HELP!!! Problem with MS Word - Page 4

glb613 · ‎03-09-2010

On 3/12/2015 Lynnj said:
On 3/11/2015 ThinkOutsideTheBox said: Oh ve! You do NOT need a new computer! You need to learn how to use the one that you have first. Save yourself some money. We have tried to help you here. You do not even need MS Office. Just open your docs using LibreOffice for Pete's sake. If you cannot understand how to repair Office using the link or instructions some people have provided for you here, or how to download and install something like LibreOffice, you do not need to spend more money on another computer or anymore Microsoft software. You first need to learn how to use and care for the fairly new computer that you already have....otherwise, you will end up in the same situation down the road with the newer computer, and have to buy yet another one (since that seems to be how you think you fix these problems). You will keep spending and wasting money needlessly. I don't mean to sound mean, but I really want you to help yourself, rather than wasting your money when you probably do not need to spend anything.
I agree. It is simple to fix whatever the problem might be, but some don't find it simple to research for directions and learn. Not sure why some are so afraid of technology? I bet my next paycheck that if something else were broken around the house, not computer based, These same people would learn to fix it or find someone who can before they would spend money on replacing it. And...to your point, if they don't learn what went wrong with the computer in the first place, chances are the same thing will happen with the next one. Computers don't break on their own, it's the people using them that click on things or don't keep up maintenance that breaks them.

None of us were born knowing how to do anything including computers. Most of the people I help tell me they are "afraid" they will break it or make things worse. I tell them to be afraid of a gun pointing at you not a computer. Anything you do can be fixed or undone. Just like every task or skill you have ever learned, it starts with the basics. It doesn't take that much time or effort to learn things like Windows Explorer, the control panel and security updates and scans. Too many people don't and when they get their computers infected or otherwise not working, they go out and buy new. I guess it's good for the repair companies/people and manufacturers.

Toppers · ‎01-01-2015

On 3/12/2015 Lynnj said:
On 3/11/2015 ThinkOutsideTheBox said: Oh ve! You do NOT need a new computer! You need to learn how to use the one that you have first. Save yourself some money. We have tried to help you here. You do not even need MS Office. Just open your docs using LibreOffice for Pete's sake. If you cannot understand how to repair Office using the link or instructions some people have provided for you here, or how to download and install something like LibreOffice, you do not need to spend more money on another computer or anymore Microsoft software. You first need to learn how to use and care for the fairly new computer that you already have....otherwise, you will end up in the same situation down the road with the newer computer, and have to buy yet another one (since that seems to be how you think you fix these problems). You will keep spending and wasting money needlessly. I don't mean to sound mean, but I really want you to help yourself, rather than wasting your money when you probably do not need to spend anything.
I agree. It is simple to fix whatever the problem might be, but some don't find it simple to research for directions and learn. Not sure why some are so afraid of technology? I bet my next paycheck that if something else were broken around the house, not computer based, These same people would learn to fix it or find someone who can before they would spend money on replacing it. And...to your point, if they don't learn what went wrong with the computer in the first place, chances are the same thing will happen with the next one. Computers don't break on their own, it's the people using them that click on things or don't keep up maintenance that breaks them.

I think that some older people have not grown up with technology, and find any kind of technology difficult to use. The product doesn't even have to be a computer, although I would experience their frustration with computers, too.

I saw this happen with some of my own family members, when it came to using electronic appliances. They were frustrated with remote controls, and digital appliances. They liked simple things, that just had either knobs or buttons on them.

I think that some find computers complicated to use. This is what I have seen myself, when I have tried to help others, too, who are especially older, and this post is not meant to be a criticism of them.

glb613 · ‎03-09-2010

On 3/13/2015 northernlights said:
On 3/12/2015 Lynnj said:
On 3/11/2015 ThinkOutsideTheBox said: Oh ve! You do NOT need a new computer! You need to learn how to use the one that you have first. Save yourself some money. We have tried to help you here. You do not even need MS Office. Just open your docs using LibreOffice for Pete's sake. If you cannot understand how to repair Office using the link or instructions some people have provided for you here, or how to download and install something like LibreOffice, you do not need to spend more money on another computer or anymore Microsoft software. You first need to learn how to use and care for the fairly new computer that you already have....otherwise, you will end up in the same situation down the road with the newer computer, and have to buy yet another one (since that seems to be how you think you fix these problems). You will keep spending and wasting money needlessly. I don't mean to sound mean, but I really want you to help yourself, rather than wasting your money when you probably do not need to spend anything.
I agree. It is simple to fix whatever the problem might be, but some don't find it simple to research for directions and learn. Not sure why some are so afraid of technology? I bet my next paycheck that if something else were broken around the house, not computer based, These same people would learn to fix it or find someone who can before they would spend money on replacing it. And...to your point, if they don't learn what went wrong with the computer in the first place, chances are the same thing will happen with the next one. Computers don't break on their own, it's the people using them that click on things or don't keep up maintenance that breaks them.

