r0adrunner Posted October 19, 2012 Author Posted October 19, 2012 I see. As I won't be using laptop for games, mainly Internet, will it be sufficiently quick? Will it be able to operta equickly even with several windows open on the task bar? Thanks. Quote
KenB Posted October 19, 2012 Posted October 19, 2012 Hi, yes it will be quick enough and will cope with what you want to do. 6GB RAM / 64 bit system / 2.4GB processor - yes it will perform OK. Quote There is an email going around offering processed pork - gelatin - and salt in a can ......this is simply SPAM !! MiniToolBoxNetwork TestWireless Test
r0adrunner Posted October 20, 2012 Author Posted October 20, 2012 I see. Regarding processor speed, what is more imprtant: the model of the processor - for example Intel's i3, i5 and i7 - or the speed? Is the speed of all processors measured in Ghz? Thanks. Quote
KenB Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 As I won't be using laptop for games, mainly Internet, If this is the case then I doubt you would notice too much difference between them. At present Intel rate their CPUs using a star rating Celeron = 1 star Pentium = 2 star i3 = 3 star ( 2 core ) i5 = 4 star ( 4 cores except for i5-661 which is dual core ) i7 = 5 star ( 4 / 6 cores ) The more cores a CPU has the more tasks ( threads ) can be performed at the same time. Some CPUs support Hyper-threading. This enables a CPU to cope with multiple threads at the same time. So to answer your question... what is more imprtant: the model of the processor - for example Intel's i3, i5 and i7 - or the speed? It is the model of the processor. Intel have this sorted. i7 are the best. If you have a high end Video Card for instance then you would not see the best from this running it with an i3 CPU. If you are not gaming - as you suggest - or running graphics intensive programs that need to manipulate lots of data - then an i3 CPU would do the job for you just as well as an i7. Quote There is an email going around offering processed pork - gelatin - and salt in a can ......this is simply SPAM !! MiniToolBoxNetwork TestWireless Test
r0adrunner Posted October 22, 2012 Author Posted October 22, 2012 Thanks. I decided to buy this model in the Sony Vaio series after checking the spec and using several laptops in a shop. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-SVE1511M1EB-CEK-15-5-inch-Laptop-Black/dp/B0085RP8CK/ref=dp_ob_title_ce Quote
KenB Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 Hi I am sure that you will have no problems with this. My only observation is that it has 4GB RAM. If this is a 32 bit Operating System then this is the max. If it is 64 bit then I would prefer to see 6 or 8 GB RAM. It is always a compromise :) Quote There is an email going around offering processed pork - gelatin - and salt in a can ......this is simply SPAM !! MiniToolBoxNetwork TestWireless Test
r0adrunner Posted October 23, 2012 Author Posted October 23, 2012 Yes, that's right. The decvisive factor was the comfort I found in using the Sony Viao models. Can the RAM be increased at a later date if necessary? Quote
KenB Posted October 23, 2012 Posted October 23, 2012 Can the RAM be increased at a later date If this is a 32 bit Operating System then this is the max. If the OS is 64 bit then yes - probably. It all depends on the motherboard and what it will support. Quote There is an email going around offering processed pork - gelatin - and salt in a can ......this is simply SPAM !! MiniToolBoxNetwork TestWireless Test
r0adrunner Posted October 27, 2012 Author Posted October 27, 2012 (edited) Good and bad news! The good news is that I think the Sony Vaio laptop model I bought is 64-bit because I get a message saying this on the screen, but the bad news is that I get that message after trying to install the ISP using my Tiscali broadband inmstallation CD (which has - until now - always worked fine on my desktop). The error message says that the disk is not compatible with the 64-bit laptop. I am in the process of finding a new ISP but, meanwhile, please can you advise me how to install my Tiscali (now TalkTalk) ISP connection using the installation CD on to the laptop. Thanks. Edited October 27, 2012 by r0adrunner Quote
Plastic Nev Posted October 27, 2012 Posted October 27, 2012 Hi, I am afraid you won't be able to use that disk as it is specific to 32bit systems. You will need to get in touch with Talk Talk and ask for a 64bit version disk to be sent to you. They may tell you you need a router if on ADSL only. However, If you have a router connection for the ordinary desktop and not ADSL, you should be able to connect through that. If only an ADSL unit, then unfortunately you will not, and Windows7 does need a router for most ISP's anyway. Nev. Quote Need help with your computer problems? Then why not join Free PC Help. Register here. If Free PC Help has helped you then please consider a donation. Click here We are all members helping other members. Please return here where you may be able to help someone else. After all, no one knows everything and you may have the answer that someone needs. -------------------------------------------------------------------- I have installed Windows, now how do I install the curtains? 😄
KenB Posted October 28, 2012 Posted October 28, 2012 You can set up the router manually. The instructions should be with the literature sent to you. Which router do you have ? Quote There is an email going around offering processed pork - gelatin - and salt in a can ......this is simply SPAM !! MiniToolBoxNetwork TestWireless Test
r0adrunner Posted October 28, 2012 Author Posted October 28, 2012 Thanks. TalkTalk told me they no longer support the moden I have and the instalaltion CD is incompatible with my laptop. They are coming to install a new modem on Thursday. I am trying to change my broadband service and have one question: where I live my maximum speed appears to be quite low using ADSL. If I use fibre optic, does that circumvent the limitations for broadband which come from using a telephone line? Thank you. Quote
Plastic Nev Posted October 28, 2012 Posted October 28, 2012 Hi if you have a cable network in your street or area that uses the fibre optic, then changing to the ISP or operator of that network will certainly improve your speeds, many many times over. Nev. Quote Need help with your computer problems? Then why not join Free PC Help. Register here. If Free PC Help has helped you then please consider a donation. Click here We are all members helping other members. Please return here where you may be able to help someone else. After all, no one knows everything and you may have the answer that someone needs. -------------------------------------------------------------------- I have installed Windows, now how do I install the curtains? 😄
