Technology Thread.

[a1]

Got my new Superhub router from Virgin this week . Combined with the new pc the difference is amazing. New pc (although not totally brand new) is Dell and has XP Professional so, hopefully, my problems are ended.

watch it though, winders xp 's official 'support' (patches and that) ends sometime in 2013. some 11 or so years after release. and the only answer might be "upgrade it to windows 7 or 8" .

so it may become more of a virus riddled mess in the months after that.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

Do not, under any circumstances go for Windows 8. Upgrade to Windows 7 and save yourself from throwing the PC against a wall.

[bobo the clown]

Do not, under any circumstances go for Windows 8. Upgrade to Windows 7 and save yourself from throwing the PC against a wall.

My thoughts too. Only useful if you have a touchscreen computer.

If you MUST have it (maybe by buying a new pc/lappy with it loaded) at the very least revert to 'classic' view.

What were they thinking ??

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

Do not, under any circumstances go for Windows 8. Upgrade to Windows 7 and save yourself from throwing the PC against a wall.

My thoughts too. Only useful if you have a touchscreen computer.

If you MUST have it (maybe by buying a new pc/lappy with it loaded) at the very least revert to 'classic' view.

What were they thinking ??

Took me weeks of fannying around just to get windows update to work. A fairly basic thing to have working on an OS one would have thought

[TANGODANCER]

My computer needs are very basic these days. I don't play X-Boxy type games etc, so I'll just take it as it goes and see what happens. I downloaded Gimp, which looks more complicated than the Photoshop I was used to, but again with that, my needs are very basic. I can always ask my lad if I have any problems.

[ChrisC]

Do not, under any circumstances go for Windows 8. Upgrade to Windows 7 and save yourself from throwing the PC against a wall.

I quite like it personally. Most of the window apps are pants but I like having the option there if I want them. I can be doing whatever and notifications will pop up in the top right if something on ebay is finishing etc.. which is handy. If people don't like the tiles then you can download an app which makes everything look like windows 7 again with start menu and the usual stuff.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

Do not, under any circumstances go for Windows 8. Upgrade to Windows 7 and save yourself from throwing the PC against a wall.

I quite like it personally. Most of the window apps are pants but I like having the option there if I want them. I can be doing whatever and notifications will pop up in the top right if something on ebay is finishing etc.. which is handy. If people don't like the tiles then you can download an app which makes everything look like windows 7 again with start menu and the usual stuff.

My rant is more at it working rather than UI. Another thing is that Skype runs even if I tell it not to/kill it. So I think I'm safe from my mother and my laptop starts ringing

[Always hopeful]

Do not, under any circumstances go for Windows 8. Upgrade to Windows 7 and save yourself from throwing the PC against a wall.

I quite like it personally. Most of the window apps are pants but I like having the option there if I want them. I can be doing whatever and notifications will pop up in the top right if something on ebay is finishing etc.. which is handy. If people don't like the tiles then you can download an app which makes everything look like windows 7 again with start menu and the usual stuff.

My rant is more at it working rather than UI. Another thing is that Skype runs even if I tell it not to/kill it. So I think I'm safe from my mother and my laptop starts ringing

I've just bought a new laptop for my eldest son and he loves Windows 8, primarily because of its "apps" and new/funky (not a word he used) interface.

Meanwhile, rather than me outlaying another few hundred quid to replace the family desktop that's been steadlily dying over the last 6 years, I've spent the last 2 days reinstalling Windows XP. It's been a bit of a nightmare, but its definitely better/quicker than it was before I started, so I'm quite pleased with myself tbh!

[Dujon]

Enjoy it whilst you can, hopeful. I'm afraid that it's my experience that doing a re-installation such as you have done produces a marked improvement. Unfortunately as time goes by and you use your installed applications it will probably start again to become slower and slower. It's not your fault should it happen - and, depending on how you use the computer, it might not be all that noticeable. The reason is the 'junk' that builds up in the various files essential(?) for the various programmes' smooth running. This means that the computer does more work, particularly when starting, which results in slower response times. Should you have removed in the process of re-installation all those programmes you used once or rarely then you could expect some sort of permanent improvement.

