Radio Stoke Features

Leave your questions for Jonathan here.....

val middleton
Hi Jonathon,Thanks for your reply. I didnt get the router from Virgin but I did ask them before I bought it if it was compatible. They said it was. It is a dlink. Have you any more advice about getting it to work. Many thanks. Val

Tina Godwin
I have just bought a DAB radio, I cannot get Radio Stoke and the other stations are only received when the aerial is up. I live in Cheshire is this normal?

Jonathan replies
Without knowing your exact address in Cheshire all I can say that the reception issue may be due to range of how far you are from the Stoke DAB broadcast. One solution may be buy an external aerial (available from most electrical stores and quite cheap) which may pick up the signal.
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Joyce
Hello Jonathan, I have this irritating error message on start-up:Error in C:\Windows\ System32|spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\LXCFtime.dll Missing entry: RunDLLEntry. It does not appear to affect anything but please can you suggest bhow to get rid of it.

Jonathan replies
Click on this link - Vista forums, Joyce.

val middleton
Hi Jonathan, Ive read a few comments about losing wireless connection which I have been experiencing. I have reset the router a couple of times and it works fine for a while and then I get "link broken". The router is dlink and I am on Virgin cable broadband. I have spoken to both dlink and Virgin but no joy. My question is do I have to disable anything from my laptop before I reset the router and try again. Your comments will be very much appreciated. Ta

Jonathan replies
The router has been provided by Virgin I'd guess and so it is up to them to sort it out for you, as your provider. It could be the router that is faulty and they should provide a replacement. The next thing to just check is the position of the router ...anything interrupting the wireless signal? Follow the advice from Virgin about the position of the router in your house.
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memati baş
jonathan have a macbook pro.i've bought that2 weeks ago and the battery healt is decreasing rapidly.i don'T think THAT i use it that bad.what should i do? thanks a lot..

Jonathan replies
This is a warranty issue as perhaps the battery is faulty. Visit your local Apple Stockist or contact Apple online.
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M. Mohsin Chowdhury
Dear Sirs, After installing Lexmark Z735 printer driver cjr730EN.exe in my PC, everytime Windows Vista starts up I receive this error message:"Error in C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\LXCFtime.dllMissing entry: RunDLLEntry" With this error, I cannot print page on both side.Please advise the possible solution. M. Mohsin Chowdhury.

Jonathan replies
Click on this link - Vista forums
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norman
since windows 7started my windows 8 is runnig slower and my email is acting up when i go to read a email a box comes up close program and try again.my L/top is sony vgn.ns20s.yours norman.

Jonathan replies
Sorry Norman but this message makes no sense? Windows 8? I would make sure you get your PC virus checked as the slower performance may be virus connected.
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Mark
Jonathan, I have a usb mobile broadband connection from my mobile phone provider, I have asked if they can move the broadband service to one sim so I can yse it through my phone isntead of the usb modem. But they say they can't, but can not explain why not. do you have any ideas ?... Thanks

Jonathan replies
Mark, the answer you are looking for is MiFi .....have a world with your mobile provider about this technology. See the Click BBC programme on iPlayer for more information.
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Stephanie C. Barnett
Jonathan, We recently moved over from Tiscali to Virgin Media. Since making the move a second television no longer shows Midlands Today but North West. Can you offer some advice as to whether we will loose reception. We do not think it is a digital television but unsure how we can find out. Also I would like to go back to Midland Today on the 2nd tele - we have tried to retune but have had not luck.Hope you can help.Thanks Stephanie

Jonathan replies
A number of related questions I think here Stephanie, and you may need to provide more information to me via email to enable me to give you a clear answer - I am not sure which area of North Staffordshire/South Cheshire you are living in. I take it the move to Virgin Media was to cable and so you are receiving your TV pictures via cable.
It sounds like the 2nd TV you mention is picking up the new digital signal from Granada region via your TV aerial. If this 2nd TV is fairly new then it will be digital, if is oldish i.e. more than 3 years old, then it is analogue and the fact you are picking up North West is just co-incidental.
So given the information you have provided I would re-tune your 2nd TV and see if you can pick up Midlands Today. If that fails then it may mean your TV aerial will need adjusting to pick up Fenton or the Wrekin transmitters ... obviously at present the Winter Hill transmitter is dominating where you live.
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Averil
Hi - I had just started enjoying listening to Radio Stoke on Line, whilst working upstairs. For some reason now, it is telling me I need to upgrade Flash in order to do this. If I click on upgrade now, it is asking me to subscribe to whatever. Why can I not listen now, when I could a few days ago? I don't do technology very well, and am stumped when something is not working.Any advice or help would be appreciated.Many thanks

