete files from my laptop regularly to make sure it doesn't get too heavy! I make it a point to delete the unneeded and heavy files the same day I go to the garage to change the air in my tires from summer air to winter air, and of course vice-versa about 6 months later.

There's a garage down the street that'll only charge me $2.99 a pound to change the air! I hate to take advantage of them, but back North the air changes would cost twice as much. They're such suckers here in 'Bama!

 

[friartuck]

The first part of the mystery has been solved regarding the documents, and I will let Shawn reveal it if he so desires.

The other part remaining is the Chinese fonts and if they have been installed.

Friar Tuck

 

[Friul]

1)  Open your Control Panel

2)  Click the "Clock, Language and Regional"

3)  Under the Regional and Language Options, select Change keyboards or other input methods.

4)  Click the Change keyboards button:

5)  Click the Add button.

6)  Scroll down to the Chinese part (PRC I am assuming), expand it and choose the keyboard you want to use (usually the 'Microsoft Pinyin IME')

7)  Click OK

8)  Click OK


In XP you have to activate East Asian Languages, but in Vista you just have to add them.  Hope that helps, if not, just let me know.  Good luck.   

 

[Orthodox Swamp Thing]

Macs are like Orthodoxy.... They just work flawlessly.

Windows is like Protestantism.... Plagued with viruses, malware and other issues.... Each new "version" they say they have "solved" the problem but only for it to come back.....

 

[Friul]

Macs are like Orthodoxy.... They just work flawlessly.

So 'UNIX for Dummies and those who like Shiny Objects' is like Orthodoxy?

 

[Orthodox Swamp Thing]

depends.... there are few of us in Orthodoxy that just want the "facts" without the 5hr long lecture..... I know there are a lot of Orthodox that like Schmemann..... I have tried to read some of his books  and got the deep desire to hang myself....

Wouldn't Icons count as shiny objects???

 

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Macs are like Orthodoxy.... They just work flawlessly.

So 'UNIX for Dummies and those who like Shiny Objects' is like Orthodoxy?

What's wrong with shiny objects? ;D