Cheer Exec - I like a personal rec, so will go down that route. Thanks for the info. Loads of machine USBs, none on the monitors but thanks for the hint.

I'm needing a bit of assistance myself.

I have an HP Photosmart Premium 309a 'All in one' printer (it also photocopies, scans to PDF and I persistently get 'fed up' by being on the receiving end of

1. HP's clever marketing tehnology, which has 'time chips' set into the cartridges.
2. HP's 'financially beneficial to HP but not to me' default, which makes the printer print type in 'Photoblack' unless you go into the printer menu every time and make it print type in regular 'Black. Of course every picture you print also uses Photoblack and so this runs out much quicker than regular 'Black'. Very clever! Then you find out you need to change the Photoblack cartridge more frequently and it makes your printing costs much much more expensive.
3. The best deal I can get for HP ink is at my local Staples store. I keep printing e-mails from them saying
'50% off your 2nd cartridge if you buy two the same'
'10 off if you spend more than 50'
Then I go down to the store and find out these deals have timed out!
It's now 20% off your second cartridge!
And the cartridge usage dates are short lived too!
Aaargh!!

Bored? Well, so am I!

The bottom line?

I'm wondering if anyone out there is using an HP printer and 'pirated ink'?

If so, can you recommend an online supplier to me so that can get out of this HP and Staples marketing stuff, which is nothing short of a con job?

I have Canon (used to have Epson) and they all seem to come with some kind of adaptation to try and ensure that you use genuine cartridges.
With canon there is an override button if you happen to use non genuine or refilled.
I use Cartridge World and get mine refilled on the spot. Have had no problems so far with either Canon or Epson and I have seen them refilling HP cartridges. Prices vary depending on how much ink each cartridge holds.
May not help, but that my tuppence worth!

SC - surely there must be a VGA-USB adaptor by now?

SC, if you feeling flush, why not get a graphics card that has 6x display port adaptors, looks really cool

http://www.multi-monitors.com/product_p/ati-5870-6.htm

If you have now gone completely GaGa and are at a loss what to do this Bank Holiday Weekend (and don't have a light switch) here's a little project to try at home:

Does anyone own a Samsung Galaxy tab ?? i want a way of keeping in touch ie email,IM,skype,sometimes to be able to check my website status online but also being very portable not laptop size hence this was the reason i was look at a htc Desire S but i am thinking is the screen going to be small for what i want.I wont be using it alot during the day just say a few times to keep on top of things hence this is why this morning was looking at the Samsung Galaxy tab as that has a nice 7inch screen but is still very portable and can be taken with me all the time.

So am i going down the right route or can someone offer another option that i have missed.

Rick

Exec: I have an HP OfficeJet Pro 7600. I buy my branded HP cartridges from JustInkandPaper. As they ship from the Channel Islands, you are not charged VAT. Prices are inclusive of delivery which, in my experience, takes about 3 days. They also provide recycling postal envelopes for your used cartridges.

Exec. I have an Epsom SX200(copy,print,etc)
I get my compatable ink from Internet-Ink.co.uk.
They hold about twice the ink and are about half the price.
After ordering from them I now get a further 10% off.
If I order in the morning they are on the doormat next day(so far)

mac

Many thanks, Mighty Micro.

A much appreciated tip. Have just opened an account and given them an order.

I do prefer to stay with branded inks, having experienced massive problems with compatible inks previously. Anyhow, thanks for the suggestion, Tyketto

PS. I'm looking for a good robotic form filler and credit number filler-inner 'App' which will work on my 'Windows 7-64bit' desktop. I used to use Roboform with Windows XP so am looking for something similar.

Can anyone help by suggesting something? It's overcoming the 'compatibility issue' with the Win 7-64bit that's the main problem, I believe.

I do recommend KeePass Password Safe for storing Accounts, UserNames, Passwords and associated notes.

I also recommend an info' site, which has tons of articles, guides, info' and info' downloads.

Have a browse at:

http://www.makeuseof.com/

Antec's brilliant Power Supply Size Calculator:

http://www.antec.outervision.com/PSUEngine

Looking for a usb powered cdrom for a notebook any ideas on a no frills supplier please.

Mrga

Try this one and with the best price being from Amazon. You could pay more than double elsewhere.

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&q=AMA-BYCD2-U&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=17657894011638013168&sa=X&ei=21HnTbGPEImEtge_zOW6Cg&ved=0CGAQ8wIwCQ#

But I'm suprised you aren't going for a DVD Rom instead:

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=usb+powered+dvdrom&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=4079789699002356233&sa=X&ei=z1LnTdLjGYy5twfS-OzMCg&ved=0CFgQ8wIwAQ#

Thanks Exec just ordered the dvd rom from amazon :-)

Just a note to say the ink arrived from Guernsey this morning.

I ordered two blacks, being Black and PhotoBlack. I am interested to observe that the outer packaging had been removed and just one cellophaned cassette of ink was inside a single cardboard envelope. There were thus two of these. The effect of this is that the Date Stamp on the outer cartonof the cassette is completely absent.

Looking at one of my UK 'normal' cartons, I see this date stamp, that's printed on the store carton, is actually the 'Warranty Ends' date.

Hmmm?

Anyhow, I checked the web site. In the T&Cs they say:

"Note that all products are original and genuine and have a one year guarantee."

Exec: Yes, I've noticed that they've started doing that recently, I assume to cut their postage costs. They certainly used to ship the entire outer carton.

Might be worth asking them, but I'm sure the explanation is innocent.

Correction:

Sorry! What looks like a code number on the cassettes actually says

1. 2013/02
2. 2012/12

Doh!

(and so not short lived ink either!)

anyone know is this a virus "akamai netsession interface" or is it ok, as i've just noticed it in my programs list