[Bob Williams]

” Now when I was in the marines, after being out in the field for weeks at a time, when back at Base, we put a couple of cap fulls of the real stuff in a bath full of water, (don’t try with the cheap stuff), as way to clean out all our cuts, grazes, stings and blisters etc… while sleeping in the bath for a few hours. ”

Steve, that brings back similar memories! Dettol and foot powder saved my feet I think. Some mates who didn’t bother with looking after their bodies properly, just wanted to get away to the NAAFI. Most eventually had blisters and infected cuts, and learned more sense. At least, my feet are still in good nick now, more than can be said for all other bits! Having nearby beaches and a good dip in the sea helps too. Used to soak my feet in Dettol and hot water after a long run, too. Magic stuff, Dettol.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Thanks for all that advice and info,Dave.

I am processing it all and will probably change/improve network, hardware, methods and functions when I get my faster connection. At the same time, I am waiting for the landlord to remove our fireplace, which contains a coal-fired back boiler from the early 1960’s. This is, according to HSE and the Environment Agency, is dangerous and should have been removed many years ago. Removing the whole thing will allow me to move back the TV onto a proper stand, and off the horrible IKEA shelf. A complete reset of everything will follow: cables, power strips, connections and more sensible, practical device connections.

This will all take time, nothing going to happen immediately, but I will refer back to all your advice in time. Your advice is much appreciated.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Dave Rice wrote:

It depends what you want to cure Bob. If you need better file sharing i.e. a small file server you’d be better getting a dedicated NAS to add to your network as the cost would be about the same and the result would be better. If you were starting from scratch the Synology router might make some sense (it has a lot of the technology from the Synology NAS).

Thanks Dave. I have had a Zyxel nsa 310 for about 3 years now, the 2TB is about 40% full, use it regularly for backup images of my desktop, SWMBO’s lappy and No.2 gson’s desktop. Never used it as a file sharer, always intended to do that and will have to take a look at it. I store my music, photos and videos in a separate folder on the Hdd, with another backup to an external Hdd. I am a bit OTT maybe, but once lost everything to a virus and never forgot it.

Perhaps I am file sharing, without actually realising it? What I would like to do, when Plusnet/Openreach connect me to the new cabinet, is sort out the network.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

I have mentioned my TP-Link 9980 router before, but currently I have Plusnet’s own VDSL Router, Hub One, which is working OK although I would prefer the 9980. I have to wait until Openreach have connected our new closer Cabinet and improved my miserable Download speed.

In a previous Plusnet incarnation, I had an ADSL TP Link 1043ND and an Openreach/BT modem which had to be replaced 3 times before one worked: it was a truly horrible experience. Engineers were drinking our coffee regularly! The 1043 was 10/100 only and the introduction of the 9980 was a blast for me: I needed no modem and I got 4x Gigabit LAN ports.

Dave, your last is interesting: would the Synology RT 1900 work with a TP Link 9980? Would it give me any improvements?

TY for advice, Cheers, Bob.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

johnbarry wrote:

Bob Williams wrote:

no idea of their reliabilty as have never bought from them

I have and they are very reliable.

Good to know that I have given out a reliable recommendation JB, thanks!

 

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Having had a good look at what you need Les, I found this site, no idea of their reliabilty as have never bought from them:

http://tinyurl.com/y7fru87d

I well recall trying to find DDR2 RAM for No.2 gson’s first (used) PC, after DDR3 had been in vogue for a good while. Eventually gave up on cost grounds, upgraded the whole thing and fitted DDR3. Difference in DDR3 price went some way towards the upgrade.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

I remembered what I bought from Dixons. Must have between 1976: I had left the Army and moved in with parents, until 1982, when they moved into  a Sheltered Housing flat. Mam wanted a new larger TV (got it) and dad wanted a radio, for footy and other stuff live from Radio Nottingham. He only watched TV for sport or wildlife, documentaries and such. Mam watched literally anything and fell asleep watching most of it. Funnily enough, my SWMBO does that now, although she does not watch daytime TV, so does have some good taste! ??

Rambling and digressing again: It was a Philips mains FM/AM wooden cabinet radio, replaced the old Bush 9v battery/mains tranny I bought in 1964 and have photos of with my mates on Blackpool beach in that year. It was, for the time, almost state of the art: I could actually get Police Band on it after some antenna and internal tinkering. Spent a few interesting evenings with dad, listening to various Police activities, chasing and catching Baddies*. A very attractive set, long, low and clean lines, a good deep speaker at each end, with 2 more speakers end-facing. Great sound, never had better sound without much more expensive audio. Wish I still had it! Dixons sold some good stuff then, attuned to the market, so to speak. Is DSG losing that ability now, I wonder?

*Yes I know: illegal, but great fun! Statute of Limitations applies I believe…??

