New Laptop Advice?

[Pamplemousse]

Copy off Ebay, probably OEM, so won't install. Not sure if there is a way around the tightened installation (i assumed it was this so thanks for telling me you can run it) of W10 as I've not looked that far but it won't even recognise the disk.

Here you go Terry, proof positive (and mine came from eBay too):

O2K3 on W10-64.jpg

It's worth remembering though that Office 2003 will truncate the huge Excel spreadsheets such as the one lurking in the background as it can't support the huge number of columns. I did have a copy of Office 2010 and I found it utterly hateful (it lied when I tried to produce a table in Word with fixed cell sizes).

For some reason (it is explained on the Internet) you can't change the default colour scheme of the programs on this machine (Windows 10 64-bit) but it's a small price to pay.

[ankietyjoe]

I've used Open Office (free) for years and never had an issue with it. Compatible with MS Office.

[Scissel]

You can have malware and not be aware of it A chunk of the Internet are zombies in a botnet and they don't even realize.

FYI - https://blogs.quickheal.com/beware-1...necurs-botnet/ at the end of the article, you can download a scanner that is well received and from a trustworthy company [quickheal). Cheers

[WiredIncorrectly]

I've used Open Office (free) for years and never had an issue with it. Compatible with MS Office.

Libre Office user here

[WiredIncorrectly]

FYI - https://blogs.quickheal.com/beware-1...necurs-botnet/ at the end of the article, you can download a scanner that is well received and from a trustworthy company [quickheal). Cheers

Not to sound condescending (right word?) but I can write malware that can bypass that.

[Scissel]

No problem WI I don't consider any amtimalware/spyware tool (s) to be "foolproof" 100%; nonetheless, they are just 1 step to keeping your system safeguarded against the evil intent of some lost, bitter, spiteful, and hateful souls out there. Truthfully, it (normally) comes down to what the user 'allows' in via the browser(s) ie scripting. Of course.. there will always lonely, pathetic, bored, miserable folks out there that are relentless at catching unassuming and trusting people off guard. No disrespect; of course. Final posting in this thread. ~All the best ... Bye Bye

[Scass]

No real advice but I love the Sims as well!
We play it on an oldish PC but I’m going to have to update that soon too.
Let us know what you get!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MyNameIsTerry]

Here you go Terry, proof positive (and mine came from eBay too):

O2K3 on W10-64.jpg

It's worth remembering though that Office 2003 will truncate the huge Excel spreadsheets such as the one lurking in the background as it can't support the huge number of columns. I did have a copy of Office 2010 and I found it utterly hateful (it lied when I tried to produce a table in Word with fixed cell sizes).

For some reason (it is explained on the Internet) you can't change the default colour scheme of the programs on this machine (Windows 10 64-bit) but it's a small price to pay.

Thanks Pamplemousse. Mine were OEMs though and already installed on other older laptops. So non transferable. Last I tried though I think it thought the disk was corrupted.

Will have another go though just in case. I thought I might have used the same copy on an old XP and W7 laptop (leaving one spare) but can't be sure. I thought OEMs could transfer but they tightened that up for W10?

I used Access for anything big. Far faster. These days it's small stuff but graphing would be useful.

My GF uses 10 and much prefers earlier versions. Easier for new users but slower for the more advanced. Same with Windows really.

[pulisa]

No real advice but I love the Sims as well!
We play it on an oldish PC but I’m going to have to update that soon too.
Let us know what you get!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes I will do! I've had some very helpful advice and information on here and am very grateful. My daughter hates making decisions like this and I know the transition period to the new laptop won't be easy but needs must.. Her old laptop is struggling and so is she..Being able to access the Sims again would be a welcome distraction from her overwhelming anxiety.

[Pamplemousse]

Thanks Pamplemousse. Mine were OEMs though and already installed on other older laptops. So non transferable. Last I tried though I think it thought the disk was corrupted.

That copy of Office 2003 Professional I bought was less than £20 - you should be able to pick up a copy for around that, complete with key. Download the Compatibility Pack for the XML variants that came later and you're laughing.

Although my installation is getting cranky with old age, I still think Windows 2000 was Microsoft's best OS: but some professionals I know are doggedly sticking with 7.