The Computer Help Thread

Idk if we have a thread for this, i couldn't find it.

Anyway, i've been having problems with my macbook pro. A few weeks ago it started shutting down in bursts, displaying the message "Your computer restarted becaused of a problem". I always managed to stave it off by installing all available Apple updates (thats what the Internet told me to do), which stopped the spontaneous shut downs for a few days at a time.

However, yesterday it started happening even when there were no updates left to install, and today I can't even get past the login screen, because it will shut down before the OS has a chance to get to the desktop. This renders the computer entirely unusable.

I've started it in OS recovery mode, done a disk repair (it said everything was a-ok, its all a prank, etc), started in safe mode, re-installed the OS, etc. I used to be able to get back on it after leaving it be for an hour, but no longer.

What should I do?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mokbull

Idk if we have a thread for this, i couldn't find it.

Anyway, i've been having problems with my macbook pro. A few weeks ago it started shutting down in bursts, displaying the message "Your computer restarted becaused of a problem". I always managed to stave it off by installing all available Apple updates (thats what the Internet told me to do), which stopped the spontaneous shut downs for a few days at a time.

However, yesterday it started happening even when there were no updates left to install, and today I can't even get past the login screen, because it will shut down before the OS has a chance to get to the desktop. This renders the computer entirely unusable.

I've started it in OS recovery mode, done a disk repair (it said everything was a-ok, its all a prank, etc), started in safe mode, re-installed the OS, etc. I used to be able to get back on it after leaving it be for an hour, but no longer.

What should I do?

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I.T. Helpdesk.

The letter 'K' has come off my keyboard and I can't get it back on.

My laptop is 4 years old now and I'd been thinking it might be time for a change at some point, but I prefer to wait until the thing itself actually breaks. Currently there's nothing else wrong with it except a battery that's on its arse. I'd rather keep it if I can but this missing letter 'K' is fucking annoying when I'm trying to type. I can still type the letter but I have to press my finger right into the sensor in order to do it, and it fucks up my flow entirely, as you can imagine.

Any suggestions?

You could buy a new laptop keyboard.

Fixed it

I broke it in the first place through my own stupidity, but that satisfaction and trying for so long :cool:.

Lots of accounts hacked, so might be a good time to change some passwords if you've been using the same ones for anything like Paypal, etc. I've just had a pain in the hole re-signing back into everything with the 2-step for Gmail but hopefully now that it's activated I won't have to the next time.


http://www.androidcentral.com/google...ed-data-breach

It's International Password Day too.

Does anyone use a password manager?

Y'know, those programs that generate different passwords for every website you use but only require the one password (probably with two-step verification) for you to log into them?

Any recommendations?
@Raoul Duke, possibly? Or @Giggles?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Boydy

Does anyone use a password manager?

Y'know, those programs that generate different passwords for every website you use but only require the one password (probably with two-step verification) for you to log into them?

Any recommendations?
@Raoul Duke, possibly? Or @Giggles?

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I tried a few like 1Password and LastPass (supposedly the best two Android ones with desktop sync) but I just don't like the idea of having passwords I don't actually know, or having them all in the one place like that. I just make up my own using a sequence that has no reference to anything real world but that I can find or remember if needs be.
Recently added 2-step to my Google account though. It's a pain in the hole but I think I've signed into every device now.

I've been meaning to use one for a while. 1Password is probably the one I'd go for, based on my research.

Safari does a decent job of suggesting new passwords, but it lacks the smarts to audit your existing ones to see where you've reused a load of them.

The golden rule (if you don't use one) is to ensure your email one is unique. It's the one where if someone gets access they can wreak the most havoc as they can reset other sites. Make sure that has 2FA and you should be safe (ish).

What's 2FA?

I'm running about six different passwords right now. It's a bit of a pain.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pepe

What's 2FA?

I'm running about six different passwords right now. It's a bit of a pain.

---

2-Factor Authentication. Basically every time you sign into a new device you'll need to use your password plus an extra step (mine is that I get an SMS with a 6 digit code). I just have it enabled on my Google account because, as Raoul says, if anyone was in my GMail they could reset any of my other passwords.

Oh yes, I've been offered that. I always tell them to fuck off because I don't want to give them my number (which I know is stupid.)

My ebay account was hacked once and they bought a bunch of wedding rings and some trainers. It was easy to deal with but then I had to change my password to everything, which is where the current bunch comes from. They are all random letters basically, unless you know where they come from.

I've noticed tabs in Chrome crashing a lot of late - sometimes they just freeze (and become completely unresponsive - can't even be closed), sometime that aww snap thing comes up, other times they just become unresponsive but can be closed. Any ideas (other than lol use firefox)?

How the fuck do you delete a page in MS Word? It sounds like it should be really easy but I've tried everything and the blank one at the end won't fuck off.

You've probably got some blank spaces on the page - does that make sense? Put the cursor on the page and then just backspace until it disappears (the page that is)?

It won't at all. Even with a CTRL* I'm only showing a single line break at the top of the page. It's a template I downloaded so it must be locked by the author or something but I thought there would be a way in Word to get rid of a blank page.

The main problem is that I want to save it as a PDF and upload it (it's a CV), so is there any way of deleting the page once it's in PDF format? Adobe DC doesn't seem to have the option either.


EDIT: Found an online tool that I could upload the PDF to and it let me download a zip with each page as a separate file. Happy days.

Okay, so I need some recommendations.

I'm after a Mac compatible external hard drive, ideally about 4TB, that can take files larger than 4GB. My current hard drive is starting to get full, and won't take big files which means I can't shift them from my laptop, and am therefore starting to run out of space on there too.

Gonna have a look down town today, but some pointers would be very welcome.

Been years since I did this, probably on Windows XP, but what is the best way to make an exact copy of a CD to a blank CD using Windows 10? Is there any software in there already or do I need to download something?
I don't need it to be able for playback or anything and I don't need to remove any protection (hospital scans not music), so it's just a direct copy (copies) I need.

Just copy the files onto your hard drive, and then burn them onto a blank disc then.

Or:
http://www.imgburn.com/

Its been a long time since i placed videos onto a disc to watch ona dvd player. What is a good app that can do this as all the ones ive tried, are awful.

Literally the two posts above yours discuss this exact topic... (replacing CDRW with DVDRW)

I got all sorted but the fucking hospital files were 768MB, so I need blank DVD's myself instead of the CD's I bought.

Hospital scans? You gonna be a dad or something?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Boydy

Hospital scans? You gonna be a dad or something?

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Not fucking likely at my age. They're for my own Dad, he was in a bad accident a few weeks back and needs copies for physio/insurance/etc but hospital only give you one set.

Is there a reason they need to be on a disc, why not just keep them (or copies) on a usb?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Disco

Is there a reason they need to be on a disc, why not just keep them (or copies) on a usb?

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He's to hand them over to the likes of insurance, and wants to keep the originals. Found some DVD's online anyway (Tesco don't seem to stock here any more).

Not really help, but does anyone have any experience with Raspberry Pi's? I remember them being talked about on here but not sure who. @Samadini maybe?

Yeah, Sama is into them.

I want to get one, but never quite get around to it

I did a bit of work with them on prototypes using them as a PLC and HMI but in reality the faff wasn't worth the minimal cost save. Maybe for something more complex, but it's been a fair while now.

I'm finding chrome is crashing a lot at the moment.

You need a toomerhawk 2000.

Has anyone found a way of stopping Windows Update restarting your system whenever it likes? For some reason they thought it was a good idea to take away the option for manual restarts in Windows 10 and I would really like it back.

Nope, I had to turn Windows Update off instead because they put out an update that bricked my specific graphics card and every time I'd update, would need to reformat.

I've never seen this. I get a notification that it will restart later on when it downloads updates and I can click 'Restart Now' from there if I like.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Giggles

I've never seen this. I get a notification that it will restart later on when it downloads updates and I can click 'Restart Now' from there if I like.

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Yeah, and if you click on the notification you can only set it to install somewhere between x pm and x am

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Giggles

I've never seen this. I get a notification that it will restart later on when it downloads updates and I can click 'Restart Now' from there if I like.

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And if I don't want to restart now? There's no option to do it manually at a time of my choosing, which is tremendously inconvenient.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Disco

And if I don't want to restart now? There's no option to do it manually at a time of my choosing, which is tremendously inconvenient.

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What phonics said. Mine is set between 2 and 5 am.

Which wouldn't be convenient. I want to stop it doing any kind of scheduled restarts and just finish updating when I do a manual restart

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Disco

Which wouldn't be convenient. I want to stop it doing any kind of scheduled restarts and just finish updating when I do a manual restart

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I'm wrong anyway, I'm thinking of my older machine. On W10 you can only set your active hours (which it won't install updates during) and it can only be a max of 12 hours.

Any way to remove a default file association in Windows 10? I needed to open a file earlier to edit some code in it but now the association with notepad is fucking things up and I can't see how to remove notepad as a default.

You should be able to change it to something else but I'm not sure about removing it entirely.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Disco

You should be able to change it to something else but I'm not sure about removing it entirely.

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I think you could in 7 but I'm stumped trying to find it on this. Might not be possible without editing the registry for Notepad.

If you go into default applications then there's a button to reset to defaults, that might work (I'm not testing on mine).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Disco

If you go into default applications then there's a button to reset to defaults, that might work (I'm not testing on mine).

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Sweet. I'm beat at the moment so I'll take the consequences if they all reset.

That only changes default app stuff like the browser, media player, etc. Was able to get round it by changing the full file name using Rename in the command prompt but still can't see a way to reset the default.

Could you not just select "Open With"?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SvN

Could you not just select "Open With"?

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I don't want it to open with anything. It's a command file for a machine.

Basically I use software to generate a file and it has the extension .ABC. Then normal way is to edit the file name on the PC to extension .XYZ, put it on an SD and job done.
This time I had to open the file to edit a command (that the software hadn't the option for) so I had to open it with Notepad and do it. Naturally windows set all .ABC files as default Notepad files (I didn't uncheck 'always', not knowing you couldn't change back). But now when I change the file to .XYZ it still stays as a notepad file and the machine won't recognise it. On closer inspection in properties the filename is now filename.xyz.abc even though you only see filename.xyz in file manager, which looks OK but it meant you can't edit the true extension.
You need to go to command prompt and do a RENAME filename.xyz.abc filename.xyz and then it switches back to normal format and works. Still doesn't cure the default though and I'd need to do that every time.

tl/dr: I stupidly presumed Windows 10 wasn't shit but it is.

lol. It's been literally the same since Windows XP. In explorer, go to View > Display File Extensions.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by phonics

lol. It's been literally the same since Windows XP. Go to View > File Extensions > Display File Extensions.

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Yes but you can't remove a file extension program association, you can only replace it with another.

You want it to open with a command line?

Open with > CMD.EXE

It's in Windows/System32

Look at the designers donning the engineers :cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by phonics

You want it to open with a command line?

Open with > CMD.EXE

It's in Windows/System32

Look at the designers donning the engineers :cool:

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No, the file is made up of command lines for the Linux software that the equipment runs. I already used CMD.exe to solve my problem in this instance as I said above, and I can do that again if I ever need to, but I'd still like to remove the notepad association from that file type and have no program association.

If you never want to open it, what difference does it have if it has a program association? Genuinely curious.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SvN

If you never want to open it, what difference does it have if it has a program association? Genuinely curious.

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Because normally I have to rename the .abc extension from the software to .xyz for the machine to be able to read. With no associations this works OK.
But with the file association, instead of renaming the file from .abc to .xyz, it background renames it .xyz.abc. You only see the .xyz in file explorer in Windows so it looks ok, but the machine doesn't even see the command file when I insert the SD because of this. No matter what file extension I rename it to in Windows it will always tack the unwanted .abc on the end in that situation.

I've never had to edit a file before manually but this time I did as the software is restrictive and I needed the machine I'm programming to do a couple of things that it shouldn't technically be doing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by phonics

You want it to open with a command line?

Open with > CMD.EXE

It's in Windows/System32

Look at the designers donning the engineers :cool:

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Like fuck. Giggles is a printer technician.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Magic

Like fuck. Giggles is a printer technician.

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If I was at a printer I could just do it all with pdf files.

Is there a reason why you don't want to just view file extensions on all files?

I get what you want to do (remove the association between notepad and the file type) I just don't think I've ever done it. Change it to a different program sure but not remove it entirely.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SvN

Is there a reason why you don't want to just view file extensions on all files?

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I don't get you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Disco

I get what you want to do (remove the association between notepad and the file type) I just don't think I've ever done it. Change it to a different program sure but not remove it entirely.

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Yep. And I'm near sure I did this before in Windows 7.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Giggles

I don't get you.

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There's an option in Windows to view the file extensions for all file types, even those that have software associations.

e.g.
http://i.imgur.com/Fpw0Mac.png

I can edit the file extension for any file type directly from Explorer.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SvN

There's an option in Windows to view the file extensions for all file types, even those that have software associations.

e.g.
http://i.imgur.com/Fpw0Mac.png

I can edit the file extension for any file type directly from Explorer.

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Where's that? That would do the job.

http://kb.winzip.com/kb/entry/26/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SvN

http://kb.winzip.com/kb/entry/26/

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I'll try that tomorrow and see, cheers.

That's literally what I told you above :cab:

Phonics :D

Opened my computer up to clean it out last night. It's been two years since I built it and I haven't opened it since. A lot of dust came out. The fan actually sounds noisier now. I read somewhere that this might just be because there's less dust in around it to dampen the noise down. IS that true? I can't really remember how loud it was when I first built it.

I took the heat sink and fan off to clean in around them. I wanted to only take the fan off but the heat sink came with it. I read that you should clean off the old thermal paste and apply new stuff when you're putting it back. I didn't have any. I've ordered some but it'll be a few days before it arrives. Will it be okay using the computer until then? I suppose I probably shouldn't be playing games on it or anything.

It'll just shut down if there's a problem won't it?

I've a fuckload of that paste, should really sell it myself at this stage.

You'd assume so but I'm a bit worried I'll wreck the whole processor or something.

As long as you have reasonable high temperature safeguards set in the BIOS, you're fine. I did the same as you about 6 years ago on my old PC and never even bothered re-applying the thermal paste.

Anyone using 2FA on a mac? It's usefulness was just thrown into doubt for me. I was signing into iCloud.com and the 2FA code verification came up on my laptop, and the whole process was done on my laptop. Didn't seem very 'two factor' to me. Have I set it up wrong or something? My phone is in airplane mode at the minute, so did that possibly have something to do with it?

