I woke up this morning, came online for a while, then drove my sister and great-niece off to church.
Came back home, took my shower and went to retrieve them and go to the local Wal-Mart.
While there, I bought a new mouse for my PC, a battery charger with AA batteries, a pair of size 9 slippers and some whole cashews. I had a new pair of glasses waiting for me, but the optical shop does not open until noon Sunday, so I did not pick them up.
Came back home, unplugged my old, semi-functional mouse and opened the new package. It was a USB mouse, instead of a mouse-port mouse. I looked more closely at the package, and there it was, third line down on the back 'USB'.
I have 4 USB ports on my PC. Two are in use. If I'd wanted a USB mouse, I'd have bought a wireless.
I opened the package for the slippers. They were too small.
I opened the package for the battery charger. They were too big, AA, instead of AAA.
I opened the cashews. Half of them are bitter, the worst cashews I've ever tasted.
I went back to Wal-Mart, and returned everything.
They had zero mouse-port mice.
They had no larger slippers in the style I wanted.
They had no AAA only battery chargers with batteries.
But it was past noon, so I did pick up my glasses.
I tried them on. Can't see crap with them.
The optician said, 'Well, it's a new prescription. Start with them first thing tomorrow and they should be fine.'
I bought a 16-pack of AAA batteries to get my new Vivitar digital cam through until I could find rechargables.
Tried to load the program & drivers for it. They would not load. Looked on the back of the box. Yeah, it still says 'Windows 7 compatible' Says it in the manual, also.
Call tech support. Carol(admaranpreesh) says 'oh, it is not compatible with Windows 7 unless you get an updated driver. I will send one to your email.'
She sent a link. It is a zipfile. I don't have a zip program, because I've NEVER needed one in more than 30 years of computing (Commodore 64 and up).
I call back. Jason(remanprajeesh) says, 'oh, just download winzip and it will work for you.'
Winzip costs $29.95. The damned camera only cost me $19.95. Eff that. I sent a lengthy nasty-gram to Savar.com. Will see what happens.
Also, I have now tried my nifty new glasses. With my old scrip, I sit a little more than arms length from my monitor, and see very clearly. with the new one, I lean in until about 16 inches before I can read a damned thing, and at that distance, the right side of my screen is distorted to the point of being nearly twice as tall as the left side.
So, tomorrow, after minor surgery on my left hand, I will get to deal with that.
Frankly, I am tired of all of it.
Oh dear, what a horrible day you had today. It would be funny except it actually happened to you.
ReplyDeleteI truly hope it gets better. Lots and lots better.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{Dances}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Dances - sorry you got mugged by the retail and tech sectors today.
ReplyDeleteCarol the desi chick steered you wrong - there is no need to buy Winzip.
I couldn't believe Windows 7 doesn't have built in .zip file decompression, so I checked - this video shows how to zip / unzip in Windows 7 without WinZip.
Also, there is a free tool, 7-Zip, which I've used. Downloading from the CNET site gives you some assurance that there is no virus/malware attached to the program.
Hope that helps...
Oops. I meant Jason the desi d00d - he's the one who gave you the bad WinZip info.
ReplyDeleteAwww, I'm sorry Dances. You need a woman in your life; it won't make all the problems go away but it's better when you have someone there that loves you to tell about them.
ReplyDeleteI think it may be hard to find that type of mouse. Ours is shot too but pretty much everything now is wireless.
Now don't give up on the techs. Call them back and tell them you want an answer without spending more $$. I bet they'll be able to provide one. I always play an online game of some sort when I'm talking to techs. This makes it MUCH less stressful. Don't give up!
Did you recently switch to tri-folcals? This will be a problem for a couple days until you get used to them. I've had them for years now (sigh) but Tom just got them for the first time last year and he had to adjust as well. Just keep your old ones close by for when you get fed up and need to switch back for a while...
I'll be saying a prayer for your surgery tomorrow, that it goes without a hitch! Is this for carpal tunnel syndrome? If so, you will be so happy with the results!
OK, I will stop with my Pollyanna now. I just hate to see you so down. Better days ahead, we all care about you, D.
Ah, I see lewy posted your solution for the zipfile! So you won't have to deal with the techs again. One problem solved, yay!
ReplyDeletelewy, you da man.
DWT, I hope you realize how much we all love and cherish you. That's one BAD day, my friend.
ReplyDeleteYou know, we shop less and less at WalMart these days. We're tired of paying good money (the prices have gone through the roof lately!) for crappy products, and it's very aggravating. We spread our shopping over half a dozen stores...it takes more time, but it keeps our blood pressure at manageable levels.
Tech stuff? You're better off just starting a techie thread here, rather than relying on tech support from India. Whatever problem you have, chances are that one of us has been there, pulled handfuls hair out, and lived to tell the tale. :)
I hope today is better than yesterday...it just about has to be! {{{DWT}}} :X
I cannot resist :D ...
ReplyDeleteFlorie sez: "... Dances ... You need a woman in your life; it won't make all the problems go away but ... "
... the aggravation will distract you from your other issues!! =))
Psssst: Works vice versa for women, too. ;) Theory is the same as the concept that the brain can essentially only process one "pain" at a time :-L
DWT ... PS-2 Mice are a thing of the past I think. Even near impossible to find USB mice with a PS-2 conversion plug (green colored).
ReplyDeleteIf you or Florie just must have a PS-2 compatible mouse, I have a brand new unused still in the box Microsoft Optical Mouse model 5000 you're welcome to (email me) ... it's of the older wired transmitter type, complete with PS-2/USB adapter, like I've been using until recently (been working for 3-4 years, and I almost always have accessory spares for my stuff).