I think that some older people have not grown up with technology, and find any kind of technology difficult to use. The product doesn't even have to be a computer, although I would experience their frustration with computers, too.

I saw this happen with some of my own family members, when it came to using electronic appliances. They were frustrated with remote controls, and digital appliances. They liked simple things, that just had either knobs or buttons on them.

I think that some find computers complicated to use. This is what I have seen myself, when I have tried to help others, too, who are especially older, and this post is not meant to be a criticism of them.

I worked in geriatrics for over 25 years and most of the time it's memory loss or dementia that causes what you described. Age is not an excuse nor does it prevent learning. There are plenty of older people who keep up with the latest and greatest.

esmeraldagooch · ‎03-10-2010

Mine doesn't work either, DH converted them to another program that is compatible with my computer.

Lynnj · ‎03-21-2010

On 3/13/2015 glb613 said:
On 3/13/2015 northernlights said:
On 3/12/2015 Lynnj said:
On 3/11/2015 ThinkOutsideTheBox said: Oh ve! You do NOT need a new computer! You need to learn how to use the one that you have first. Save yourself some money. We have tried to help you here. You do not even need MS Office. Just open your docs using LibreOffice for Pete's sake. If you cannot understand how to repair Office using the link or instructions some people have provided for you here, or how to download and install something like LibreOffice, you do not need to spend more money on another computer or anymore Microsoft software. You first need to learn how to use and care for the fairly new computer that you already have....otherwise, you will end up in the same situation down the road with the newer computer, and have to buy yet another one (since that seems to be how you think you fix these problems). You will keep spending and wasting money needlessly. I don't mean to sound mean, but I really want you to help yourself, rather than wasting your money when you probably do not need to spend anything.
I agree. It is simple to fix whatever the problem might be, but some don't find it simple to research for directions and learn. Not sure why some are so afraid of technology? I bet my next paycheck that if something else were broken around the house, not computer based, These same people would learn to fix it or find someone who can before they would spend money on replacing it. And...to your point, if they don't learn what went wrong with the computer in the first place, chances are the same thing will happen with the next one. Computers don't break on their own, it's the people using them that click on things or don't keep up maintenance that breaks them.

I think that some older people have not grown up with technology, and find any kind of technology difficult to use. The product doesn't even have to be a computer, although I would experience their frustration with computers, too.

I saw this happen with some of my own family members, when it came to using electronic appliances. They were frustrated with remote controls, and digital appliances. They liked simple things, that just had either knobs or buttons on them.

I think that some find computers complicated to use. This is what I have seen myself, when I have tried to help others, too, who are especially older, and this post is not meant to be a criticism of them.

I worked in geriatrics for over 25 years and most of the time it's memory loss or dementia that causes what you described. Age is not an excuse nor does it prevent learning. There are plenty of older people who keep up with the latest and greatest.

What? I don't agree that memory loss or dementia causes people to be afraid of things that aren't a button or a knob. It boils down to sheer fright with some people if anything involves something that is electric and has a digital display. And it's not new, it's a simple concept of pushing buttons in most cases. But some certain generations completely shut down as soon as it involves something like this. And I too am not criticizing here. I wish I could figure out what the fear is all about because I would really like to help these people.

glb613 · ‎03-09-2010

On 3/16/2015 Lynnj said:On 3/13/2015 glb613 said:

I worked in geriatrics for over 25 years and most of the time it's memory loss or dementia that causes what you described. Age is not an excuse nor does it prevent learning. There are plenty of older people who keep up with the latest and greatest.

What? I don't agree that memory loss or dementia causes people to be afraid of things that aren't a button or a knob. It boils down to sheer fright with some people if anything involves something that is electric and has a digital display. And it's not new, it's a simple concept of pushing buttons in most cases. But some certain generations completely shut down as soon as it involves something like this. And I too am not criticizing here. I wish I could figure out what the fear is all about because I would really like to help these people.

You're kidding, right? If not, you must have a very limited interaction with the elderly.

People with memory loss can't learn something new like you do when your brain is functioning normally. The retention of new information or remembering new tasks isn't there. They rely on old memory, like picking up a phone to use it vs pushing a button, to perform daily tasks. While it's not impossible to learn new things with memory loss, it requires a LOT of repetition before it becomes automatic. People with memory loss who do learn new tasks usually have cheat sheets they use when trying to learn a new device. It's also not easy and most give up and stay with what they already know.

Most of the people I've encountered who shun new technology do so willingly and not because they can't. Look at the banking thread over at viewpoints. It's a perfect example of what I'm talking about. I tell people not keeping up with technology will eventually come back to bite you. That doesn't mean you have to become a tech guru. If everyone who claims to be tech challenged would learn how to scroll through a menu and make changes, they would be able to solve many of the problems they encounter.