Assuming those are the only two devices you have (Mac + iPhone), that's fine.

2FA is basically 1) something you know (your iCloud password) and 2) something you have (your unlocked Mac).

iCloud, being a web service, it could be signed-in to on any connected device. If you were signing-in to iCloud on your friend's Windows machine the code would still show on your Mac (or iPhone).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Raoul Duke

Assuming those are the only two devices you have (Mac + iPhone), that's fine.

2FA is basically 1) something you know (your iCloud password) and 2) something you have (your unlocked Mac).

iCloud, being a web service, it could be signed-in to on any connected device. If you were signing-in to iCloud on your friend's Windows machine the code would still show on your Mac (or iPhone).

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I guess that makes sense. :thbup:

Can anyone recommend me a keyboard around £40?

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTI0OFgxMD..._id=880000500F

£45 on eBay

I just went for a wired Dell one. Couldn't be arsed.

Keyboards :cool:

DJ! DJ! DJ! DJ!

Even got some little drums for him.

My computer wouldn't turn on the other day. Then I unplugged the usb game controller I had and it did. Today it won't turn on even after I've unplugged it. What is going on? Someone help please.

It's also been doing this weird thing where that controller still flashes if I leave it plugged in even if the computer is off.

Sounds like your PSU is still running. Is it not making any noise whatsoever? What happens if you flick the on/off switch on the back of the tower?

Not making any noise.

And nothing happened when I tried that.

Sounds like that's the thing that's bummed then. Any chance of borrowing one off someone?

A PSU? Probably not.

Shite.

Does it have a light on it if you take the case off so you can tell if it's working or not? The only thing I can think is that it's putting out a minute amount of power to power your USB hubs but not your processor. However it could be your processor that is bummed and not taking power on.

It's been doing the controller flashing thing for a while though. And I first noticed it just after I'd shit down the PC. Just in the last few days it seems to have trouble turning on. It was a few days ago when taking the controller out seemed to make it work. It was then working fine this morning and all of yesterday.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Boydy

And I first noticed it just after I'd shit down the PC.

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Found your issue.

:D

Ha.

Trying it again now and it's making some kind of noise like it has started running but the light in the front hasn't come on and there's nothing coming through to the monitor.

Unplugged the HDMI cable and put it back in and the screen's come on and so has the light at the front of the tower. What the fuck.

It's now doing device setup for my USB mouse and keyboard. What on earth is going on? Is my PC haunted?

Maybe you've turned it on and off so many times it's gone to a restore point.

It's been doing it today again. Didn't do anything at first when I tried to turn it on. Moved the tower and waggled the power cord out and in. It started making a noise like something was running inside but again the light wasn't on and nothing was showing on the monitor. Waggled the HDMI out and in again. Seemed to come on.

No idea what the hell that's all about.

Mine just blue screened during a restart. Wonderful.

Does anyone use some sort of secure email, or is everyone on gmail, etc?

I use Gmail because I want Google to know stuff.

Can't boot windows 7, even in safe mode.

Was performing a system restore from within safe mode as the latest nvidia drivers were giving me issues. When restarting though something must have happened and I got the BSOD.

This now always happens after the windows loading logo and if I try and boot in safe mode it's stuck with the mouse cursor and a black screen.

Using the windows disc I installed with to try and do a repair says that it's not compatible with the installed windows.

I can't seem to get the advanced boot screen where the option to repair windows shows, all I have is the three safe modes and start windows normally as a choice.

Any suggestions?


https://s7.postimg.org/416tq2umz/IMG_1374.png

Right, managed to get into windows, safe mode is now no problem. The graphics keep crashing though despite having fully removed existing drivers and re-installing with the latest ones as well as trying older drivers too. See here-

https://youtu.be/lvWXp_RYSGM

How do I install Windows Movie Maker now again? I downloaded a copy but Windows won't let me install it.

Or is there a good alternative?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Giggles

How do I install Windows Movie Maker now again? I downloaded a copy but Windows won't let me install it.

Or is there a good alternative?

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http://avidemux.sourceforge.net/

That url looks dodgy as fuck.

Search google for AVI Demux then.

Anyone know how to make Chrome stop reopening the last tabs you had open when you launch it again? My settings for startup are for two specific tabs.

My internet stopped working yesterday. The modem seems fine, but the internet light on the router has gone out and no matter what I try (pin reset, tuning off at the wall etc.) it won't come back on.

I need to get hold of my provide, but any ideas as to what the problem might be?

Filter if you have one?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yevrah

My internet stopped working yesterday. The modem seems fine, but the internet light on the router has gone out and no matter what I try (pin reset, tuning off at the wall etc.) it won't come back on.

I need to get hold of my provide, but any ideas as to what the problem might be?

---

Have you checked their online status page? Could be a network fault.

Is there no way at all of getting Windows Movie Maker on a current version of Windows? Every search is throwing up either a link to a dead site that used to install Windows Essentials or a link to some shite called Filmora.

Besides opera, anybody got a browser with a built in VPN?

My advice is to pay the few quid per month for a VPN. No free VPN is going to actually protect your privacy.

I have one, but im looking for one specifically, built within the web browser.

Which one do you have? I use PIA and that has a Chrome Extension.

IPvanish

Looks like they don't have one. I'd personally avoid any free VPN like the plague.

Its not for me. Its for someone else, I just need one that isnt opera.

Guys, I'm in the market for a new laptop. I've found a few that on paper look good, just need to know what is going to give me best bang for my buck.

Don't worry about the money aspect, I'm aware these are expensive but I can get these on finance and that's what matters. Typically going to be playing X-COM 2, Total War that sort of thing.

https://www.very.co.uk/alienware-17-...1600230531.prd

https://www.very.co.uk/alienware-15-...1600163467.prd

https://www.very.co.uk/msi-gt62vr-7r...1600190117.prd

https://www.very.co.uk/alienware-17-...1600204572.prd

https://www.very.co.uk/acer-predator...1600202169.prd

I’m looking for a cheap but cheerful laptop, I have the below as possibilities. Does any of them stand out as better than he others?

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/comput...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/comput...E&gclsrc=aw.ds


https://www3.lenovo.com/gb/en/laptop.../p/88IP3000842

https://www.tesco.com/direct/acer-as...FVEj0wodbm4Kwg

I want a Chromebook.

Do I need to format a usb stick as a certain type to take an mkv file? I'm trying to move one off my PC buy it keeps telling me the file system is too small. It's not the capacity as it's a 32GB and the file is 11GB, so I presume it's the system (currently FAT32) or the allocation unit (currently 32kb).

FAT32 has a maximum filesize of 4GB.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SvN

FAT32 has a maximum filesize of 4GB.

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Which one then? Exfat?

Ntfs?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SvN

Ntfs?

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That's the other one, couldn't think of it there. Cheers.

I've trodden on the screen of my old laptop and while I can still browse the internet on it it'll be useless for almost anything else.

I'd rather just get the screen fixed even though it's an old heap but Currys say I'll be £60 getting it sent off before they've even judged it for parts or whatever. I'll see if anywhere local has a better offer but I'm not hopeful. :(

How do you trod on the screen? :cab:

The word trod will never not be funny :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CJay

How do you trod on the screen? :cab:

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Are you querying the choice of word or/and how I actually did it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ian

Are you querying the choice of word or/and how I actually did it?

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The latter. How do you trod on the screen specifically rather than just the laptop?

Either he trod on the screen side when it was closed or trod on the screen whilst it was open.

Yeah so I'd put it on the floor open (which is foolish but obviously it's never previously been an issue) to go and help my mum and then was pulling her back through in the wheelchair and was too busy trying to not bump it into the TV stand and stepped on it. Finished the job last night when half-cut so now I need to decide if I can be arsed buying a new one or not.

Best way to convert 4k to 1080p on Windows?

HandBrake

edit: That might be Mac only. Adobe Media Encoder can do it for you too.

Works on Windows too. Perfection :thbup:

Handbrake isn't Mac only.

I've used it to convert stuff to put on a tablet before.

Child porn?

I'm more into snuff tbh.

Kickboxing matches.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

I'm more into snuff tbh.

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Documenting Reality is all you need :thbup:

Can anyone recommend an automated way of going about the following,

I have a total number, such as 830. I need to make up that number (or as close to as possible) by adding any of the following together,

45
115
95
95
95
400
320
20
10
50

Trying to cheat at Countdown?

((400/50 - 95/95)*115)+10

He said adding.

45+115+95+95+400+20+10+50

Watch out, Ital.

The numbers are just examples. I use a piece of software in work which generates code for a CNC machine and below are the values you must specify.

A: Total length of part
830

B: Tooling available
45
115
95
95
95
400
320
20
10
50

C: Tooling to use (this must be as close to the length of the part as possible)
45
115
95
95
400
20
10
50

I am hoping to find something which will calculate C if I enter A & B. I am just trying to save a little bit of time, A & B values change vastly depending on the job.

Go on freelancer.com and some Indian will knock you up a basic webpage that does exactly that for about £10.

I'd mentioned this in the other thread and thought I'd asked here before but I can't see it.

Has anyone came across File Explorer opening really slowly on Windows 10? Everything else opens instantly on my laptop but you've a good 5-10 seconds before File Explorer pops up, and while it's not that big a deal it's annoying as it wasn't always like that and the machine is less than a year old with very little on it. Most links I found said to set it to show Computer by default instead of Quick Access but it didn't help.

Nah that sounds like a virus/spyware.

It's not that. Very common isue from what I've read but another solution is disabling Cortana. Wanted to try some other tings before I went at that regedit stuff as I hate going near things like that.

Binning Cortana is one of the easier things to do in there. One of the first things I do with a fresh install of 10.

My Firefox client seems to be memory leaking to fuck in the last 12 hours. It was using 3GB of memory before I ctrl+alt+deleted it. I just rebooted, took it down to 1 tab and my PC is saying that there are 5 firefox apps running. Any clues as to why? I should not be using 300mb of RAM to view Twitter.

https://i.imgur.com/ZGU7cCg.png

Depends how far you've scrolled down.

That's literally a fresh open.

Your mum's a fresh open.

Chrome is like that for me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Magic

Chrome is like that for me.

---

That's why I swapped to Firefox. Chrome became an absolute memory destroyer.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boydy

Your mum's a fresh open.

---

:D

Did not expect.

Phonics has had a rough week.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by phonics

That's why I swapped to Firefox. Chrome became an absolute memory destroyer.

---

Barbara Windsor uses Chrime.

You little bitch :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

Phonics has had a rough week.

---

*Life.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

*Life.

---

Those that can barely fit their fat arse in glass houses...

Would know what a takeaway is...

Decorating the livingroom, under the carpet was a snipped bit of telephone wiring. So I re-terminated it on a phone socket and I've got broadband on it now so I can finally have my failover solution. :drool:

Previously I thought the line only came in upstairs and that was it.

Can you link two PC's together to share files between them via an Ethernet cable if neither is connected to a network? I recall it being possible on XP with a crossover cable but not sure these days.

Don't see why not. Windows can do a sharing centre just use a crossover and put them on the same network in terms of layer 3 addressing.

It's almost easier to set up a quick network but there are also tutorials on YT that explain it better than I ever could.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Magic

Don't see why not. Windows can do a sharing centre just use a crossover and put them on the same network in terms of layer 3 addressing.

---

What's layer 3 addressing? I was just going to try setting the mask to 255.255.255.0 and then setting the first 3 sections of the IP addresses the same in the ipv4 settings. Would that work? I'm not sure how to set it up in windows 10 after doing that though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Disco

It's almost easier to set up a quick network but there are also tutorials on YT that explain it better than I ever could.

---

Do I need them on a network and use an ethernet hub for that?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

What's layer 3 addressing? I was just going to try setting the mask to 255.255.255.0 and then setting the first 3 sections of the IP addresses the same in the ipv4 settings. Would that work? I'm not sure how to set it up in windows 10 after doing that though.

---

Yes so 192.168.1.2 and .3 then mask 255.255.255.0.

You could plug them both in to a switch yes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

I'd mentioned this in the other thread and thought I'd asked here before but I can't see it.

Has anyone came across File Explorer opening really slowly on Windows 10? Everything else opens instantly on my laptop but you've a good 5-10 seconds before File Explorer pops up, and while it's not that big a deal it's annoying as it wasn't always like that and the machine is less than a year old with very little on it. Most links I found said to set it to show Computer by default instead of Quick Access but it didn't help.

---

The latest update to Windows 10 seems to have fixed this.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

The latest update to Windows 10 seems to have fixed this.

---

It seems to have made me require a password to login, and if I turn it off it automatically logs me in. Previously it would load up and ask who was signing in, we’d click our name and log in without a password. Can’t seem to get back to that.

My grandad bought his wife an Alexa thing because she has early dementia and he seems to have figured that she could ask it the time and what day it is. They don't have an internet connection, but he claims that whoever he bought it off - which is more likely to be someone he knows rather than an actual shop - said you don't need one. You do though, don't you? Even for basic things like that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

My grandad bought his wife an Alexa thing because she has early dementia and he seems to have figured that she could ask it the time and what day it is. They don't have an internet connection, but he claims that whoever he bought it off - which is more likely to be someone he knows rather than an actual shop - said you don't need one. You do though, don't you? Even for basic things like that.

---

I don't think they do anything apart from be a Bluetooth speaker without internet connection.

Even to connect to it via Bluetooth you need WiFi, apparently.

Send it back.

Not before whacking the lying cunt that sold it across the head with it.

It turns out he got it from a shop. What?

Probably worth a Strongly Worded Letter and/or referring it to the Consumer Complaints Commission (or whatever it is). It obviously needs an internet connection.

Surely he can return the stupid thing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

It turns out he got it from a shop. What?

---

They sell them in places like Currys.

I went round to set it up earlier. I had to set the tablet up, create a Google account to download the app through whatever their store is, then create an Amazon account to activate it... And the fucking tablet wouldn't accept the IP for it. I have no idea why, but given the set-ups for these things are generally idiot-proof I can only conclude that the tablet was being a shit. Throw in my mother sat on the phone to customer service asking me searching questions like 'What is the number on the thing?' and 'Would it work on our internet?', and I think I did very well not to smash everything up.

Why would my laptop be shutting down every time I try convert a video in handbrake?

Graphics card can't handle the processing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hfswjyr

Graphics card can't handle the processing.

---

Should that be the case for a GTX 1060?

Graphics card doesn't render video in Handbrake. Your processors fucked or it's overheating, maybe caused by your processor being fucked.

Longevity isn't Intel's strong point then I take it.

