How to replace slides on a wf 10x microscope because its seems like every assignment i do i see everything on the microscope that i see without it

Compound Microscope

• Compound microscopes can be found in most biology and science classrooms. They are electrically operated and use light to enhance the image of a cell. They will have multiple lenses for viewing.
  

Dissecting Microscope

• Dissecting microscopes are also known as stereo microscopes. They have low magnification and are also light powered. These microscopes can view objects larger than what a compound microscope is able to handle, in three dimensions.
  

SEM

• A Scanning Electron Microscope uses electrons instead of light to create an image. These microscopes produce three-dimensional images with high resolution and magnification. They also have a larger depth of focus.
  

TEM

• Transmission Electron Microscopes use electrons instead of light to create an image. The material prepared must be very thin. The beams of electrons that pass through it give the viewer high magnification and resolution. These give two-dimensional images.
  

Olympus makes good microscopes so you have done well and stereo microscopes are so much nicer to use than singles. As far as cleaning the lenses goes, buy a good quality camera lens blower brush and also a can of compressed air like the ones used for computers. Blow any loose dust hairs etc off with the can of air and then use the brush for anything remaining. If there are fingerprints or grease on the lenses then clean them using camera lens cleaning fluid and lens tissue but make sure all debris and dust are removed first or you may scratch the lenses. In general try not to use anything more than air and a brush unless absolutely necessary. Another option for removing fingerprints etc is to use a "lens pen" with caution. The ones sold for cameras work well but may be too large. They make some smaller ones for cleaning camera sensors and those might work better for the relatively small microscope lenses or just cut the regular lens pen disk to make it smaller. It is just as important to make sure the lens is dust/debris free when using the lens pens.
Low power stereo microscopes often allow you to put on a single magnifier lens in front of the main objectives to increase magnification. Do a bit of searching to find what are options for your model.

You will need to focus in on the slide. There should be 2 1" diameter knobs on either side of the stand, and just to the rear. Those knobs control the height of the stage (where you slide sits). Slowly raise or lower while looking into the eyepiece. At some point something should be see, if the microscope is working properly.

Sometimes it is easiest to start with the lowest magnification. On the outside of the objective (little lenses hanging down that can be rotated) there should be some numbers written on them (usually 4, 10, 40). Those numbers reference your magnification. If you multiply that number by the eyepiece (10) magnification, you will get your total magnification, so start out with your 4x. It will give you the largest field of view, so it is great for finding whatever it is that you are looking for on your slide. It is also the easiest one to get focused. The higher you go in magnification, the smaller the field of view, thereby the more difficult it is focus in on your sample.

A compound lab microscope is generally intended for the following:
examination of prepared glass slides of: Organic Tissues organic fluids cells of plants and animals
The are used extensively in clinics to examine urine for the presence of gout or bacteria. Or to examine other body fluids.
Specimens need to be prepared on glass slides and sealed with a "glass cover slip". Prepared slides can be order from many different sources over the internet. Try searching "prepared specimen slides" or "prepared microscope slides" or use www.Microscope.com
A compound scope is not effective for examining things like insect structures, or any "solid" objects which light cannot pass through. For such research a "stereoscope" is required. The stereoscope directs light from above like a spot light.

The knob you are talking about is called the x-axis control knob. It does not directly affect the focus. What affects the focus is the slight manipulation of the stage and or slide while you are adjusting the x-axis control knob. It only takes the slightest pressure to throw the focus off very far. Theoretically you could completely remove the specimen holder and move the slide around with your fingers.
The specimen holder may need to be replaced but without further more detailed knowledge of the mechanical problem I cannot instruct further.

Starting at the bottom of the Compound Microscope scope working up: The base of the scope houses the illumination system and the field lens. It also provides weighted stablility.
The field lens is where the light comes out of the base. This lens focuses the light from the bulb directly into the substage condenser.
The arm of the scope supports the rest of the scope.
Directly above the field condenser is the substage condenser. The substage condenser collects the light and condenses it further into a more concentrated beam of light. With the substage condenser you can control the amount of light and to some degree the defraction of light. This is helpful in adjusting the "contrast" in the image.
Working up, you find the "stage" which is a platform to support the specimen. The stage may or may not have a specimen holder and a set of specimen holder control knobs.
The magnifying lenses are called the objectives. They look like barrels pointing down at the stage. These are usually marked 4x, 10x, 40x, and 100x. These magnifications are further multiplied by the power of the eyepieces which are usually 10x. So, when using the 4x you are actually seeing the specimen at 40x and when you are using the 10x objective you are actually seeing the specimen at 100x and so on. The 4x is used to "scan" the specimen so that you can find the most interesting area and then focus in further on that region. It is very hard to find exactly what you want to focus in on starting with the higher magnifications. Always start with the low magnifications, 4x or 10x.
The objective lenses are mounted on a rotating turret for easy selection.
Moving on up the scope is the head. It is comprised of the eye tube and the eyepiece. If you have two eyepieces your scope is referred to as a "Binocular Compound Microscope". If you have only one eyepiece, your scope is a "Monocular Compound Microscope".

Any High Viscosity Immersion oil that is intended for use with microscopes will work. Most hospitals use "RESOLVE" as their immersion oil. Remember unless your 40x says OIL on it, it is not intended to be used in oil. It will become unusable if you allow it to remain oil soaked. The 4x and 10x likewise.

I have used the QX3 microscope without issue on a windows xp machine

here is a link with more info

http://www.intel.com/support/intelplay/qx3/sb/CS-016015.htm

use a pc dumbshit fuckin macs
or get a new microscope