Plastic Nev

Hum, first question is why an Apple keyboard when running windows? I don't know enough about the Apple system but it strikes me the keyboard will be manufactured and set up for the Apple Mac systems, not windows. However, if I am wrong, the next place to look is Regions and language, your computer will most likely be set for UK English and the keyboard for UK. The Apple one you have may be the American layout. Regions and Language are accessed from control panel, once the window opens select the keyboard tab, and you can change the layout to American there. Nev.

If the left button of the mouse is either held in or stuck or sticking, moving away from the scroll bar it will jump back to wherever you first started to scroll. Check the left (usually the thumb operated one) and see if it is sticking. Press it in, you should hear it click, let go and it should click again, if it doesn't or takes its time to release and then clicks, that is your problem. Usually it is the internal switch, which means replacing the mouse. Nev.

Just my two pennyworth, I always try to make sure it is a copy and paste, that way if the copy is deleted, the original is still there. Losing something is a bit of a paranoia for me LOL.

It gets cold enough Ken, it shows how bad my old one had got as things are now very solid when frozen unlike previously. How it works and what prevents ice build up I have as yet no idea, it just does so, though early days as yet. It is certainly a lot more efficient Randy than the older models used to be and indeed hope it cuts the electricity bills. My last bill was £110.00 for a three month or quarter period, considering there is only lighting, the computer and that old wreck of a fridge freezer, with short duration use of my microwave, that was way too much. Nev.

The only other option that may work for you would be to install a third party video editor, there are plenty about, however you may have to get a paid for one as the freeware I found were not very good, worth a look though, just type "Video editors for Windows 8" Into google. The choice is very wide. Nev.

Recently, as in last week, bought a new fridge freexer, made by IceKing, model IK5040AP, one of these:- http://www.ice-king.co.uk/ProductList.aspx?p=11 The old one had got to the point where the motor was running continually, not freezing down low enough, and of course costing a fortune to run it. Put a clip on ammeter on the mains and it draws less than an amp when the compressor is running, the old one I don't know what it was taking, but must have been a lot more.

Hi, which version of Windows Movie Maker are you using? If Movie maker came with your Windows 8, it should already be the latest version. For MPG4 I found I had to download and install Windows Live Movie maker, in Windows 7, I assume it will be the same in W8. If you are using the older version the latest can be downloaded from here:- http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-live/movie-maker#t1=overview So, Assuming you do have the latest version of Movie Maker, I can only think Randy may be right and a conversion to a different format is worth a try. If you haven't got a video converter installed, two different converters I use are AVC, and Adapter AVC can be downloaded from here:- http://www.any-video-converter.com/products/for_video_free/ Don't be put off by the banner announcing Any Video Converter Ultimate, that is the advert for the paid for version, the free version is the download button. Adapter can be downloaded from here:- http://www.macroplant.com/adapter/?utm_source=Adapter+(PC)&utm_medium=desktop+app&utm_campaign=Adapter+(PC)+1.0.3.0 Try converting from the MPG4 to either AVI, or WMV format. One other aspect to consider, you may not have the right codec installed, though if you have an up to date version of Movie Maker it should be there, however have a quick look at this:- http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/codecs-frequently-asked-questions Unfortunately, the page recognises my computer as a Windows 7 one, but it should help you understand and may find the right Codec. Nev.

Hi again, that recovery drive may be what we need, is that a part of your hard drive, or is it on a separate external hard drive which is not a part of your computer? If it is a part of the computers drive, Ken will explain what you can do next, I am only asking so you can have time to give us that information till Ken gets back to you. Nev.

Just as a quick pop in here, I know we don't actually need the hard drive information as yet. However you asked if it is possible to find it without actually taking it out, yes there is a way, it is a small free utility program called Speccy. We always recommend it for this purpose. If you want to try it out, download it and install from here:- http://www.piriform.com/speccy It will show you the full details of the hard drive and also the operating system, motherboard, RAM, and other useful system hardware information,such as temperatures of CPU, GPU, and main motherboard temperatures as well. Nev.

That pricing from Virgin is why I will not use them, cable is in my street but not at those prices. Here is why, I am on BT for the phone only, however I seldom use it so this results on what was once called the "Low user Rebate", they give it a different name now but it amounts to the same thing. That gives me a total phone bill of around £14.85 per quarter or three month period. That includes and is mainly the line rental price. I use an independent ISP who after the price drop, are charging around £14.50 a month. Add that to the phone at one third is a monthly bill of £19.45. OK phone line internet speed isn't great I know, but it is fast enough for me most of the time. Nev.

Hi, you haven't said whether this is a laptop or a desktop computer. However if it is a desktop and your start button is on the front, or top front, the panel it is mounted on is usually easily removable. The button part comes away with it leaving the switch part itself still on the chassis or case behind it. You usually can then find what is making the button part stick then. However if it is a laptop, the button may be quite a complex disassemble job best left to a technician who knows how to take that make of laptop apart. Let us know please the make and model of the computer and if desktop or laptop. We may be able to find instructions for removing the panels with that information. Nev.