I'm having problems with darling Microsoft's XPS viewer. Specifically, I can't copy text out of xps documents as doing so causes the viewer to crash. Google tells me this is a known issue but Gates and co seem to be doing fuck all about it. Previously I've been working from pdfs and they've been fine, but converting the xps file isn't working in terms of being able to copy out of the resultant pdf - it's just all windings-esque nonsense. HELP!

I've a Dell laptop running Windows 10 and I'm after buying a stand alone 28" monitor for it. I've set it to second screen only but how do I make the screen stay on when I close the laptop?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

I've a Dell laptop running Windows 10 and I'm after buying a stand alone 28" monitor for it. I've set it to second screen only but how do I make the screen stay on when I close the laptop?

---

Go to Power Options in Control Panel. There'll be an option for 'what happens when I close the lid'.

How do you embed a youtube video to play from a specific point in the video? Say 11 minute and 22 seconds into the video.

I can link direct to the video and it timestamps correctly, but not on here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxopViU98Xo&t=11m22s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxopViU98Xo&t=45m11s

@phonics


https://i.imgur.com/rjgJxPC.png


https://i.imgur.com/eVx0dG0.png

This looks to be my current hard drive. So do I just need to get a 2.5" SATA SSD replacement or are there other factors to consider?


https://eshop.macsales.com/item/HGST/0J22413S2/


1.0TB HGST Travelstar 5K1000 Specifications:

Specifications

Form Factor

2.5″ HDD

Interface

SATA 3.0Gb/s4

Capacity1

1.0TB

Formatted Capacity2

931GiB

Rotational Speed

5,400 RPM

Cache / Data Buffer

8MB

Manufacturer Model Number

0J22413

RoHS Compliant

Yes

Format

Unformatted (Instructions on formatting here)

Physical

Height (max)

9.5mm (0.370″)

Width (max)

69.85mm (2.750″)

Length (max)

100.35mm (3.951″)

Weight (typical)

115g (0.253 lbs.)

Bytes per Sector

512

Areal Density

694Gb/in2

Reliability3

Contact Start-Stops

600,000

Warranty

3 Year HGST Warranty

Performance

Transfer Rate (Max)

600MB/s

Track-to-track Seek

1.0ms

Average Seek Time

12.0ms

Average Latency

5.5ms

Power

Maximum Start Current, DC

4.5 Watts

Seek Power

1.8 Watts

Read Power

1.6 Watts

Write Power

1.6 Watts

Idle Mode

1.5 Watts

Idle Mode, Active

0.8 Watts

Idle Mode, Low Power

0.5 Watts

Standby Mode

0.2 Watts

Sleep Mode

0.1 Watts

Environmental (Operating)

Shock

400 G max at 2ms

Ambient Temperature (°F)

32°F to 140°F

Ambient Temperature (°C)

0°C to 60°C

Altitude

-304.8 m to 3,048 m (-1,000 ft to 10,000+ ft)

Environmental (Non-Operating)

Shock

1000 G max at 1ms

Ambient Temperature (°F)

-40°F to 149°F

Ambient Temperature (°C)

-40°C to 65°C

Altitude

-304.8 m to 12,192 m (-1000 ft to 40,000+ ft)

Acoustics

Idle (Typical)

2.4 bels

Seek (Typical)

2.6 bels

• 1GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes. Total accessible capacity varies depending upon operating environment (typically 5-10% less). The actual total capacity will depend on your own defined file settings/preferences.
• In terms of standard gigabytes, 1GiB ≈ 1.074GB and refers to the actual formatted capacity of shown under Mac OS 10.5 or earlier and Microsoft Windows OS.
• Specific application environments such as temperature and duty cycle will affect the overall reliability rates.
• This unit has been firmware updated with HGST authorization to be limited to SATA 2.0 3Gb/s link fully SATA 1.5Gb/s backwards compatible.The 3Gb/s link speed setting ensures reliable operation for use in 2011 MacBook Pro optical bay as well as with other certain systems that do not properly link to 3Gb/s with a 6Gb/s type drive.

Manufacturer provided specifications for HGST p/n HTS541010A9E680 UPC#: 829686002272

Any 2.5 inch SSD will do - the more space the better, but they start getting expensive over 480GB. My advice is to get an external HDD for storage, unless you're barely using any of your current HDD.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SvN

Any 2.5 inch SSD will do - the more space the better, but they start getting expensive over 480GB. My advice is to get an external HDD for storage, unless you're barely using any of your current HDD.

---

I've had this 3 years now and I am currently using 251GB of the hard drive, so I reckon a 500GB would be grand to be on the safe side (there seems to be nothing between 256 and 500).

Was going to buy this https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B078WQT6S6

Or would I see much improvement with this? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-inc.../dp/B00P73B1E4




.

It depends what you're using it for, really. I work with a lot of large files, so I'd pay the extra £15 for the increased data transfer speed. But 95% of people wouldn't notice any difference.

Grand job cheers. It mainly for boot up so the cheaper would probably do.

SSD’d still amaze me. The difference they make is brilliant.

I keep my OS on one and everything else on a normal drive.

Erm what the fuck is wrong with my screen (apart from that I'm communicating with Ian)?

https://i.imgur.com/kHVBNNQ.jpg

Ian has broken your screen.

It's haunted.

Graphics card dying is usually the answer.

I can't open a certain game on Steam.

I've tried restarting, re-installing the game, updating graphics card drivers, running other games, verifying the game files, disabling my anti-virus and probably a couple of other things :\

Any suggestions?

What game?

Do a barrel roll.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Disco

What game?

---

Vermintide 2.

Ian broke that too.

Well he did ask me to play.

Any of this relevant to you, How?
https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/s...ead-here/18131

Sadly the alternative is hunting down and beheading me to lift the curse.

I'll work through it later.

It's probably something more though because I uninstalled discord (due to failed update loop) and now it won't reinstall.

Where's the best place to buy a desktop these days? Is PC specialist any good?

What would cause this?

On my work WiFi on my personal laptop there are certain websites load no problem and certain ones won't connect at all "This site can't be reached, server IP address could not be found". For example all Google sites seem ok (drive is working in background and all ok too) but the MS ones don't (can't open outlook, OneDrive disconnected, etc). The rest of the pages are random, like Instagram loads but this site won't, etc.

If I use my work laptop or my phone on the same WiFi network then everything works ok. The odd time my personal one does too but 90% it's like described above.

Have you tried changing the DNS for your Wifi card on your laptop?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SvN

Have you tried changing the DNS for your Wifi card on your laptop?

---

It's set to auto now. Will I match it to my work laptop? (I'll check it on that when I'm using it again).

Try using Google DNS.

Would it be something to do with my work having 10 Pro and my own having 10 Home? Though that wouldn't explain my phone working.

I doubt it.

Actually I just copped my work laptop is 10 Home also as I was checking it for ordering a new one and the boss assumed I would need Pro. Means I can get the E580 within the €750 budget.

That DNS thing didn't work with my personal one but I won't be using it any more if I replace this piece of shit anyway (would have used it when this kept powering off or hanging). I'll revisit it if the new one gives the same hassle.

Actually @SvN I had it out this morning so some handbrake conversions wouldn't take the best end of an hour and that seems to have done the trick. All sites loading, rebooted and still good :thbup:

When this laptop arrives do I just sign into Outlook as normal (it's an Office 365 thing) or do I need to copy over pst files or anything?

If you're using IMAP (which you almost certainly will be in this day and age) then it will download everything from the server.

Is this good for the money, and if not what should I get for about the same amount?

Get the same sort of thing but not HP. They are a nightmare. Cheapest parts + Most Bloatware + Terrible Customer Service.

I recommend Acer but Lenovo are okay.

Any advance on that unhelpful response lads?

Still having that same shit on my new laptop in work, same websites not loading but if I connect to my phone hotspot all is ok.

I notice on my WiFi Status I have 'no network access' for ipv4 and 'Internet' for ipv6. Also when I click details I have no ipv4 default gateway set (it's just blank), would that be the problem?

(I've the 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 thing done and I've done all that flushing stuff I found mentioned online).

Have you considered your work firewall might be blocking these things so you're not on TTH at work?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by phonics

Have you considered your work firewall might be blocking these things so you're not on TTH at work?

---

No, it's random web pages that load on other people's PC's no problem. I'm typing this on my phone on the same WiFi network at the moment. There's no firewall or logins anyway here.

It happened on my current work laptop earlier in the week for the first time and is on my new one now. Always had the issue on and off on my personal laptop here too.

Found an article when I was searching the No Gateway thing that said if I check ipconfig /all and I've been given an ipv4 address of 169.254.x.x (I have) then it's an issue on the router side.

The new laptop is a massive improvement over the relic I had but if the Start Menu resets the tiles default one more time it's going for a swim :mad:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

Any advance on that unhelpful response lads?

---

Im terrible at looking after my laptops, physically and in terms of going in raw on dodgy websites. My previous four all lasted about a year and my current hp one has lasted three and a half years and counting.

My last laptop was an HP. Never had a problem with it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

Im terrible at looking after my laptops, physically and in terms of going in raw on dodgy websites. My previous four all lasted about a year and my current hp one has lasted three and a half years and counting.

---

I think I got this one in mid-2014, but it might even have been late-2013, so it doesn't owe me anything. Somebody at work suggested I get an SSD one and use external storage for all my TTH information, which sounds like a good idea, so if somebody could suggest something...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

I think I got this one in mid-2014, but it might even have been late-2013, so it doesn't owe me anything. Somebody at work suggested I get an SSD one and use external storage for all my TTH information, which sounds like a good idea, so if somebody could suggest something...

---

Budget?

Ideally less than four-hundred quid. This one would surely do me, since I don't game or anything.

Go a touch more for this https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/comput...85217-pdt.html

Or even at around the spec you were looking at above, get something with a Ryzen 3 in it instead of that Pentium.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

Ideally less than four-hundred quid. This one would surely do me, since I don't game or anything.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

Go a touch more for this https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/comput...85217-pdt.html

Or even at around the spec you were looking at above, get something with a Ryzen 3 in it instead of that Pentium.

---

The 30 quid spent on an i3 with this one https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/comput...80760-pdt.html puts it underneath 400 quid and will make a big difference. Then it's just whether you plan to install anything more than your browser of choice, winzip and microsoft office. If so go with the 450 quid one, it gets really annoying having programs installed on an external.

I haven't got anything on this really, so I could get an external disc drive to get CDs into iTunes and watch DVDs if necessary.

Tablets. Lads.

The Mrs wants a tablet for Christmas. Nothing too flashy, but ideally a Samsung so it works with her phone easier.

Is there much to choose between the Samsung Tab A and the Samsung S2? They look about the same to me, but half of the specs mean nothing to me.

https://www.phonearena.com/phones/co...nes/9385,10047

Any help or recommendations?

On that comparison, the Tab S2 is better in every way bar the battery. But less battery capacity has made it lighter.

My laptop's touchpad has stopped working. The cursor has disappeared too. Device manager tells me that an I2C HID device could not start and gives error code 10. Apparently code 10 is just a generic error code so that's not particularly helpful. I've tried updating the drivers but it said I had the latest ones installed. I even tried downloading the drivers directly from Acer's website and installing those but that didn't do anything. Anyone have any ideas?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boydy

My laptop's touchpad has stopped working. The cursor has disappeared too. Device manager tells me that an I2C HID device could not start and gives error code 10. Apparently code 10 is just a generic error code so that's not particularly helpful. I've tried updating the drivers but it said I had the latest ones installed. I even tried downloading the drivers directly from Acer's website and installing those but that didn't do anything. Anyone have any ideas?

---

Try starting it in Safe Mode?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Raoul Duke

Try starting it in Safe Mode?

---

I've tried this now and it still didn't work in safe mode.

I've tried installing other drivers in case of conflicts. I've tried a bios update. I've tried a windows reset where it reinstalls windows and keeps your files for you. Nothing's worked. This is such a pain in the arse.

Either get a usb mouse or take it in for repair. The actual touchpad is probably knackered.

Always get a USB mouse regardless.

Have you completely uninstalled it in device manager and then let it find it again from scratch? That sometimes does the job when something's not working but saying the driver is fine.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wullie

Have you completely uninstalled it in device manager and then let it find it again from scratch? That sometimes does the job when something's not working but saying the driver is fine.

---

You mean uninstall it then restart? Yeah, done that.

Does anybody know of a chrome extension that turns chrome transparent/translucent so I can watch the football full screen whilst browsing over the top?

Try using Peek Through.

http://www.lukepaynesoftware.com/projects/peek-through/

I used to use it on Windows 7, not tried it on Windows 10.

That's awesome. Nice one @SvN

That works! Many thanks.

I bought a new laptop, as well as whatever it's called for my old hard-drive, and the new thing won't let me access the files on it. What do I need to do?

What's it saying?

It just says I don't have permission to access/read them, so it takes me to permissions, and now it is 'Setting security information on' D:\Users\Lewis... (but taking aaaages) which I take it is my hard-drive?

Had that before too and never got to the bottom of it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

It just says I don't have permission to access/read them, so it takes me to permissions, and now it is 'Setting security information on' D:\Users\Lewis... (but taking aaaages) which I take it is my hard-drive?

---

https://www.howtogeek.com/182452/how...ng-it-in-a-pc/

"Assigning the permissions can take a little while, depending on the size of the folder. You should only need to do this once."

Patience.

That's good. I can see recognisable file names coming up now.

http://i64.tinypic.com/25ksv0n.png

What has happened here? Videos were fine earlier (and saved things are fine through Media Player), so what have I done to Chrome if YouTube and streaming won't produce any picture?

Does it work in a different browser?

It works in Microsoft EDGE, but who wants to use that? Whatever. As long as I haven't ballsed the computer itself up.

I'm not saying use it, just making sure it's actually a Chrome problem.

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/fix...google-chrome/

Try that.

Just use Edge.

Thank you mate. Is Edge actually any good? This stream is doing well on it, but the fact it got all passive-aggressive with me yesterday when I made Chrome my default browser put me off going back.

'Well, if you don't want to use the safer browser...'

I tried it briefly a while back but you couldn't get extensions for it then so I couldn't use adBlock and that quickly put me off it. Dunno if it's available now.

I think they switched the underlying engine to same one Chrome uses last year too so there probably isn't much difference now.

We use it at work. It's fine. It's certainly not IE.

Use Epic, mate.

Anyone know a good place to get spare computer parts? As I've posted about before my laptop's touchpad seems to be fucked. I've tried every software-based fix going so I reckon it must be a hardware problem. I can't seem to find the touchpad for my model online though. Found a broken model of the same laptop on ebay for £50 which I could salvage the touchpad from but it looks fucking filthy so I'd rather not.

