Opening programs on Memory Sticks with W7

[Old Sparky]

Having just powered up the computer I bought from unreal Dave, I plugged in two different memory sticks, which the PC confirmed had been accepted, but I can't open any of the files on them.  On the old (Compaq Presario) machine, using XP, all you had to do was insert the memory stick, open it, and all files could be opened, but with Win 7 the list is displayed, only to get 'Windows cannot open this file' every time.  I cannot find either memory stick in 'All Programs' to create a short cut to the Desktop, either.  No doubt someone can explain what I need to do.

[Mark Hennessy]

What sort of files are they?

It could be that Windows is saying that it "doesn't know which program it should use to open the file". For example, if the file in question is a Word document, then when you double-click it, Windows actually starts Word, and then Word will open the file once it has finished getting itself loaded.

Of course, this is a new installation that will be lacking things like Word, Excel, PDF readers, etc...

As Microsoft Office costs money, I use Libre Office: http://www.libreoffice.org/ - it's free and open-source, and it does a reasonable job of opening Microsoft documents. I have this on all my machines, even the one or two that have the Microsoft offering. It can save as PDFs, which is useful from time to time...

For reading PDF files, I use Summatra PDF: http://www.sumatrapdfreader.org/free-pdf-reader.html - this is quicker to load and less "bloaty" than the Adobe offering.

Naturally, certain files will open at this stage - for example, images and sounds...

Don't forget to put Firefox on the machine as soon as possible!

It will probably spend a fair bit of time downloading updates over the first few hours of use...

[Old Sparky]

I've Installed Sumatra PDF Reader, Mark, but a few minutes ago, when I downloaded a PDF document I still couldn't see how to open it. Maybe it's because I'm used to Adobe which, at least on the old PC, opened the documents automatically.

[Mark Hennessy]

That could be related to the way Internet Explorer deals with downloads? I haven't used it for years, so can't say for sure, but if you can open a PDF file by double-clicking it within Windows Explorer - be it on your local hard disc or on a memory stick - then your PDF reader is OK...

(Note the difference between "Internet Explorer" and "Windows Explorer" in the above)

I'm afraid that one of the "joys" of changing operating system is discovering how Windows 7 differs from XP in how it decides where to store files. With each new release, Microsoft seem to try harder to "abstract" the underlying file structure from what the user is presented with. I go along with this to an extent - so make limited use of "My Documents", or just "Documents" now, IIRC. But the vast majority of my files are stored on a separate partition that has its own drive letter and a path which I have decided.

When I install Firefox, I create a folder called "Firefox Downloads" on my E drive, and tell Firefox to use that. Far better than clagging up a special folder held within my "Documents" file structure.

Sorry - I digress... Hope you're enjoying finding your way around Windows 7

Mark

[Murphyv310]

My new Windows10 laptop has been fired under the sofa, it's awful.

[Old Sparky]

Yes, Mark, I'm finding this PC much faster than the old one, and gradually getting used to Windows 7, though I may upgrade to W10 later. This morning I found I could open one PDF document, but still can't open a PDF page in a 6-page document from a Telecoms provider. No doubt I'll work it outeventually. At some point I will fit in a CD/DVD drive, and may use the one I added to the old PC. Incidentally what is that Belkin unit and cableset you sent over? I haven't googled it or connected it to the computer yet, but it appears to be a device for adding extra peripherals, having 3 VGA ports plus 3 pairs of Keyboard & mouse terminals, etc.

[Mark Hennessy]

That's the KVM. It allows you to connect up to 4 computers to the same monitor, keyboard and mouse. I'm a bit short of cables, so there's enough there for 2 computers, but should you ever need more, they're cheap enough to pick up.

http://www.belkin.com/us/support-product...002G1NPAA0

They work extremely well - I use a couple here. The VGA switching has a bandwidth of 400MHz apparently - certainly, I've never seen artefacts caused by them, even when using a large-screen CRT at a high frame rate (which requires more video bandwidth than an LCD that can run at 60Hz). I used to run my CRTs at 100Hz or more, as I'm quite sensitive to flicker and the "usual" 85Hz isn't high enough for a large screen. That required a good video card!

They also switch audio - if I recall correctly, they might use relays for that. I've never used it for that...

I'm planning to transfer the PCBs of one into a more sensible box so that I can mount it behind my electronic bench, out of site. You don't need to have it within reach, as there are keyboard shortcuts to change between devices (press Scroll Lock twice, then a number key 1 to 4). If only one PC is powered, it will automatically pick that one.

Sadly, it doesn't do USB. Did you find the small green PS2 to USB adaptor? That'll hopefully allow you to plug your USB mouse into a PS2 port - most Microsoft mice can work that way, but it's not a universal standard, so no guarantees

If anyone else would like one of those Belkin KVMs, I have a few. All rescued from the skip a few years back. As I say, I'm short of cables, but should have enough to supply 2 per unit.

[Old Sparky]

I should have realized that, Mark. It will be useful for transferring programs from the old to new PC, and I did find the adapter, although the mouse which came with the Compaq presario has a PS2 (mini DIN) connector, whilst the one I'm using is USB, currently plugged into a socket on the tower

[Joe]

My new Windows10 laptop has been fired under the sofa, it's awful.

I first encountered it a couple of weeks ago and felt much more lost then when I first booted a PC into Linux.

I've done some research since and it does seem possible to improve it so don't give up — yet.

I know this is a minority view but I think my favourite version of Windows is Vista.  For all that it's got some annoying ticks it does have some nice features that XP lacks.

— Joe

[Murphyv310]

Hi Joe, nice to hear from you.
You know I've never used Vista,  heard some bad things about it but I don't condemn things till I try them. 
I just don't like the feel of WIN 10 it also won't run much of my car diagnostic stuff. 
Still using my trusty XP PC for that in the meantime, it's a bit awkward as I use a USB repeater as the car is 10 meters from the PC.