stevie_b

Good work that man! He's my hero!

3k! It sounds like something an electronics hobbyist could do for a tenth of that.

Laptop hard drives are almost always 2.5" SATA drives. I couldn't see any reference to it to confirm this in the manual, so you could pop the laptop case open and have a look at the label on the existing hard disk(s) to confirm it. I would guess it would boot up faster with an SSD but it is just a guess (I've never used an SSD). Remember that Windows tends to slow down over time, especially as you install and/or uninstall software. To save you a few quid you could take a backup of your data, and restore the laptop to its factory image and see if that makes it run faster. If it does then it was just Windows' gradual slowdown causing the slow boot. If not you haven't lost anything because you would be replacing the hard drive anyway.

It's a repost, search for Bentley.

Just a quick reply: I wouldn't buy 2nd hand RAM without a warranty. If you do, run something like memtest86 to thoroughly check it. RAM sticks can develop small errors which aren't usually apparent, but these errors can manifest themselves in programs occasionally crashing: very hard to debug! Hard disks are expensive at the moment, due to bad weather in the far east where a lot are manufactured (see other threads on here). you could buy a solid state disk but they are comparatively expensive per GB of storage. I wouldn't bother unless you need faster disk access time (you probably don't). As Graham said, Windows XP will only be able to use about 3.5GB of RAM. You can add more but it won't be able to use it above this value. The problem is that, like most PCs, the RAM needs to be installed in matching pairs. You could install 2x1GB giving a total of 2GB, or 2x2GB giving a total of 4. I'd probably be tempted to install 2x2GB, and just accept that it won't be able to utilise the full 4GB. Have a look at the Crucial website. They make fairly good RAM and can identify *exactly* the RAM you need.

Have you checked for error codes? You don't mention the error lights lighting up on the dashboard but it's not unheard of for those lights (both of them!) not to be working (dry solder, usually). No apes have been harmed in the making of my post.

Ask mawby for a search button for Christmas. IMO all forums should come supplied with one. Not sure how mechanically-minded you are, but don't be under the impression that the non-turbo car is the same as the twin turbo but with 2 blanking plates where the turbos would usually go. There's an awful lot more to it than that.

Radiohead Metallica REM

Check for error codes using the paperclip trick. Sounds like a flaky odometer or speed converter to me (search for "code 42"). If your MIL light (orange engine icon) isn't working, it would be worth getting that fixed (probably a blown bulb or more likely, a dry solder on the circuit board it sits on).

I'd say no. It can be dangerous, but then again so can most activities if people don't take care. I don't have data to back this up but I think having phone conversations (on hands-free kit) whilst driving is dangerous. I think it's the mental involvement in having a conversation, rather than holding a handset that's the main problem.

About those homeplugs: I use a pair at home, and they're very good. I would recommend buying ones with mains pass-through though because apparently they need to be plugged directly into a wall socket, not on a socket on an extension bar (most extension bars clean up the AC current, inadvertently cleaning off some of the ethernet signal). http://www.amazon.co.uk/Max-Value-MV141611-200Mbps-Pass-Thru/dp/B003VTY6C0/ref=pd_sim_computers_5

I didn't see *anything* wrong when I was half-watching the video. Maybe it's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it close pass.

Not really a regret but I wish I had the means and storage to buy a particular stock well-maintained 6 speed TT when it was for sale for peanuts.

I'll give 'er somefink nice. A new pair of Marigolds. The old ones are looking worn.

Some good posts here. I agree that we shouldn't make it a race to the bottom. If all employment packages are based on the lowest common denominator where the employees get given some money each month and told to sort themselves out, then we'll all be in for a more miserable working life. Once it was unheard of for companies to run pension schemes that the employer doesn't pay into. Now these are more and more common (I think employers above a certain size are obliged to provide a pension to employees, but it doesn't mean they have to chip in). As they creep into the private sector, will the next pensions debate in x years' time be about whether public sector workers get a pension that the government pays into at all? The term "non-contributory pension" means a pension that the employee doesn't pay into. These are the creme-de-la-creme. I can see that term being re-interpreted in later years to mean one that the employer doesn't pay into. As for the complaints about Clarkson to the broadcasting regulator, I imagine the majority of those are from people who didn't even see the programme. They heard about it down the pub or on Mytwitface, and "decided" it would be a good idea to be "offended". Pathetic.

Birds.

I was going to suggest "LEGO Technic 8053 Mobile Crane" but your post kind of rules that out. George? Road Reaper? With that one you could design a reaper figure on the bonnet. Post up the AutoCAD model images like you said you were going to.

Don't tell me, or you'll have to kill me.

It is.

Slight hijack: what lens is the Sigma? Macro lens? If so I'll tap you up for suggestions on macro for my D5000.

Hello Hampshire. A very tidy NA auto can be had for little money these days. Good choice of car if, like me, performance isn't top of your priority list.

I would say so. I often shy away from custom built PCs, in case they've been built by a spotty oik in his bedroom who used it to learn how to build PCs. However, that's unlikely. Specs seems reasonably good: the 5GB of RAM is worth having, although it is an odd number: sometimes RAM sticks need to be installed in pairs to get the best out of them. Maybe that doesn't apply to the motherboard he's used, or maybe he's installed 2x2Gb and 2x512MB to make the 5GB. Even if he hasn't paired them, don't let that put you off.

Don't sell your car, you will regret it. As for browsing GTiR sites, there are plenty of other sites of alternative interests that the internet offers.

Parry, it sounds like you have 2 issues: 1) your heater matrix is just inefficient through old age. Maybe the core is clogged with sediment. You can try flushing it through in both directions with hose water. Have a search on here for how to do it. I've done that to mine and it can help a bit, although nowhere near as good as fitting a new matrix. 2) Coolant loss: This shouldn't be happening and is very likely a separate issue. What's the rate of loss? (litres/week? litres/hour?) Can you see any coolant-stained residue on the radiator or coolant hoses? It's possible your rad cap is tired and doesn't form a decent seal any more, thus allowing some coolant to boil off, but that's no more than a guess and it miht be something completely different.