I get by alright since I always plug in a mouse, keyboard and monitor at my desk anyway but I'd like the option of being able to use it on the sofa again.

Just use Edge.

:panda:

This is why I didn't vote for you.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

Just use Edge.

---

Don't be losing yourself votes with that kind of talk.

I've got a virus/adware/malware that tries to redirect me from Google search results. AVG hasn't picked it up and Chrome clean-up hasn't picked it up. Does anybody know of a program that should be able to pick it up?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boydy

I tried it briefly a while back but you couldn't get extensions for it then so I couldn't use adBlock and that quickly put me off it. Dunno if it's available now.

I think they switched the underlying engine to same one Chrome uses last year too so there probably isn't much difference now.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

We use it at work. It's fine. It's certainly not IE.

---

I switched to Firefox at work since it, apparently, doesn't use up as much memory to run, but I never really notice much of a difference between browsers.

Try MalwareBytes.

Trying now. Cheers.

Also uninstall Chrome. Run it. Then re-install.

Okay, cool. Thanks.

Still there. Any other ideas?

Uninstall it again, but this time really hit the enter key so it knows you're not fucking about.

Are there any dodgy extensions installed?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Offshore Toon

Still there. Any other ideas?

---

Okay I have two things to suggesat.

1) Are you on Windows 10? if so, can you press ctrl+alt+delete and go over to the tab labelled start-up and post a screenshot.

If you aren't on Windows 10, press ctrl+r and type msconfig, tab over to start-up and post a screenshot. Do this and then wait for a reply before moving onto 2.

2) It sounds like this thing has infected your registry, backup any documents/movies/music and format your pc.

Either way, stop downloading weird .exe files and accepting all the terms and conditions, it sounds like you've done the same thing a 75 year old in the 90s would know not to do.

edit: Yeah actually can you take a screenshot of your extensions as well please? Click the dots in the top right>more tools>extensions.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

Uninstall it again, but this time really hit the enter key so it knows you're not fucking about.

---

This sounds like a joke idea but back in the day of CRT monitors, I had one that would turn off all the time and then hitting it on the side would wake it up.

https://i.imgur.com/siT1haW.png
https://i.imgur.com/7MWXrAY.png?1
https://i.imgur.com/U7ln138.png?1

I don't really download anything on here (in recent memory only the malware thing you suggested and Peek Through that SvN suggested). The only thing I can think of is it happened through a streaming site.

Can I have a screenshot of the actual thing in your chrome?

PS. What is VProtect Ap... and ELAN SMart...

The elan thing will probably be something to do with your touchpad.

Check your hosts file in C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc

Hosts file looks fine, although that doesn't mean much coming from me. There was basically nothing in it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by phonics

Can I have a screenshot of the actual thing in your chrome?

PS. What is VProtect Ap... and ELAN SMart...

---

Vprotect is AVG Web TuneUp.

Getting a screenshot is pretty tricky. It just redirects me. It happened just now as I tried to search for 'crystal search' as that is one of the sites it redirects to, before eventually landing me on another page. The last instance went through bing.com and took me to booking.com. It only seems to happen for quite generic searches where I'll click on whatever on the page and it'll redirect me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Offshore Toon

Hosts file looks fine, although that doesn't mean much coming from me. There was basically nothing in it.

Vprotect is AVG Web TuneUp.

Getting a screenshot is pretty tricky. It just redirects me. It happened just now as I tried to search for 'crystal search' as that is one of the sites it redirects to, before eventually landing me on another page. The last instance went through bing.com and took me to booking.com. It only seems to happen for quite generic searches where I'll click on whatever on the page and it'll redirect me.

---

You computer savvy enough to take a video of your screen while this happens? If not, PM me and I'll do some tech support for you.

Is it this Offy?

https://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-games-crystal-ads/

If not, give us a screenshot of one of the sites it redirects to.

Get a TeamViewer sesh going :drool:

I didn't see Daemon Tools in there before. Doesn't it often do shite like this? What do you actually use it for?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by phonics

You computer savvy enough to take a video of your screen while this happens? If not, PM me and I'll do some tech support for you.

---

Yeah, will get onto that tonight if its still not solved.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SvN

Is it this Offy?

https://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-games-crystal-ads/

If not, give us a screenshot of one of the sites it redirects to.

---

Possibly. I dismissed that when I originally Googled as there hasn't been any game pop-ups, but I should have read further.

I downloaded and installed "AdwCleaner" from that link, and although it looks the same as the one Phonics linked its picked up on some stuff. Will restated now and see if it did anything.

Got redirected from Google to here:
https://i.imgur.com/5VUhMyg.png

And then here:
https://i.imgur.com/0A3uGLY.png

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boydy

I didn't see Daemon Tools in there before. Doesn't it often do shite like this? What do you actually use it for?

---

Its been years since I've used it. Uninstalling now.

Text is appearing weirdly on all browsers for me. Typing a message out, text is flickering in an out and I can bring some of it back by highlighting it. I've updated Chrome and restarted but it's still a problem.

I had that problem for a while and I can't remember how I fixed it. Sorry. It was something more fundamental than uninstalling/reinstalling a program though.

Clearing cache did nothing. :moop:

Is it just browsers? If you reboot in Safe Mode, does it still happen?

I think it's Chrome. I've switched to Firefox and it's golden. I had it happen in IE as well which made me think it was a more global thing. Found a forum thread over at google support that seemed to centre around the problem happening on mobile devices and the only solution they could think of was rolling the version back.

My laptop has started making a grinding noise today. What could that be?

Fan clogged with dust probably. Open it up and clean it.

I've had it two weeks.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Offshore Toon

I've got a virus/adware/malware that tries to redirect me from Google search results. AVG hasn't picked it up and Chrome clean-up hasn't picked it up. Does anybody know of a program that should be able to pick it up?

---

Ah shit, had that one before mate, you have to remagnetize your hard drive. Delete system 32 and await my instructions.

Fan might have a loose bearing.

@Offshore Toon

Avast Antivirus has a utility that will scan for viruses and delete them before Windows boots up. Try that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Panda Bear

@Offshore Toon

Avast Antivirus has a utility that will scan for viruses and delete them before Windows boots up. Try that.

---

That didn't work.

Thanks everybody for the help, but I don't really care tbh. Its not that bad and I've needed a new laptop for a while anyway.

My internet is running a decent speed, I can download things as normal, and my phone will run stuff with it; but web pages are failing to open and the troubleshooter is telling me that the DNS server isn't responding. How can that be? Two days into this shit now and the laptop is on borrowed time.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

My internet is running a decent speed, I can download things as normal, and my phone will run stuff with it; but web pages are failing to open and the troubleshooter is telling me that the DNS server isn't responding. How can that be? Two days into this shit now and the laptop is on borrowed time.

---

https://gizmodo.com/yes-you-should-s...ett-1828216684

Try that.

Any luck, @Lewis?

No. I rang up BT and their so-called technical so-called support e-mailed me the Microsoft troubleshooting guide. Cheers sweetheart.

Probably worth adding that it was briefly working a little while ago so fuck knows might just smash my laptop.

https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/840/ ?

Spilled coffee on the mechanical keyboard a few days ago. Waited for it to dry out and cleaned all of the keys and the top of the keyboard underneath them.

After getting all of the keys back on, some of them are still sticking, which I'm assuming means there's shit on the switches. Is it RIP keyboard from here or can I salvage it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw_tpElJbxY

Could still be salvaged.

Will give it a watch. Most of the keys are fine, so I'd ideally like to not have to go get a new keyboard.

Is it not ancient or do they still make keyboards like that?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

Is it not ancient or do they still make keyboards like that?

---

That's very similar to my model in the video, minus the macro keys.

Attempt #1 at cleaning it has loosened some keys a little, but not a massive improvement. It's now borderline usable but annoying.

I'm in the market for a new tablet now that I'm giving the Mrs the Pixel C. Been looking at the iPad Pro which is widely regarded as the best of the bunch but on the other hand I've zero apple so I've been thinking of the Pixelbook as an alternative basically because Google everything for me.
For price comparison about €1200 gets me the 11" iPad Pro with the keyboard case and pen(cil) or it gets the 128GB Pixelbook (which has a keyboard on it already) and the pen.
For anyone using an iPad, I'll never be using any apple services like iCloud and all that so would it be worthwhile still then? What are Google's apps like on it or do any of you use them? Can you use Google Assistant on a iPad in any form or are you stuck with Siri?

Video making software, any decent options out there? I'm not looking for anything too complicated just something to stitch clips together with a few more options than the Videos app on Windows 10. If there's a bit of a subscription then that's ok too. I'd one called Filmora before and it was fairly user friendly but just wondering is there any better options.

Anyone ever use Adobe Premier Elements?

I'm also getting that iPad mentioned above so would that iMovie thing suffice?

iMovie would be fine for what you’re looking for.

Good man 👍

Can't get wifi in the bedrooms in my new apartment. They are only like five meters away. :moop:

What the hell are the walls made of? Line of sight that shit.

Speaking of wifi, I've hit my device limit on my home router and I don't seem to be able to up it over 25 but apparently I can turn off my wifi and plug an access point into the router. Anyone done this and can recommend one?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pepe

Can't get wifi in the bedrooms in my new apartment. They are only like five meters away. :moop:

---

Get mesh. Google WiFi or Netgear Orbi.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

Speaking of wifi, I've hit my device limit on my home router and I don't seem to be able to up it over 25 but apparently I can turn off my wifi and plug an access point into the router. Anyone done this and can recommend one?

---

How do you have 25 devices connected?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Baz

Get mesh. Google WiFi or Netgear Orbi.

---

Yeah Google WiFi was my first thought. Is there settings faff on the router to do? I've read stuff about gateway or bridge modes, etc.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boydy

How do you have 25 devices connected?

---

7 or 8 phones, 3 tablets, laptops, 6 Google Homes, Shield, security camera, doorbell, etc. Doesn't be long racking up.

EDIT: Actually, the Shield is wired.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shindig

What the hell are the walls made of? Line of sight that shit.

---

I don't know, electric fields or something.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Baz

Get mesh. Google WiFi or Netgear Orbi.

---

Will look into that.

Ideally I would run a cable to my PC, but my wife has vetoed that idea.

Is getting the ISP to install a second hookup (or whatever you call it) a thing?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

Yeah Google WiFi was my first thought. Is there settings faff on the router to do? I've read stuff about gateway or bridge modes, etc.

---

I don't know. Works great in the living room, and if I move the router around it gets better, so I am thinking it is not a settings thing, but I guess I will have to look into it.

@Magic can help here, he's an expert when it comes to WiFi extenders.

I've the iPad on the way. Hit me with some apps. Is Good Notes 5 the best one for writing?

I'd just use GoogleDocs myself.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by phonics

I'd just use GoogleDocs myself.

---

For handwriting? It's definitely what I'd use for word processing anyway, I use nothing but Docs on Android and Windows.

I'd literally never considered handwriting so I have no idea on that front. What would it be for? Drawing calligraphy?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by phonics

I'd literally never considered handwriting so I have no idea on that front. What would it be for? Drawing calligraphy?

---

Taking class notes as I'm starting a new course the middle of September and from examples I've seen it's handy for dropping diagrams, etc into notes.

Ah, I'm absolutely awful at taking notes full stop so can't help you.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

I've the iPad on the way. Hit me with some apps. Is Good Notes 5 the best one for writing?

---

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/ale-or-horse/id1465669362

What's your course, @Giggles?

Hard Border Guard 1.0

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boydy

What's your course, @Giggles?

---

Advanced van driving. PhD

10am - aggressive undertaking
11am - Objectification of women
12pm - Shit in a stranger's toilet
1pm - Lunch
2pm - "Sorry love. Need a part." Knock off early

That's about every day :cool:

Any thoughts on this one gents:

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/comput...93314-pdt.html

With the discount it's just over a grand.

Class spec but unless it’s never leaving the desk I’d think long and hard before buying a 17” laptop. I’ve a 15” with half the size of bezel than that and it’s still a pain in the bollix to do anything mobile with.

Cheers. Is the graphics card any good? The details appear to be suspiciously absent.

Size is ok for me as I have a 17” at the moment. It basically never leaves my coffee table and tv, but is easier to manoeuvre than putting a desktop there.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

Cheers. Is the graphics card any good? The details appear to be suspiciously absent.

Size is ok for me as I have a 17” at the moment. It basically never leaves my coffee table and tv, but is easier to manoeuvre than putting a desktop there.

---

I was looking for graphics card details and couldn't see anything so I would assume integrated graphics. I'd avoid if you want it for gaming.

Yeah not for gaming, but I’ve one of those Nvidia GTX cards in mine and it’s still a complete shitshow for gaming too so if it’s mainly for that I’d get a proper dedicated gaming laptop or, ideally, a console. Need those big fans.

What do the Option and Command keys do on apple stuff? I’ve sort of gathered that Command is like Control on Windows (Command+C, Command+V, etc) even though Apple have a Control key also. Is there a full list anywhere?

Would the graphics card be fine for FM?

I’m not 100% sure on the requirements for FM but it 2019 ran as well for me on my work PC with integrated graphics as it did on my own one with the Nvidia in it. No noticeable difference whatsoever.

Cheers Giggles.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

What do the Option and Command keys do on apple stuff? I’ve sort of gathered that Command is like Control on Windows (Command+C, Command+V, etc) even though Apple have a Control key also. Is there a full list anywhere?

---

They're application dependent, although there are some common patterns (Cmd + C/V = copy/paste, Cmd + , = preferences, Cmd + q = quit) etc.

How the fuck do you get rid of the big search bar on the taskbar on the latest Windows 10 update? I did it on my own one but I can't see the option on my work one now, apart from using small taskbar icons which I don't want.

Right click on the taskbar and under search select hidden. Untick cortana too. I think?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike

Right click on the taskbar and under search select hidden. Untick cortana too. I think?

---

That's it cheers. I wanted the icon but not the bar. I was going straight into taskbar settings and not seeing that in the menu.

Windows on my work PC is suddenly showing as not activated (the watermark on the bottom right). The laptop came with Windows 10 Home on it and the other day I upgraded to Pro so I'm presuming something there is the issue, though the payment has gone out and all and it upgraded fine at the time. Anyone ever see this?


https://i.imgur.com/D2NRi5Q.png

Requested a call-back and some lad just got me to enter a key over the phone without asking any details at all. It's activated now though and says the edition is Windows 10 Pro. Strange.

