IN THIS ISSUE:
Thought For The Month Transfer Data to New PC
Laptops Surpass Desktops The 'Tech Line'
"Things turn out best for the people who make the best out of the way things turn out."
by Art Linkletter
Total Order Plus 2000.Q Now Released
Total Order Plus 2000.Q has been released and is now being installed on our customer's systems. There are numerous new features in this upgrade - too many to list in this newsletter. Please go to our website www.mindwarecorp.com and click on TOP Features for a complete list of what is included in this upgrade.
Best Way to Transfer Data to a New PC
Preferably you have thought about how you are going to transfer data from your old PC to your new PC and how to make sure the old data doesn't get into the wrong hands.
You must understand that computer programs cannot be transferred from the old computer to the new computer and function properly in Windows. This means you must locate the installation disks for any program that you want to work on the new PC. If you cannot locate the disks, you might have to buy a current version of the old program perhaps on eBay or Craigslist in order for the program to work with your old data files.
There are a number of companies that offer solutions that claim they can bring programs and data for some of the most popular programs, as well as printer drivers, network settings and other vital items via special software and cables or across your network. You may want to check with other friends, customers, etc. as to what their experience has been or if they recommend a certain software solution.
Microsoft does have a tool called Windows Easy Transfer that allows you to transfer files and settings only from Windows XP or Vista to a new Windows 7 system.
Probably the easiest and best option is to remove the old hard drive and put it into an external USB enclosure. This will allow you to plug it into a USB port on the new PC. That way you will have easy access to any data you need immediately or in the future. You probably won't remember everything you need right away.
Once you are satisfied that all of your data has been transferred, you can either use the old drive as a backup for the new PC programs and data or you can reformat the old drive and put it back in the old computer for recycling or reuse which will make sure the data doesn't get in the wrong hands.
There is another great time saver for anyone that wants to get the new PC setup for use on the Internet and it is www.Ninite.com. You can select to download multiple programs such as Adobe Reader and Flash, Firefox, ITunes, Skype or dozens of other programs. This site will allow you to create a download/install program that will automatically install all of the programs you select at once and will save you hours of time searching for each one of these essential tools and it is completely free!
Note: This article was published by Ken at www.datadoctors.com.
Laptops outsold desktops for the first time in the history of the personal computer industry in the later part of 2008 and have been outpacing desktops at a steady clip every since.
This means that many of you are using a portable computer as your primary system or on a regular basis and being exposed to the unique challenges and issues they pose. While portable computers are certainly convenient, you will always pay much more for repairs because they are comprised primarily of proprietary components that generally come from just one source, the manufacturer! Here are the most common problems that require computer repair and how to avoid it:
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Motherboard Failures - are the most common and the most expensive repair. About half of the repairs are caused by poor judgment by the user and the other half a poorly designed motherboard. |
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DC Jack/AC adapter - problems are 100% user caused. The adapter often plugs into a small hole which contains a rather delicate pin jack and if pushed to one side or the other too hard can short out, break out or crack the solder connection. |
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LCD Displays - the most common repair deals with replacing the backlight or inverter for the LCD. There is a certain number of hours that the display lighting will run before failing. Best way to avoid this repair is to set your laptop to go to sleep mode when you close the lid and always close the lid when you are not using it. Lowering the brightness setting can also help extend the life of the display. |
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CPU Fans - processors generate a lot of heat in a very small space so it is critical to draw the heat away to keep everything running smoothly. Most failures are caused by normal use. Pets or smoking can cause fan failure because of the air vents so clean your vents periodically. |
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Keyboards - Usually a human caused repair. Spilled liquids are the primary cause for repair. If you can't keep liquids away from your computer, get a keyboard spill guard installed. |
Things You May Not Know About TOP
Many of our customers may not be aware that Total Order Plus has a 'User Appendix' manual, 'Online Help' manual and a 'TOP Intro" manual online on our support website www.mindwarecorp.com and can be accessed by clicking on 'Documentation' on the left side of the screen. These manuals contain numerous screens and instructions to help you with Windows issues, UnForm, UPS, Anzio Lite, Unix commands, End of Day and End of Month processing, how to use the TOP Report Writer, TOP menu commands, 'How To' reverse cash receipts payments, etc.
In this newsletter, we are publishing 'TOP Options Menu Basics'.
Each application has an options menu. The options menu feature gives you the ability to display, insert, edit and add data without leaving your application. To activate an Options Menu, enter ? from any TOP menu. Press F1 to enter an Options Menu code or type ? to display available options menu codes. Press Enter to continue the display.
To add or edit information, select the letter of the menu item to display. Press F1 to enter maintenance mode. Type an Options Menu code or type ?+ the Enter key to display the available menu codes. Press F2 to print a hardcopy or F4 to return to the Options Menu.
To display information, select the letter of the menu item to display. Press the Enter key to advance the display forward or type the first few characters+ the Enter key to advance the search to a specific location. Press the Spacebar+ the Enter key to return to the beginning of the display. Press F3 for multiple sort options (when available) or F4 to return to the Options Menu.
From within most data input fields, press ?+ the Enter key to display the data selection window. Once in the window, press the Enter key to advance the screen display forward. The Spacebar+ the Enter key returns the display back to the beginning. Select a letter+F1 to insert data item into the current field.
To Access Another Options Menu, press the F1 key within any options menu. Enter a menu code or ?+ the Enter key for a list of menu codes (GL, AP, AR, IC, PO, OE, PR, SA, FA, FS).
The Size of the Options Menu can be altered by using the following keys: + increases the window height in 2 line increments, - decreases the window height in 2 line increments, ^ moves the window up in 2 line increments and * increases the window to its maximum size. Upon exit, the Options Menu will default back to its original size
You can Access the Options Menu by entering ?+ the Enter key at most input fields. You have the ability to insert data. For example, when searching for an inventory item, type ?+ the Enter key to display the Inventory Item Selection window. Select a letter+F1 to insert the item into the item code field. You can also enter ?+first few characters of the code + the Enter key to begin the display of a specific item category.
The Calendar is available in every options menu. Three months are displayed at a time, starting with the current month with today's date highlighted. Press the Enter key to advance the calendar two months. Enter month and year in MMYY format to advance the calendar display to a specific month.
To display the Calculator, select the letter next to 'Calculator' on the Options Menu. From certain numeric fields during order and invoice data entry, type ?+ the Enter key to display the calculator. Press F9, F10 or Q to exit the calculator program, F10 will insert the total. To use the calculator the number is entered first followed by the operation, example: to add 2 to 4, enter 2 + plus key + 4 + plus key or to divide 6 by 2, enter 6 + plus key + 2 + divide key.
By Joanne Simmons
Answer:
New Changes To Total Order Plus and UnForm
Changes to Total Order Plus and UnForm are made on a continual basis. We will keep you updated by listing the most recent changes in each of our newsletters. Following are the most recent:
TOP Enhancements:
| Add Inventory Item on the I/C Options Menu now requires you to enter an item description. |
UnForm Enhancements:
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Note: UnForm versions 4.X, 5.X and 6.X are no longer supported by SDSI or Mindware Corporation.
Event Calendar
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Location |
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| Labor Day | 09/06/2010 * |
| Daylight Savings Time Ends | 11/07/2010 |
| Thanksgiving Day | 11/25/2010 * |
| Thanksgiving Day Holiday | 11/26/2010 * |
| Christmas Eve | 12/24/2010 * |
| Christmas Day | 12/25/2010 * |
| News Year's Eve | 12/31/2010 |
| New Year's Day | 01/01/2011 * |
Send all TOP support emails to support@mindwarecorp.com
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