Save your documents from a PC that won't boot.

.

When a PC refuses to boot the usual procedure is to reinstall the Operating System. This will mean that all files will be lost that were on the 'C' drive. This could be where your family photo's had been stored. Fortunately these can usually be saved with the help of a 'Live CD'. I use Puppy 5.20 for this job. Simply boot from the CD and then click on the 'SDA1' icon in the bottom left hand corner. This should display the 'C' drive in a file manager. Place a 'Thumb drive' in the USB port and it will appear as an icon in the bottom left corner. Click on it and it will open another file manager. Find the files to transfer from the first file manager and pull them across to the second file manager. This process will copy the 'C' drive files to the 'Thumb drive'. This live CD also has a program for removing 'Viruses' from the Windows partition and can often restore a Windows Operating System thereby saving a repair bill.

Android on a PC

.

Home Screen

Applications

Android was designed for a touch screen phone, but as it was an open sourced program this allowed it to be used on any suitable device. This covered phones, TV's, tablets and PC's. I had it running on a PC at Seniornet on the 25 January meeting. Those that saw it running were impressed with the speed and simplicity of usage. Although this system was only a 'proof of concept' it demonstrated what is about to be released by every major electronics manufacturer this year.

Microsoft finally roadmaps Windows 8

.

Click on me to see me waiting

Microsoft announced that Windows 8 will run on 'ARM' phone chips to be possibly released by next year. This means that all current software will need to be recompiled, if possible,  or  completely rewritten.  If rewriting is needed then this will be done on the latest  software only. Most analysts are predicting Microsoft will base it on Windows CE. Windows CE does not run normal desktop applications but is used as a secure embedded operating system as used in EFTPOS terminals. Networking and a modern browser is already in use for this OS.

Android 3 unveiled at CES

.

Desktop using Tablet Dock

Android 3.0 was showcased at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) on the 6th January. The Image shows the tablet docked into a Touchscreen and Keyboard. This is clearly the way Personal computing is headed. Android is now being used by most major electronic companies for phones, tablets and TV,s. This is the only serious rival to Apple's iPad. Google was making ChromeOs for this function but this may never happen as the success of Android took them by suprise. As most of these devices run on 'ARM' Technology used in Phones it will be interesting what 'Intel' will do.