Quacker

Just confirming they are in receive mode only - not transmitting. Ok at 9PM I lost the wireless and reset modem and changed router channel to number 10. Will see what happens. Feel free to advise a choice of router to potentially run 3x Apple products, 2x desktop, 2x netbook, Internet radio, PS3 and a printer! - just to prepare me for any future purchase. Steve

Thanks Ken! I'll try that next time I lose the signal or whatever the terminology is. If that doesn't cure it, then I'll be back to discuss replacement modem options. It is interesting you mention radio-type interference as I am also a radio ham (as well as a gadget freak!) with about 20 or so transceivers in the room - often with several running at once in receive mode! Might need to get into the habit of turning stuff off lol. I'll report back. Steve

Edited to add; It is an old Belkin F5D7231-4 on Firefox (if that's important). I can't locate any installation instructions. etc. Could changing the channel make any difference - at present it is on wireless channel 1 (choice of 13) - I mention this as the VM person garbled something about the channel, but was as cluesless as I to be honest!

Ok story to date, I have cable broadband with NTL (now Virgin Media) and have been using a Belkin Wireless Router for several years. Occasionally, I have to "reset" the modem. Unplug fo a few minutes and reboot etc. - this cures the "problem" Lately however, I have been having to do this more than ever. Several times per day at times. I phoned VM - they did one of those magical tests down the line and apparently "refreshed" my modem, after I had turned it off and back on again. It worked of course, but it would have anyway. I was assured there'd be no more problems...... An hour late I contacted them again with the same issue. Same test done, but this time was asked what type of router I was using. I advised Belkin at which point VM cleverly deflected blame to Belkin, advising me to contact them. Now before I do (Not even sure where to start or how to!), or go messing about with any settings that I know nothing about, can anyone offer any advice/assistance? For example, the way I figure it is if the router is at fault, how does switching the modem on and off cure the problem - surely the router is broken? I can see Belkin advising me it is the IS at fault and a nice little game of backwards and forwards going on. Are there any tests I can do wth the router? - I can't even recall how I set it up! - any setings/channels I could amend? Would I be better off replacing the router with a new/better one? - or even take a router from VM (approx £65) then at least the wehole lot will be compatible and their responsibility? Any input gladly received. Steve

Well I am now more confused than ever. Just now when I tried it, it offered me a link to "fix this problem" - it is a known problem with the latest version etc. etc. it now appears to be working (I still don't use it) - this option was not there in the past week or so! Obviously it IS a known issue and they've put in a fix. Hopefully this may just help someone else with a similar issue! Thanks guys

Hi Nev, thanks - yes it is at startup - and I wasn't sure whether to tick the ignore thing - I guess it is ok to do so lol. A couple of things though, why is windows live messenger unable to connect? why is it showing off line? - how can I get it back online (not as simple as it sounds) clicking the go online don't do it - as you say it might be nothing but its nags me that something is causing a problem at some level - failing all of that, can it be removed altogether as I hardly ever use it. Are there any other checks I can perform to diagnose any possible problem? Steve

Thanks again Randy - now I am truly confused. I've just logged on tonight (after work) and everything is in order! - well, almost everything. I wonder if when I try to restore stuff it doesn't take effect until after reboot or an overnight reboot! Is that possible? - the only message showing now is the "check backup settings" and folllowed still by the words "Windows cannot find the disk or network locations where your backups are being saved" Is this because the system is trying to make a backup to an external drive and is looking for somewhere to keep these? I very occasionally use a separate drive. Any further comment as to what's happening here? More importantly, shoul I plug in the extern drive and allow it to make backups? Steve

Thanks Randy - that just confirms the forewall is not turned on. When I attempt to turn on said firewall it won't allow me - it won't allow me to switch to user settings and comes up with the following error code: 0x8007042c Any ideas or is there an alternative? - can I find out if there is another firewall in place? - is it possible to find out what, if anything is conflicting with the firewall? Just bought this end of May and tried to keep it clean with regular scans with Microsoft Essentials and Super Anti Spyware evey week. I think the whole thing is related as unable to open Windows Live Messenger - and although I don't use it it should still be available. Similarly, there's a message advising "Windows cannot find the disk or network locations where your backups are being saved" - presumably this is advising me to put a portable drive in for backup purposes? Anyone any idea what's going on and how I can put this right? It has got me beat as I have made a conscious decision not to fill this one with junk lol. Thanks

Ok a pop up in Windows 7 has advised of 4 problems, - 1 important. Turn on windows firewall (important) Solve a problem with windows live messenger - I never use it - or very, rarely check backup systems - which windows details am I backing up and to where? Address a problem for auto update with Divx - I folloed a link and it seems to have removed the problem. How to I check the firewall or find out if I have another? Any pointers appreciated. Steve

Thanks all - makes good sense now. Apologies as I never updated my o/s as I run several! - Anyway all good now. The D: bit is really just extra backup/storage. Plenty of scope for use there as I use an external HDD as well. Just curious and now am a bit more savvy. Cheers!

