Hil:

I second Optimist's recommendation of Crucial.

25 got me the 2 Gigglebytes of RAM that's running in my current ThinkPad. Doubling the memory makes quite a difference. In general, adding RAM is the cheapest and easiest way of improving performance. Failing that, we've found that a brace of quad-core Intel Xeons perks things up a bit :)

Martini

For conditional formatting, in Excel 2007 there is a button on the Home ribbon. For earlier versions, I think I remember there being a format menu, otherwise, type "conditional format" into help.

It's well worth experimenting with.

thanks
M

I third the crucial recommendation. I use them personally (and have done for years), and my company has just started using them to saying a fortune on Apple's own RAM prices.

I've been buying Crucial camera cards since I went digital. No problems that were left unresolved.

However, I understand they are now a subsidiary of Lexar.

Probably makes little difference, but I felt it worth mentioning.

TP

A while ago someone listed some software that you could run to check that all your internet bookmarks were still valid. anyone know what it was and if it works on firefox.

AM-DeadLink 3.2 - Free Software

Editor's review of AM-DeadLink
Sweep out the dead
This freeware program helps tame your list of bookmarked sites with a nice set of tools to manage links.

AM-DeadLink's interface is packed with options, but tool tips and a logical layout make it easy to follow. The length of the verification process depends on the size of your Favorites list, but the wait wasn't bad in our tests. You can sort results by any of the columns, which include name, status, URL, and folder categories. You also can delete entries one at a time or by the group.

The Backup option is a welcome safeguard that allows you to easily restore your original list in case you get too delete-happy. You can open links in a new browser window if you want to verify results or investigate those with error codes, but AM-Deadlink also has a handy Internal Preview option that allows you to open the link without leaving the program. You can dress up your bookmarks with the option to download FavIcons, making it easier to distinguish one link from another.

The program supports Internet Explorer, Firefox, Mozilla, and Opera. AM-Deadlink is a solid choice for any user looking for a comprehensive (and no-cost) way to manage bookmarks.

Thanks ExecLine

I've deleted all the inactive links and it took only minutes. It's amazingly good.

Now I'm going to run it again and download the Favicons.

I've been having BB connectivity issues for some time now, since early April I'd say.
I blamed it on BT to begin with. They didn't deny that there was a problem, and they tweaked and banged (in India I assume) for a few days again the other week, assuring me of their best intentions.

It is sooo frustrating waiting and waiting for a connection. Monday evening I simply gave up, having managed to place a couple of trades I watched in horror as window after window kept opening up all over the screen (after I lost the connection for the hundredth time). Same thing again yesterday - all I could do to stop the 'multiplying' was to shut down, over and over. It's a wonder I managed to make anything when cable finally fell after those cute little CPI jobbies.

Last night I thought it would be a good idea to try system restore, only because I felt this problem might have something to do with Windows updates. Well of course McAfee started giving me gyp after that, what with the fact that I still had no connection - none whatsoever this morning. And then a very nice man persuaded me to uninstall McAfee after activating Windows firewall. Well it worked a treat for a few hours whilst I got on with some work, but then when I opened ODL and my platform in the hope of a bit of trading non interruptus, it all went pear-shaped again.

Should I be enabling exceptions in the firewall, and if so - what ports/programmes?
And how do I add any if I ought to?
I ask this because I always get the live update/exe (unidentified publisher) question when I access ODL Metatrader

And on that basis I don't really have a clue what my internet settings should be either.
Does my level of security affect the sites I'm using - this includes MoneyAM as well as the 2 mentioned above? That's why I've hardly been posting for weeks now.

Any help most gratefully appreciated :)

chocolat

Windows firewall does not block many outgoing conections, but if you do need to modify the settings for a particular program then I would expect that info to be availible on their site.

From your post, I would guess that you are using a USB ADSL modem. These are unreliable, insecure and difficult to set up. You would do well to buy an ADSL firewall router (for the extra cost, make it a wireless one). Once set up, you will have a far better BB connection.

Thanks Optimist.
You're right about the modem, I think (it's a BT Voyager 210 ADSL router) - I just couldn't figure out why there was suddenly a worsening problem as it ran relatively smoothly for the last year. We have a couple of home hubs sitting here, but Mr Grumpy didn't want me to use one when this cursed Vista machine was set up - he didn't like the wireless aspect for security reasons, although he's changed his mind since he bought a new laptop.
And believe me, I would have installed it myself a few weeks ago, but when I read through the set up thingie, it made special mention about Vista and a disc, and my eyes just glazed over.

Choccie: USB broadband modems should be consigned to the deepest pits of hellfire. Unfortunately, IMHO, so should Vista.

However, what you have appears to be a regular router (not what is usually considered to be a USB router, although it does have a USB port). I'm not sure how you're connecting to it, but I'd choose to use its Ethernet port.

Note to Microsoft sufferers: if you're buying a new machine (e.g. from Dell) buy before the end of June if you want to specifiy XP rather than Vista. M$ say they're stopping new sales of XP then.

Yes I know that now, Dezza - trouble is, when I needed a new machine, Dell were only offering Vistas - no XPs. I even did a round of the shops (well for all of one day) I did try :S

Anyway - is the home hub thingie ok to install then?

PS No idea how the current modem is connected - all 4 lights are on when it's fully functioning - i.e. power :) DSL, internet and ethernet.

chocolat

If you have an ADSL hub then use that. It will connect to your BB and maintain the connection regardless of whether or not any computers are switched on and will also have at least a minimum and very likely a good firewall.

You should then connect the computers to the hub using ethernet cables (not USB) or use wireless if you prefer. If wireless is enabled, make sure that it is secure. Change the deffault passwords and use a minimum of WPA-PSK security.

Hi Chocolat. I had the BT Voyager 210 and initially it worked well but after about 18 months, when out of warranty, if became very unstable. I spent some hours with the guys in India trying all sorts of solutions until eventually they came to the conclusion the router was knackered. I now have the BT Voyager 220V ADSL Voice Router which has not yet let me down. Cost was about 25, I recall. There seems to be a facility to use an additional voice line with it but I've not tried that.

Hi Choc,

Yes, my experience is also that routers don't last forever.

The new ones are cheap (around the 40 is cheap compared with the time you are wasting) and almost set themselves up.

I agree that you should use an ethernet link. My router is not in the same room as the laptop so I use one of those Devolo home plug links and again they are easy as anything to set up.

Take the plunge and start afresh is my suggestion.

TP

Every router I have had (netgear, linxys) only ever seem to last a year then start playing up. I'm sure they have some kind of timer in them so that you need to renew each year.

Worth checking the router isn't getting too hot. Plenty of space around it and try standing it on its end.

Worth checking the power supply as well.