GRE powerprep software

NERD ALERT


I searched for directions on how to run the GRE powerprep software on Windows Vista online, but I didn't find any that worked in their entirety. Most instructions seemed to be on forums that were full of unhelpful "solutions". So, I'm posting some improved instructions here.

Directions for how to run GRE PowerPrep software on Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit):

1. Log in with an administrator account.
2. Download the software from the GRE site. I tried using the setup file on the CD, but it didn't work.
3. Run the PPGRE31.exe file in Windows 98 compatibility mode (right click, properties, compatibility)
4. The setup file can take a really long time to load. Go put on a pot of tea or something.
5. Run the setup file as you usually would.
6. Go to the PowerPrep folder that's been installed in your Windows start menu.
7. Right click on the PowerPrep program, and change the compatibility mode to Windows 95. It doesn't work properly in other compatibility modes - the program starts but then will hang if you try to run it in Win 98 for example.
8. Open program (it may take a long time).
9. If you have problems accessing the practice files - like if they hang or the program stops responding - try closing the program and changing the compatibility mode to another setting. I found that Windows 95 worked best for me.

NOTE: The software does not work in Windows Vista 64 bit. You can install the setup file from the CD, oddly enough, but when you run the program you will encounter an error. Needless to say, it also doesn't work on a Mac.

There you have it. Software from people who charge $140 to test you, but are incapable of upgrading their software past 1995 standards.

GRE

Studying for the GRE to take this Saturday. I'm a little sick of vocab flashcards and 30-60-90 triangles. 

Today's "This really grinds my gears" moment - The PowerPrep GRE cd. You could say it makes me feel, hmm, what's a good GRE word? Irascible. There ya go. The CD (or the version of the program on the website) doesn't work on a Mac or on Windows Vista 64-bit. And when it does work, the screen resolution is like 640 by whatever. If I have to pay $140 to take a test, I deserve a forwards-compatible program to practice with. Luckily, my roommate is letting me borrow her computer tomorrow to use the CD. Keeping my fingers crossed that it will actually work.

Also, my neighbor is really, REALLY loud. Loves to shout at his TV while watching sports games. Occasionally I hear banging on the wall. He's a nice enough guy, but he's mentally/developmentally challenged, so I think he has no idea how loud he is. Which stinks, because I understand the situation and wouldn't want to get him "kicked out", but at the end of the day (literally - the noise often continues past midnight), he's still way too loud.  That's the dilemma - do you continue to try to be compassionate and understanding about it, or do you take the insensitive approach and complain about it to the landlord? It's times like these when the "quiet and comfortable living environment" clause in a lease just doesn't help out. 

In other news, things are going really well. I went to a really good Power Yoga class earlier this week, have been making more delicious recipes from my new cookbook, and am getting closer to finishing that sweater I've been knitting off and on for about a year now. WOW, that was the biggest dose of estrogen I have ever injected into a sentence. I also successfully wired some virtual reality equipment with a sound system this week. There, I feel better. 

We now interuppt this regularly scheduled day of tedium and monotony at work ....

To bring you THIS picture:


I don't know who this guy is, but I felt just about as excited when I finally got my new Macbook in the mail.

Happy New... Electronic Gadgets Galore!

Welcome to 2008, everyone! I hope you all enjoyed your holidays. I know I did. Here are some highlights:

-I went to NYC
-I bought a new(ish) car
-I saw lots of family and friends from home

And since this entry is about electronic gadgets, we'll all just figure that my times at home were great, skip the elaboration, and get on to the good stuff. w00t!

In today's news, I ordered a Macbook. It's on its way! I will no longer be jiggling my PC's power cord and seeing blue screens of death!



I also discovered two things today:
Belkin FM transmitters are really terrible, and Verizon customer service is really great. After arriving home today, I was excited that my 3-pack of fm transmitters from woot.com had come in the mail for me. Since I no longer had a car with a cassette player (yes, my old car was that old), I needed an upgrade. it was like I had rabbit ears and it was time for HDTV. And there it was, in the form of 3-for-$10 FM technology. Hooray! I could jam out again to Britney Spears and Kanye West in my car! Until I plugged it in, and all I got was static. The best I got was a mix of house music (the radio), static, and Stevie Ray Vaughn (my mp3 player). Bah humbug!

And, in last week's news, I just discovered that stores no longer sell printers with parallel cables. This generally isn't a problem for me as I usually don't buy printers myself (I just fix and install them), and I usually don't have to use Windows 98. My folks, however, aren't so fortunate to have upgraded their computer since they bought it when computers were invented. What can I say, they are creatures of habit. Anyway, their little-engine-that-could printer finally decided it couldn't, and off we were to Office Max. We're about to leave with a very basic, no-frills printer that hopefully my dad can figure out, when the salesman who's been hovering over us says, "That doesn't come with a cord. " No kidding. But then I realize... I doesn't come with a parallel port either. Crap. Then this "salesman" says with this uncanny, sinister smile: "Time to upgrade." Boo. I'll upgrade you with my foot!

On a positive note, though, the people at Verizon were quite nice about refunding me my money for when my text messaging plan mysteriously disappeared after renewing my contract. Apparently features like that don't go along for the renewal party. Who knew? Luckily, though, instead of charging me for my error in not checking my account better, I'm getting all my money back, and with minimal tech-support time.


They did actually send me a big sack of cash, by the way.

And since this entry is devoted to all things shiny, new, metallic, and spectacular, let me just share with you how to buy a car.

Step One: Discover that your old car is starting to need more in repairs than it is worth. It's upgrade time. Not HDTV style.... but new wheels style!

Step Two: Go to Carmax in order to test drive some cars you're interested in. The saleswoman will be very eager to build rapport with you. So eager, in fact, that she will share anything with you. Anything beyond your wildest imagination. She will even tell you, that on cold days, when she's out on the back lot, that instead of trekking back inside to go to the bathroom, she goes in the bushes. And how on a cold day, the steam rises up from the ground.

Step Three: Don't buy a car from this lady (despite how much you really want to give her the commission just for telling that story!).

Step Four: In order to narrow matters down, make a list of things you really want in a car, such as "room enough to do the Crank Dat dance behind the wheel while I'm driving" and "cup holders that light up." I'm for real here.

Step Five: Go back to Carmax to get current transportation appraised and check out a different car. This time with a different salesperson. Scratch your head when you get behind the wheel of the test-drive car and he says to you, "Gee, this isn't such a bad car."

Step Six: Don't buy a car from this man. In fact, don't ever step foot in Carmax again, especially after they try to sell you a car for about $4000 more than its worth, and try to buy your car for $500 less than its worth.

Step Seven: Go to the local Toyota dealership. Offer your car as a trade-in. Wait politely while car salesman "appraises" your car. He will come out and declare, unbeknownst to you, careful and observant vehicle owner for 6.5 years, that your car has dents in it. Even though you go outside and demonstrate to him that they are clearly not dents, he will still insist on insulting your ride, claiming that scratches are "dents."

Step Eight: Don't buy a car from this man. Clearly he has troubles with the word "dents" which lead you to think he might have troubles with other matters such as functioning or existing and is clearly in no position to complete a sale.

Step Nine: Go to slightly-less-local Toyota dealership out in the boonies. Find a good car. Make an offer. Watch as car salesman's eyes bug out of his head at this low figure. (Don't worry, that's just the images of his commission flying away.) Then - and it's important that you don't forget this part - say "yes, and that's minus the trade-in value."

Get your car at a good price anyway and drive off happy :)