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.

Depends on lots of things Mr E, difficult to advise without knowing both laptop models. Probably not the Bios. Easiest way to check is probably to enter the laptop details in the checker at http://www.crucial.com/uk/ and see if you get the same recommendation. Then throw the current laptop against the wall.

It may dependon what make and model of laptop you have. Isn't there anything about it in the manual. If you have no manual then there will be one on the internet on the maker's site. Laptop memory is very often not compatible. When you say the same size, do you mean physically or the amount of memory. The memory size combinations that can be used are often very specific and non-permitted combinations tend to be ignored by the motherboard or else it may refuse to boot up at all.

Thaks guys. New notebad details are here:

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=Compaq%2BPresario+Notebooks&mfr=Compaq&tabid=AM&model=Presario+M2000+Series&submit=Go

can find the old one (it's not listed), the recovery disks say: nc6100 and nx6100 series but it's not there:

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/listProductLine.asp?cat=RAM&mfr=HP+-+Compaq&submit=Go

My new comp only has 256. Should I buy 2 x 512 as there are only two slots and through the exisitng 256 in the bin?

Thanks.

also any ideas where I should buy it?

Kayak I know you have a shop, do u sell this type?

Buying from Crucial is probably a good solution, they are reliable and fairly cheap. You can get cheaper on eBay but it won't be that much cheaper and the potential for confusing similar sounding memory types is there. Yes if you're into heavy use, multiple windows etc. go for 2 x 512Mb but you could also just add 512Mb and see how you get on.

Don't have a shop Mr E, just sell my own bits of junk on eBay from time to time.

Some motherboards don't allow 256Mb and 512Mb together and some expect the biggest on in slot one. Compaq and ALR have always been odd because they used to design and make their own motherboards which were different and consequently the memory was often different.

Your user guide doesn't have any details of combinations.

It does say to remove the battery pack before changing memory modules though.

Placed the order and they dont have the stock for 2 weeks!!! Requested a refund. Anywhere else that offers a very fast service?

Thanks.

Whats your ebay username Kayak? You did tell me before :-)

http:///www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=17179509397&action=c2hvd3N1YmNhdGVnb3J5X3NlYXJjaA==&cat_uid=3&stid=2

These are good people for laptop memory.

Mega...

Thanks Mega, done.

No I didn't Mr E :-)

You did, about 3 years ago now I think.