Archive for November, 2001

Installing Windows XP Pro

Thursday, November 29th, 2001

Dear Dean,

I don’t think you need the professional version.

The problem you mention might be solved by starting your computer in MS DOS mode with CD ROM support, and then, running Windows XP setup from the CD ROM. To get to MS DOS Mode, do the following:

1) Configure your computer to boot from your hard drive that has Windows ME on it.

2) Then, restart the computer and as soon as the POST messages appear, press the F8 key a few times. This should produce a menu that allows you to start Windows in MS DOS mode. Pick this menu item.

3) Once your computer comes up, you should see just an MS DOS command prompt – no windows will appear when the computer is in this mode.

4) Then, make sure that the Windows XP CD ROM is in your CD ROM drive.

5) Finally run the Windows XP setup program from your CD ROM. :\setup.exe (I think).

Another approach to solving this problem [of your CD ROM drive not working when you're attempting to install Windows XP from it], would be for you to boot your computer up in Windows ME, and then copy the entire Windows XP CD ROM to one of your hard drives. Then, install it from that location, instead of from the CD ROM. I’ve used this procedure in past versions of Windows on my computers that do not have CD ROMs but do have network connections. I put the Windows CD ROM into one of my networked computers that has a CD, then copied the files over to a folder on the computer upon which I wanted to install Windows. Then, I go to the target computer, and run Windows Setup from the hard drive. Understand? But you don’t need a network to do this if the computer you’re installing Windows on has a CD ROM.

I’ll get more specific information tomorrow.

Tom

Posted in Computers, Journal, Letters, Platonic, Relationships, Software, Windows XP | No Comments »

Learning Windows XP

Thursday, November 29th, 2001

Dear Dean,

Stand by. I’ll get back to you soon. I need to get more familiar with the XP installation process before I can expertly advise you. :-) When I’m ready, perhaps we might have a phone conversation. That would be better and easier for all involved, than doing it via email.

Later.

Tom

Posted in Computers, Journal, Letters, Platonic, Relationships, Software, Windows XP | No Comments »

Rick’s Distribution List Woes

Wednesday, November 21st, 2001

Dear   [Rick],

What problems are you having? If you’re adding new people to the distribution list, then you can send the alumni newsletter to them separately, and not to the entire list once you add them. That way, everyone else on the list doesn’t get a copy every time you add someone new. Saves us the time of reading the letter, only to determine that we read it already.

 

Happy Thanksgiving.
Tom

Posted in Journal, Letters, Platonic, Relationships | No Comments »

The Twins’ Birthday Today

Tuesday, November 6th, 2001

Dear Twins [my sisters],

Hi you two. Happy birthday to you. Hope you’re enjoying your special day, and that all is well in your respective house holds. Looking forward to the holidays. I should have around 3000 songs on the computer for a new years party, if we have one. :-)

I guess Mom and Curt are hanging out together again. Darn. Well, the one good thing that may have come out of all this is that Mom now realizes, in no uncertain terms, that we do not approve of that relationship, though, admittedly, the choice to continue it is hers and hers alone, and there’s nothing we can do about it I’m afraid. Well, if she’s happy, that’s what really counts. And she says she enjoys his company. I don’t know what she sees, but whatever it is, it’s very real and satisfying to her.

Well, enough about that. Happy 40th. Will take you to dinner when I get home for the holidays.

 

Your brother,
Tom

Posted in DJ Business, Journal, Letters, Mom, Relationships | No Comments »