Computer needed for technophobe

gwen80

Hi

Now I'm not the most technological of people, but my mother is absolutely terrible. Despite the fact that she used to use computers at work, since she's retired she seems completely unable to use one. I bought her an old, but functional desktop computer from a friend of mine very cheaply that I thought would allow her to get on the internet and do the basics. However she keeps moaning that it doesn't work or it's got this error message and instead of waiting for me to have a look at it or researching what the problem is herself, she just starts messing with things and I'm pretty sure is making the situation worse. I've tried persuading her to go on a computer course, she won't have it and I'm pretty close to telling her to bin the computer or buying her one of these:http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9365382/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CToys+and+games%7C14417629/c_2/2%7C14417629%7CElectronic+and+learning+toys%7C14417719/c_3/3%7Ccat_14417719%7CElectronic+learning%7C14417732.htm

Does anybody have any tips for a basic computer I could get for her and/or make it impossible for her to mess about with it?

Thank you

Gwenx

closed

you haven't said what the problem is with the one she has.

TakeThis

gwen80 wrote: »

Hi

Now I'm not the most technological of people, but my mother is absolutely terrible. Despite the fact that she used to use computers at work, since she's retired she seems completely unable to use one. I bought her an old, but functional desktop computer from a friend of mine very cheaply that I thought would allow her to get on the internet and do the basics. However she keeps moaning that it doesn't work or it's got this error message and instead of waiting for me to have a look at it or researching what the problem is herself, she just starts messing with things and I'm pretty sure is making the situation worse. I've tried persuading her to go on a computer course, she won't have it and I'm pretty close to telling her to bin the computer or buying her one of these:http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9365382/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CToys+and+games%7C14417629/c_2/2%7C14417629%7CElectronic+and+learning+toys%7C14417719/c_3/3%7Ccat_14417719%7CElectronic+learning%7C14417732.htm

Does anybody have any tips for a basic computer I could get for her and/or make it impossible for her to mess about with it?

Thank you

Gwenx

Install Team Viewer on both machines, so that you can take control from afar when necessary.

chib

What is your budget?

The reason I ask... my Mum and my Gran both had ZERO experience in using computer systems and didn't really have the time to sit down and learn. My mum bought an iPad (£400) and later that night was able to understand and begin sending emails, photos, videos and reading the news/youtube online. Following this, my Gran also got one and is doing the exact same.

Now, the iPad isn't cheap and as it has an Apple logo on it will be slated by many - but for an individual starting out in computing it'll be the best experience they'll get.

An older first revision iPad could also be considered for a lower price.

karl-123

a cheap windows 7 64 bit home premium of course for future security 32 bit binary code operating systems are in the process of being completely hacked something
microsoft takes seriously henceforth internet explorer 64 bit as well as windows 7 64 bit
which is bog standard nowadays thankfully press control on the keyboard and use your mouse wheel or scroll on touchpad to make icons bigger for her......an I3 rig from ebuyer or whoever will be fine for her i am sure
logitech marble mouses are great i bought my mum one from amazon £15 wicked price great mouse usb wired not wireless unfortunately but is megga siya be good love karl...............

TakeThis

karl-123 wrote: »

a cheap windows 7 64 bit home premium of course for future security 32 bit binary code operating systems are in the process of being completely hacked something
microsoft takes seriously henceforth internet explorer 64 bit as well as windows 7 64 bit
which is bog standard nowadays thankfully press control on the keyboard and use your mouse wheel or scroll on touchpad to make icons bigger for her......an I3 rig from ebuyer or whoever will be fine for her i am sure
logitech marble mouses are great i bought my mum one from amazon £15 wicked price great mouse usb wired not wireless unfortunately but is megga siya be good love karl...............

You have really got to stop posting this rubbish....

DCFC79

karl-123 wrote: »

a cheap windows 7 64 bit home premium of course for future security 32 bit binary code operating systems are in the process of being completely hacked something
microsoft takes seriously henceforth internet explorer 64 bit as well as windows 7 64 bit
which is bog standard nowadays thankfully press control on the keyboard and use your mouse wheel or scroll on touchpad to make icons bigger for her......an I3 rig from ebuyer or whoever will be fine for her i am sure
logitech marble mouses are great i bought my mum one from amazon £15 wicked price great mouse usb wired not wireless unfortunately but is megga siya be good love karl...............

Personally I dont think thats what the OP was after.

TakeThis wrote: »

You have really got to stop posting this rubbish....

Do you think thats possible.

TakeThis

DCFC79 wrote: »

Personally I dont think thats what the OP was after.



Do you think thats possible.

I thought it was worth a try....

DCFC79

TakeThis wrote: »

I thought it was worth a try....

you can try, has karl posted that drivel before

TakeThis

DCFC79 wrote: »

you can try, has karl posted that drivel before

Each post is worse than the last...

Anyway, we should stop. Don't want him to feel attacked.

Andrew1472

gwen80 wrote: »

Hi


Does anybody have any tips for a basic computer I could get for her and/or make it impossible for her to mess about with it?

Thank you

Gwenx

I'm not going to claim this is a perfect solution, but it definitely fits the question.
http://www.google.co.uk/chromebook/
There are plenty of reviews on the web to help you decide.
You need to be aware that it is basically just a browser (Chrome) and nothing else, so if you want to install your own software, forget it.