Jonathan replies
The vast majority of online listening is on computers (PC or Mac) via the BBC iPlayer which uses 'Flash' in order to playback the streams - and so you need Flash in order to do this ....just follow the instructions to download the Flash player ...it is free i.e. there should be no subscription charge, so do not agree to pay anything unless you want extra features.
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Peter Barker
My problem is I have a new Dell Inspiron 545 computer, usig Vista Home Premium. When I try to load updates on the McAfee Antivirus, which due to the length of time since it was originally updated at Dell,will take about 5 hours to complete. On average I only manage to get at most 20% of the download which takes about just over an hour, before I am cut off from the internet. I am using a BT dial up connection.I am able to connect to the internet without any problems but are cut off from my phone connection at varying intervals of time which is between 20 and 90 minuets, although I have the hang up time set at 8 hours.Also is there any way I can update a bit at a time please?

Jonathan replies
The issue here Peter is the dial up connection. Dial up is of course very, very slow and particularly slow for the activity you mention. Dial up receives very low priority as broadband is being encouraged for all users. Dial up will also typically be prone to timing out.
So my best advice is that you consider moving from dial up to broadband. The costs have come down and now is a good time to consider doing it. Talk to BT about what deal they can do for you and you will find the frustrations of dial up will be gone. You will also enter a different world of service for no real change in cost per month.
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Stan Davies from Walk Mill, Eccleshall
I am having constant problems with my broadband internet connection. One month ago I was cut off permanently and after complaining to BT they sent an engineer who said that the connection was ok, but the router had failed. BT sent me another router, which after some difficulty has now been fitted for about 2 weeks. However, most times that I try to get the internet I have no connection.I have found that if I go to the router, switch it off, wait 10 seconds, and then turn it on again that I then have a connection. It often fails whilst in use. My router is connected to the PC by an ethernet cable. Could this be the problem? I am also at the end of the line from the Adbaston exchange(4 miles away) and my phone is often noisy,. Could this be another reason?

Jonathan replies
This all sounds extremely frustrating Stan. Firstly, the Ethernet cable is not the problem I would suggest but you could try putting the cable in one of the other ports on the router – there are usually more than one ports i.e. sockets to plug your cable into. I’m not convinced the router is the problem either. Secondly, it might be the “splitter” – the device which plugs into your phone jack – the router cable goes into this. I would replace that – BT should be able to provide you with another one if you haven’t got two already provided with the original package. Thirdly, it could be beyond what is happening in your house and be the exchange but as you say BT have checked this …the Adbaston exchange is a broadband exchange and so should work fine. It could be contention ratio problems i.e. at certain points of the day there is more local traffic (contention) and this means you lose you connection or get a very slow connection ….does your connection failure at a particular part of the day or is it just random? Email me with your answer [email protected]

Mike Smalldridge
Hello Jonathan,I have tried to listen to Radio Stoke on the internet several times and each time live commentary on Stoke City,s match is about to start it is interrupted and a message says that either a technical problem or a contractual problem has occured,can you advise please.Thanks.
Jonathan replies
Mike, this is to do with a change in the format that is being used for the internet stream and should hopefully have been resolved now. Try again for the West Ham match and let me know how you get on please. I will try it out myself for the Vale match at Crewe and see if I get any problems. [email protected]
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elsie titley
can you help i have got my mobile phone wet & itwill turn on but it keep,s going daft what can i do to dry it out please thank you
Jonathan replies
Slowly, very slowly, drying the phone is the answer. Take the back cover off, remove the battery and sim card and then place the phone face down in a tray of dry uncooked rice...yes rice. I tend to use a old chinese take away box...sprinkle the rice into the box - about half full ....make a insert for the phone ....put lid on the box and then put in a dry/shaded area in the house for a couple of days. The rice will draw out any remaining damp in the phone. Give that a go. You might wish to invest in a mobile phone pouch which keeps the phone dry ...I use one for walking. Any good outdoors shop will have one for sale
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David J
I cannot download adobe 9 and therefore cannot get some infromation from some web sites.