Some lad. :D

Cover your webcam mate.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Baz

Some lad. :D

---

In Indian fellow as they all are.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

Cover your webcam mate.

---

He got the job done for free, that's all that matters.

Anyone know a decent tool to turn a .pptx into an mp4? There's a built-in one in Powerpoint but it's shite as every new slide skips back to the previous one for a split second.

Can you not use the imgur website from an Apple device?

I'd be surprised if you couldn't.

I just use the app anyway.

You can't upload to the app without an account.

How can I send a monitor via post safely, without a box for it?

Bubble wrap. Lots of it

You never said thanks.

How do you password protect a single program on Windows 10 Pro?

@SvN can you add Giggles to the poll in the nonce thread please?

Anyone else still on Windows 7?

Practically our whole health service.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breaki...em-974569.html

Any easy way to screen record on Windows 10? The in-built game bar is a mad faff because it stops once you minimise anything full screen. I downloaded some recommended app called OBS but, despite trying numerous fixes, it only records a black screen for me.

Never mind, I had ShareX installed all along and had forgotten about it. It's faffy as fuck too, but it works.

Anyone have bother with their Virgin Media broadband cutting out?

I've had it since I got the place over 7 years ago and it was faultless until the past couple of years where it likes to cut out a lot. Can come in spells so I forget about it when it behaves but today I think it's cut out over half a dozen times.

I was with Virgin in Cardiff, Guildford and a couple of years since I moved to London and I swear the service and quality of connectivety declined and declined and declined year after year. The connection on our final Virgin router set up dropped all the time (2016-18). Been with Zen Internet since then and their connection and service has been flawless, rock solid 75-80mbp without a singke drop.

Swear the Virgin routers are absolute garbage these days.

I got a new router from them when last negotiating a discount and although it definitely seems worse, the problem was there before.

I shall have a closer look at Zen.

Speaking of, does anyone have a recommendation on a good router? The ISP-provided ones are always such shit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Luca

Speaking of, does anyone have a recommendation on a good router? The ISP-provided ones are always such shit.

---

Not used it, but: https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-wi-fi-router/

Literally just setup Google Wi-Fi today. Seems decent so far, the range is much better than the router I had.

My Hard-Drive fried tonight. What are the good/cheap/large SSDs on the market at the moment?

Please can someone recommend me a good gaming laptop? This seems as good a time as any to invest in a new laptop, with potentially plenty of time on my hands. I currently have a Lenovo Yoga 710 and whilst it's a decent little laptop, the graphics card* is poor for what I want and I can't really play games as well as I'd like.

I like my simulation games and I've recently bought Planet Zoo (I already have Planet Coaster). So I basically want a gaming laptop that will play these games well. My budget is less than a grand (preferably around £800 although I've no idea if this is realistic), and I'm happy to buy one from Curry's if needs be - in the past I've had PCs custom built.

*just to clarify, I can't update/improve my graphics card on this laptop and solve some of my problems, can I?

Looking at Curry's, I've come across a couple of options, but a lot of it is just jargon to me.

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/comput...94231-pdt.html

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/comput...93614-pdt.html

I looked into this around black friday to see if there was anything good in the warehouse on Amazon and suffice to say it seemed like a total fucking minefield.

How bad is the MacBook butterfly keyboard? I was going to buy the new Air but might be worth looking at an older pro too.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ScousePig

Please can someone recommend me a good gaming laptop? This seems as good a time as any to invest in a new laptop, with potentially plenty of time on my hands. I currently have a Lenovo Yoga 710 and whilst it's a decent little laptop, the graphics card* is poor for what I want and I can't really play games as well as I'd like.

I like my simulation games and I've recently bought Planet Zoo (I already have Planet Coaster). So I basically want a gaming laptop that will play these games well. My budget is less than a grand (preferably around £800 although I've no idea if this is realistic), and I'm happy to buy one from Curry's if needs be - in the past I've had PCs custom built.

*just to clarify, I can't update/improve my graphics card on this laptop and solve some of my problems, can I?

Looking at Curry's, I've come across a couple of options, but a lot of it is just jargon to me.

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/comput...94231-pdt.html

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/comput...93614-pdt.html

---

I'd say that first one looks ok, but a 128 gb ssd is way too small. At least you have the regular hard drive, I guess.

I got mine in Dell's refurbished section. Can you also do that from the UK?

Yeah

This one seems similar to the linked one and a bit cheaper:

https://outlet.euro.dell.com/Online/...OBu7TQCw%3d%3d

This one is a bit over 1k, but good:

https://outlet.euro.dell.com/Online/...KNAqqPhw%3d%3d

Thanks Pepe, the first one I linked is the one I'm leaning towards after doing some research. What's the issue with 128gb SSD?

I'll compare mine with the first Dell one you linked. Are there risks to buying refurbished laptops?

I think you only have a 1 year warranty, so there is that risk.

A 128 gb hard drive is small, especially since some games are getting huge. The 1tb one helps, of course, but regular hds are slower. You'd probably be just fine.

Reviews of those Acer's seemed pretty sketchy to me, although it is hard to get a handle on things when most reviewers consider anything sub-Gigabyte/under £2k to be budget.

You can get the nitro's (albeit spec'd differently) cheaper on the amazon warehouse if you don't mind the box being damaged or some minor case imperfections.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=gaming+...f=nb_sb_noss_2

Edit - amazon also periodically do everything 20% off in the warehouse, which can make a dent on a £1000 purchase.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

How bad is the MacBook butterfly keyboard? I was going to buy the new Air but might be worth looking at an older pro too.

---

Haven’t heard about too many problems with the 2018/2019 ones, but it is technically the same keyboard that is under a 4 year repair warranty because of failure rates, which kinda says it all. You could risk it with that vintage but you’d be mad to go any older.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

Reviews of those Acer's seemed pretty sketchy to me, although it is hard to get a handle on things when most reviewers consider anything sub-Gigabyte/under £2k to be budget.

You can get the nitro's (albeit spec'd differently) cheaper on the amazon warehouse if you don't mind the box being damaged or some minor case imperfections.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=gaming+...f=nb_sb_noss_2

Edit - amazon also periodically do everything 20% off in the warehouse, which can make a dent on a £1000 purchase.

---

I'll have a look at that when I get chance, cheers.

I’d get this: HP Pavilion Power 15-dk0020na 15.6 Inch Full HD Gaming Laptop, Intel Core i7 9750H, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti (6 GB Dedicated) Graphics, Windows 10 Home - Black

My laptop's an HP Pavillion. It's dead as fuck and never worked right. Fuck 'em.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Baz

I’d get this: HP Pavilion Power 15-dk0020na 15.6 Inch Full HD Gaming Laptop, Intel Core i7 9750H, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti (6 GB Dedicated) Graphics, Windows 10 Home - Black

---

Code:

---

tag=baz9torres

---

:D You never, EVER miss a trick, do you?

Those Pavillion gaming laptops are highly regarded, in fairness.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CJay

Haven’t heard about too many problems with the 2018/2019 ones, but it is technically the same keyboard that is under a 4 year repair warranty because of failure rates, which kinda says it all. You could risk it with that vintage but you’d be mad to go any older.

---

Might just stick with the new one so. Repairs, even free ones, are a pain in the hole.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SvN

Code:

---

tag=baz9torres

---

:D You never, EVER miss a trick, do you?

---

Its got to a point where I’ve forgot cos if I click ‘share’ on amazon it includes that. :sorry:

The new Air has the new keyboard and they're meant to be releasing a new Pro soon with it too. https://buyersguide.macrumors.com

There's the iPad Pro with the keyboard case/trackpad too which just came out.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Raoul Duke

The new Air has the new keyboard and they're meant to be releasing a new Pro soon with it too. https://buyersguide.macrumors.com

There's the iPad Pro with the keyboard case/trackpad too which just came out.

---

I have the last iPad Pro (2018) but the new keyboard for the 12.9 inch is 400 euro so fuck that, plus I don’t really like trackpads on anything anyway. Using a real mouse with the iPad since 13.4 is class though.

Don’t think I’d need a MacBook Pro unless it was the right money, that’s why I was looking at older models. The current base Air with the i3 upgraded to i5 would probably be exactly what I need and the right price. I’ll be getting shot of the XPS 15 for it.

Doesn't the XPS shit all over the Air, specs wise? Mac OS > Windows though, obvs

That’s the main reason really. I have a good Windows PC from work that I can use freely (no security software) so there’s no point having another one, even if it is a bit better.
Mac OS would be dogshit for work but as personal machine it would all mix in seamlessly with the iPhone and iPad better than Windows.

Can't believe you've gone full Apple fanboy, Giggles. You'll be camping out at the Apple store for the next iPhone release.

One step closer to Hipsterdom.

He already has the craft beers on point. What is he missing? A scarf?

A man bun.

Hipsterdom? Real hipsters use non smart phones or won’t have one at all.

I must say though I do prefer iOS to any iteration of Android I've tried, especially on a tablet. There are still some irritations like Siri being a complete waste of time compared to Assistant, and some tie-ins that are getting less frequent all the time thankfully. I wouldn't agree at all that Mac OS is better than Windows 10, far from it, but for someone tied-in to everything else and not doing much in the line of work on it then it's definitely handier. I wouldn't get one if I didn't already have a Windows 10 laptop though.

Anybody been having problems with Sky wifi? The signal seems to have died right off lately. Wired connections are fine but the wifi is completely bollocked.

Speaking of the iPad, being able to use it as a second display for Windows with the duet app is very handy. Definitely need work to buy me a second monitor though for the long term.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shindig

Anybody been having problems with Sky wifi? The signal seems to have died right off lately. Wired connections are fine but the wifi is completely bollocked.

---

I had similar at the start of the week with Virgin Media, but seems to be back to normal now.

Aren’t most of them throttling now?

Maybe. A router reset seems to bring it back. I still fancy grabbing another ethernet cable from ... errr... somewhere.

Microsoft Teams - Either I’m missing the option of a shared calendar for between all members or is that a massive omission from the software?

Mum wants me to find her a laptop for no more than £500.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0813P4J...23761439000-21

Saw this, alright?

She doesn't need much just something that boots fast with decent memory that is light.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Mum wants me to find her a laptop for no more than £500.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0813P4JQ9?tag=georiot-trd-21&th=1&psc=1&ascsubtag=t3-1926633823761439000-21

Saw this, alright?

She doesn't need much just something that boots fast with decent memory that is light.

---

Spot on, I’d say.

Is there any way to sync an office 365 work calendar to the iOS calendar the same way you can use the iOS Mail app for emails?

Either using the Outlook app or add the exchange account to Calendar.

Pretty much all calendar apps can sync Office/GCal/iCal feeds, it's a fairly open standard, like email.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Raoul Duke

Either using the Outlook app or add the exchange account to Calendar.

Pretty much all calendar apps can sync Office/GCal/iCal feeds, it's a fairly open standard, like email.

---

I’m using the outlook app for my personal email so that wouldn’t work.

How do you add the exchange account? When I tap add calendars in the iOS calendar I can’t change the account type off iCloud. Don’t see any option to add an exchange account.

I can’t change this:


https://i.imgur.com/3D0EnPn.png

Settings -> Passwords & Accounts -> Add Account

Should be it. 👍🏼

And then you’ll have to toggle calendar on for the new account of course.

Cheers. I had the account added but hadn't toggled Calendar on in the account settings.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

I’m using the outlook app for my personal email so that wouldn’t work.

How do you add the exchange account? When I tap add calendars in the iOS calendar I can’t change the account type off iCloud. Don’t see any option to add an exchange account.

---

Fairly sure you can have multiple accounts on Outlook/other mail + calendar clients. I have my personal and work ones in Gmail (not using Exchange though) but I assume it'd be the same.

Any tips on reviving a dead mechanical keyboard?

It got coffee'd about 6 months ago. I made a half assed attempt to clean it, but the keys were just too sticky afterwards. I thought it had been thrown away in the house move but I've just found it again.

The keys don't feel as bad as I remember and as I had "lost" it anyway, I'd be willing to do whatever to save it.

need a new laptop lads. Nothing flashy, mainly for work but also needs to run FM and Civilization VI at a decent pace. Ideally no more than about £500. Anyone got any recommendations?

You use your own laptop for work?

Yeah. The one work provided is a sack of shit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gray Fox

Any tips on reviving a dead mechanical keyboard?

It got coffee'd about 6 months ago. I made a half assed attempt to clean it, but the keys were just too sticky afterwards. I thought it had been thrown away in the house move but I've just found it again.

The keys don't feel as bad as I remember and as I had "lost" it anyway, I'd be willing to do whatever to save it.

---

Tried first with a careful clean of the face of the thing underneath the keys. Got some ear buds to clean around the switches with warm water and put the key caps in a warm water bath with a smidge of washing up liquid. Just about got to drying now and it doesnt seem to have worked. Some switches feel stiffer than I remember.

I didn't want to go full submersion but it may well be the next step. Unless I full on start breaking it down.

I've somehow got some shit called Killer that is apparently managing my WiFi and looks like it was designed with crayons on my PC. The trouble is that it doesn't show in the Add/Remove Programs section so how do you uninstall something that isn't in that list?

Sounds like you might need to keep it? https://www.dell.com/support/article...reless?lang=en

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gray Fox

Tried first with a careful clean of the face of the thing underneath the keys. Got some ear buds to clean around the switches with warm water and put the key caps in a warm water bath with a smidge of washing up liquid. Just about got to drying now and it doesnt seem to have worked. Some switches feel stiffer than I remember.

I didn't want to go full submersion but it may well be the next step. Unless I full on start breaking it down.

---

Eventually gave up on the piddling cleaning methods and went full submersion in the end. Put the thing in a bath and activated all keys with it submerged in warm/hot water.

After allowing almost a full week to dry I can state it's been a success for now. All of the LEDs have survived but the only key casualty I've noticed is the "/" key. It doesnt quite feel the same as new, but it's came back from the brink of me throwing it out, so I'll take the win.

Not really a computer but I'm thinking of buying this: https://www.samsung.com/uk/lifestyle...me/highlights/

Love the design options and being able to get away from having a big black rectangle in the most prominent spot of your room.

Anyone got this (or the LG GX, which seems similar but seems to have a better picture quality but less polished options around displaying images)?

How much are they?

My parents have one of the LG ones. They’re beautiful.

One assumes you'd have to accept positioning your television relatively high on the wall as you wouldn't normally place a framed piece of art low on on the wall.

I'm not a fan of high TVs. i.e. above your fireplace.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

How much are they?

