FYI.. lotta sites selling 1 or 2 TB USB sticks for peanuts, ie less than £20. Basically, they can't make them for that price. The USB controller on the stick is made to think it has 1 or 2TB of storage space. While only having (usually) 8Gb or so of actual storage.

If I could (like many PC nerds) get that kinda storage for less than £20 rather than pay £100 for a 1TB SSD.. I'd be queueing up and buying half a dozen at a time.

ie It's a scam

ketchuplover: I'll stick to Win 10 for a few years yet. Took me a few months to get use to win 10 after using win 7 for so long lol

Though as a free upgrade... Have to watch some vids on the differences. Shorten any learning curves

mal4inara: I would still switch to windows 10 though, if you can. Even though 8.1 is still getting security updates, it only has two years left of such. Easy to get off microsoft (I use win 10 Pro) via a free download. And if you want to go legit re licence, mine cost £3 off ebay

But as I said, only if you or someone you know, is savvy enough to do it. And back up all your data onto USB stick firstly. To be safe

Bernice: Sounds like a general settings change via windows. Because Microsoft knows best... NOT! lol

Bernice: Least wasn't like when the drivers for my Graphics card were off. Bug that just some users had. Caused crashes, and other weird things. Took makers months to sort out!

Bernice: Tis weird, as just tried it, and it works here!

Bernice: It's setting it to remember you then. All have the option.

Bernice: Probably some maintenance prog erased your password memory for the site, or a windows update causing a little mayhem. Why I have a book for all the sites, games and such. And a USB stick for backing up photos and my Ark evolved game save. Lost months of play thanks to my phone charging via USB cable while windows was updating. Couldn't even use a restore.

Just set it to remember all as you use to.

btw if you use a USB stick to back up or transfer stuff. Remember to "Eject it". Makes sure windows has done all data transfers, else it could have put such on hold while it does other stuff. Saves getting corrupt files

If any are interested in a free video rendering Program for PC's.
Try Davinci Resolve.
Hasn't got all the features of the 'can buy' version. But enough for youtube or home videos

Built myself a Ryzen 3600X based rig with 16gb 3200mhz ram. Vega 56 GPU (know how to unlock to make it a Vega 64), 1TB NVME gen 3 as primary SSD, with a 500mb SSD for less used items.. all presented on a 27" 1440p 144fps 1ms monitor, most expensive part btw. Probably outlive a few GPU's ;)

No moving parts bar fans.
Beats First gen Ryzen 8 core chips in multi thread tests.
Renders 1080p 60fps 10 minute vids in 3 minutes!

Minimal RGB lighting at start. But CPU fan is now RGB, and bought RGB strip.Though Mobo (X470) is just RGB, buying Addressable RGB parts and use a convertor box I bought to give right signal. Thinking lights will last years, so can re use them as pure addressable on next Mobo.

at 1080p easy 144fps
at 1440p 90fps

took a few hours to build, but was over careful. Double checked I knew what I was doing, before doing it. Not a youtuber with many builds behind me.
But it's a very nice system :)

I saw the news that Android based game consoles are soon to be hitting the market. Cheap games being the main attraction of such a system.

Found the answer... Unlike my old card, the new one has pre-set min/max range on the GPU and memory for over-clocking. So the Catalyst Control centre no longer needs to test in this range for stability problems. Although, it is advised to keep below 95%.

Above that, the likes of MSI afterburner are required with the safeties disengaged. And in my case (which I am doing) add additional cooling.

Does anyone know whether there is a problem with the AMD overdrive function (within the Catalyst Control functions)and certain ATI graphics cards? In this case a ati radeon 6450.

The auto tune and test stability do not appear, even though on my old card they were visible and worked.

I used the manufacturers version of the Catalyst control centre, I've not tried the ATI version.. so it could be that, just I wondered if anyone has had similar or has heard of this problem.

Cheers :)

puupia: I managed to find the dx10 patch after an hour of looking through various links. So far.. no problems.

I have to agree at the mo, it looks like dx11 is only available through windows 7.

Just didn't want to go through the process of redoing my o/s

Now.. I know the answer is very probably no, but does anyone know of a method of updating from dx9 to dx11 without having to go through the hassle of updating my OS from XP to 7? I think I've gone as far as I can, re managing to find a dx10 update for XP, but I have not seen any that can take me from dx10 to dx11 without redoing my Windows OS.

I'm also interested in what the likes of ubuntu can do regarding this matter.

MadMonkey: Not an update from Microsoft that's screwed up things?

diogenysos: Nice.. Especially as the battery might still be ok giving you a spare

wetware: I got Microsoft to send a Windows disk free of charge to us. They made it that a certain laptop manufacturer could not issue such for reinstalling Windows if the likes of a virus overrun or hard disk failure. All I had to do was email a copy of the document I got off the manufacturer.

Artful Dodger: So say all the consumer experts. N' our UK regulatory body called "Trading Standards" recon goods should last about 6 years at least. Well, that is what I was told during a telephone convo.

Bernice: It was disposed of as being not very long lived.

And yes.. really. People tend to get annoyed (well normal people) if their items tend to break just a few months after the manufacturers statuary 1 year guarantee ends. Plus the likelihood of a breakdown within this 1 year increases. Costly to the manufacturer in terms of having to replace goods within the one year, n' costly in terms of reputation regarding quality.

Artful Dodger: They have a word for these extended warranties in the UK...

CON JOB.

All products are made to last years, usually in electronics at least 5-6

MadMonkey: Had no choice the other day. Bought an HD and had to install windows. But now the drive keeps up with the rest of me beastie lol

BadBoy7: These are the options I try.

Try going back to an earlier restore point. The option to restore to an earlier saved stable operating system can work .. you should find it through the control panel.