Jonathan replies
David, I cannot give you any advice on this as the question is too open ended. Why cannot you download Adobe 9? The reader is available for free from the Adobe website (www.adobe.com). Email me with further details if you could, but first visit the Adobe website and download the reader ...that is all you need for the websites to work and, as I say, the reader is free to all users.
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ALAN
I USE A WIFI INTERNET RADIO AND NOW BBC STATIONS DONT PLAY. BBC HAVE CHANGED THE FORMAT - WHAT DO I DO TO GET THEM BACK? (ROBERTS RADIO)

Jonathan replies
The issue Alan is that: BBC Radio Stoke have now moved from the REAL format to two other formats namely, .mp3 and AAC formats. I’m sure you don’t really want to know what all those formats mean – you just want to listen to the radio. Suffice to say the new formats have better bandwidth and essentially means a better service to listeners.
Solution: Your digital radio set has not picked up this change and hence - no play! Don’t despair however as your Roberts Radio can receive these formats and you need to just adjust the settings to do so. For information can be found on the Roberts Radio website (or even in the manual which came with the radio): www.robertsradio.co.uk/Downloads , and then click on 'User Guides'. Have a go and if any further problems get back to me on [email protected]
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stuart leatham
i have a dell notebook could you tell me which is the best printer to use for it

Jonathan replies
Sorry Stuart, but I'm not in a position to recommend a particular printer - but the advice I can give based on personal experience. It is to look at the following criteria when selecting: cost of ink replacement - cartridge prices vary; inkjet or laser? - inkjet should do and hence need for cartridge; what do you want to print e.g. labels etc? This would perhaps be a good topic for me to cover in the future on the show.
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roy pickering
why can i not send e.mails to hotmail. i can recive e.mail form them but cannot send one back i am sending from ntlworld.com

Jonathan replies
This is because ntlworld probably feel a lot of spam is coming from hotmail addresses and so they are blocking it. No obvious way around it as outside your control! A workaround is for you to set up a free googlemail account and then email your googlemail account from your ntlworld account and then send your googlemail email to the hotmail account... Spam causes so much hassle for all of us and drives the email providers mad, so much so that they have a blitz every now and then on a particular source ...at present it is Hotmail
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Sandra Rushton
I have e-mails which have photo's attached: when clicking on the paper clip how do I put them in the appropriate named folders ?

Jonathan replies
Simply right click on the attached photos, then select 'Save As' and then when presented with a folder structure in windows, just right click again to create a new folder to save them into. (Have a practice at creating new folders in Windows explorer or via the My Documents icon on your desktop …either way you can create new folders to save photos into). I presume you are using Microsoft; and so you will find some useful info on this link - www.basiccomputerinformation.ca and look for the link to 'make-folder-windows'
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Marie Vickers
I bought some digital golf videos, they are playing very slow what can I do, I have tried both on a P.C. and laptop and its the same, sorry not very computer literate

Jonathan replies
I need a bit more information in order to give you an answer to this question Marie. It could be the speed of the DVD drive, compatibility issues, or the general speed of the PC. Please can you email me with any details about: the details of the DVD; the PC detail i.e. any information about the DVD drive you are using; what the PC specification is; and finally confirm if you are running the DVD via Windows media player? This is not a test although sounds like it…you should find some information about your PC etc with the documentation that came with it.
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Maurice Fitzgerald
I have a file which has been zipped but I do not seem to have appropriate software to unzip it. I have Vista system. Is there any free software I can download to unzip files?

Jonathan replies
Yes Maurice, there is free software available for Zip and unzipping. Try this one. I use this myself and it is free. http://www.camunzip.com/
See how you get on and let me know if you have any problems. Take your time to follow the instructions – essentially you can create a .zip archive file and then place files to be zipped inside the archive. For unzipping you select the archive file you want unzipped and you should find it unbundles the files for you.
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Margaret from Norton
I have an Epson C84 printer and when I print my digital photographs using Photoshop CS the prints usually print a lot darker than shown onmy screen. Any suggestions?

Jonathan replies
I think this is a paper issue Margaret. I suspect it is not the printer or the photo itself but the quality of the paper you are using. Inkjets can have variable quality but if you use photographic paper you should find the print replicates the contrast/colour you get on the PC screen in Photoshop. So, have a look at the paper you are using and perhaps invest in a better quality …any of the PC stores will have different grades for you to buy…. Look for Glossy Inkjet Paper ….this is the type I use. Email if this doesn’t work and I’ll help a bit further - [email protected]
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Keith From Stone
Hello Jonathon, I use 2 Macs an ageing iBook G4 and an Imac, I notice you give out links to free software for Windows pc's, are there any links for free software for Macs? maybe a specific site that deals with free programs.Many Thanks, ?

