Thanks Hilary,

All new territory to me.

TP

Anyone tried this prog.
http://www.onspeed.com/en/index.php
Does it work?

I have heard lots of reports that it can be very fast, but mysteriously not everyone seems to get the benefit.

It works by compressing and uncompressing text data that gives the greatest benefits due to the type of data and the embedded spaces. It does not do anything if you are downloading software as it is usually compressed already and it also does not compress much anyway. The same is true of graphics.

Graphics like .jpg, .gif and the various movie formats are already compressed and are unlikely to be any faster.

It also increases the load on your processor. How useful it turns out to be depends on your use of the internet.

Hard to say what the benefit is for any given user, it works by redirecting your requests to their servers which then compress the data to be uncompressed at your end by their software. My own take is that this might be OK for people stuck with dialup, but I doubt if it offers much advantage to broadband users these days. Just another link in the chain to break, IMHO. And for 25/month, you can have broadband.

For about 45/month, you can have unlimited 3G broadband via Vodaphone, as I recall. You can stuff the 3G card into an appropriate router and off you go.

Anybody have/know where I can get a viewer/reader for old Lotus Freelance graphics files - .pre? Powerpoint refuses to open them and all searches lead to IBM page where a viewer is nowhere to be found? I still have my original Smartsuite discs but this laptop doesn't have a floppy drive to load it.

kernow, I would get a newer version of Smartsuite on CD. I have the 97 version and having checked it opens .PRE files and it runs under Windows 2000 and no doubt XP. That will only set you back a few pounds but there is a newer 9.8.1 version too. See ebay:

http://computers.search.ebay.co.uk/lotus-smartsuite_Software_W0QQcatrefZC12QQfromZR40QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsacatZ18793

3G cards.

Someone on a photograph forum found this. Might help someone.

http://www.elandigitalsystems.com/adapter/u132.php

TP

I have just aquired one of the Vodaphone 3G cards from Ebay,when i come to install it which should not be a problem,the problem is at the moment i use the laptop via a access point,will installing the card affect the current use or will winxp sort this out automatic or will i have to change the setting when i come to use the differant systems ????

Mega...

Mega,

Never used one but I get the impression that you have software that you choose which access point yuo want to use. IE When at home you choose your wireless network and when on the road select the 3G before you leave. Easy.

ADAM,thanks for your help,at the moment i just switch the laptop on and it searches for the access point using IE then i can surf the net as i would do with the normal pc,but when i go away from my office say for the weekend i want to be able to open the laptop again but this time use the 3G card using IE,would xp automatic sort the differances out on start up or would i have to change some settings in IE ????

Mega...

I think you will have to choose a connection.

ADAM,many thanks for your help,will try it some time tomorrow and update the out come,will create restore point 1st so if i cock it up could do a restore !!!

Mega...

Iain,

Regarding Onspeed, been using It for about a year now, definitely faster with, then without (thats type and not pics/games etc. which Is not a consideration for me) I am on dial up and did not want to go to all the time/trouble and expense Of getting more hardware for broadband.I had heard of some horror stories regarding If one wanted to change ones broadband supplier.

I had been considering Onspeed, when B.T. had this Free offer to download It which I took.
I posted for views at the time on here but didn't get much user feedback and can't find the thread on the search facility now.

I don't have broadband but have tried It at the library and will say that Onspeed Is not as fast. It was 24.99 for a year at the time.

So whilst not being as fast as broadband It Is faster then with straight dial up with no potential hassle which change can bring. I use a Mac but don't know If that makes a difference or not.

Hope that Is of some help.

Thankd Kayak - although as a Cornishman I was looking for a nil cost solution lol.

Mega - I have the o2 data card. This came with o2 connection manager software so I just turn off my wireless, slot in the card, start the software and the software looks for available wireless LAN or connects via 3G/GPRS, my choice. IE works the same either way at home or away. The Connection Manager is also useful because it gives data usage - apparently the O2 system will not allow bils to contain info. on data usage - just price.

kernow,thanks for the info,how do you get on with the card ????

Mega...

Cheers Stan etc.
Asking for friend on Dial up at end of a long line>

Kayak - sorry I've not responded but I've had some sort of dreaded virus!
No its not dialling a connection - first thing I tried.

My brother in law is coming along today to reformat the whole thing so hopefully this will be ok. Many thanks for trying to help.

Haystack - That sounds really interesting - could you please post the sites for future use?

Thank you all

Katrina

Mega - I find the card useful although I'm rarely able to connect on 3G - GPRS is OK but slow cf broadband. I also use it from Spain which is expensive atm but I'm hoping O2/Telefonica takeover might reduce prices (manana!) O2 are the pits though for customer service.

How do i set up a Skype system on my pc,the way i am thinking of going is Bluetooth by using my handsfree from my mobile and using a dongle thingy on the pc.What software do i use and is it easy to install and use ????

Sorted,Skype account up and running,have just ordered a usb Handset from Ebay for 8.50 brand new,cant wait to use it now :-)

kernow,many thanks for your feedback on 3G and laptops.

Mega...

Had to buy another laptop as previous one had an accident with a brick wall. I seem to average 2 a year.

I decided to buy one with not much RAM as I have a collection of smashed up notebooks and though I could just take the RAM from one of those. Managed to find a good fit (it is the same size RAM and fits in the slot).

Question:

When I try and put the old RAM into the 2nd RAM slot on the new notebook, or even just just the old RAM in the main slot, it wont fire up. It starts off with a couple of beeps then seems to start but the screen doesn't come on.

I know all RAM isn't universal, but thought if it is the same size it should fit? Am I right?

Do I need to do anything to the Bios? If yes what? In fact I don;t even know how to get into the Bios.

Bloody computers.