So my new laptop was a dud so I took it back to the store and got a new one. This time I had them configure it for me instead of calling the local techie guy who did nothing for me but did good for himself considering what I paid him! During the in-store configuration, they said that they would remove all the stuff I didn't need. Well, I think they removed Windows Explorer.

I can't find it anywhere!

Need help on how to find it. Please.

Well, I found it.

I just started down the START list and clicked on every item. I finally found it. Apparently the store guy included that in his clean-up because the shortcut was still there, just not where it could be easily found.

I don't know if this works on Vista but here are a couple of different ways to access it in XP. One of these may also work in Vista. Try right clicking on the Start icon in the lower left corner. You might also be able to go to the Start menu, select Run and type in Explorer. Or go to the Start Menu and right click on My Computer - there may be an explore option. BTW, I'm assuming you mean the Explorer for navigating your files and not Internet Explorer.

Any suggestions from the Vista users out there?

I'm glad to hear you found it.

The quickest way to open windows explorer (As oppossed to Internet explorer) is to hold down the Windows key (Bottom row, 2nd left on my UK keyboard) and press the "E" key.

TimW

Nice tip, Tim. I forget about the Windows key shortcuts. My favorite is Windows key - D to get to the desktop.

Thanks

Thanks, Tim. That is so much easier. Now if I can just learn how to use W.Exp. I suppose that will come with time.

That desktop shortcut is cool, too.

Thanks to both of you guys.

Oh, there is an even easier way if you have Vista.
Suppose you want to come to this website...

1. Click Start

2. Place your cursor in the 'Start Search' box this is right over Start

3. Type slowtrav and hit the enter key.

This website will open up in Internet Explorer.

quote:

This website will open up in Internet Explorer.

Or Firefox, if that's your default browser. Thanks for the tip, Michael - there's obviously plenty about Vista that I haven't yet discovered (even though I've been happily using it for the past 9 months...)

Jonathan

quote:

Originally posted by Jonathan:
Or Firefox, if that's your default browser.
Jonathan

Touché. I generally assume when people are looking for basic help, they haven't made the leap to Firefox. For those that don't know, it is a web browser that is far superior to Internet Explorer.

Here is an interesting article in today's NY Times about a lawsuit against Microsoft from frustrated Vista buyers. Documents in the lawsuit reveal the hassles that senior Microsoft executives have had with upgrading to Vista, so if you are pulling your hair out, you have some good company!

- Roz

Well... as in most media, there is truth in that article, and there is some fantasy. Everyone loves to beat up on th 1,000 pound gorilla.

Here comes my software background shining through...

While this article doesn't make the Apple comparison, everyone else does. Part of Microsoft's problem, compared to Apple, is that Microsoft operating systems are targeted at a massive range of computers and peripherals, while Apple has a fair amount of control between Operating System and Hardware.

The graphics requirements of Windows Vista are no different than that of Windows XP, period. Vista ships with a default desktop theme called 'Aero', which gives it that cool new eye candy. Windows XP's more cartoon-like theme was called 'Luna'. However, Vista also has a feature for its Aero theme called 'Glass', which is what makes the title bars and handles semi-transparent. The Glass feature is what requires all of the graphics horsepower, and Vista does a wonderful job of sensing whether or not your computer can handle it or not. People may be upset that they cannot get Glass on their old computer, but that is simply the nature of the world. New software takes advantage of the capabilities of new hardware.

With respect to the issue of drivers not existing for Vista, that is simply not Microsoft's fault, nor is it anything new. Remember, Microsoft Windows opens itself to all hardware manufacturers, which is why there is so much choice. They published the specifications for Windows Vista years in advance. I, myself, had Windows Vista on my computer well over a year before it was released to the public. My company had Microsoft contacts on the Vista team, to which we had full access. They provided all requirements and all specifications to us, and were not only willing, be downright pushy about making sure OUR software played well with Vista. They were even more in your face with hardware manufacturers.

But in the end Microsoft cannot hold a gun to our head and force us. What none of us liked was that we had to make enormous changes to they way our products communicated with Vista in order for them to work. You know why??? Because Microsoft made security a top priority for Vista. You see, Microsoft got bashed relentlessly in past years over their security flaws. So in Vista they respond and make a far more secure operating system, but a consequence of that is that manufacturers and developers have to change the way their products communicate with Windows in order to facilitate that security... DUH!

But now Microsoft gets bashed for other people's products not automatically working with their operating system. No matter what they do, they lose in the war over public opinion, don't they?

Still, the bottom line is this: If my software doesn't work with vista, it is MY FAULT. If you have an HP Printer that doesn't work with Vista, it is because Hewlett Packard didn't make the driver, NOT because Microsoft failed somewhere.

As I said above, this is nothing new. When Windows XP came out, all the same complaints were out there. None of my printers or scanners worked with XP. Why? Because the manufacturers took more than a year to make those drivers. Why would they do that? Because they weren't pushed until a significant enough percentage of their customer base was onboard with the new operating system.

OK, I've vented... and I neither work for MS, nor hold any of their stock.

Here's a new NY Times article that gives some details on the Microsoft-Vista problems. Times article Apparently Microsoft has known for some time about problems, and really tried to deceive buyers.

My husband and I work at a university, and all of the PC laptops and desktops available to purchase through the university's discount allow the option of having XP pre-loaded rather than Vista, with an option to "upgrade" to Vista later. For desktops, I think the university mainly deals with Dell, and for laptops it's toshiba and Lenovo. (And of course Apple laptops and desktops too.) My husband just got a new Lenovo Thinkpad laptop with XP.

Well, after having to deal exclusively with Vista for the past 2 weeks, I am getting to like it better. In fact, it is amazing to see how much work it does for me, i.e. automatically downloading drivers. If they are available, Vista seems to be able to find them.

I thought I was going to have to give up on my CanoScan scanner because Vista didn't recognize it. So I took it away and put it with my old computer that is neither connected to the internet nor to a printer because I want to use it now exclusively for my language studies. I went to the Canon site and even though they were still selling that model, Canon didn't offer a driver. About 1/2 hour later, I got a little message box from Windows saying something to the effect that the driver for the scanner had been found and did I want to download it now? Duh! Yes, I did. I was very happy.

My biggest complaint is still having to use Windows Explorer. I guess I'll learn it, but it is a pain in the patootie!

Vista also automatically connected us to the internet. Amazing! My next project is getting the laptop and the PC networking. I'm not looking forward to that!

I've been using Vista for a while now and whilst it has been a pain at times, its not as bad as most people make out. Finding things in windows explorer now I can just jump to a folder and type in what I want to find. I think if you're still getting to grips with computers XP is the way forward, give Vista another year and it'll ironed out its bugs and be working smoothly

Actually I think Vista is more stable and easy to learn than XP. Also for people just getting started, there are tons of websites that have free learning videos for just about everything.