Jonathan replies
Now, you are a Mac user with a pedigree like that! I’m also a MAC user (MACBook Air) but I’ll admit only recently. The best recommendation I can make is to visit this site - www.opensourcemac.org/ which holds a list of free (open source) software. I also find the 'Web User' magazine regularly lists free software for MAC OS as well as PC. Granted there seems to be more free software for PC but I think that will change with time; as with any operating system it takes time for things to appear, for example, I’m pretty excited about software starting to appear for the Android operating system which runs on my Google phone. Hope the link helps and do keep in touch if you find something particularly of interest for Mac users like us - email me at [email protected]
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DMJ
I am receiving multiple e-mails from several suppliers/contacts. I deleted them but they come up again next time I log in. I currently have 19 identical ones from several people (including two major supermarkets and a local cinema) I have been told by a friend that he is experiencing the same problem

Jonathan replies
I'll cover this topic (anti-spam) on the Friday 4th September Breakfast show on Radio Stoke. Spam is unsolicited email and accounts for 92% of all emails.
You cannot stop it as such but you can reduce the amount in your inbox with the following advice. In your case you need to do two things. Firstly, add the offnding email addresses to your 'blocked list' (all email systems, e.g. Outlook, have the ability to set email filtering via Options - explore these). You should find that will stop a repeat of marketing emails from the firms you mention.
Also consider installing anti-spam software. Some are free and include such as www.mailwasher.net With a little bit of time and effort you can improve your email experience. Hope that helps but if your problems continue ...email me! [email protected]
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Dee from Fenton
I had some excellent Microsoft software called Home Publishing with my last computer (Windows 98) but it will not load onto my Vista system.Is there anything I can download (preferably F.O.C) from the web to make cards and invitations?I have some templates on Vista but they are not helpful. Many thanks

Jonathan replies
Windows 98 and Vista are very different Dee, and hence will not load. Yes try this for what you are after: (free) www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/pageplus/ Try the free version first and the if you like it get the pay version which has a little more in it. Probably find the free one will do for you.
Or of course you could try Publisher 2007 from Microsoft on a try version and see what you think. This is the latest version of what you used with Windows 98.
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Philip Capewell
Hello Jonathan For 12 months,I have been relying on AVG (the free download) to give me protection, but last week end my lap top became contaminated by a Trojan. My friend, who knows a great deal more about computers than I do, advised me to invest in amore complete/thorough antivirus protection. I don't do a lot of Internet browsing and don't want to pay an exoribtant amount if I can help it, but this week's problem makes me wonder if I should. What would you advise please?

Jonathan replies
The issue with all security software is to regularly update them so that they can keep up to date with the latest threats. I don't know if you have done this or not but after a year of use any security software would lose it's effectiveness if not updated. AVG is an anti-virus programme(Trojan being a type of virus) and free - but does have a pay upgrade option too. Alternatively, if you do feel you would like to install a more complete security suite (as it is called), then any on the market are recommended but I'm not in the position to recommend a particular one. Any good PC store will give you choice and an excellent review of security products can be found at www.webuser.co.uk.
Sadly, none of the security suites can guarantee that an incident will not happen ...it is a question of updating your version on a weekly or monthly basis; running regular checks and watching out for websites and downloads from untrusted sources.
The hope you fixed your trojan as well...perhaps i'll do the difference between worms and trojans on a digital doctor slot one day? I would be interested to hear which trojan you encountered and how you realised it was there, if AVG did not spot it for you - please email on [email protected]
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John Whitmore
I have about 500 colour slides which I would like to transfer onto my computer via "my pictures". Is there any way you can suggest I can copy them myself without the expense of buying a commercial slide scanner/copier (which would be used only the once)or paying to have them copied onto a disc. I have tried to photograph them using my digital camera from the film screen and also directly from the slide with a strong backlight through a filter? THank you.?

Jonathan replies
I think the only solution (of quality) will be to buy a scanner. By co-incidence I looking to do this myself using my father's old 35mm slides. I've been looking at the slide copiers on the market but have not formed a conclusion about which one to go for at present. I agree with you; it does seem to be a one-off cost of about £50 or so. Please leave this one with me for the moment until I've done further research into what I intend to do and then I'll post it on the topics page and let you know. Please drop me an email if you would ([email protected])with your contact details or you leave a message on 01782 294618 if you want to follow this up with me
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j.hornal
I cannot find how free AVG can be downloaded?

Jonathan replies
Visit the Grisoft website at the following web address: http://free.avg.com/ . You'll need to follow the download option for the 8.5 free edition. The steps are straightforward.
Email me on [email protected] if you get stuck but you should find everything will go well - and then spend a bit of time looking at all the features. Most of the time it will run invisibly in the background but there are some advanced features worth looking at when you get use to the software.
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John Barrie Anthony
Jonathan being a true nervous novice can you advise on any register cure programs that work and possibly free. I never know if I download whether it is chancy or not.Paticularly svchost.exe?

Jonathan replies
The answer is in three parts.
Firstly, avoid tinkering with the registry unless you really have to John. I find that I rarely have to maintain the registry and some users create problems by changing settings without due care/understanding as to the impact.
Secondly, if you do need to access the registry then your first source of information is Microsoft support and help online (good information about svchost) and your second source of information can be 3rd party registry tools such as PC Tools Registry Mechanic. Reputable 3rd party tools are all trustworthy.
Finally, before you maintain anything on your PC make sure you have done a full back up just in case things go wrong.
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Alma Eaton
I am going overseas for a few months will I be able to access my computer through one there?

