There have been a lot of questions asked at the NJCC about the new Microsoft Windows 7 operating system. Here are some things to consider:

1) New computers usually ship with the 64-bit Windows 7 operating system. These require 64-bit drivers for your accessories (printer, scanner, etc.). Make sure these drivers are available for your existing equipment, or you may need to replace them.

2) Many/most older applications are 32-bit. They may or may not run on 64-bit Windows 7. Microsoft has a Windows 7 Compatibility site that lists major newer applications, and whether or not they are compatible with Windows 7. Unfortunately, many/most older applications are not listed.

3) Microsoft has a free "XP Mode" virtual machine that will run older XP applications, BUT you MUST have Windows 7 Pro/Enterprise/Ultimate (NOT Windows 7 Home/Home Premium), AND a CPU that has "hardware virtualization" capability.

4) To upgrade existing computers, use the free Microsoft application/tool to check for compatibility (64-bit Windows 7 will NOT run on 32-bit computers). In addition you can NOT upgrade from Windows XP/Me/98/95 (but must do a new clean installation). Windows Vista can only be upgraded in kind (Home to Home; Pro to Pro; etc.).

Should your computer be able to run Windows 7, consider the following:

 1) Buy a new hard drive (whatever size you want) for about $100 or less.

 2) Take out the existing drive and replace it with the new drive.

 3) Do a new clean install of Windows 7 (beware 64-bit vs. 32-bit) on the new drive, as well as install any applications.

 4) Your existing hard drive that was removed can be installed in an "external enclosure" (about $20) and connected to your PC via USB as a separate drive.

  A) You can boot EITHER HARD DRIVE at startup (if the BIOS will allow it), or

  B) You can boot the new Windows 7 hard drive and access ALL the contents (as data) on the external drive, or

  C) You can SWAP the hard drives in your PC at any time (for backup or different operating systems), or

  D) You can use the external hard drive for storage or backup purposes

BEWARE WHAT YOU ARE TOLD (including info from computer salespersons). Windows 7 offers many new advantages, but it also has drawbacks (especially with compatibility issues)!!! Get assistance from a knowledgeable person if you are not sure what you are doing or have questions.

Please also send us any additional comments or suggestions that you may have on this subject.

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*ANOTHER REMINDER*



For those of you who are bringing donated items for the re-gifting
auction this coming Wednesday:



Please give me an idea of what you will be bringing so that I can
prepare enough room on the tables, and enough bidding sheets.



So far (mostly from one person!!) we have jewelry, collectible books and
paintings, craft items, Lenox and other tree ornaments, Russian hand
painted wooden egg, Fostoria crystal dish, kitchen items, hand held
Panasonic stereo radio cassette player, Elvis posters, hand painted
napkin rings, unused photo albums, etc. etc.  Most of what we have so
far will have start bids at well under $10, which is fine, if we get
enough volume.  We need more STUFF!  Get into those closets and drawers
and start clearing them out!  (Remember, we want everything in good
condition.)



Contact me at dksdoris@... <mailto:dksdoris@...> and
hope to see you between 4 and 5:30 so we can set up the items.

Reminder!

This is a good weekend to get your items together for the NJCC Re-gifting Auction on December 9^th.

The Memorial Scholarship Fund sets our club apart from others and makes it special. It is our way of helping young computer students follow in the footsteps of our deceased members and keep their memories alive. Your donations and contributions to the auction will help keep the scholarships thriving. Please join us in this effort and bring as many of your friends as you can!

Remember: we will be accepting non-computer related items (in addition to the computer items we usually accept) at the church, between 4 pm and 5:30 pm the day of the auction (December 9). They must be in excellent condition and small enough to fit on a table.

If you would like to help, or if you have questions, email Doris Smith at dksdoris@....

Look forward to a great evening!

