Alternative Solutions - - - Maybe?

Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:

Well, I finally figured out why I can't get my taskbar or anything else to show up on my screen.

My computer is not booting up all the way.

It gets as far as the desktop wallpaper, and then it stops loading.

I've tried unsuccessfully to go into the DOS properties, but the start-up screen only momentarily flashes, and won't stay up, even when I'm pressing the "F-8" key.

I also tried pressing the "F-1" key and the "F-11" key, with the same result, i.e., a momentary glimpse of the desired screen, after which it continues loading, until the desktop wallpaper appears, at which point, it stops loading.

Mox nix.

(Heh! Heh! Can you tell I was once a G.I. stationed in Germany?)

I disconnected everything on my desktop and set it to one side, out of the way.

Then I hooked up my notebook, and sure enough, I'm able to watch it on my big television screen, hear it through the TV's stereo speakers, and use my wireless keyboard and wireless mouse, just as if I was using a desktop.

However, I can't use my web camera, because I never loaded the software into the notebook, expecting to only use the web camera with just my desktop.

Mox nix.

Maybe I'll buy another web camera for the notebook.

I still want to get my desktop back to normal, because when I travel, I can use my notebook to observe my room here at the Old Soldiers' Home, since the web camera would be mounted on the desktop and left fully operational, functioning as a security camera.

Neat, huh?

IF I can get it repaired and working!

Well, it's Christmas, so you can bet I won't get anything done for at least a couple of more weeks.

Since the free wi-fi signal I was using is gone, I reckon I'll call the cable TV company and pay a bunch of money for their high speed Internet and their high definition TV channels.

There's still a couple of strong wi-fi signals available, but they're encrypted, so I can't use them.

Why, oh why, doesn't the Soldiers' Home install wi-fi routers so the residents could all have free Internet access in each of their rooms?

Why doesn't the Soldiers' Home wake up and realize that they need to accommodate the Viet Nam veterans and the Gulf War veterans, and that WE are the Rock 'n' Roll computer generation, with cell phones?

I still think whatever the problem is with my desktop, it HAS to be something VERY simple, and easily corrected, if only I can figure it out.

I appreciate the responses and suggestions I have thus far received, especially those offered in the International War Veterans' Poetry Archives discussion forum.

So, in the meantime, I'm using these public access computers provided by the Soldiers' Home, and these computers are MESSED UP!!!

All of the software is WAY out of date, and I doubt if anybody is ever performing even the most basic maintenance.

Even the hardware is unpredictable.

I had to change computers to type this e-mail, because the mouse port on the other computer has gone kaput.

Sure, I can compose an e-mail, and I can read e-mails that are sent to me.

But, I can't do the "SATURDAY STUMPER" crossword puzzle at the "CHICAGO SUN-TIMES" newspaper's web site.

That's my favorite puzzle.

I also like the "SUNDAY CHALLENGER" crossword puzzle in the "WASHINGTON POST" newspaper, and all of the crossword puzzles in the Sunday edition of the "LOS ANGELES TIMES" newspaper.

I love doing cryptograms and codewords, but those are hard to find on the Internet, and when I solve them, it's a long long time before I can find another.

I avoid TV crossword puzzles, because I consider them silly.

Why would the Soldiers' Home block access to crossword puzzles?

There has been a problem with guys using these computers for pornography and gambling, so yes, the Soldiers' Home blocked access to those sites (I think).

But blocking crossword puzzles?

Why would they do such a thing?

I need my mental exercise!

I need a challenge for my brain.

Oh well, when I get things fixed up in my room, then I can do things the way I want.

By the way, if'n any of y'all got any suggestions, I'm still listening.

I wonder if it would be cheaper to buy another desktop than to have mine repaired?

I'm sure glad I have that notebook and that it works with my big screen TV.

I'm also glad (even if I grumble and gripe) that the Soldiers' Home has these public computers for us to use.

All this unexpected trouble is nickel and diming me into the poorhouse.

My savings will soon be gone, and I still ain't ordered my kilt yet, which WILL be expensive.

If I spend all my money, how will I get back out to the "High Lonesome" in the Great American West, which if'n I had my 'druthers, is where I really prefer to be?

Xin loi.

(That phrase shows you I was a G.I. in Viet Nam - - - Heh! Heh!)

I do still want to get my kilt.

So, "Nollaig Cridheil, y'all!"

(Pronounced "Nowl-eek Kree-yell", that is Scottish Gaelic for "Christmas Hearty!")

I hope y'all are surrounded by young'uns and you're having a real good time.

Thank you.

John Robert "SAIGON" Mallernee, KB3KWS
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."