Jonathan replies
yes is the short answer, Alma. Many tools available for this and I will cover briefly on the show on Friday July 10th and follow up with more detail in the tips and advice link on the Digital Doctor messageboard. A good review of what is available can be found on www.webuser.co.uk/products/Remote_Access_7428_index.html
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kay risley
my bbciplayer has stopped working. I just get a blank screen. Is this some problem to do with my computer security and how do I resolve it?Thank you,Kay

Jonathan replies
useful information can be obtained from this link - http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk and includes a solution to the symptoms that you describe. Get back in touch with me via email [email protected] if you fail to resolve the issue.

elsie titley
when we want to download things we are asked about administrator and password we dont know who that is or the password how do we find out??

Jonathan replies
Consider logging on using the techniques explained in the link below. Question of trying the recommended options out but may eventually involve you doing a system restore ...you will need your copy of the OS (Operating System) for that i.e. your Windows XP disc for example (presuming that you are running on Windows XP).
Link: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windowsxp/ht/adminpassword02.htm

Glyn
Is it possible to get Radio Stoke through my digital tv??

Jonathan replies
Sadly the answer is No at this stage. The national Beeb stations are available but not the local radio stations. This may change over the next year however as the digital rollout continues apace.
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Robert Slinn
RE-SKYPE. I have Skype 4.0 audio (speaker/microphone)working on an old Dell PC but cannot get the microphone working on my daughter's newer custom PC (both using XP). I have tried 3 different microphones and all of the online advice, checking all of the audio settings, but to no avail. The audio is Realtek. Do you have any advice please.

Jonathan replies
This is a driver problem I think Robert. The fact that the equipment works on the old PC but not on the new custom one supports this view. So search for a replacement driver and also check you the hardware connections are working on the new PC - could simply be hardware failure.

Claire
Is it good to switch off a Belkin Router at night?

Jonathan replies
Yes! For example I have a Netgear router and I always switch off when not in use. You are doing no harm by switching off when not in use. When the router is switched back on it will go through it's set up routine automatically.

Vicki House
My XP computer has recently slowed down on Start Up and Closing down. I think it began when I installed a further 12 months of Zone Alarm security suite. When it's being slow the hard drive is making a repeated cycle of 4 noises. I have defragged and done a system cleanup. Can you help?

Jonathan replies
The following needs to be read quite carefully Vicki. You have described some of the normal housekeeping tasks Vicki. So thumbs up for that. Have you run the Disk Clean option available from Start>Accessories>System Tools? This will clear unwanted files etc.
Two things come to my mind with what you describe...firstly, it sounds like the reason for the slow down in speed is due to insufficient hard disk space - check this out by visiting the Disk Defragmenter option in Start>Accessories>System Tools. You will see a free space %. As a rule I do not let this fall below 20% - most PC systems like to have a threshold of space. It may be that your hard drive is quite full and hence the noises and speed reduction you are experiencing ....the disc mechanism is having is being exercised too much .....the disc defragmenter will have tidied up your available space but you may be short of space overall.
Alternatively, this could be a potential hard drive failure ...it is working but the noises could be an indication of problems ...unlikely however ...my PC makes all sorts of clunking noises!. However, I would do a full back up of the PC i.e to an external hard drive and then see how you go or get the noises investigated ....contact your supplier/shop for advice

christine
What is the normal battery life for a laptop ? and what is the best way to achieve longer batterylife? I have had my PC for 2 years & I am getting a warning that the battery needs to be renewed. I am using a HP Pavillion lap top. Thanks in advanceChrys (silver surfer)

Jonathan replies
Chrys, with careful use you should be able to get 3 to 5 years out of a laptop battery. However it is not uncommon for the battery to only give 20 minutes or so of use after 1 or 2 years of use. Excellent advice on battery maintenance can be found on the HP website:

http://h20239.www2.hp.com/techcenter/battery/Battery_max.htm
and my advice is to fully discharge every month and then fully charge.

Two things degrade battery performance - partial recharging and heat. So avoid small/partial recharges and try and keep the laptop cool ...if the fan is in the base avoid using it on your lap or any material which does not allow the heat to dissipate.

Replacement batteries can be sourced but are relatively expensive.

Susan
I had to reset my laptop. Now when I press @ I keep getting : instead.
Help please!