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Full of Ads, but lots of reviews Steve:

http://tinyurl.com/y8hqlyke

I like TP-Link personally and will install my 3 yo VDSL 9980 on my FTTC service to replace the Plusnet Hub One when Plusnet get around to making Openreach connect my new cabinet (just around the corner from my Close) to my line, instead of the old one a mile away. Should get more Mbps then. If only….

Hub One is not bad, Gigabit to the Desktop and around 300 Mbps to the laptop, 72 to Wifi phones and tablet. But the 9980 will beat that.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Had the same email Ryan, immediately changed my password, etc. I rarely visit Currys now, last time was to buy my Humax Freesat box, because I had a £50 voucher from a previous Currys purchase, a substantial reduction over every other outlet. My rare visits are usually to the store and check out a bit of ‘on show’ kit, usually for a mate or family, then recommend an item online for best price/deal.

Never used Carphone Warehouse and cannot remember when I last used Dixons, it was a separate organisation at that time, which is years ago.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Someone at a Computer Fair (remember those?) told me this a long time ago. I recently found the typewritten notes in one of my old boxes.

Considering the rapid rate of change in computer power and associated demands upon PC components:

*’Enough’ memory is rarely sufficient for long.

*’Enough’ backups are rarely sufficient for long.

*’Enough’ storage is rarely sufficient for long.

*’Enough’ PSU power is rarely sufficient for long.

*’Enough’ cooling is rarely sufficient for long.

*Your CPU may be outdated within months.

Some of that is no longer applicable, but it made sense to me at the time, as I had recently discovered that the Cyrix-powered PC I had bought from a back street Nottingham cowboy, was over priced and under powered. I was a computer novice and never forgot that rip off. Plus the 17″ CRT monitor almost put my fragile back out, although it was the best part of the deal, had it for a good few years until I discovered  flat screens.

I lived and learned!

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Couple of bad reviews there Boris, drives failed early.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

I have used Macrium Reflect making backup images to my hoary old Zyxel nsa310 NAS for years, backing up my desktop, SWMBO’s laptop and No.2 grandson’s various PC’s. I set it to delete any backups above 5 and have never had a problem.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

That is useful Nolan, passing it on to a parent of an adult on the spectrum. Good spot.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Thanks Ed, but there was only one Logitech driver ever on the laptop: the wireless M235 is the only mouse of any description, used with it. The main problem was the PS/2 vs Logitech conflict, and the KB drivers, which I uninstalled, rebooted and latest drivers were installed at reboot. I also updated the M235 Logitech software and drivers.

As an aside, I found a manual for the Lenovo Thinkpad B50-80 and discovered everything there that I might need to remove & replace battery pack, memory, (128GB) SSD, optical drive, LAN card and keyboard. It all looks simple and straightforward, should I ever need it. I have thoughts of upgrading RAM, removing optical drive and replacing with another SSD for storage.

Providing SWMBO allows that of course, it’s her baby…

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

I recommend “Dunstan” to anyone who likes fact-based historical fiction. St. Dunstan was an actual figure during the 11th Century, involved in the creation of England by Aethelstan, the grandson and heir of King Alfred. Conn Iggulden carries out deep extensive research when writing his historical books and it is as true to real events as possible.

Life story:     http://tinyurl.com/yd396rpo

Conn Iggulden books:    http://tinyurl.com/ycsbryfd

The Mongol books are particularly good. “Wolf of The Plains” – “Lords of The Bow” – “Bones of The Hills” – “Khan: Empire of Silver”. IMO, Conn Iggulden is a better author of historical stories than Bernard Cornwell, and I have read a lot of Cornwell books.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Thanks Richard, no message from Plusnet yet, which may be a good sign: they usually send a message regarding an engineer visit, very soon after the visit. I found the cabinet and it is much closer to our Close. Have to hope that this will give me better service.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Thanks Nolan. I have lost 2 good mates to Alzheimers and Dementia over the last few years. We are living longer, but at what price? Know I have many medical problems, but just got to hope my marbles stay in the bag.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

You won’t lose that bright yellow box, Chris!

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

You’re welcome Nolan. Just read another by Conn Iggulden: “Darien, Empire of Salt.” More blood-soaked fantasy really, not as good as the Falcon story, but not bad and Book 1 of a 3-series. Not reading 2 and 3 yet, started another by same author: “Dunstan” which is about St. Dunstan in the 11th century, taking the reader through to 1066 and the aftermath.

Told in the first person as if by Dunstan as an old man, writing his life story. Only just started, but already hooked!

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Bad day for me. Brother has total Dementia, completely incontinent, knows no one at all, totally out of it. It’s his 89th birthday: I wish he would just go to sleep and not wake up. Unfortunately he suffers from the almost indestructible Williams constitution. We can undergo so many ops and medical problems, the engine just keeps running, even after the guidance system fails.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Author]

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