I know only too well what you've been through in the last couple of days and wish you well with the 'new' machine.

[Always hopeful]

Enjoy it whilst you can, hopeful. I'm afraid that it's my experience that doing a re-installation such as you have done produces a marked improvement. Unfortunately as time goes by and you use your installed applications it will probably start again to become slower and slower. It's not your fault should it happen - and, depending on how you use the computer, it might not be all that noticeable. The reason is the 'junk' that builds up in the various files essential(?) for the various programmes' smooth running. This means that the computer does more work, particularly when starting, which results in slower response times. Should you have removed in the process of re-installation all those programmes you used once or rarely then you could expect some sort of permanent improvement.

I know only too well what you've been through in the last couple of days and wish you well with the 'new' machine.

Yep, I know what you mean. I realise that I'm just delaying the inevitable death of the machine, but I can't face throwing something away that still seems to have a bit of life left in it. I thought I'd give it the final chance for revival and if it died, then so be it, but at least I've given it a chance of a slightly extended life, followed by a dignified death.

Plus I've postponed any more personal outlay for a while.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

I've just bought a new laptop for my eldest son and he loves Windows 8, primarily because of its "apps" and new/funky (not a word he used) interface.

Meanwhile, rather than me outlaying another few hundred quid to replace the family desktop that's been steadlily dying over the last 6 years, I've spent the last 2 days reinstalling Windows XP. It's been a bit of a nightmare, but its definitely better/quicker than it was before I started, so I'm quite pleased with myself tbh!

Thing is, apps is just software applications. Apple just want everyone to think they invented it

To be fair, Windows 7 is pretty decent and wouldn't take long to get used to from XP. When you come to replace the desktop (very cheap to do these days) I'd recommend going for Windows 7...unless you fancy Linux; then Mint is very good.

[bobo the clown]

Well, we finally got fibre-optic fitted up yesterday after years of slow 1.2-1.8mps speed we have 22-24mps. So, while not exactly the full potential 80ps it's a vast improvement. Should get less drop-offs too, which will be welcome.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

Will make a big difference that Bobo. I've 16mbps which isn't bad. Broadband etc is prohibitively expensive here. 2 providers, but you don't get a choice of which one, so they can charge what they like. I could go for 100mbps for 270 GBP per month Makes you appreciate Sky, BT et al...

[Annoyed Grunt]

Well, we finally got fibre-optic fitted up yesterday after years of slow 1.2-1.8mps speed we have 22-24mps. So, while not exactly the full potential 80ps it's a vast improvement. Should get less drop-offs too, which will be welcome.

Which supplier?

[bobo the clown]

Well, we finally got fibre-optic fitted up yesterday after years of slow 1.2-1.8mps speed we have 22-24mps. So, while not exactly the full potential 80ps it's a vast improvement. Should get less drop-offs too, which will be welcome.

Which supplier?

it's with BT.

[Annoyed Grunt]

Well, we finally got fibre-optic fitted up yesterday after years of slow 1.2-1.8mps speed we have 22-24mps. So, while not exactly the full potential 80ps it's a vast improvement. Should get less drop-offs too, which will be welcome.

Which supplier?

it's with BT.

Cheers.

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

57mps with BT here

Oh and Bobo, if you don't like Windows, there is this other company I know that makes operating systems....

[bobo the clown]

57mps with BT here

Oh and Bobo, if you don't like Windows, there is this other company I know that makes operating systems....

Well, you are in 'that London' where everyone that matters is, don't forget.

... I do like Windows. Just less than impressed with the Windows 8 interface unless using it touchscreen.

[Montreal Wanderer]

57mps with BT here

Oh and Bobo, if you don't like Windows, there is this other company I know that makes operating systems....

How depressing - I only get 25 mbps at home (I assume this is what mps means), although we get 100 at work.
I also agree on Windows 7 and 8 - stick with 7 unless you are a under a certain age and have a touch screen.

[Athers]

Bobo is that 22 on wireless or wired connection? You should be getting better than 22 on wired, I'd have thought.

With my BT Infinity I get the full advertised 80/20 speed but only wired. With wireless it's more like 30 odd down... I probably could muck about with it a bit to try and improve this, but it's no big deal.