Jonathan replies
Susan - this is just that the keyboard language has been reset to the factory default.
To put back to a UK keyboard setting do the following:
You will need to go into Control Panel ....available from the My Computer icon on the screen.Then select Regional and Language Options; Then select the Languages tab and the Details button.
The current setting of your keyboard will be showing and you can change this to United Kingdom.

Ronald Hewitt
every time i try to download music from Mininova i get the same answer.It wont download because of the torrent.Can you please advise Regards Ron.

Jonathan replies...
Ron, I would need to know more details about this to give you an answer. What message do you get?. It could be your internet connection cannot cope with the file size being downloaded.
Email on [email protected] with more details please.

Mrs E Smith
My computer seems to be really slow again. You suggested a procedure to do last year and I have lost it. Could you please advise again.Many thanks, Eileen Smith

Jonathan replies...
If I recall I advised you to "defrag" your hard disc. See the excellent advice given on the BBC Click website.. You can find the information by putting "click online" into the BBC search box at the top of this page and then you can search for housekeeping advice.

Mike Whittaker
My Laptop shows that its C drive has 5.00 GB free of 33.50 GB and its D Drive (Data) 7.57.GB free of 33.2 GB. I checked to see how much space each of the files takes up and the biggest one, photos on the D Drive, takes up 5.22 GB. Mike's documents where I store virtually all my Data tkaes up 13.6 GB according to "Properties". On the C Drive, Program Files takes up 5.02 GB. What is the cause of this issue and how can I resolve it? Thanks.

Jonathan replies...
Mike, I think the answer for uour question is to defragment the disc……to achieve contiguous storage space. Normal housekeeping. See advice given to Neville on the messageboard about advice from the BBC Click site about this.

Patrick Burke
Can you recommend a free anti virus system that I can download please?I have been told AVG is good but cannot find a free version. Many thanks.

Jonathan replies...
Plenty of free tools available for security software including the AVG one you mention. Anti-virus for XP/Vista – assume this is what you are running
www.pctools.com – PCTools AntiVirus free edition – a cut down version of the commercial version but still not bad
www.avast.com – Avast 4 Home Edition - bit of a weird interface but good
www.comodo.com – Comodo AntiVirus - this also has an intrusion prevention scheme
http://free.grisoft.com – AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition - my personal favourite
Anti-Spyware – Anti-malware
http://free.grisoft.com – AVG Anti-Spyware Free – great!
www.safer-networking.org – Spybot – Search and Destroy
www.windowsdefender.com – built into Vista but downloadable to XP as well – very good
www.spywareterminator.com – Spyware Terminator – great name and very good
www.threatfire.com – ThreatFire Free – on top of Spyware – playing with this one at the present

Phil
Hi,Jonathan,e-mailed TP-Link and they advised it was ok to download software upgrade even thou it said for Australian use only. Have down so and it has gone into a file somewhere !!,however i did print what it said and will try to do it myself. Cheers Phil.

Tony Leather
i get a blank screen when I try download a programme from iplayer. I have a macbook pro with OS X. Any ideas? Thanks

Jonathan replies...
I am sure the iPlayer for MAC users has only just been launched Tony and as of yet I've not had a go with my MAC yet. I will try and let you know.....perhaps in the meantime have a look on the MAC forum for other MAC users experiences. I believe the player for MACs is in Beta version and so may be subject to a few glitches yet.....see this link for the latest Macuser link - click here

Tony Derbyshire
You may remember that I contacted you regarding my intermittent connection problems to the Internet. I have tried the Belkin wireless router troubleshooting site and carried out the possible solutions, without success. It does appear that I lose connection at general times during the day - late afternoon, early evening and later at night. Could the problem stem from 'more traffic' ie when children log on when arriving home from school and also maybe when adults arrive home from work? Would appreciate any more ideas you have to resolve my problem.

Jonathan replies:
That is frustrating Tony for you. I don't think it is a contention problem but your ISP would be able to shed some light on this I think. I think it is the router and the only way of go further would be to test another wireless router and see if the problem continues. I think you may have to contact Belkin and explain and see if then can suggest a way forward. Perhaps a swap out of the router. It is a question of elimination of possible causes. I wonder if your area suffers from power surges?

Further advice may be to check out your micro-filter (the splitter) - consider replacing? Swap it with another one to see if that cures the problem.

Serene Park
The catch on my quite new laptop has gone so it does not shut properly but i bought it by mail and sending it back seems pointless is there any shops that wil fix it.

Jonathan replies:
Very unlikely I'm afraid. There are local PC repair shops in the Stoke area but I think you will find the repair uneconomic. If the laptop is still under guarantee then I think you should try that route but it will depending on the cost of shipping. The catches do break ....I've plenty of experience of this. I'd make do with a strap to tie the screen down when in transit .....a cheap cargo strap will do the job .....Hanley market?