Oops! sorry Goku - just seen this. Using the one that came with Windows 7 so far as I know (new machine). Steve

Ok on Windows 7 it is no longer called "My Computer" - just Computer. Disk 0 consists of; 13.00GB recovery partition 291.62 with 291.16 free Primary Partition - known as DATA (D:) 291.45 with 231.23 free Boot, Page, File, Crash Dump, Primary Partition Packard Bell (C:) 100.00 with 72MB remaining System, Active, Primary Partition SYSTEM RESERVED Can't do a screen print either, but have nothing to print to. Haven't added Office and not sure if MS Paint is on here. I actually thought I could just paste it in here with CTRL-V. SO presumably from that lot the 13GB recovery is in case of having to use recovery disks. The Packard Bell C: drive is where all my stuff is at present. Not sure what the System Reserved bit is for although it has used 28 of the 100MB. Finally the D: or DATA as it is called is a Primary Partition. What is it for, can it be added to, can I add another OS? Does that make sense? Apologies but no screen print. Disk 1 is my separate 160GB portable HDD - which I use for backup etc. - I shall remove this. Steve Edit the smilies are meant to be C: and D: both in brackets!

This is probably laughable to you people out there with knowledge of such things, but leaves me confused. I've recently purchased a Packard Bell IXtreme 15662 UK (if that helps). It is said to have 640Gb Hard drive. My C drive shows 230Gb of 291Gb free - I guess this holds all my programmes etc. My D drive shows 291GB of 291GB available and is labelled DATA (D) What does this mean exactly, i.e. can I use the D: drive, for what and how? Secondly, the total of these drives is 582GB. meaning some 58GB is "missing" or presumably partioned with windows and recovery etc. - so where is it? Can someone please explain in laymens terms what this all means? Steve

Just lately, and this is a brand new machine, I seem to be getting this everyday, sometimes twice per day. Usually I unplug the modem for a few minutes and it works. Today however, I reverterd to IE and it is working fine. This tells me it is not the internet connection but Firefox. What should the Firewall settings be to allow Firefox as this is one of the suggestions? Otherwise I may as well revert back to IE if the other is going to be doing this all the time. Thanks Steve

Thank you all so much! Which specific Norton Removal as looks like a trial to me?

Sorry for not getting back on this - I've been elsewhere on the forum. I replaced the machine with a newer one with higher spec, 13 processor 2.93GHz - Windows 7 64-bit. Hence all my questions elsewhere about no webmail browser and how to secure a new PC etc. Despite the evidence, I don't believe the HDD is dead. I have the important I-tunes and photos safe and re-installed on the new machine, but had forgotten about favourites and especially email contacts. - The reason I think it is not dead (the HDD) is because a similar thing happened a year or two back and it was revived. The favourites and emails contacts are not critical - after all many of them are out of date or seldom used. I do know a couple of people who can take a look for me, as my major problem is not looking after backup disks that come with machines:mad:

How or where can I do this? - I obviously have a lot of favourites and mail addresses on OE on my old machine. Do I have to choose an alternative, i.e. Thunderbird or WLM etc. and how do I get the data onto or into said program? My older (XP) machine is not bootable at present but I would like to transfer stuff once it is.

Yes, I did that match by having the first tab on the toolbar named MAIL. It takes me straight to the Virgin Media site - so not too bad - it is just not the same.

Sorry for the double post, but I missed the 5 minute deadline to edit:p Just so I'm clear here, is there anything I need to add to MSE - I understand Windows 7 inc. Windows Defender. Will that little lot suffice, or do I need more?

I guess things change, Avast was preferred on here (a good few years ago I switched from AVG). Quick question, my new machine came with Norton - free trial etc. I have not activate it, but cannot remove it and it always pops up requesting I start the free trial. Is there a way to remove this - I've tried programs and remove but it will not let me? Cheers.

Out of interest, has this now changed? - my new machine came with IE but no mail browser (as expected). Is it possible it was added by the shop to get me started?

Hi DH Just to update. Currently using the Windows 7 firewall. Have also added Avast's latest version and I understand Windows Defender is included with Windows 7, Which of the other (free) standalones are worth adding. I assume there are no major conflicts?

I think it is just the shock to the system. Even when I switched from IE to Firefox, I still continued to use OE. I'm not too bothered about the others as googlemail doesn't get used and hotmail is mainly FB updates. At present I just link to Virgin Media and my mailbox via one of the Firefox tabs - I'll see how it all goes and may possibly try VLM and give it more of a chance ;-) I just coudn't get away with MSN being my homepage - it made Firefox look not like Firefox if that makes sense? Is there a way to have a different homepage yet still see a button or create a tab to check for mail? - I like things easy/simple.

Briefly mentioned on the WIndows 7 thread. This has thrown me a little. I tried briefly using the Windows Live Mail (I think it was called that) and it successfully linked my hotmail, googlemail and ntlworldmail. Seems too slow and just didn't feel right, so have removed it and now just put a link to my ntlworld mailbox of Firefox for now. I suppose one doesn't have to use an email client, but after many years it seems strange not to! What are others doing in this situation? I suppose I could try Thunderbird as I am already using Firefox it is just very strange not having OE after all these years.

Anyone? or should I pay to have it restored, or is there another way to restore it myself without the original disks (still not found 'em). Most of the stuff on it is backed up - all the important stuff certainly. Do I have to use the original XP disk that came with the machine or can I use any (registered of course). Cheers