Please find below two important NJCC items:

1) New computers are shipping with the Microsoft Windows 7 64-bit operating system. Please be aware of the following:

A) Many of the computers (usually the lower priced ones) will not run the "Windows 7 XP Mode" option that is available as a separate download. Search Google for this for more information.

B) Older software applications (usually 32-bit) may not run on Windows 7. Microsoft has a "Windows 7 Compatibility Center" that lists the compatibility of newer software, but older applications are not listed, and it is not clear that applications like Microsoft Office 2000 Word are not compatible. New retail software should have a "Compatibility with Windows 7" logo on the box.

NOTE: If you are using a computer with 64-bit Vista or Windows 7, please email me (at president@... ) a list of the software applications that either run OK (or do not run OK) on your computer. I'm especially interested in older (32-bit low cost) applications. I'll compile a listing for NJCC members.

C) Microsoft has numerous FREE applications (available as a separate download) titled:

     Microsoft Live Essentials

     Microsoft Security Essentials

NOTE: Please also send me your comments (positive or negative) if you tried any of these applications.

2) The previous NJCCMAIL notice regarding our Annual Holiday Party and Auction incorrectly listed the date as December 8th. It is December 9th per the corrected notice below:

Want to know what to do with all those unused presents you got last year? 

Need a good home for some re-gifting?

Have some great stuff hanging around that you never are going to use?

We have a suggestion!

This year we have decided to expand the annual December Auction to include a silent auction for non-computer items. As always, proceeds will go to the scholarship fund.  We are asking you to donate items as follows:

·         We welcome items in these categories:  new, like-new, collectible, antique.

·         All items must be in attractive, workable condition with all parts intact.

·         They must be small enough to fit on the table.

·         They can range from small tools for the men, unopened bath products for the women, games for the children, jewelry, art work, holiday decorations, sports memorabilia and everything in between.

·         We need them delivered to the church on December 9th between the hours of 4 p.m.and 5:30 p.m.  We cannot accept items before or after that time.

·         We suggest that you specify a reasonable starting bid (preferably $10 or more), otherwise the item will start at $1. Additional bids will go up in increments of fifty cents or more, as determined by the bidder.

·         Anything that is not sold must be taken back by the owner from the church that same night.

If you have any questions or would like to help with this project, contact Doris Smith at dksdoris@hotmail.com. We would appreciate on the day of the auction (December 9th) help with:

·         Registering items from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (three or four people would be good for this)

·         Setting up the items and the tables

·         Assisting bidders during the evening

·         Helping clear-out and clean-up

·         And of course, spreading the word to our members and friends, encouraging them to donate and to come!!

Want to know what to do with all those unused presents you got last year? 

Need a good home for some re-gifting?

Have some great stuff hanging around that you never are going to use?

We have a suggestion!

This year we have decided to expand the annual December Auction to include a silent auction for non-computer items. As always, proceeds will go to the scholarship fund.  We are asking you to donate items as follows:

·         We welcome items in these categories:  new, like-new, collectable, antique.

·         All items must be in attractive, workable condition with all parts intact.

·         They must be small enough to fit on the table.

·         They can range from small tools for the men, unopened bath products for the women, games for the children, jewelry, art work, holiday decorations, sports memorabilia and everything in between.

·         We need them delivered to the church on December 8 between the hours of 4 p.m.and 5:30 p.m.  We cannot accept items before or after that time.

·         We suggest that you specify a reasonable starting bid, otherwise the item will start at $1. Additional bids will go up in increments of fifty cents or more, as determined by the bidder.

·         Anything that is not sold must be taken back by the owner from the church that same night.

If you have any questions or would like to help with this project, contact Doris Smith at dksdoris@....  We would appreciate help with:

·         Registering items from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. the day of the auction.  (three or four people would be good for this)

·         Setting up the items and the tables

·         Assisting bidders during the evening

·         Helping clear-out and clean-up

·         And of course, spreading the word to our members and friends, encouraging them to donate and to come!!

The New Jersey Computer Club Newsletter

http://www.njcc.org/