Tina
I sometimes get intermittent wireless conection,my router is a Thomson Speedtouch ST585 is there a help sheet like the one you gave for the Belkin router.

Jonathan replies:
Here you are Tina. Suggest you have a look through the following file and visit the excellent Thomson website. http://www.thomson.net/GlobalEnglish/broadband-uk/Pages/home-uk.aspx

Neville
I saw a BBC TV segment on on improving PC efficiency through various suggestions such as defragmenting, removing spyware, cleaning out temporary files, etc. That segment offered users info on these tips that could be found either on your website or that could be emailed (I don't remember which). Where can I get this info?

Jonathan replies:
The BBC TV programme you are referring to is 'Click'. You can find the information by putting "click online" into the BBC search box at the top of this page

lisa m
hi jonathon iam sorry to bother u i was wandering how someone can get into your academy i no its not a technology question but didnt no how to contact u thks lisa mountford !

Jonathan replies: Lisa, Either visit my University website @ www.staffs.ac.uk for the range of course we offer or email me on [email protected]

Dave
Hi jonathan, I have a digital tv with freeview. However, at night the pictures turns bad (squares all over the page) and the sound is terrible. Is there anyway to boost my signal and is this what digital will always be like when analogue has gone? Thank mate!

Jonathan replies: This is obviously a reception problem Dave. I would suggest you consider an external aerial as the solution. More help can be found by visiting the following weblinks particularly the 2nd link. Once analogue has gone this will not be a continual problem. It is a question of kit appropriate for the area you live in and in your case I suspect the TV is using an internal aerial. http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/reception.html http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/freeviewhelp.html

Dan
Hi Jonathan,I need to buy 2 laptops for christmas but don't have a huge budget. They will be used for general surfing of the net, music downloads, pictures & watching films.Is 1gb ram acceptable or do I need 2/3? What would you recommend? Thanks

Jonathan replies
It will be interesting to see what the prices for laptops go down to before Christmas Dan. I would hold off as long as possible and see how the prices move down with the VAT reduction from next week. You are obviously after the best deal i.e. spec for your money. As you intend to use is for multimedia/browsing then you need the best you can get for you money in terms of memory. So between now and Christmas have a look around ...visit the shops if you have time .....ranging from Tesco/Curry's; PCWorld to the independant shops like User2 in Hartshill. Compare and contrast with what is available on-line from supplies like DELL. You might wish to consider getting 1 PC (Microsoft) and 1 MAC (Apple) so that you get the best of both worlds.
I cannot recommend a particular make but the advice above should hopefully help you. Final tip is to try and get as much in terms of software/accessories such as a bag.

Tony Derbyshire
Hello Jonathan. I continue to have intermittent connection problems with the internet. I can be connected for hours or even minutes when I become disconnected. I switch off and then on the power to my wireless router (Belkin) and the connection is restored. It does appear that the problem has become worse over the past few weeks. I wondered whether you may have any ideas as to what the problem may be and how to fix it?

Jonathan replies
The wireless router is the issue Tony. One of the "features" of Wireless transmission is that radio transmission can be dropped. Literally a wet dog near by or interference from other electronic equipment near the router can cause the signal to be unexpectedly dropped. So I not sure the Belkin is faulty, it sounds more like something causing intermittent signal drop ...this would explain why sometimes it is minutes and sometimes hours before the signal is dropped. Take the advice from the link below to possibly eliminate this behaviour. See how you get on and then get back in touch with me via email if no good. Belkin wireless router troubleshooting... Click here

Frank Smith
Hi Jonathan, We have recently had broadband . The computer is fine once we are on line but very very slow to start up. I think that it was slow before broadband but has got worse. Any advise please.Frank

Jonathan replies: This sounds like the problem is not to do with Broadband. This sounds like a case for some basic housekeeping of the PC. If you have had the PC for some time then the hard disc will have started to get less and less space and more fragmented.
Depending on the operating system you are using you should find in your tools facilities the opportunity to clean up the PC; this include do a disc defragmentation; deleting unnecessary files; clearing out your recycle bin; checking which applications are starting up at boot up etc - this explains why it has got worse since you included broadband as an application.
So in conclusion read the manual which came with your PC or go online for help about this at places like www.mistywindow.com/pc-care/housekeeping.htm
If you are doing a disc defragmentation remember to back up any important files you have to either a USB data stick or do a complete tape backup. Backups should be something all computer users should do before any routine maintenance just in case things go wrong.

Alison Dean
Hiya Jonathan, I have a quite old Compaq Presario x1000 laptop. It was working fine until last week. It turned itself off and then when you try to turn it back on the lights flash on then off and it doesnt boot up. I've tried charging it but the lights system is wrong, I've checked the battery but that is fine too. Any suggestions to be able to boot it up?

