Old Laptop Computer Help Needed

[gator]

I'll try to keep the story short (or as short as possible). Dad in an assisted living facility and lost much of his memory. He keeps saying that he wants a computer to play games on (not that he could or would operate it anyway, but). My brother bought an old Toshiba laptop that has Win98 loaded. Problem is, prior owner erased the 'games'. I downloaded some games from freeware to a floppy (no CD in the laptop) and they would not load into the laptop.

We really just want to be able to give Pop the computer and show him that there are games on it and give him a written step-by-step instruction on how to turn it on and get to the games. We can guarantee that he will not play the games but when we visit and he asks for a computer we can pull it out and show him he already has one and show him the instructions. Its sad but a half hour later we will go through the same thing. This is to ease our collective consciences and to keep Mom from feeling that she will soon be losing him to the Alzhimer's wing.

In the interest of the wallet, does anyone in the triangle area (preferably north triangle) know how to load the original Microsoft games back on or any simple games (solitaire, Majong matching tiles etc) and be willing to assist me in doing so. I can come to you. You have to remember that I am a computer illiterate and a techno-idiot. Second question, just to make it a little easier (not sure he will even under stand a 'track-button'), can you connect a mouse to this thing? I don't see a connector that that matches my mouse on my home computer.

OR, should I just locate a 'Rent-A-Geek' service in my immediate area?

George

[woodydiver]

hello,
i dont think i am too close, im over near charlotte. I have a bunch of old games even some dos based. if you cant find anyone closer than me let me know and ill send you a cd. i got rid of my toshiba 335cds a couple of years ago, still worked after i had it for a few years. It was windows 98.
it may take me a couple of days to dig up my old games but i should have some he would like.
as for the mouse if it doent have a ps2 port (5/16" round connector and 4 or 5 pins) it will probably need a serial mouse (9 pin trapzoidal). i probably have both laying around give me the model number and ill help if i can.
curt

[gator]

the model is a Toshiba Satellite T2130CS. It does not have a CD drive, only a 3¼" floppy. If you do have the games, I would need "STEP BY STEP" directions. As I said I can barely get around the net and know nothing as to the workings, or how to work, a computer.

Thanks

George

[JackLeg]

Curt: If you don't find what you're looking for, I have an old Toshiba laptop that he can have. It will probably need a battery. You are welcome to it if you can use it. I could send it to you in the mail.

[Gotcha6]

Can't help with the computer, but check your local library for classes on operation. LOML works @ Public Library here in Meck & they have computer classes there on a regular basis. We got our parents a laptop Christmas of '06 & they took the classes. They are 83 & 81 years old & didn't know how to turn it on when they got it. Now they are sending & getting emails, etc. with some reasonable degree of prificiency. It is a very liberating tool for someone their age.

[Flyingspyder]

I grew up with computers and would be glad to help. Im going to Vegas until this Tue, but if you haven't resolved this by then I will be glad to come over to try to help. Sounds easy enough to install the games on there, even with Win 98. The mouse is just a matter of finding out if you have serial (probably) or ps2 and finding a driver. I will check back here when I get back, but if you want to email me I am at Flyingspyder@hotmail.com
Good luck, Scott

[RayH]

George,

I sure appreciate your situation. I have a 93 year old Mom in a similar state.

I can offer an original Windows 98 Installation CD and the 3.5 floppy install disk. Perhaps one of our younger members knows how to get the games from tha CAB files on that to a floppy to re-install on a computer without a CD drive.

Your laptop may have a "mouse" port. It is round with about 6 pins. If so, and you can not find a mouse to fit that, I can provide a converter - USB to PS2. Then any USB mouse should work. Come to think of it, I've got an old mouse you are welcome to.

I wish I could offer more, but we have both a neice and grandaughter graduating college this year using recycled laptops we "wore out."

I wish I could offer more. If you, or anyone else can think of a way to use what we have, please let me know. We are only about 35 miles from Oxford, and I'll be happy to bring any or all of what I have up to you.

Best wishes,
Ray

[woodydiver]

hello gator,
ill look up the model number and figure out which mouse you need. i have a bunch of games on floppys.
does the computer boot up and run ok now. if so ill mail you some of the programs i have and help you over the phone. If you would like you could ship the computer to me or see if we can fire up the nc woodworker express. you can pm me or reply and let me knwo what you would like to do.

curt

ps. thanks for the offer jack leg, ill try to see if i can fix his existing computer if not ill let you know. i hope you are feeling better, and get well soon.

[Jim Murphy]

If you guys need an FTP site to up/dn the games, I have access to my company FTP and there's nothing there of any business importance, from a security standpoint. FTP is pretty easy, even for a techo-idiot like Gator.

George, what do you mean by this: I downloaded some games from freeware to a floppy (no CD in the laptop) and they would not load into the laptop.

Would not load... what exactly was the problem? Is there a possibility the floppy drive is dusty (now where in the world would dust come from) or dirty and doesn't read? We can put the laptop near the floor sweep on the ClearVue, and if it doesn't suck it down, it will get rid of the dust, for sure.

How did the laptop indicate its refusal to install the floppy? More info here would help.

I'm in Raleigh 3 days a week, 1 mile from RDU at I540, and within a "pew" steps of Gator the rest of the time if we want to use antediluvian methods of transfer.

My mother thinks I'm her lover. I sympathize.

[woodworker2000]

If my memory serves me correct, I don't think you need a disk to reinstall the Windows games (solitaire, mahhjong, etc). Instead, I think you want to go to Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs, Window Components then look for the games icon and make sure the boxes for those games are checked (you might have to reboot the computer afterwards). I think the games are part of the OS and aren't actually "deleted" from the hard drive when you think you are deleting them. Hope this helps.

[jeff...]

wolfenstine 3D and commander keen - those were the good ole days

[gator]

Just to let everyone know, I am not ignoring the responses here. I will be looking over all the suggestions and generous offers and trying to decide my course of action. The first thing I will try is woodworker2000's suggestion. In looking at the connections, I assume (bad thing) that it has a serial mouse connection. I will be back with you all (or is that youall) soon.

Thanks for all the responses so far.

George

[JackLeg]

That'd be "ya'll!"

[RandyJ]

And if you're from the DEEP South, it's YAW!!!

[Trent Mason]

George,

I think I have an old Dell laptop that you can have. I just have to check and make sure I still have it. If I do have it, the hard drive was recently cleaned off. It has a cd drive and you can hook it up to the internet. I'm pretty sure there are games on it too. Probably has Windows 2000 on it. I'll check when I get home.

That is a very nice thing you're doing. My (remaining) grandparents are in nursing homes now and they think that "computers are the devil."

Trent