Me, I've switched to the smaller Microsoft, or Logitech, mouse with the mini-USB transmitter. I highly recommend it.
I'm using the Microsoft version "Wireless Mobile" model 3500 ... has on/off switch, uses but one AA battery, plus has a little slot for the mini-transmitter when traveling. I had a failed full sized older PS-2 mouse/transmitter connection and was in a hurry, so I bought it locally retail for about $29 or less I think. I'm pretty sure it'd be cheaper at Newegg.com or other site.
Lady Red sez: "... we shop less and less at Wall-Mart these days. We're tired of paying good money (the prices have gone through the roof lately!) for crappy products, ..."
ReplyDeleteEr...rant mode onl!!
Prices have only gone up on their "loss leader" items, the rest of their crap has always been higher. I've comparison shopped them (mentioned previously) in boon dock areas and never found them cheaper on anything). Once they achieve relative dominance in an area (crushed small mom & pops), they presume everyone bends over for them.
I presume the Yuan Lo Buc vendors do NOT go for the original Wall-Mart "warranty" stipulation for vendors (not to mention the transport costs) ... anything and everything returned for any reason, even in a sealed box, is returned to the vendor, FOB shipping point (e.g., the vendor pays return freight), for full credit. Having to actually manage product quality and returns doubtless raises their costs ...e.g., their prices to all y'all.
There is a cult following they seem to have, but their change in business models may have hurt them. Meijers, Target, even Kroger's grocery, are all thriving here, and none of the worthwhile mom & pops have shut down either .... due to the monster mega multi-cult 4 language Wall-Mart (Que Passa, beotch?!) locally. I am delighted.
These Arabs are tricky, eh ... who knows better how to screw somebody like Wall-Mart? =))
ReplyDeleteYou know, we shop less and less at WalMart these days. We're tired of paying good money (the prices have gone through the roof lately!) for crappy products, and it's very aggravating. We spread our shopping over half a dozen stores...it takes more time, but it keeps our blood pressure at manageable levels.
Same here, lady red. And we NEVER buy WalMart brand food products, brrrr. It's not worth the savings to do so, Dances.
Thanks for the offer of the mouse, Aridog, that's very generous of you. We basically just use the laptop now (although we haven't yet transferred everything over to this new one). The old clunker has practically NO memory so I seldom use it.
I only use Wal-Mart for the name-brand dry goods (which are fast becoming comparable in price now to our Safeway or Fred Meyer) and Rx. A WinCo recently came in and is giving them a run for their money.
ReplyDeleteI know Aridog & I have tangled about WalMart but I'm really no fan. Like lady red, I buy less and less there. If I start getting a decent price elsewhere on prescriptions, I'll forego WM altogether. I hate all their Chinese crap and, frankly, I like to support the smaller store. I hate the huge box stores but we still occasionally also go to Costco and HomeDepot or Lowe's.
Yeah, it's convenient to have everything in one big store but it's usually shyte.
The trouble is that in this area, Wal-Mart did kill pretty much everything else.
ReplyDeleteI did get a 'new' mouse after all, same brand as my old one, with a mouse-port connection. My sister bought it a couple of years ago, used it for three days, then decided to go wireless, and put it on the shelf. I look forward to a few years service from it, then when I build my next PC, I will be sure there are 6 or 8 USB ports (I know I could add the USB splitter, but. . .)
I'm glad you got it solved for the moment, DWT.
ReplyDeleteHow did the surgery go?
No surgery today. My PCP & I both thought that was an in the office type of procedure, but the surgeon says it is sitting on top of a nerve nexus, so he wants to completely immobilize my left side, so that an errant twitch will not leave me without the use of my left hand.
ReplyDeleteEither that or the hospital is missing its profit goal this month.
I called the cam tech line again, and this time was told that they will send me a new program disk to make the thing work.
And I have another, no charge appointment with the optometrist to get that straightened out.
All they really need to do is to read the scrip from my current lenses and give me that again. The only reason I am even looking at new specs is because these are 5 years old and getting the worse for wear, with scratches, etc.
I have no troubles with Wal-Mart canned foods (I buy a lot of black beans, etc, fom them) but the 'fresh' stuff seems to have a shorter life in my fridge than the same items from anywhere else.
ReplyDeleteThe only reason I bought the cashews was that I wanted whole, and they had no Planters whole cashews in any size container.
Lewy, actually, your first link in Comment #2 was a product review of Winzip 14 from C/Net.
ReplyDeleteDances, I hope it all goes very well with your hand. I know what you mean about the scratched glasses, mine don't go much further than 2 years as I'm a bit careless.
ReplyDeleteNot to keep on about it but I wouldn't buy Wal-Mart brand food products. I have NEVER bought their meats and their veggies are usually 2nds or limp.
Glass in Great-Value veggies
Don't get their deli meat either
Stay away from the Great Value chicken nuggets as well...
Dances - sorry, I had a cut/paste error.
ReplyDeleteThis is the link to the video which shows how to deal with zip files in Windows 7.
I had a nerve block for a procedure on my shoulder a couple years ago. It was unnerving. (Groan. Yeah, don't care - it's the word I'm looking for). My arm was a piece of meat grafted to my side for about 48 hours. Sucked.
WHEW, DWT, what an ordeal. Here is hoping for better days and more successful shopping trips!
ReplyDeleteDWT- I've been reading too many children's books, so the only advice I can offer is that some days are like that- even in Australia.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I lied. I can also agree with Aridog's recommendation for the mini USB mouse. Got one for Mrs. Alphie's laptop and she loves it.
ReplyDelete