KenB Posted October 28, 2012 Posted October 28, 2012 You could check it out here to see if fibre optics is available in your area click here Quote There is an email going around offering processed pork - gelatin - and salt in a can ......this is simply SPAM !! MiniToolBoxNetwork TestWireless Test
r0adrunner Posted October 30, 2012 Author Posted October 30, 2012 Thanks, yes it is. It says my telephone line broadband speed is 4mb. Is that low? Is it too low to watch live streaming? Quote
KenB Posted October 30, 2012 Posted October 30, 2012 4mb. Is that low? Is it too low to watch live streaming? I don't stream a lot of live stuff ( or anything if I am honest ) but 4Mb/s will not stream efficiently in my opinion. Use this link to confirm your speed http://www.speedtest.net/ Wait for the "Begin Test" to appear. Quote There is an email going around offering processed pork - gelatin - and salt in a can ......this is simply SPAM !! MiniToolBoxNetwork TestWireless Test
Plastic Nev Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 Just to add to Kens advice, I have a maximum ADSL line speed of 6MB/s, for most of my uses this is OK as it isn't too expensive a service. However, during busy periods, streaming video will sometimes stop to buffer, or catch up, other times of the day it is fine and a video will play right through without a hitch. it sometimes isn't what you are supposed to get in connection speeds, it is what the bottle necks in the internet will let you have. Nev. Quote Need help with your computer problems? Then why not join Free PC Help. Register here. If Free PC Help has helped you then please consider a donation. Click here We are all members helping other members. Please return here where you may be able to help someone else. After all, no one knows everything and you may have the answer that someone needs. -------------------------------------------------------------------- I have installed Windows, now how do I install the curtains? 😄
Armageddon Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 I too am with Talk Talk I went from 6-7 mbps with bottleneck probs at peak times to 40mbps all day everyday and for the amount of time I spend online the extra cost is worth it Quote Google is your friend We are all members helping other members. Please return here where you may be able to help someone else. After all, no one knows everything and you may have the answer that someone needs. Get help with computer problems. Join Free PC Help here Donations are welcome. Read Here
r0adrunner Posted November 2, 2012 Author Posted November 2, 2012 Thanks. I now have my new laptop running using a wireless router installed by TalkTalk. Can I replace it with a router or modem (what is the difference?) that connects to the laptop using a cable rather than wireless? If so, are such devices widely available? Thank you. Quote
KenB Posted November 2, 2012 Posted November 2, 2012 Can I replace it with a router or modem (what is the difference?) that connects to the laptop using a cable rather than wireless? Modem - is a simple device that allows you to connect to the internet via cable Router - usually has the facility to connect to the internet via cable or wireless. Allows you to create a network of computers. Your TalkTalk router will have the option to use both. There will be at least one RJ45 socket [ATTACH=CONFIG]872.vB5-legacyid=1698[/ATTACH] You will need an ethernet ( RJ45 ) cable [ATTACH=CONFIG]873.vB5-legacyid=1699[/ATTACH] You simply connect the cable to the socket on your laptop ( most have one ) and the socket on the router. Nothing else to do. Quote There is an email going around offering processed pork - gelatin - and salt in a can ......this is simply SPAM !! MiniToolBoxNetwork TestWireless Test
Plastic Nev Posted November 3, 2012 Posted November 3, 2012 Once you have the cable connected and all is OK, if you wish to then disable the wireless, (stops the risk of someone else listening in) or at least make it more secure by encrypting the wireless section, let us know and we can describe how. Nev. Quote Need help with your computer problems? Then why not join Free PC Help. Register here. If Free PC Help has helped you then please consider a donation. Click here We are all members helping other members. Please return here where you may be able to help someone else. After all, no one knows everything and you may have the answer that someone needs. -------------------------------------------------------------------- I have installed Windows, now how do I install the curtains? 😄
r0adrunner Posted November 28, 2012 Author Posted November 28, 2012 (edited) Thanks, I will try that. The laptop has been working fine, except for yesterday when it became "stuck" while shutting down and only went off when the batter life expired. Any idea why that might have happened? Also, I need to buy an anti-virus program. I have seen McAfee 2013 available at PC World for £23. Is that a good product? Whatever program I buy, will it last for only 12 months? Thanks. Edited November 28, 2012 by r0adrunner Quote
KenB Posted November 29, 2012 Posted November 29, 2012 DON'T buy an anti-virus program. There are good free ones available. If your Operating System is legal ( I hope :) ) then download MS Essentials from here click here There are a couple of others that are good too - Avast ..........Avira Be a little careful if you select one of these ....one ( I can't remember which ) installs a toolbar if you don't un-check it. DO NOT have 2 AVs running on the system - they will conflict and cause problems. Quote There is an email going around offering processed pork - gelatin - and salt in a can ......this is simply SPAM !! MiniToolBoxNetwork TestWireless Test
Starbuck Posted November 29, 2012 Posted November 29, 2012 Be a little careful if you select one of these ....one ( I can't remember which ) installs a toolbar if you don't un-check it. Avira used to install the 'Ask Toolbar' unless the option was unticked. But word has it that this practise has now been discontinued by Avira..... But i'd still check the screens to make sure. Quote Member of:UNITE
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