---

£1200 for a 43 inch 4K.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dquincy

One assumes you'd have to accept positioning your television relatively high on the wall as you wouldn't normally place a framed piece of art low on on the wall.

I'm not a fan of high TVs. i.e. above your fireplace.

---

Yeah, same. Really don't like wall mounted TVs.

Those do look nice though.

I know they have to do it for promo reasons, but not having any decent images of that TV with the power cable tailing out is a bit meh.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by John Arne

I know they have to do it for promo reasons, but not having any decent images of that TV with the power cable tailing out is a bit meh.

---

Most people would either cable it inside the wall or run a bit of guttering (?) to hide it, like this guy who installs it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUtvD4ZP74U

Definitely need the wall done for those things.

My Lenovo Yoga touch screen is now cracked so two questions really 1) is it easy to replace(out of warranty) 2) if not, any recommendations on a decent laptop, wouldn't mind some light gaming capabilities?

I bought a Surface Laptop 3 a few months ago. It's been great.

Not sure if NZ pricing of the Surface Laptop is any different to overseas, but those things are ridiculously expensive over here.

They’re nice but they’re ridiculously expensive everywhere.

You don’t have to put it that high on the wall.

Here’s my parents version:

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...174/image0.jpg

It turning on when you walk into the room is wild.

Neat idea, but unfortunately that photo makes it still look very much like a TV on a wall for me.

And you’d have an awful sore neck watching it.



.

What an insight.

Empty tissue box at the front. :henn0rz:

I’ve been watching Normal People, what can I say.

That micro "art". :harold:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hfswjyr

Neat idea, but unfortunately that photo makes it still look very much like a TV on a wall for me.

---

True. That Samsung one looks good in its ads, but once placed it is probably the same thing. Also, dealing with the cables sounds like too much trouble. If you hate the looks of the TV so much, just don't have it in the living room.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kikó

My Lenovo Yoga touch screen is now cracked so two questions really 1) is it easy to replace(out of warranty) 2) if not, any recommendations on a decent laptop, wouldn't mind some light gaming capabilities?

---

I bought a gigabyte aero 15 off amazon warehouse as lockdown set in and it's epic. Probably a bit above 'light gaming capabilities' mind.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by phonics

You don’t have to put it that high on the wall.

Here’s my parents version:

It turning on when you walk into the room is wild.

---

Your parents really need to get their shit together when it comes to picking a frame colour :moop: They could switch out the TV surround for a wood effect one, which would look great.

I have a 55" LG OLED C8 on the wall above the fire place, looks fine, use a tiltable mount never had any neck ache or anyone complain about it. I did read somewhere that QLED isnt the same as OLED it is just named that way to muddy the water? Not sure how true that is. As for the tv itself, I got mine for a grand having shopped around and getting a Richer Sounds price beat offer, also being happy to buy it when it was going to be heavily discounted due to the new models coming out.

I'm really happy with it, watching stuff in HDR 4k still really amazes me, Blue Planet etc is an epic watch on it. Built in surround sound is decent as are the apps, though my PS4 is plugged into mine so minimal app usage.

There's a guy selling refurbished Toshiba laptops with 16gb ram and i8 processors in that could be epic for FM, only 12 inch screens though. Feel like that could be too small.

What's an i8 processor?

He's so tall he can see the future.

Or past seeing as there’s an i9.

Anyone else keep losing their bookmark icons on Chrome?

https://i.imgur.com/q9yXIBk.png


The ones that have returned are ones I've opened this morning. Third time it's happened.

Not sure what is occurring but using samsung internet to browse the mobile forums when I go in the FM thread as of today it just keeps refreshing until the tab crashes out.

Did you open a Baz affiliate link?

I need a new laptop or even a tower. I haven't used my PC in about two years, but I would like to get a new one. It isnt going to be used that much at all, but when i want to use it. I need something that is reliable. Or would a tablet be OK to use?

Depends what you want to do with it and what your budget is.

I dont play games on it and if i do, it will be FM and FM only. Its just going to be used for general use twice a year, if that. Ive got a the monitor and desk that is perfect for a tower. Is it really needed though. Probably even a refurbished PC would fit perfectly given the limited use it will see.

Twice a year?

Yeah, i don't use a PC really anymore. I do everything from my phone. I would like to have something with a keyboard though.

Get a Bluetooth keyboard for your phone. For twice a year you don't need a PC.

Might just be some tablet that you can push to a monitor

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SincereTheRebel

Might just be some tablet that you can push to a monitor

---

What phone have you? The newer Samsungs have the desktop mode once you plug the phone into any monitor.

Im looking to buy a VDSL modem router. Just one device. I don't really want to have a separate modem and a separate router, but it looks like it just isn't possible with gaming in mind. It appears I'm limited to a small list found below. It seems like I would need two separate devices.

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/search...-criteria.html

If I buy this modem, can I then connect a specific gaming router to the modem and it should work like the Asus or the Netgear?

I'm fascinated by the fact that you want a PC to use 'once or twice a year' but also want some sort of state of the art wireless set-up.

How bells and whistles does it need to be? I've had one of these for a few years and it's pretty solid.

The PC idea has been scrapped. No need for it. This is purely for the next step in console gaming. In looking to take it all to the next level.

Ethernet cable is your friend.

With the new gen of consoles coming and having been stuck on 1080p for some time, I've found myself with some money stuck aside for a potential 4K monitor purchase. My budget as it is, is £300. Now I know that does cut me off from most of the premium/staples of the range, but there seem to be many options in that £250-300 price range from various reputable names(Samsung, BenQ, LG etc).

Something like this is an example.

I guess my main question is, has anyone else done something similar lately? I guess what I'm getting at is, should I really be getting into a more, entry level monitor but improve my screen to 4k, or just stay in my 1080p shaped lane?

While not a brand I knew much about I ended up getting a Iiyama monitor, and it’s been brilliant. I’ve only got a 1080p one but there 4K one is £20 over your budget but might be worth a look?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0182GI6..._smMPFbFEK9VKC

I'm staying in 1080p world but that's mainly because I only tend to replace TV's if they're knackered. 4K looks nice though.

I bought a 27 inch 4k LG monitor a couple of years ago. I think it was around £350 and I think it's great.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike

While not a brand I knew much about I ended up getting a Iiyama monitor, and it’s been brilliant. I’ve only got a 1080p one but there 4K one is £20 over your budget but might be worth a look?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0182GI6..._smMPFbFEK9VKC

---

Unfortunately it only offers 4k over the display port connection. The PS5 doesn't have one.

From some quick research, it seems I have a choice of an IPS panel with a ~5ms response time, or a TN/VA panel with a 1ms response time. An IPS panel with a 1ms response time would need an increase in my budget.

Why a monitor rather than a tv?

I have my own desk set up for the PC/Console. So I'm sat infront of it quite closely.

Hi chaps

Wife has a 2015 Macbook. A few years ago some of the keys stopped working on the keyboard, but the majority still work fine.

Is there a fix to this without replacing the whole keyboard? And could it be a software issue rather than hardware?

Thanks

Apple offer keyboard replacement as it's become a bit of a problem in some of the recent Macs with the low-travel keyboards as they switched to a new mechanism that was shit. It's probably that, although if you can be more specific as to the model (click the Apple symbol in the top-left > About This Mac) I can tell you if you have one of those.

Thanks Raoul.

The info tells me 'Macbook Air 11-inch 2014'. It's older than I thought.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gray Fox

With the new gen of consoles coming and having been stuck on 1080p for some time, I've found myself with some money stuck aside for a potential 4K monitor purchase. My budget as it is, is £300. Now I know that does cut me off from most of the premium/staples of the range, but there seem to be many options in that £250-300 price range from various reputable names(Samsung, BenQ, LG etc).

Something like this is an example.

I guess my main question is, has anyone else done something similar lately? I guess what I'm getting at is, should I really be getting into a more, entry level monitor but improve my screen to 4k, or just stay in my 1080p shaped lane?

---

Still in the should I/shouldn't I stage of this.

I could get a very good 1080p display for my budget, a pretty good 1440p one or a more entry level 4k.

Ideally I'd have already gone for a 1440p, but the PS5 doesn't support it natively, only upscaled at the moment. Sony have however said if demand is there, that will change in a future update.

Is PC Specialist still the best place to go? I'm looking to get a desktop to get back into PC gaming but don't really want to spend more than £1k.

If you can I'd hold off a little. Assuming you've been away from the game a few years, things have changed recently. AMD did nothing for years, so Intel/Nvidia was the only way to go. However there's been a change of people at the top for AMD.

Firstly they returned in the CPU market with a big bang. Their Ryzen series has blown Intel out of the water in terms of bang for buck. As an example, my i7 6700k I'm using is now close to I think 6 years old. It was the top customer CPU of the time, but that's nothing compared to even the Ryzen range that's sub £200 now.

The main gains however will be with the GPU. Nvidia recently announced their 30x0 series, which provide a big jump in performance and cost the same as, or slightly less than the previous 20x0 series. This was the big news, right up until AMD did the same thing again. Their 6800 series was announced and while you do get a smidge more performance on Nvidias side, they've undercut them on the price.

The problem though is that PC gamers have seen the big performance for price gains. For example the "entry level" 3070 has shown to be of very similar performance to the 2080ti which is a GPU that is near £1000 more expensive. As such, they all wanted one and given the pandemic, the supply of that first batch is just non-existent.
If you can wait then you'll likely get a whole load more for your £1k than you would if you tried right this second.

A much better write up than I expected. I'll sit tight for a bit then. Thanks.

Does Martin Keown have brain damage?

I bought a Chillblast last time and I'd buy one again, that was 3-4 years ago though so I can't say how their pricing is.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

Does Martin Keown have brain damage?

---

I'm told he can't even post in the right thread these days.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Disco

I'm told he can't even post in the right thread these days.

---

Hahaha fuck sake. I'm not deleting that, it's too perfect. What a thick cunt i am.

I’m getting mostly new parts soon so it probably doesn’t matter but I just opened my case for the first time in a while and the only part not covered in dust are all four corners of the GPU which seem to have a weird sticky substance on them. I had noticed a downgrade in performance recently that hadn’t recovered after reformatting. Have I somehow melted my card without killing it?

https://forums.tomshardware.com/thre...tched.3479645/

Might be a popped capacitor which isn't terminal.

Anything I need to take care doing if I want to install Ubuntu alongside Windows 10 on a laptop? I’ve read through some guides which look straightforward but are there any hardware restrictions to watch out for or does it affect how Windows runs?

I have no idea in answer to your question, but am curious what you're installing Ubuntu for?

No there’s no hardware restrictions. Good luck. I hate Linux with a passion.

Bit of a project, and won’t be keeping it long. Are there any issues with getting rid?

Would I actually be just better resurrecting an old laptop for a while?

Yes. It’s not that hard to get rid of but you still have to create a hard drive partition. Ubuntu’s fine to get rid of because it has a GUI but if you’re just working on something I’d practice on something you can just wipe.

Linux is great to play around with but for using day to day I’d rather just not have a computer.

Other alternative is to get a Raspberry PI and just tinker about with it on that

I’m too long in the tooth to start trying to figure out what they do.

I asked for a laptop at work and they gave me an ipad. They are a completely useless piece of hardware, aren't they?

They're alright with a cheap bluetooth keyboard.

Most annoying part is the lack of ports.

Any Goole Sheets nerds here?

When im creating a formula in a column but i then drag the formula down to other cells. The formula changes but I want one of formula to stay the same.

For example the original formula is

=G1+D3+5

When i then drag the formula down the cells it changes to

=G2+D4+5

I need G1 to stay the same at all times.

See gif image of my example below

https://gyazo.com/f8ef9ed269839d427d787d418c1fc0fb

In excel you need to put a dollar sign in, i.e. G$1 which retains the same row when you drag all the way down. Assume the same would work in sheets.

Thanks.

I appreciated the gif.

It's called an Absolute Cell Reference

Find me some type of tablet that has a keyboard disconnect thing that can be used for general multitasking use. Not Apple.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SincereTheRebel

Find me some type of tablet that has a keyboard disconnect thing that can be used for general multitasking use. Not Apple.

---

Surface Pro would be the obvious suggestion, but it depends on your budget.

I’ve the laptop version (Surface Laptop?) for work and it’s pretty damn good.

I'll second that.

I bought another laptop today but I'm not sure if it is a good deal or not?

£550 for:

Intel i5-7300HQ @ 2.50GHz
16GB RAM
1TB HD
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 (?)

It's only for FM but that should be capable of more than just England, right?

I reckon you should be fine. if you go to Can You Run It they'll tell you how far above the specs you are. Unless FM is reliable enough to just recommend how many leagues based on your machine.

Specs are fine (it's nothing special but it'll be good for a few leagues). The main thing is does it have an HDD or SSD? You want the latter (can probably upgrade it, if not)

It being 1TB says to me it's a standard HDD. If he's lucky it'll be a SSHD.

Router that I bought last month decided to stop working at about 1am for no reason.

The lights were all off and it showed no sign of power. Tried unplugging, waiting and then plugging it back in but the lights would flash for a second before going out.

Contacted Amazon who told me I'd have to talk to Asus who first didn't read my actual problems and just sent a stock bullshit reply. After I explained my problems again they told me Amazon has to sort it out (which I knew). Got a better customer service agent who asked what Asus said and then ordered a replacement.

I had it unplugged until about 11am and it still did the same thing but I left it plugged in and at about 2pm it decided to come alive again. No idea why it decided to start working or why it stopped in the first place.

I'll take the replacement and send this back though as there must be some underlying problem with the unit I have.

Anyone else try the processor bypass thing to install Windows 11, and did it create any other issues?

Did anyone use a USB data recovery tool before? If so, which one as ive wiped my USB like a fool.

Chaps,

Can someone help me? Is my laptop fucked?

It's in a constant 5 second loop of rebooting and then showing this image...despite being powered by the mains plug. Anything recommendations?

https://i.ibb.co/9gTVtT5/20211230-170628.jpg

Fixed it.

My PC (connected via ethernet) keeps dropping the internet connection. It doesn't happen all of the time, but often enough to be annoying, especially when playing multiplayer games. I have not noticed the same issue with my laptop, which is on the wifi. Am I right to believe that the PCs network card must be fucked? There is no way that the router is at fault, right? Otherwise, all devices would drop. Anything else I could look into?

Update the network card drivers? Try a different ethernet cable too to make sure it's not a dodgy cable?

