TP:

Encryption is only part of the issue. The key thing is to restrict the routers to allow connexion only from the MAC addresses (hardware addresses that look like this 00:11:50:7c:e2:ba) of your computer(s). That way, your neighbours can't get into your network and examine any of the contents of your computers.

You can use the same WEP key, AFAIK, on each router. What I would do is set each router to use a different radio channel. The laptop (which I assume is what you're carrying around) should simply offer you a choice of base to link to -- pick the one with the strongest signal.

PS for Haystack: But did the baby look like you?

Just reading about U3 drives. Does anyone have any experience of them?

http://www.u3.com/

SC,

http://www.theshowguide.co.uk/index.php?main=showvenues

Two earlier ?s

I have an Epsom R 300. I went to PC World and they quoted 50+ for a set of inks.

At the computer fair I paid 20 for 3sets. I had no problems and to my eyes the photos were as good if not better than the Epsom inks.

I have used these inks for many years on other machines without problems. The address above should get you there.

AS far as cleaing screen buy a cheap chamois leather square from the pound shop, marvellous I use it for cleaning the screen and my glasses, Keeping it slightly moist, in a plastic bag, after washing it with the smallest amount of washing up detergent.

Thanks Fred

MM.

Thanks for that on WiFi.

My current set-up is an ADSL modem router with WiFi. It is set to require WEP and it is next to my laptop which communicates with the WiFi. I also have a PDA with WiFi and that provides me with a quick way of checking e:mails as it saves having to boot up the laptop.

I now want to move the laptop into a different room.

I plan to use an Ethernet cable from the existing router to one of those internet devices that transmit the signal through the electricity mains sockets.

I'll put a similar socket device in the other room and feed that, via ethernet cable, into another WiFi transmitter. In theory that will enable me to have the laptop WiFi connected in the other room - and also for me to use the PDA in that room as well. Hence the wish to use the same WEP codes, as it seems simpler. But I must admit that I had not thought of forcing that new WiFi device on to a different channel.

If this all works as I hope I'll have the ability to use the laptop and PDA in the new room - and still be able to use the PDA in the current room as I'll not be getting rid of the WiFi.

These socket devices seem to be well respected. I have seen one brand that is not only a socket that picks up the internet coming through the mains, but is also has a WiFi transmitter built into it. Certainly that will be neater - but I'll use a separate WiFi transmitter for the moment as I already have an unused one lurking somewhere.

You mentioned hex codes. Am I not right in thinking that WEP gives me that protection?

TP.

On a slightly different topic, I believe a 'broadband through the mains' idea was trialled in Scotland.

I live just a bit too far from my enabled exchange to enjoy anything better than 1mbps down my phone line. I wonder how it worked out? Perhaps the diameter of the copper wire isn't/wasn't the main problem?

Morning guys

i have finally received my laptop back from toshiba with a new hard drive installed but have 2 problems.

Firstly, and most importantly, the laptop says it cannot find any wireless networks to connect to meaning i cant get onto my wireless connection (run through my other machine). Is there a set up i need to do as i thought the computer should find the network automatically.

Secondly, they have installed a diff version of windows (basic rather than media centre). Is it difficult to change this using the original discs and if not how do i go about it

many thanks in advance

Also, i have got my old hard drive back and would like to try and get the data recovered (i know i should have backed it up). Can anyone recommend a company in oxfordshire or via post?

Have managed to fix the connection issue - didnt realise there was a "wireless connection" switch :-)

Fundy,

Before you re-load all your data - are you sure this might not be a chance to upgrade your version of Windows to XP or something?

I b*gg*r*d my photographic studio PC and never regret the consequencies as it gave me the impetus to move from Win 2000 - which I would not have bothered to do otherwise.

TP

TP

am trying to load the operating software now - fingers xxx'ed :-)

Friend of mine has Norton Internet Security package and wondered if it's also advisable to run Adaware, Spywareblaster and Spybot as well. Do they cause any conflicts and is it worth it?
I told her I didn't know but I know a group of chaps that will!
Thanks in advance.

Bolshi, I would recommmend that initially he runs Adaware and Spybot as usual but removing the memory resident parts (tea Timer on Spybot S&D if I remember correctly).

If after a few weeks he finds that these extra scans find very little then reduce the frequency.

Its usefull to have more than one tool available so dont delete at least thise two and keep them up-to-date.

I would also recommend having another virus scan tool available, one of the free online ones will do (e.g. Panda) again a preiodic scan with an alternative tool is worthwhile and in an emergency it might save your data.

I run that setup with no conflicts. Whether it's advisable or not is another matter. Someone more knowledgeable than me will answer that.

Just to add to my post 5130, those products will probably all run together fine however the memory resident parts may cause the machine to slow down as they are all processing the same things.

Also personally I dont line Norton Internet Security its a resource hog.

Adaware would be OK to use alone, IMHO and I would discontinue using the other two.

My preference for Antivirus Protection is towards EZ Antivirus.

I don't find it unusual to hear you using the words 'Norton' and 'conflicts' in the same sentence. I've read them in that context before. Therefore, I'm more than OK personally with EZ Antivirus.

And then there's Windows Updates, which need keeping up to date.

And also the need to have and use a Firewall.

Sp,

I don't like Norton. Creates too many non-removeable files, that other software resents.

If you want a new name try PC-Cillin from Trend Micro.

TP

Can't resist Norton - it comes as a freebie with my BT connection.

A bit more info about my spam problem (post 5096). Thanks to the guys who responded, but this isn't an Outlook Express problem. I probably didn't describe my email setup well enough...

A couple of years back I changed ISP twice and my email address changed twice. I thought a better idea would be to register my own internet domain - let's say it's www.peterg.com - so I could always keep the same email. I then used a hosting company with a mail forwarding service and told them to forward all mail arriving for anything@peterg.com to my ISP email account, let's say peterg@btinternet.com.

Everything was going fine and, as an extra bonus, the forwarding company scans all email passing through the system for viruses. Then about 10 days ago I suddenly started getting "Returned Mail - Delivery Failure" notices for mails I'd never sent. Looking at the email headers it looks like some spamming b*st**d has hijacked @peterg.com to send out spam. Looking at the message source I found "senders" like "From: Osmond Patel '< 'jchq @peterg.com'>' ". Definitely not from me!

I contacted the hosting company and they told me that these spam attacks usually only last a few days and there's not much I can do about it. Today it looks like the volume of return notices is starting to decrease. Still, it's pretty scary because people all over the place are getting spam that they think is from me :-(

I still don't know if there's any way I can find out who is doing this?

Optimist - i'm taking your advice to get a pc to use as a remote for my mac - do i need it to have xp or will 2000 be good enough.

thanks Nick.