configuring broadband/PC power protection/cable-satellite TV in India...

Nick-H

Hmmm... possible to prove anything, then!

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Dilliwala

U connect to it to a USB port or the parallel port as required. The latter is easy to identify, it has virtually the most "pinholes" of all. There'll also be a neat little icon printed alongside which is supposed to look like a printer.

Strange that there was no manual - a branded lappy with case from a 'reputed' co. shud have had one. Tell the dealer to give u one, or order it from the co. - u actually paid for it! If he refuses, write to the co. (address on pamphlet or their website). Which co. is it BTW? Sometimes manuals are available on co. websites as well.

Nick-H

because it looks the same as a 25-pin serial port!

Dilliwala

Since when do the latest lappys have serial ports?
Ok, let me remove all the illogic and bad English from that sentence - when did lappys stop having serial ports? Highly unlikely that Aishah's has one, so then the parallel port shud be easy to identify. Not easy to confuse with the display port.
The PS/2 is dodgy though.

Aishah

It's Compaq Presario and I got it in Jodhpur. Yes, I think I will go back to the dealer and ask for a manual - It came with a very nice leather bag as well. The little symbols are a bit tricky for me - there are 2 empty places where this could be - one is round with many pin-holes and the other is sort of rectangular/oval with 15 pin-holes, then again it could be the speaker outlet! Both are on the left side where USB and ethernet are also located.USB Port has 2 connections one on top of the other. I think the icon above the round one could be a printer..
Anyway, still to get so plenty of time to learn more about it.
Good suggestion, Dilliwalli to go and ask for the book - also I'll take a look via Google and see what I can come up with as well.

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Nick-H

15 pin holes is always external monitor, so unless that is what you are attaching, you can rule it out.

We've got a Compaq presario, and although there's absolutely no guarantee of two models being the same, it has, on the back:

--- power connector

--- 15-pin "D" external monitor port (blue)

--- 25-pin "D" printer connector (red)

--- modem socket (like a phone plug.

USB sockets you already know about, and the only thing that fits in them (I hope!) is a USB plug.

"D" because it is wider one side than the other, and, viewed on end, could be seen as a D shape.

Indeed, my laptop has no serial port, and yes, (or rather 'no'!) they probably don't any longer.

There are all kinds of other possibilities for mic, headphones, and a couple of other things, but we can deal with them if and when...

Round with lots of pin holes is probably mouse, but it could be some kind of video out (S-Video?).

You may well be able to find the manual for your machine online: many major manufacturers will have it in their support section of their site.

Anyway: try to get a printer that does USB: it'll be easier to set up and faster to print.

Aishah

Intriguing - I don't have anything on the back - power outlet is on right side, along with headphone/microphone outlets. I think I might only be able to use USB port for printer connection. It's a widescreen notebook C301TU, Intel celeron. One of those I mentioned (connection points) is for S-Video TV-Out whatever that means,also a VGA Out, and a Kensington Lock slot - this is from the advertising leaflet featuring Shah Rukh Khan. I don't know what these latter things are at all! I think I'll check out on internet as suggested, Nick.

Later - did indeed find a manual on internet - it is 87 pages - it would be much better to have a printed handbook, so I will go back to the dealer and see if I can get one. Failing that will print it out myself when I get a printer! In the meantime I've added the web page to Favorites so it's easy for me should I need it.

Nick-H

OK. It's what you've probably seen already, but it looks like this is the getting-started manual that tells you what everything is.

You do not have a "parallel" printer port. Maybe they have gone the way of serial ports. You need to buy a printer which connects by USB.

The round connector, S-video, is a way of sending a better quality pic to a TV, but it is picture only, so if you are using it as a DVD player you still need audio connection. If you have a VCR it may well have an S-video output too.

A Kensington lock (Security lock in the manual) is a lockable steel cable to put round the leg of a table, so that thieves have to pick the table up to remove your laptop

You have three USB ports: one for your printer, one for your scanner --- and one for connecting your camera, phone, whatever!

BTW, my scanner/printer combination gets used a lot for "photocopying". Instead of going to the Xerox shop, Mrs N give me Rs.1 a sheet! If I'd thought this out some years back, I'd have got a combined unit.

If you use it for work at all, you might even consider combined printer/scanner/fax

Aishah

Thanks for these excellent hints, Nick. Drat! I didn't get the Kensington Lock!! Another thing to complain about. Yes, your link is what's in My Favourites - that's the one. I can't see Mr K giving me 1r per sheet though!! Fax could actually be useful, will think about that.

Nick-H

The lock (it's like a bycycle lock cable) is not usually supplied, it is an extra.

Aishah

Thanks - you've saved me from making a fool of myself with a lot of ranting and raving! Mind you, the book should be supplied...

Dilliwala

Yes, so if the dealer won't give u one, call the company toll-free (look at the 2nd line). And if they are not forthcoming or tell u to print it (u paid for it, dammit! They don't give them away free), then write to the big boss and give him a piece of your mind. He says he wants to know, tell him. Only thereafter shud u think of printing the manual yourself.

Nick-H

In principle I agree, absolutely. There should have been other stuff, too, like any software that came with the machine, and, importantly, a disk to recover/re-install the operating system.

In practice, I keep a few manuals on my PC: their easier to find than the physical ones.

Aishah

Mmm - no disc, nothing. Software already installed - quite a bit in fact and some of it useless. Probably pirated copies.. But it all works. Norton had to be re-subscribed (I know how you feel about that one Nick, but it's already done a while ago!) Yes, Dilliwalla that will be my plan of action. First step, speak with dealer - don't like talking on the phone,will confront him next time I'm in Jodhpur. (Phone talking is an easy way to be fobbed off I've found.) And yes, I have the manual now in Favourites so that's something anyway.

Aishah

Mmm - Broadband? I'm starting to agree with Nick re Fraudband..
Daily at least anything up to 4 times it just drops off and cannot be re-connected for at least 10 - 15 mins. I guess this is local congestion? It would be very annoying for people whose work depends on reliable, quick computer connections. And another thing, at times the speed is the same as dial-up. No big complaint because mostly it's good, and I'm now able to watch YouTube which I couldn't before but I never know how long it's 'good' for - these dropping out things are quite annoying.