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Archiver > WINDOWS-FOR-DUMMIES > 2001-01 > 0979186482


From: Jack Henderson <>
Subject: [WIN-DUM] A new try about a FAQ -- (Long)
Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2001 20:14:42 -0800
References: <5.0.0.25.2.20001128054840.00a274b0@pop3.concentric.net><61.929fbda.27544df1@aol.com>
In-Reply-To: <4.3.2.7.2.20001128161502.00b313d0@mail>


There is reason to believe that I will be able to return to near normal
life soon, so I have been working on the old laptop to develop this. As
time becomes available, I will go deeper into the document. A lot of the
data in the document will be culled from notes on the three or four
listserver lists that I watch closely. The truth or fiction of information
in the document will come out as several users try the items, and find
whether they work or not on their computers.

This is to introduce a FAQ that I will attempt to write. It will be a
living document, meaning that it will be changed from time to time to try
to get closer to the overall needs of all that use it. It will not follow
the format normally used in such documents, as I do not have the time to do
this at present. If one of the users would like to do so in the future, I
will be happy to work with you.

I will have it available soon on one or the other of my web sites. As it
goes through its formation period, and on to become a more useable
document. Its appearance will change I am sure. The end goal is to have
several parts of the document prepared in such a way that you can down load
just a part or all of a topic, and use the page of information as a useable
document to have near the computer while you work.

One of the biggest problems will be the fact that items will be tried by
users that have very different machines, made by different methods. A lot
of us will be using older machines, some as old as the old 386's, up to the
very latest Pentium Four's and advanced AMD chips. The second biggest and
the most evident problem will be the use of the several flavors of Windows
used by those who will be looking in.

At some future time, if I can upgrade my old Mac, to a more modern version,
and using the newer OS's from Apple land, I might add Mac areas, but cannot
do so at present.

As a starter, I intend to only make a list of the areas that seem to be of
most interest. I would like feedback pro or con on the list. As a
consensus is formed, I will work on the most needed areas first, as time is
available.

The list at present, in no particular order:

Keyboard Shortcuts.
Differences in the versions of Windows.
Upgrading from an older version of windows to a newer.
How to use tools like msconfig.
How to fdisk and format hard drives?
Different methods of backups.
Use of different internal drive types.
Use of different external drive types.
What are and how to use CD-R/RW drives.
Methods to partition hard drive and how large should a partition be.
Use of the bios of the motherboard in the computer you use.
How to boot the computer from several types of drives. And what is
available on your machine.
Web Sites that are available to help you in your use of the computer you have.
How safe is it for you to look under the hood of your computer?
Safety methods to use if you do look under the hood.
Cases and the power supplies therein. Is the number of fans enough?

From the list you can see that this is quite an endeavor, and will not be
completed in short order. As time is available, I will work on several
parts of it, and expand my work as I can.

Shakey Jack

PS My grammar is very bad, and my spelling is not much better. After all I
am only a poor old gray head from the ranches of Oklahoma, who moved to
California, for the weather and friends.

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