If not... You can try repair windows.. ie boot via your windows cd and attempt a repair.

I'd say try reinstalling the drivers for the laptop re the internet/ethernet, etc via another pc and reinstall them... but it sounds like it's too far gone for that.

Format and reinstall windows via your windows cd is probably the best idea.

toedder: .... or use as I have a 2nd HD? As to the tinkering, can you be a little more precise. I'm not unuse to tinkering, but I'd rather be a bit fore warned over what I might face.

toedder: as in the motherboard... but from you've said it looks like no problems.

MadMonkey: Sounds good, I'll look into it. My only other question (though logically the answer is no) .... there are no problems with board drivers or is that something WINE would be able to handle, or would be fixable via the UBUNTU software centre?

as to Windows.. I remember PC's before Windows.. when the likes of X tree gold (sp) were the way. Or, as I use to own, the o/s of the Amiga systems (RIP) .. It was nice to able alter a few lines in a duplicate of the start up disc to make the screen as you wanted it.

MadMonkey: My only real question with the likes is how it copes with shop bought PC software....games, etc.

Will they work.. or do I need to think about a dual o/s?

Binabik: You should be able to.

http://www.oldapps.com/firefox.php?old_firefox=6

Lists older versions, just download the version you want, uninstall FF and install the version you want.

Binabik: Depending on your tech availability you could link up a desktop to your TV and use a wireless keyboard and mouse... and hence still sit in your comfy chair.

Czuch: this media direct is the only way you can read and play dvds on your system?

diogenysos: ?? Downloaded the drivers??

If you, like me are interested in upgrading/overclocking your system/cpu.. then you might find this program useful.

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

It gives a detailed breakdown of your system, even detailing part numbers (eg motherboard) making research on what you can do easier.

And this site for info on overclocking an intel chip.
http://www.overclock.net/intel-cpus/1567-intel-overclocking-guide.html


***********************************

With the information I've read (do your research) I can overclock my CPU at a decent rate for about £10... ie just upgrade the heatsink/fan from ebay. It also can lead to you upgrading your cpu for a relatively cheap price (off ebay again) and thanks to a good fan/heatsink, increase the capability.

ellieoop: If you've had automatic update on you'll be automatically upgraded.

If you do a check as Madmonkey said..


1. Press [Windows Key] + [R].
2. Type WINVER and click OK.
3. The service pack version installed on your system will be displayed. Click OK to close the window.

You'll find out in less than 5 seconds.

Artful Dodger: add ons are like apps for the i phone and the like. Can be a royal pain.

Snoopy: SPYWARE.... CLEAR EVERYTHING ON YOUR HISTORY OPTION. YOU'VE GOT A LITTLE PROGRAM RUNNING ADVERTS.

CAREFUL WHAT YOU CLICK ON. USE THE LIKES OF A REGISTRY CLEANER AND A WINDOW WASHER TO.

Snoopy: SOUNDS LIKE YOU'VE PICKED UP A BUG. I'D DO A FULL VIRUS & SPYWARE SCAN IF I WERE YOU FIRST.

TigerCat: Combo fix works well in such cases. It'll list any crap registry entries so you can delete them.

I found this through trying to find an intro for the Freespace2 Babylon 5 mod for my profile on youtube..

It's free... and available for PC amd Mac...

http://ifh.babylonfive.ru/

If you are fan of B5 or space sims give it a try. It beats the Freespace version Flying through hyperspace can be cReepy

Universal Eyes: The disk that came with me PC was as such made for the machine.. All the drivers to get the PC going are on that disk as well as windows xp.

I don't know why some pc manufacturers have to make things so awkward but they do. It maybe that microsoft are/ have played silly games on 'copyright'. As I know they can!!

MadMonkey: It does sound like the original IBM install disk that the company used are quirky and are a little different from a straight forward windows XP disk. I'd try and get hold of them if you can.

MadMonkey: ethernet cable itself... dry joints... the IBM's used a weird install disc?? Have you plugged in an alternative ethernet card?

With all those problems, it sounds like a common problem rather then a specific hardware bug. Can you get an original disk for the machines.. it does sound like the install wasn't correct.

MadMonkey: Thunderbird.. it ain't like Outlook express where you download emails to your PC is it?

Why.. I don't like the idea of downloading emails, never have. the system sounds interesting, but my concern of limiting possible infection, causes me to prefer the likes of yahoo.

diogenysos: Maybe. Probaly sour grapes... they have been finding themselves on the wrong end of the law recently alot.

Maybe Bill is not happy he's making so much money now.. as if he needs more!!

diogenysos: Weird.. I'm using firefox 3.5.3 and having no problems (Win XP) ... I heard there were some 'glitches' but things are fine.

diogenysos: Sounds like an update glitch from Microsoft then. I'm only saying that as one of their updates caused conflicts with our internet security software. I'd go through any recent updates from them and uninstall the latest... or give them a call and get advice!!

The other option is... http://www.combofix.org/ .......... It's a desktop run program that scans deep and gives a full report on the likes of registry issues. But make sure ( as prompted) you use the back up option first.

But I'd lean towards it being an update conflict.

diogenysos: Last time something like this happened to me, turned out to be an Upgrade problem to do with Microsoft's automatic updates.

But you could try un-installing Firefox and installing a previous version.

furbster: It's not so much cheapness....going for good deals, etc... it's about power and upgrading. Quite honestly, you should be going for dual core machines, or at least a beefed up Pentium 4 or equiv. If you want a machine that'll last a few years.

Thing is with this recession, it's become a buyers market.. so do shop around.

diogenysos: Ghost in the machine??!!??

pauloaguia: Something to remember for future possibles... Cheers