It does seem to indicate some hardware fault in general, it could be RAM, but I am still of the feeling, my opinion only mind, that there is a problem with the graphics card as the fault code 0X00000124 is also linked to PCIe slots as well. There is a tremendous amount of information available on Microsofts own support pages, just have a look here:- http://search.microsoft.com/en-gb/Results.aspx?q=0X00000124 See if any of the different fixes on there are of any help as well. Nev.

Hi, from what you say now and considering you have looked at my suggestion for something loose, the only thing that could be orientation sensitive is the hard drive itself. If you have an external hard drive or other large storage device or medium, first off I would recommend fully backing up everything while the computer is on its side and working. Then remove the hard drive from the case and reconnect it, while it is held in your hand start the computer up and move the drive to different positions, if it either works in one position but not another, then there is your fault. Nev.

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help Deano. Being a custom build, my suspicion turns straight to something loose behind the mother board, a screw or other metal part. When laid down flat, whatever it is falls away, but when stood back up it is dropping onto a connection on the motherboard and short circuiting to the case. With it turned off and the power lead disconnected, if possible remove the cover, then try standing first on its end, or even completely upside down, if you hear something rattling about inside when you do that, it is most likely to be what I suspect is a screw, nut, or other loose metal part. If you can't persuade whatever it is to fall out completely, it will need the motherboard removing from the case to get at it. Nev.

Thanks for the info regarding market share, very interesting and as a global thing is certainly true to say that a lot depends on how the surveys were conducted in the first place. I would have thought though that the figures for the most downloaded browsers for install should come into it as well, bearing in mind that Internet explorer is already on very nearly every version of Windows from new. So I am like you airborne I feel that just taking figures from browsers used on individual websites cannot possibly be really accurate. There will no doubt be many thousands of websites that have not contributed any figures to such surveys any way. So in short, I would also have taken the dog for a walk if I had one. However this listing or poll here on FPCH cannot really be taken into account, as it is only a handful of the many members we have that have bothered to register their preferences. After all it is just a fun thing between members. To add to the chaos by the way there are some newer and even not so new browsers around, some of which are using the main engine of the established browsers. Comodo Dragon, being one using the Chrome engine, with quite few using the internet explorer as its base. May well be a few more using either engine or even the Firefox one. I am currently exploring a not all that new, but looking very good and sort of loosely based on Internet explorer browser called Maxthon Cloud Browser. Very fast and only limited by your own connection speed or any local line throttling, and also packed with a lot of useful goodies. I am very impressed with it so far.

Google survives and makes a lot of money out of advertising, companies pay big money to them due to targeted adverts. In order to target adverts at users is why they collect as much information they can about you and your interests. I won't entertain Google Chrome for that reason, never mind the fact I don't like the browser much any way.

The difference there is between daytime and evenings. When this test was done it was just past 11-30AM here. http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/plasticpig/Speedtest2_zps922049a0.png

This was done at or around 7-25PM here in the UK, this is typical of speed drop or throttling in this area at this time of night. Daytime or very late evening my maximum download is around 8Mb/s So you can see the obvious, it can take a long time sometimes to connect to a website whos server is in the USA or elsewhere. http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/plasticpig/CombinedSpeedtesttoPrestonandVancouver_zps999698f5.jpg

Hi Steve, a bit annoying that is when companies advertise stuff then go back on it and can't supply after you have ordered it. What sort of noise is it making, does it sound like a metallic whine or scraping or hiss type of sound, or more a general whirring rumble? It may be the bearings on the shaft getting worn, some earlier fans you could just see enough of the shaft to run some light oil onto it so it works its way in from there, both at the front where the blade is and sometimes at the back end of the motor. Unfortunately more modern fans are a lot more enclosed and you can't do that. As with most things now, built for life and when that expires, throw it and get a new one! Nev

Hi Mel, try one thing at a time, and I suggest the idea of changing the drive letter is a possible cure, use the advice in that link to the Microsoft advice page and change the drive letter from "D" to a letter not already in use, you could use "Z" to be sure of that, it won't matter so long as the letter isn't being used by some other storing device. Try that first and let us know. Nev.

I agree Ken, that shouldn't be a valid file path in most Windows systems. I am puzzled!!??????

Hi Mel, I did expect it, though thought it might be worth a try. Follow Kens advice as above next please, as unfortunately I am out of ideas now as Windows 8 is so different from Windows 7. Nev.

I got a phone call the other day from my ISP people, offering to renew my contract at a lower price, which knocked a good £6.00 of the usual monthly fee, all with no change to my service of unlimited downloads. Quite good of them though I have read other ISP's are also lowering their prices. Has any one else had such good news and is it a similar drop in price? Nev.

Fluidata seems quite amazing, they are using slightly different technology by what they say here= http://www.fluidata.co.uk/ Most of what they say about their "Pure Fluid" is over the top of my head and knowledge but what I do understand tells me they can have an upload speed near to download. Nev.

OK Steve, hope all goes well and let us know how you get on please. Nev.