Strange question but do you have uTorrent? I had that problem and switching to qBittorrent fixed it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pepe

My PC (connected via ethernet) keeps dropping the internet connection. It doesn't happen all of the time, but often enough to be annoying, especially when playing multiplayer games. I have not noticed the same issue with my laptop, which is on the wifi. Am I right to believe that the PCs network card must be fucked? There is no way that the router is at fault, right? Otherwise, all devices would drop. Anything else I could look into?

---

I had a similar issue on wi-fi. I had to disable the MyAsus wireless smart connect and it appeared to resolve the issue.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boydy

Update the network card drivers? Try a different ethernet cable too to make sure it's not a dodgy cable?

---

Good shout. I might have to buy another (very long) ethernet cable just to make sure it is not that. I tried updating drivers but the thing said that they are up to date, despite being like three years old.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Baz

Strange question but do you have uTorrent? I had that problem and switching to qBittorrent fixed it.

---

No torrents on that computer.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SincereTheRebel

I had a similar issue on wi-fi. I had to disable the MyAsus wireless smart connect and it appeared to resolve the issue.

---

I am not even sure that computer has wireless, but I guess I'll have to make sure there is not something interfering.

I think I have a usb to ethernet adapter somewhere, so I will also give that a try.

Besides the obvious, is there any way to activate windows?

My PC keeps going to sleep after about 10 mins of inactivity and you can’t change it without activation. It’s quite annoying.

A nice thin light 13” laptop. i5 upwards, 512GB, 2 in 1 preferable but not vital. Any recommendations?

A Surface?

That’s what I was thinking but they seem fairly heftily priced compared to other brands for what you’re getting once you add any sort of a decent spec.

My wife got an LG Gram recently and it looks quite nice.

LG making laptops is a new one on me. Nice looking thickness and all but they seem to only go down to 16 inch.


Settled on a Lenovo Yoga 7i 14" after once I get the thumbs up. I've a Lenovo ThinkPad at the minute and apart from the touchpad position it's been very good.

We have Lenovo at work and they're really good. The people with the Yoga rave about them (I have a T series because I'm a peasant).

I'd have liked the 13 inch but I'm not ready to let go of USB-A just yet.

I've had a Lenovo Yoga for ages and need to replace it. I've loved it but the screen is fucked now.

Don't get a Surface Book. Biggest waste of money I've ever had. Cost nearly £3k in 2019 and I'm having to replace it already.

I see an LG Gram 14, but maybe they only exist in the U S of A.

The Yoga has arrived. Keyboard isn't as nice as the ThinkPad (nothing is) but the size is lovely.

Anyone had success cancelling their broadband contract due to low speeds? Got the 1 gig package with Virgin ages ago and it was fine but now it's more lile 150mbps which falls below their threshold. Also my 'deal' ran out so they are saying my new bill is £80 a month.

My 10 year old iPad is now redundant as it won’t open bt sport app nor sky go.

Debating a new box standard iPad vs galaxy a8

Don’t need anything super fancy nor a laptop. Should I just revert to another iPad or is an android tablet useful for the usb/upgradable memory/ability to use software like excel easily?

Price not really a factor between the two, just wondering whether to go for a change (android) or stick with what I know (iPad).

Web browsing, perhaps simple excel stuff, apps like bt sport and sky go… assume casting to a tv is easy enough from android?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Foe

My 10 year old iPad is now redundant as it won’t open bt sport app nor sky go.

Debating a new box standard iPad vs galaxy a8

Don’t need anything super fancy nor a laptop. Should I just revert to another iPad or is an android tablet useful for the usb/upgradable memory/ability to use software like excel easily?

Price not really a factor between the two, just wondering whether to go for a change (android) or stick with what I know (iPad).

Web browsing, perhaps simple excel stuff, apps like bt sport and sky go… assume casting to a tv is easy enough from android?

---

There's unlikely to be an Android tablet that would last you that long. iPad is the way to go. iPad Air or normal iPad, or wait a bit longer and get a Pro if you want the fanciest version: https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#ios

These days I’d get a small light windows 2 in 1 or laptop, for iPad money you’d get a lovely bit of stuff.

For all the software improvements lately, the iPad is still pretty rubbish for anything other than browsing or media, plus all the mobile OS versions of office apps are complete dirt.

So on this wonderful morning I came in to find my powered on light on, on my power button. Thought this was odd as none of my jazzy RGB lights were on. At this point I noticed stuff had been knocked off the top of my PC. When I went to put them back down I noticed a wet patch. Closer inspection shows the cat has jumped up on top and sprayed down into the system.

There was basically a small pool of it on the backplate of my GPU and some has splashed onto the motherboard itself, very close to the GPU PCI slot. A tiny amount had gotten onto the plastic base of a heatspreader for one of the ram sticks.

The GPU came out dripping wet as some has gotten inside it. As such I’m just assuming that is a gonner.

How fucked am I here? It’s a recent build and it cost 1.5k to put together.
I can probably just about live with losing the GPU, but reckon there’s a chance the rest of the system is intact?

Seal the cat in the tower unit [assuming that's what it is] as punishment.

What's it done? Pissed on the machine and then turned it on to spite you? Presumably if it hadn't been on you could just dry everything out to some extent.

I couldn’t tell you if it was on when it did it, or it did it then turned it on. I cut the power as soon as I realised but the damage may already be done.

Home insurance might cover it? If it is completely fucked, it'd be worth checking.

So from what I can gather the damage has been limited to the graphics card. I cleaned all of the components with 99% alcohol and put it back together without the graphics card and it would turn on, but with no on board graphics I had no way to tell if it was a successful boot or not.

Someone has lent me their old Rx550 and it boots completely. I'm even typing on it now, though obviously graphical performance on it isn't the same as what I had.

Though when I plug the old GPU in, the thing wont boot at all.

Brutal. I am looking to build a pc, are there any sites that sell components and assemble them prior to shipping? Fed up of seeing daft builds like a Ryzen 9 with a 10p PSU.

I'm selling an excellent condition 2018 iPad Pro 12.9 64gb with Apple Pencil 2 for £500 if you're interested, Foe. I'll throw in the case.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lofty

Brutal. I am looking to build a pc, are there any sites that sell components and assemble them prior to shipping? Fed up of seeing daft builds like a Ryzen 9 with a 10p PSU.

---

I'm assuming you want something like PC Specialist, CyberPower or OverClockers. You can buy them to be made and then shipped, but you can configure what you want in them.
You're likely not going to get everything just the way you want it without building it yourself, but they do a decent job.

I've still not updated either of my devices to Windows 11. Is it worth doing?

Can’t see any reason not to.

Actually I take that back. The latest update has broken my face unlock.

I don't mind it but two of my geekier mates are seething about it.

I don't really notice many differences. I did have to install something to fix the start button, though.

I haven't trusted a windows upgrade since Windows 2000.

Isn't the rule always update as late as possible?

There are always bugs and shit that take a while to be smoothed out.

I think so. Windows 10 is absolutely fine and I’m not risking changing that.

I’ve never had a single bug on 11, the face unlock today was just a driver on Lenovos end of things. The new folder icons are fair shite though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

Actually I take that back. The latest update has broken my face unlock.

---

Face unlock blows my mind everytime. I love it. I only use it on my work laptop though and that’s still on Windows 10 so no problems there.

I have updated my laptop and PC to Windows 11 though and although I’ve noticed no problems so far, I’ve also not noticed any benefits. :sorry:

Yesterday I did a fresh install of windows on an old laptop my dad had, to give to my cousin. Installed the basics (Brave, Office, Stremio, VLC, Xbox app) and then went to update to Windows 11 and forgot it doesn’t work on old tech. Didn’t seem like a particular bad laptop either, but that “health” app said no, so Windows 10 it is.

One thing I hate is that doing a fresh install (via Recovery in settings) clearly doesn’t install the latest iteration of Windows 10, cos it then spent a couple of hours updating.

They’re very fussy about what machines it will install on, though there are ways around it as I installed it on my obsolete XPS 15 when it came out and it wasn’t eligible.

Is there a reason literally every time I switch my laptop on it asks for the Recovery Bitlocker code thing. Like, I don’t my entering it, but it’s of a ballache.

The main drive must have been encrypted with it.

How do I stop it lol

Do you have anything plugged into the USB port? That can set off my work one.

Nah, nothing at all. I checked graphics drivers etc as wasn’t sure if that was to do with it but everything is up to date. Maybe it wants me to get Windows 11.

Control Panel > System & Security > BitLocker Drive Encryption.
See is it turned on for any drives.

https://i.ibb.co/F885JLr/nnn.png

Yes..no?

:D

I'm sure I've touted the Brave browser on here before. It's based on Chromium so performance wise it's just like Chrome, but it also blocks ads and cookies by default (so ads on YouTube are a thing of the past, for instance) and it's also got the option for Tor windows as well if that's your bag.

Now today, they've released another feature: the blocking of those horrible "accept cookie" notifications! That seems like a game changer if it actually works.

Might have to start using that. Is there a mobile version? The youtube mobile app is fucking unuseable these days with the amount of ads.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boydy

Might have to start using that. Is there a mobile version? The youtube mobile app is fucking unuseable these days with the amount of ads.

---

Yeah there’s an app for it too. I’ve used it for as long as I can remember.

Given it a go and haven't really seen any reduction in the cookie popups. Still getting them on big sites.

Yeah, I downloaded it there and tried youtube on it. Didn't get ads on the videos which is nice but did still get the "accept cookies" crap at the start.

Had a quick look and it seems you have to turn it on. Settings > Shields > Content Filtering and search for the Cookies list. Giving it a go now.

Ah yes. I've had Brave a while so just got a popup asking if I wanted to activate it. I get cookie notifications on FT all the time and it's stopped those so 1/1 so far.

@Boydy don't know if you found it but go to where SvN said and check the option "Easylist - Cookie List - Filter obtrusive cookie notifications"

Didn't they put a bitcoin miner in Brave at some point?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SvN

Had a quick look and it seems you have to turn it on. Settings > Shields > Content Filtering and search for the Cookies list. Giving it a go now.

---

Was this on mobile or desktop?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ben

Ah yes. I've had Brave a while so just got a popup asking if I wanted to activate it. I get cookie notifications on FT all the time and it's stopped those so 1/1 so far.

@Boydy don't know if you found it but go to where SvN said and check the option "Easylist - Cookie List - Filter obtrusive cookie notifications"

---

Not seeing that anywhere. Or SvN's directions. There's no "Content Filtering" under Shields on Android from what I can see.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

Didn't they put a bitcoin miner in Brave at some point?

---

Ffs, really?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

Didn't they put a bitcoin miner in Brave at some point?

---

No.

They do pay you if you allow ads, using their “brave rewards” scheme. I get a few BAT sent to my Uphold wallet every month.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boydy

Was this on mobile or desktop?

Not seeing that anywhere. Or SvN's directions. There's no "Content Filtering" under Shields on Android from what I can see.

Ffs, really?

---

I think the feature is on Windows only at the moment.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Baz

No.

They do pay you if you allow ads, using their “brave rewards” scheme. I get a few BAT sent to my Uphold wallet every month.

---

Sorry, just remembered something vaguely dodgy having come out about it last time I looked at it. Was that they were automatically inserting their own referral links into the URL when you visited crypto sites from what I can make out.

Recommend me a good bluetooth mouse that doesn't need the little USB-A connection thing.

Logitech MX Master

I've got a Logitech M720 which looks a whole lot like a less fancy MX Master. Can't really go wrong with the Logitech ones, they're brilliant.

Cheers men.

I think it's an MX Master 2 I have but the 3 is the latest version. I love it. They're fairly pricey but my work paid for it, not me.

I’ve a Logitech M590 one where I can click a button and it switches connection between my laptop and my PC. Best thing ever.

Yeah, the multi device function is amazing. I have one of their keyboards too that can switch between three devices so I can have my mouse and keyboard hooked up to my personal laptop, my work laptop and my desktop simultaneously and then just hot switch between them.

Rocking a paracorded Vaxee NP-01s with aftermarket skates like a real legend/twat.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Giggles

Can’t see any reason not to.

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The Explorer right-click menu is so shit. Every single time, I have to click 'more options' (or whatever it is) to access the correct menu for WinRar. Plus I use CopyFilenames a lot and that's hidden away behind an extra click too.


Refresh isn't even there, and I never know when my F5 key is going to refresh a page or turn the volume down. Now it's three clicks instead of two.

Tried that Brave thing but none of the cookie popups went away.

You have to turn it on in Settings:

brave://settings/shields/filters -> toggle the EasyList-Cookie List option

I did. I think it was your very post above that I followed.

Not sure then. The feature is also on Android and iOS now as well and I've not seen a cookie pop-up in quite a while, so it does work.

If you go to brave://adblock instead, do you see an option for it? At work at the moment so can't see it first hand.

EDIT: quick Google says in brave://settings/shields/filters there should also be a "uBlock" and "fanboy" option - try enable those too.

Does anyone know how, or whether it is in fact possible, to glean information about what appears to be a 'burner' email address?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

Does anyone know how, or whether it is in fact possible, to glean information about what appears to be a 'burner' email address?

---

Not really - depends what in you're trying to glean really. Best I can think of is stick it in haveibeenpwned and see if it shows up anywhere else

Safesearch is locked across all browsers on any device I have, any idea what the hell could be going on?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alan Shearer The 2nd

Safesearch is locked across all browsers on any device I have, any idea what the hell could be going on?

---

What OS? Windows or Mac?

From a quick search it seems like it could be something to do with the account settings - e.g. it's set at account level so can't be switched off unless you're an admin

Windows. It's regardless of device though, it's like it's the network although haven't knowingly changed any settings and the BT parental bollocks is all off.

On mobile? It's part of that porn law thing. You have to specifically tell your network that you'd like to be able to see naughty stuff. Its a joke.

You have to search 'vanessa feltz blue waffle' to turn it off.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by phonics

On mobile? It's part of that porn law thing. You have to specifically tell your network that you'd like to be able to see naughty stuff. Its a joke.

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Laptop, mobile, desktop.

It was fine the night before last.

Is anyone with Virgin Media? My internet has been bust for the past three hours.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Manc

Is anyone with Virgin Media? My internet has been bust for the past three hours.

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Fine here.

That's the general response I've had. Odd.

Just found an old Voodoo 2 12mb 3dfx card, box, original manuals and games and was quite surprised to find out from a friend that people actually want these things now and pay a stupid [in my view] amount for them on ebay.

What kind of madman wants a retro PC building experience? It was just misery IIRC.

