OK thanks guys. Might have a go later. Fortunately PC holding up so far. Famous last words no doubt.....

.

I've just been taking the Opera 9.00 browser for a spin this evening -- I think it must have the quickest web page rendering ever. Very impressive and worth a try.

For free at http://www.opera.com/

Thanks to The Publisher for earlier advice on Replicators. I'll follow up.

Another issue. I have a LAN at home now :) Well a main computer and a lappie which access the internet through a Netgear router. I know I should encrypt access to the network to stop nosy neighbours and worse using my wireless connection but a quick browse has revealed a lot of complicated (to me) talk about WPA, and "make sure you do this and that". Basically, I need a mickey mouse guide to encrypting my network where I don't end up locking myself out of it from any computer I use!

Does anyone have a simpleton's guide to the software needed (if any) and how to do it in six easy steps?

Thank you.

Chief Dunce

Bones,

Pending some info from someone experienced - which I am not - you might like to take a roam around http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/

I got my kit from them. They were most helpful and it is possible that there is some advice for Dummies or Duncies on their site. Maybe not, but if you've quarter of an hour to kill.......

TP

Bones, if no-one else comes up with an answer I have a document somewhere which I could scan and email to you - I still have your e-mail address, but won't be until later this evening.

TP, SC. Thank you both!

I have just done a re-load and I have lost my pound and 'at' sign. How do i get my keyboard back to what it was? I have xp home edition.
Thanks, in anticipation.

Help wanted for a friend of mine in oz , she's blond.

That adobe sight you sent me I did access that.before but try to download it, and it says' This url already exists' but try finding it!!! impossible .In the programes , I have adobe acrobat reader 4.0 when I try to get into it cannot. If I try to download the newer version ,cannot ,and if I try to uninstall it , it wont let, me saying parts of this program do not exist so cannot install. feel like I am going crazy.

Wondering if anyone can give me some advice. Had my laptop for about a year, seems to be getting abit slow, is there any bits of software(pitstop is one I looked at) thats good at cleaning all the crap out or do I need to take it to have it done professionally?

Poldark:

In control panel, click on: "Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options"

then "Regional and language options", and select "English (United Kingdom)" and click "OK"

That should give you back your missing symbols.

We're intending to take the printers off the individual PC's and put them straight onto the network via an ethernet switch.

We've got all the bits and bobs that are needed and will look to sort it out over the next couple of days, but is it as simple as it sounds or is it likely to be fraught with problems? Will the printers be automatically detected and assigned IP addresses or will they need to be manually assigned? Presumably printer drivers will need to be installed on each PC?

Seymoor Clearly have you not tried AVG, I use it and many others I know, free and reliable, been using it for two years now.

Bones - "Basically, I need a mickey mouse guide to encrypting my network where I don't end up locking myself out of it from any computer I use!"

1. Put a Unique SSID (I.e. the name of your Wireless Network should not be WLAN or any other default setting).).

2. Switch On the MAC Filter and enter the MACs of your laptop and PC. This will only allow your laptop/PC to connect to the system.

That's probably enough to keep out all but a determined hacker.

Bones in addition to bb excelent suggestions, I would also:

Change the router default password.
Use WPA-PSK encryption instead of WEP if available.
Stop the router broadcasting the SSID

Unfortunately the way you do this depends on the router/AP you have.

It should work easily Hilary, the print server ('the internet switch') will ask whatever is allocating addresses on your network (probably your router) for IP addresses. On each PC you will need to install each network printer (install printer will show an option to look on the network) and if any drivers are needed they will be loaded automatically.

Seymore. thanks for the help with keyboard, much apreciated.
Great thtread this.
poldark

Poldark,

Do you live in Cornwall or are you a dark haired man from Poland, LOL

Thanks, K. We're just waiting for a new printer table to arrive and then we're going to give it a go.

"...new printer table"

Oooooh!

:-)