Jonathan replies: I would try and eliminate problems like those described below before perhaps passing to a laptop/computer repair shop:
1. Does anything show on the screen? or is the screen empty? If the latter then test the laptop by connecting to an external monitor. If screen has gone then ext monitor is the future of this laptop. If the former ...what is the message.
2. What operating systems is it running? If windows then if you have a start up CD or diskette then use it to boot from that?
3. The battery connections sound suspect to me....try cleaning them with a rubber. Your comment about the lights is interesting and I suspect it is the charger that is faulty....these are cheap to replace.

Graham Brigham
question concerning wireless internet security.My broadband provider is Virgin Media to connect to the wireless router they sent me I had to use a password.Does this password mean that my connection is safe or should I have to enter it everytime I use it as I do not have to enter the password when I access it everyday? Any info you can give me will be appreciated Graham

Jonathan replies: It is safe. I suspect you are using WPA encryption and that is why the password is provided. Passwords in the WEP encryption are typically a WEP key but WPA is more sophisticated and the password should ensure you are safe.

Rosemary Cawley
I have a new pc about 2 months old on windows Vista. On starting up i keep getting a Explorer White Page. I then have to go to windows task manager and close it from there. Could you please tell me how to stop this? I have run all the norton virus. Thank you

Jonathan replies: This is a start up program problem I think. From the Start menu check out which programs you have listed to start when the PC starts. Explorer should be one of those listed. Remove it from the list. The blank screen sounds like it is trying to load explorer and waiting but as I say removing it from your start up menu list should resolve the problem.

Femke
I have the same question as Neil Bourne, with the Lexmark Z735 printer, which I installed on my new desktop recently. Can you write down your answer as I'm from the Netherlands.Thanks

Jonathan replies: visit this forum site for the solution http://www.vistax64.com/vista-hardware-devices/120061-missing-entry-rundllentry.html

jamesliddy
hi jonathan my dell inspiron 9400 laptop the screen will flash rapidly sometimes when opening an attachment the only way to stop it is switch of at power button the attachment is o k i have ran virus scans . no virus my security is FSECURE. with talk talk had no other problems since i scrapped mcafee. which was not good . i did have a trial with aol but went with talk talk aol scan comes on now and again . i cant get rid of it . hope you can help. yours faithfully. james liddy

Jonathan replies: Firstly the problem you describe with AOL scan still coming on now and again sounds like the service is still activated at boot up – so solution check the programs you start up when booting up – I guess you are running XP or Vista and should know how to do this. If you still cannot see it then do a CTRL ALT DEL to get into Task Manager and see if you can see the AOL scan programming running.

Neil Bourne
Hi Jonathan. Since i installed a Lexmark Z735 printer on my lapton, using drivers downloaded from Lexmark, i get an error message every time the machine is booted up. the message reads Error in C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\LXCFtime.dll Missing entry: RunDLLEntry.Hope you can help as it's driving me nuts! Thanks.

Jonathan replies: visit this forum site for the solution http://www.vistax64.com/vista-hardware-devices/120061-missing-entry-rundllentry.html

Rose
Hi hope you can help. On my email i used to be able to click on links this has stopped since i had to reload my modem for the broadband? Thank you hope you can help

Jonathan replies: Look at the in the format options of your email system. Change the option to HTML from plain text.

Richard Bason
The screen on my laptop My Laptop (Siemens Fujitsu, about 3 1/2 years old) has failed I was working on it, it locked up, so I turned off by holding on/off button down for 5 seconds.When I came to re-boot, nothing is being displayed – i.e. Blank screen.Any ideas?

Jonathan replies: Many thanks for your question. Ah laptops....I've probably spent a small fortune on these since 1991. Obviously you are an experienced user and so you may have tried below.
My first suggestion would be to remove the laptop battery. I often find with my laptops that the catch underneath has become dislodged and by removing/reinserting the battery and then resetting the catch brings back normality. So have a go at this first..
Next - follow process of elimination - Hardware test - Connect the laptop to a monitor and using the Ctrl/F5 key see if you can toggle the display. For many years I used one on my laptops in this way due to the laptop screen developing a hinge fault. .
If this doesn't work then this points to a screen hardware failure and you have to make that decision of whether it is worth having fixed - plenty of firms that can do this locally but may be uneconomic..
I budget on my laptops only lasting 3 years before I "write them off" as I fully expect them to go wrong at that point in their life cycle. Cheaper to transfer my data to a new one..
Final piece of advice would be to look on the Sieman's FAQs site to see if anyone else has had a problem with that particular make - I've not owned a Sieman's myself.