Yeah some friends and I joked about building a voodoo 3 rig only to look on ebay and see they were mental prices.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

What kind of madman wants a retro PC building experience? It was just misery IIRC.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lofty

Yeah some friends and I joked about building a voodoo 3 rig only to look on ebay and see they were mental prices.

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There you go.

Just want to have a nosey at my old laptop and take anything I need from it before I bin it. Its screen isn't working so need to hook it up to a monitor.

Laptop:

https://i.ibb.co/41f77TL/20230310-132413.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/FJbnRxk/20230310-132422.jpg

In addition to a standard modern monitor, I also have this prehistoric thing which may be of help:

https://i.ibb.co/MfgmR3P/20230310-131237.jpg

I only have a HDMI to HDMI cable.

With that lot, what's the cheapest cable/adapter I can get to get me to access the laptop on either monitor?

VGA male to male cable (the one marked PC D-SUB on the monitor). They will be about £2 on Amazon etc.

:beer:

I just rage quit a document in neat office without saving it as the formatting had gone to fuck [I thought it was autosaving] but it seems that wasn't the case. Does anyone have any idea if it is possible to recover it? I think it was saving itself for recovery purposes [ie if the app crashed] but I clicked don't save so has that nuked whatever it was that was being autosaved?

Right so, no help on that, how about this one excel geeks. I want to have a function that will return a simple sum formula, adding B1 and B9, if B27 is 100, if B27 is less than 100 I just want the result to be B9. Do I want SUMIFS and if I do, how do I write it? All this range and criteria shit is vexing my tiny mind.

=IF(B27=100,SUM(B1+B9),B9)

Caps

Awesome.

:hail:

Any concern for it going over 100?

It's just a percentage thing so essentially I need a cost factored in at an earlier stage if [an unrelated thing] is 100% whereas if it is less than that I don't, on my model at least.

Chatgpt, son.

Quote:

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Excel function for sum.


I want to have a function that will return a simple sum formula, adding B1 and B9, if B27 is 100, if B27 is less than 100 I just want the result to be B9.

You can use the following function in Excel to achieve this:

scss
Copy code
=IF(B27=100,B1+B9,B9)
This function uses the IF statement to check whether the value in cell B27 is equal to 100. If it is, the function returns the sum of the values in cells B1 and B9. If it is not, the function simply returns the value in cell B9.




I just rage quit a document in neat office without saving it as the formatting had gone to fuck [I thought it was autosaving] but it seems that wasn't the case. Does anyone have any idea if it is possible to recover it? I think it was saving itself for recovery purposes [ie if the app crashed] but I clicked don't save so has that nuked whatever it was that was being autosaved

If you didn't save the document before you rage quit and you clicked "Don't Save" when prompted, then unfortunately it's highly unlikely that you will be able to recover the document.

Autosave is a feature that automatically saves your document periodically to protect against data loss in the event of a crash, but it does not save a complete copy of the document. When you close the document and click "Don't Save", any changes made since the last manual save or autosave will be lost.

If you have closed the document without saving and haven't manually set up any backup or recovery options, then the only option to recover the document is to try to use the auto-recovery feature of Neat Office, if it has one. But even in this case, it's not guaranteed that you will be able to recover the latest version of the document.

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C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word

Try here for unrecovered Word files.

I did wonder about chat gpt, figured TTH would be better and easier to use. Wasn't let down.

Wasn't in word so nothing in the app data realm sadly.

There was/is probably some vestige of it somewhere as the program can autorecover unsaved docs if it crashes, but as I took definitive action to not save it I'm not sure if that got nuked. I looked high and low through temp files etc but couldn't find anything. I came across some things which may have been the autorecover files, but they were incomprehensible code when reopened.

What VPNs do people use? It's last chance saloon for Glasto tickets tomorrow so I'm hoping to attack from a few angles but I've never used a VPN before. Anything with a free trial would be handy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Offshore Toon

What VPNs do people use? It's last chance saloon for Glasto tickets tomorrow so I'm hoping to attack from a few angles but I've never used a VPN before. Anything with a free trial would be handy.

---

Surfshark. One account can log in to unlimited devices, and it has loads of countries.

Can use this one if you promise not to change the password:

Toggle Spoiler

user: surfshark@ftid.uk
pass: Surfshark.1

I'm also on Surfshark, it's decent but not without it's problems.

Speed can be a bit slow at times, doesn't work with some sites (Bet365) and it can be patchy with Netflix.

Cheers, Baz. I don't think I can easily get a VPN to provide a different connection for each tab so I've given up.

Don't quote me on it because I've never been down that route but I think you can do it in Firefox.

Family friends kid had an ROG G20 and it seems to have broken. The thing was decent for the time but it's nearly 10 years old now and they didn't want it cluttering up the place. They've basically said if I can fix it and sell it then I can keep whatever cash it makes.

I could probably get around £200 for selling it, so it's worth me at least having a go. If not stripping it and selling for parts. Kid claims on those 40 degree days last year it conked out. My guess is that because of the enclosed nature of the case, something got cooked in there.

I guess my question is, has anyone here ever taken anything like it apart? I've not looked for specific videos yet but there seems to be no way to get into it naturally. No exposed screws or anything. I dont want to crack it open to find I can't put it back together.

Loads of disassembly videos on YouTube and forums. Looks easy enough to open, panel slides off after undoing one screw by the looks of it.

Looks like I'll have to try and get into it later tonight. I did have a quick go at that screw but it just turns without coming out.

When I got the thing it was just endlessly boot looping. It would also only show a display through one of the two HDMI ports. I've managed to get a copy of Windows 10 on there, but it still only will display through the onboard graphics. So the obvious theory is the GPU got cooked and is a dud now.

After spending the best part of a week looking for something to pry out that cross threaded screw I finally got it out today. Opened her up to a surprise. There's a SSD in it that's not listed on the prebuilt part list.

First thought was maybe that's tipping the small power supply over the edge. Removed it and only the bios would start. No bother really as the plan as before was a clean windows install anyway. But the HDD would only take storage and not a windows install. However at this point, putting everything back in I do get a display through the GPU HDMI port, so that's confirmed working.

Upon trying to put the SSD back in, I noticed the SATA cable was actually broken and loose where it connects to the SSD, so after fishing a new one out of my motherboards old box, I put it all back together and it works.

It's not the best system in the world but CeX have it on their website without the SSD at £160 cash and £225 credit and sell it for £340. I'm torn between dumping it off on them to get shut quickly, or to try somewhere like facebook to see if I could get maybe a bit more cash.

Depends what price you put on your time dealing with the deluge of spastics on Facebook

How big is the SSD?

Pretty standard 250gb boot SSD and 1tb HDD combo.

Took it to CeX, passed their test but they quoted me half of whats on their site for the same machine. The only difference being I installed windows on it. The one on the site states Linux.

I'm guessing they've just failed to update their pricing, but I've come home and the listing is still there. So I've done the sale through the site and locked my price in for three days.
Gives me time to install Linux on it, which surprisingly I've never done before.

It's a good thing I locked in the price as I've just checked again and the trade value has gone down from 233 to 54...

I've tried putting Linux on it but it's not booting after install. I should have just left this thing gathering dust.

Is there such a thing a good free VPN?

I'm assuming not, but don't ask, don't get etc.

Baz's passworded one above is working for me from abroad so big thanks.

No worries. All welcome to use it so long as you don't change the password and ruin it for everyone.

Does anyone have any positive experiences of low cost UK fibre providers? For example HEY!Broadband?

There are only two companies with actual infrastructure, BT (Openreach) and Virgin Media. All the others lease BT lines as far as I'm aware, so as long as you're happy with advertised speeds, they're probably worth a punt.

I know people have said Talk Talk are a pain to contact if you have issues. Youfibre seem fairly new but hyped up, I'm sure my mate got a deal where they were giving people free internet until their current contract ran out to get customers signed up.

They're all a pain really. Virgin are notoriously shit customer service, but nobody else can touch their £30/month 500Mbps-1Gbps offerings (depending on where you are and what sales they've got on). For example, Sky could guarantee me 67Mbps for the same price.

What about these people - is that a stand alone network or are they using existing Virgin/BT infrastructure? Obviously fairly niche at the moment, but I think I can get that.

Also remember if you are with O2 you get better Virgin offers now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

What about these people - is that a stand alone network or are they using existing Virgin/BT infrastructure? Obviously fairly niche at the moment, but I think I can get that.

---

They're Openreach, just like all others.

I used some birthday money towards upgrading my laptop RAM from 16GB to 64GB.

Turns out removing the bottom off a HP Omen laptop is really difficult, so while I had it open I’ve noticed there’s an empty slot for a NVME m.2 SSD so I’ve ordered one to come tomorrow (Crucial P5 Plus 2TB) to whazz in it before sealing it shut FOREVER. sandlot.gif

My laptop has taken to turning itself off when it gets a slight nudge, i.e. placed down gently on the table/floor. It otherwise seems to work fine. What is up with it?

Probably a loose wire inside somewhere.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Baz

I used some birthday money towards upgrading my laptop RAM from 16GB to 64GB.

Turns out removing the bottom off a HP Omen laptop is really difficult, so while I had it open I’ve noticed there’s an empty slot for a NVME m.2 SSD so I’ve ordered one to come tomorrow (Crucial P5 Plus 2TB) to whazz in it before sealing it shut FOREVER. sandlot.gif

---

I can't fathom what a laptop would do with 64GB RAM.

I've got 64gb RAM in my desktop, slightly less egregious.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hfswjyr

I can't fathom what a laptop would do with 64GB RAM.

---

Same as a PC would. :sorry:

Particularly seeing as more and more modern GPUs are offloading memory demands to system RAM these days, or borrowing capacity at times of high load. You'll max out an 8GB VRAM card in no time these days.

My second hard drive has just seemingly bricked itself. It's showing in disk management as 38GBs of unallocated space. Is there any way to get that stuff back without resulting to third party software?

Not without compromising yourself.

I'm getting an I/O error so that's a great sign. :D Fuck it, this is tomorrow's problem.

Is it an internal HDD or external plug in drive?

It's an internal drive. It slowed right down and locked up before vanishing from the drive list.

It's in device manager as working normally and the BIOS spots it on boot up.

EDIT: Drive swapped. That hard drive looks goosed but I had a spare upstairs that was, shockingly bigger than the one in the rig. And it means I've got Grand Prix Legends on this machine. I consider that a win.

My windows explorer keeps freezing, nothing happens when I hover on a taskbar icon or click on anything after about 5 minutes from boot and it's driving me mad. Any ideas?

Is it running Windows updates in the background?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Baz

Is it running Windows updates in the background?

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All updates are well complete and no further ones available.

This is driving me fucking insane now. The whole thing just freezes, I can still move the mouse and alt+tab between windows but no clicks work. Even hovering over an icon doesn't register. Opening task manager briefly fixes it for a few seconds.
Originally thought it was my external monitor or hub but they're both removed from the equation now and it's still happening. As painful as it is, I'm going to have to reset the cunt.

I've attempted to reinstall all the Radeon stuff and it's now been hanging for over 5 minutes on a reboot :happycry:

Oddly, this all sppears to have been caused by my mouse.

I don't need help but this seems like the most suitable spot.

It seems Microsoft have changed my default 365 font from Calibri to Aptos Narrow. Is it like this for anyone else? I know how to change it back but just thought I'd ask, and wonder together why they would change one of the few things that didn't need fixing.

Is there an app where you can talk into it, and it types out the words you have spoke?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SincereTheRebel

Is there an app where you can talk into it, and it types out the words you have spoke?

---

Google Dictate works pretty well. https://support.google.com/docs/answer/4492226

I’ve used Otter before but it made a lot of mistakes

Google Docs can do dictation

Thanks. Ill check them out

Okay, I need a laptop.

I would like one that can run FM24 (doesn't need to be loads of leagues), some streaming and ideally would like Microsoft Office with it. I might play some other games on it but not many. I want the latest Windows.

I'm willing to pay £500 or under.

Thanks.

When you say streaming, do you mean you want to stream yourself playing something/stream a game to your laptop, or watch livestreams yourself? If it's the latter anything that will boot FM24 will be more than enough for that. If it's the former, that's a different conversation.

Get on Amazon/eBay and get a refurbished one. For that £500 you'll easily get a £1000+ spec laptop. I picked one up about four years ago and it still runs like a dream.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gray Fox

When you say streaming, do you mean you want to stream yourself playing something/stream a game to your laptop, or watch livestreams yourself? If it's the latter anything that will boot FM24 will be more than enough for that. If it's the former, that's a different conversation.

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By streaming I mean Netflix and things like that.

Best anti-virus these days? Preferably one that doesn't monster the RAM.

Do people not just use the built-in Windows one now? You'd have to be frequenting some sketchy corners to need anything more.

It is Lofty you're talking to...

I thought Windows Defender was the equivalent of that steward doing the non-existent pat down video.

My work binned off Kaspersky in favour of just using Defender so I guess it's alright?

We've done the same. Stick with the Windows one as does the same job but you barely notice it's there.

Was your decision to drop Kaspersky related to helping support the heroic Ukrainians?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Don

Was your decision to drop Kaspersky related to helping support the heroic Ukrainians?

---

It wasn't my decision personally but we did it in 2019 before it was fashionable, so no probably not.

Price and unreliability first, heroism distant second

We've had the policy for a long time now that as soon as a new laptop is bought the bundled antivirus (if it has any) is uninstalled. Defender is plenty.

Anyone know a way to make WhatsApp call notifications stay off forever on Android? I turn it off in the notification settings but it keeps coming back on.

Has anyone else's system reacted badly to the latest windows update? Seems since it happened mine is really slow to come out of sleep mode or whatever it is called when the screen goes black but the thing is still running. It always freezes a bit now, the USB mouse stops working whilst the touchpad is fine, then it'll freeze again for everything [mouse/touchpad/keyboard] whilst it gets its act together. Quite annoying.

Sometimes when I turn my PC on my keyboard just doesnt seem to power on for a good 30 seconds.

Do all your driver updates etc.

Are there any definitive youtube channels that are good for brushing up on excel?

ExcelisFun

Bloke is a bit of an annoying American but he's good at explaining and there's literally everything on there.

Thanks! :)

And even when you consider yourself a whizz, you’ll just save the time and effort and ask ChatGPT to sort it.

Not if your organisation prohibits access on their systems and you aren't allowed your phone in the office.

Oh yeah mine does that in the office, but fine WFH thankfully. Sorry pal!

Plus it’s boring to do it that way.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ben

ExcelisFun

Bloke is a bit of an annoying American but he's good at explaining and there's literally everything on there.

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Could have just said American.

Blocking access to ChatGPT. :harold: