Anybody need some free IT advice

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
20/02/2011 22:11

Hi All,



I am an Infrastructure solution design specialist with Microsoft and IBM certifications, I am cuurently based in the UK but hope one day to relocate to our home in Cyprus.



If anyone in these very useful forums requires some quick free impartial IT advice, please just post in this topic.



I specialize in network technologies (ip, routing, wireless, routers etc) and of course Microsoft business technologies (Win 2008, Hyper-v, clustering, Ex 2007/10 etc) as well as home MS technologies - windows 7 etc.



Because I have a very very keen passion for hardware, I also specialize in home audio visual - home networking, streaming, audio, nas appliances, xbmc and so on.



Hope I can be of help......

shrimp


Joined: 01/09/2010
Posts: 939

Message Posted:
20/02/2011 22:19

Hi there, I have a Dell computer plus a dell notebook. I have been told I cannot put a spell check on the notebook as it would take up too much memory but as I use this much more than the home computer it would be very helpful as it is easy to make silly spelling mistakes especiallly as the keyboard it so much smaller too........

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
20/02/2011 22:33

Spellcheck for what/which applications?

shrimp


Joined: 01/09/2010
Posts: 939

Message Posted:
20/02/2011 22:38

well......... just a general spell check on my laptop.......sorry not sure what you mean....all applications I would have thought.....

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
20/02/2011 22:40

i.e. Are you referring to spellcheck within Word, Outlook, Outlook Express or Windows Mail etc.

shrimp


Joined: 01/09/2010
Posts: 939

Message Posted:
20/02/2011 22:43

not that clever with computers.....if I am sending an email...or if I am posting on here for instance.........all I need to know is if my laptop is too small for a spell check.....thanksx

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
20/02/2011 22:44

The Windows XP, Vista or 7 Operating System does not have a spellchecker by default, instead the spellcheck functions is built into the applications, such as MS Office or Windows Mail. If you had an iPad or iPhone for example, you would be presented with various corrective options as you type within any application, doesn't exist by default in Windows though.



As stated, spellcheck function is the job of the application you are working in.

shrimp


Joined: 01/09/2010
Posts: 939

Message Posted:
20/02/2011 22:51

thank you for explaining it to me........x

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
20/02/2011 23:47

You are welcome. What applications do you use the most on your laptop/pc. I can then let you know if they have an inbuilt spellchecker.

stevo-london


Joined: 23/10/2010
Posts: 253

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 00:23

I have a wireless network at home, my other two laptops, iphone, friends laptops all pickup and connect but my work laptop which the wireless works at work does not connect at home even though it pickup on it.... Any ideas?

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 00:54

You may be using a static ip address on your wireless network card which is specific to your work network. If you go into network connections and right click the wireless adapter, then select properties. Then select Internet protocol - tcp/ip and select properties. Please ensure you have "obtain an ip automatically" selected.



This setting tells your wireless network card to obtain it's ip address from your wireless router, as apposed to having it set manually.

magicart


Joined: 05/10/2008
Posts: 985

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 08:53

Hi,



We have a wireless network and the only way we can make a connection is through our overplay vpn.



This has only just happened.We installed overplay a few months ago and we could connect to our wireless without going through overplay but for some reason we are now unable to do so.



Can you help us please ?.



Thanks



Art.

yenibob


Joined: 13/10/2010
Posts: 1203

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 09:06

Shrimp. Use Google Chrome instead of IE. It is a better browser and has the added benefit of a built in SpellCheck.



It's free!

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 15:06

Hi yenibob - when you say it has a built in spellcheck, do you mean it auto completes \ offers words as you type them into the google search or chrome address bar? If you set IE to use Google as the search, it will also auto complete \ offer alternatives to you.



However, I also prefer Google Chrome for most browsing needs, less of an overhead on the PC. I still ocassionally have to go back to IE8 though, specifically for sites that user ActiveX controls or Silevrlight etc.

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 15:08

Hi Art,



When you say the only way you can connect is though overplay vpn, do you mean generically to the internet?i.e. you cannot browse the internet until first connecting via the overplay vpn?



Thanks

yenibob


Joined: 13/10/2010
Posts: 1203

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 16:12

jlb, it is a fully functioning spell check.



http://www.google.com/support/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=95604

girnegeeza


Joined: 17/05/2010
Posts: 136

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 16:16

Hi Jlb777,



When in Trnc I connect to the internet via a Telsim dongle, I would like to be able to put this through a router so that two of us could use laptops at the same time, is this possible and if so what would I need to to it.



Thank you.

magicart


Joined: 05/10/2008
Posts: 985

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 17:38

jib777,



Thanks for getting back to me-at the moment we are unable to make any contact with the internet unless we have the overplayvnp connected.



Many thanks



Art

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 19:23

Hi Girnegeeza,



You would require a wireless router that also supports a 3G USB dongle. In essence it is no different to using ADSL, but instaead you are using the 3G connection as the internet link.



I have used this configuration myself a number of times, here is the router that I use:-

Draytek Vigor 2820

And here is information as to how the router works with a 3G dongle:-

http://www.draytek.co.uk/products/3g_solutions.html



The only question is, will your brand of USB dongle (regardless of whether it is Telsim, KKTC Turkcell etc) work with the router? Some further investigation required.



There are other brands of router that also support a 3G dongle, i think dlink do one.



Thanks

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 19:27

Also girnegeeza - here is another way of sharing your 3g connection with your 2nd laptop, BUT will require the first laptop to actually ahre the connection, i,e, bot will have to be on at the same time:-



http://maketecheasier.com/share-3g-wireless-connection-in-windows-7/2010/01/06

girnegeeza


Joined: 17/05/2010
Posts: 136

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 21:53

Thanks jlb777,



The second link looks very interesting, willl check it out and get back to you,



Thanks again

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
22/02/2011 22:31

Hi Girnegeeza,



How did you get on with setting up Internet connection sharing using your 3G dongle.

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
22/02/2011 22:55

re msg 19 jlb77



Your contributions will be welcome on here:



I have had recent experience of 3G dongle routers:



http://www.ebuyer.com/product/220219



- useful if you have two pcs and are on the move between UK and CY and don't have wired Broadband at either end.

stevo-london


Joined: 23/10/2010
Posts: 253

Message Posted:
22/02/2011 23:33

sorry for the late response but THANK YOU will try it out tomorrow



when you arrive I owe you a beer maybe even 2 if it works

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
22/02/2011 23:46

No problem Steve - let me know if it doesn't fix your issue? There could be other potential issues...

girnegeeza


Joined: 17/05/2010
Posts: 136

Message Posted:
23/02/2011 02:00

Hi Jlb777,



I am in the UK at the moment, will try what you have suggested when I return to the TRNC in March.



Will let you know how I get on and if I encounter any problems.



Thanks again.

Washerman


Joined: 19/09/2008
Posts: 2301

Message Posted:
23/02/2011 02:04

GirneGeezer - when you are here, give us a ring, we can do this for you - no problem !



Paul - 0533 869 4372

dwr6rtr


Joined: 15/12/2008
Posts: 95

Message Posted:
23/02/2011 10:47

hi jib77, i cannot get spellchecker to work with mozzilla thunderbird,i use windows7, any advice please?

magicart


Joined: 05/10/2008
Posts: 985

Message Posted:
23/02/2011 18:10

Hello jlb 777,



Sorry to bother you-were you able to find out whats causing our problem and how we can put it right please.



Art

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
23/02/2011 22:10

Msg 28 Dw6rtr



I use t/bird



What version are you using ?



click help, then about..

mine says:





Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.1; en-GB; rv:1.9.2.13) Gecko/20101207 Thunderbird/3.1.7



If you aren't up to date - there's an update function - HELP, check for updates..



Under tools, add-ons, extensions .. check the extensions you have.. you SHOULD have a 'British English Dictionary 1.19.1'



If not - click 'get add-ons' and under 'dictionaries', download the British eng one ...

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
24/02/2011 01:39

Hi Art,



Before you enable / connect the overplay VPN to then start browsing etc, can you do the following please:



1 - Press the "windows" key on your keyboard (usually bottom left) at the same time as pressing the "r" key

2 - A "run" box appears, please then type "cmd"' (deleting whatever is currently listed first) then hit enter or return

3 - A black screen appears, please then type "ipconfig" into that black screen and press enter or return

4 - Please record the IP address listed against the DNS server entries in the list that appears, it may be something like.... 192.168.0.1. It is always 4 blocks of numbers, separated by a full stop



Please post this information on the board. I suspect your issue is down to your pc being unable to resolve host names (e.g.www.BBC.co.Uk) into an IP address, which all Internet connected machines must be able to do in order to browse the web.



Thanks

Washerman


Joined: 19/09/2008
Posts: 2301

Message Posted:
24/02/2011 07:24

Hi Art,

I'm coming up there at some point today, do you want me to pop in and have a look at this computer problem for you?

Regards

Paul

magicart


Joined: 05/10/2008
Posts: 985

Message Posted:
24/02/2011 08:10

Paul,



Thanks -Give me a call before you set off-will be in all afternoon.



Still got a hangover from your 50th.



Art

truffles808


Joined: 16/10/2007
Posts: 183

Message Posted:
24/02/2011 09:25

We have a tp link wireless N router 300Mbps advanced for our Internet connection from . We run two laptops from this which work fine, but my IPad is limited to certain things with the Internet. My iPad works brilliantly anywhere else I connect up to wirelessly. It must be something with the router set up, what needs to be changed? Cheers

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
24/02/2011 23:07

Hi Truffles,



Sorry, aim not sure what you mean by....

but my IPad is limited to certain things with the Internet.



Do you mean you loose wireless access at certain times via your iPad?

CaroleG


Joined: 15/05/2010
Posts: 1

Message Posted:
25/02/2011 14:56

I am based in UK but live in Ozankoy for 4 months of the year. I am not good at speaking turkish so often have to use Google translate which I don't find particularly helpful. Does anyone know of an alternate translator which is half-way satisfactory.

truffles808


Joined: 16/10/2007
Posts: 183

Message Posted:
26/02/2011 07:20

No, my iPad only surfs certain things, ie like this forum, but I cannot surf on google search nor the app store? I have looked on apple support about this and the most I can find out is about the router and get your IT administrator to change the settings to allow iPad proper access. I had ago myself but nearly lost everything! Decided best to leave it to the experts, went into where I got the Internet from with the router and iPad, the lad scratched his head and said he needed the laptop as well. I have since not got round to going back into town with all three. It's frustrating as it works brilliantly from other wireless routers?!

magicart


Joined: 05/10/2008
Posts: 985

Message Posted:
26/02/2011 16:57

Hi jlb777



Many thanks for your help-Paul from Satcyprus called in to see me and was able to resolve the problem within a few minutes.



Paul,



Thanks again for your help and for the excellent service-its a real pleasure doing business with a reputable company.We are really pleased with our TV package and the level of customer service.



Art and Mary

Washerman


Joined: 19/09/2008
Posts: 2301

Message Posted:
26/02/2011 20:52

Art and Mary,

Thanks for the recco', it's all part of the service.

Paul

Turtle


Joined: 28/05/2007
Posts: 2669

Message Posted:
26/02/2011 22:23

I have a laptop that keeps losing its broadband connection, I get a pop up saying something like "your internet stopped working".



Looking on the net I have had advice to disable all add on's, reset back to default and disconnect your anti virus package.

None of this worked, it dosen't disconnect all the time but every now and then it will shut off 3 or 4 times during a browsing session.



Its driving me mad what could it be ?

Kaymak


Joined: 07/12/2009
Posts: 474

Message Posted:
26/02/2011 22:58

check out http://www.studentscircle.net and contact to administrator.



thanks

Washerman


Joined: 19/09/2008
Posts: 2301

Message Posted:
27/02/2011 04:27

Turtle, are you connected with an ethernet cable or, through a wireless router ?

magicart


Joined: 05/10/2008
Posts: 985

Message Posted:
27/02/2011 08:46

Paul,



Its a pleasure.



I'm just waiting to read comments from the guy "who walks on water".



Art.

Turtle


Joined: 28/05/2007
Posts: 2669

Message Posted:
27/02/2011 12:14

Hi Washerman

I am connected to wireless router from my Laptop.



The interesting thing is my son connects to the same router with any problems?

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
27/02/2011 12:16

Art - I have a funny feeling that I know who you are revering to



Paul - Good to see you getting the recognition you deserve for good service. I hope to also become a customer of yours in May when I return to Cyprus. Thanks for replying to my emails yesterday.

Chicken


Joined: 29/06/2009
Posts: 190

Message Posted:
27/02/2011 12:32

Downloaded My Private Network but won't connect properly and the diagnostic says that there could be a firewall preventing it, also says Windows Firewall has allowed it through. I have Avast and AVG on my laptop. How do rectify this so I can watch MPN

Washerman


Joined: 19/09/2008
Posts: 2301

Message Posted:
27/02/2011 13:03

Turtle, sorry I should have asked..........what operating system are you running on the laptop with the problem ?

Turtle


Joined: 28/05/2007
Posts: 2669

Message Posted:
27/02/2011 13:24

Washerman

I run Vista Home premium , Internet Explorer protected by Mcafee.

I have tried Crome (previously suggested by the net and didnt work so went back to IE)

It also told me the issue was an "add on" I disabled all add on's and still no joy ?

oceana


Joined: 12/07/2010
Posts: 395

Message Posted:
27/02/2011 13:26

Hi



my laptop is Dell, Vista. I am having a few problems, one is, when im trying to write something i hotmail, it does not pick up the letters I am typing, and it even freezes sometimes. I type and nothing seems to appear on the screen. My internet connections are fine when I experience this.



The second problem I am having for a week now is, my laptop does not recognise my wireless internet modem, when i put the usb into the computer, the compter warns me saying it does not recognise the device. When it does recognise it, then I can connect freely but once I connect, it disconnects after a few minutes. It just happened now too!!



Can you tell me why this is happening?



Thank you

Washerman


Joined: 19/09/2008
Posts: 2301

Message Posted:
27/02/2011 14:13

Sorry Turtle, more questions



What power plan are you running on the laptop - Balanced ?



Does it disconnect when it is plugged into a power source or, just when running on battery ?

Washerman


Joined: 19/09/2008
Posts: 2301

Message Posted:
27/02/2011 14:22

Oceana, what browser are you using?



I always recommend users to type their emails in a program like Word or, Notepad and then, copy and paste them into your hotmail "compose" window. Why ?



Two reasons, it overcomes the problem that you have mentioned and it stops you clicking "Send" only to find that the email doesn't send for some reason, but you lose the text and can't get it back - it's happened to everyone at some time or, another. Re-typing a long email is a pain. If you compose in Word or, Notepad, it doesn't matter if you lose it. Just go back and copy and paste again !



Next, answer the questions that I have asked Turtle in Message 50

Washerman


Joined: 19/09/2008
Posts: 2301

Message Posted:
27/02/2011 14:27

Chicken, is it giving you an error number when it fails to connect ?



Temporarily disable the firewall and then, see if it connects, then, we know whether it is the firewall that is causing the problem.



Who is your internet service provider?

Turtle


Joined: 28/05/2007
Posts: 2669

Message Posted:
27/02/2011 14:57

Washerman



I am running on "Balanced"

Usually have the power lead in so mainly when running on mains,...not tried it running on just battery I'll give it a try.

oceana


Joined: 12/07/2010
Posts: 395

Message Posted:
27/02/2011 15:23

Thanks Washerman.



I will do that because it really is a pain to write in from Hotmail.



It disconnects when it is plugged into a power source but I think I have just overcome that problem. I actually changed the usb wire that connects the 3G modem to the laptop and all seems ok for now.

Marisa


Joined: 23/04/2009
Posts: 545

Message Posted:
27/02/2011 16:21

Hi !

I have got a propblem with my computor.

Every time when I start it I have to uninstall and install my key board.



I asked Laconic and Ossie who advertises his service in Cyprus Today , they could not help.



Can you ? or anybody ?

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
27/02/2011 22:18

Hi Marisa,



What brand of keyboard do you use? Is it a Microsoft keyboard?

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
27/02/2011 22:37

Chicken



if you want I can 'visit' you computer remotely and hopefully get you connected ..

truffles808


Joined: 16/10/2007
Posts: 183

Message Posted:
01/03/2011 06:57

Any help for my problem?!

Marisa


Joined: 23/04/2009
Posts: 545

Message Posted:
01/03/2011 11:13

I found on the keyboard "Genius"

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
11/03/2011 01:42

Hi Truffles808,



Really sorry, I have been working away for the past week.



Can I recommend trying to set a different dns server for name resolution on your iPad. Please click settings, wi-fi, then click the blue arrow by the side of your wireless network name, in the next screen, delete whatever is currently in the DNS line and replace with:



8.8.8.8



This is a Google DNS server, that I am using from my iPad as we speak. The job of a dns server is to resolve friendly web addresses (or host name) into an ip address.



If it doesn't work for you, justbdelet the DNS line and disable then enable your wi-fi connection.



Worth a try.....

truffles808


Joined: 16/10/2007
Posts: 183

Message Posted:
11/03/2011 06:45

OMG you are a genius, I can get everything now on my iPad! This DNS address is safe? Thank you very much for your help.

moonstone


Joined: 27/08/2009
Posts: 158

Message Posted:
11/03/2011 13:50

how can you safely use crack for downloading programs

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
11/03/2011 20:59

Super - pleased I could help truffles.



You may want to add a secondary dns server, I think it is 8.8.4.4 for google dns. Makes sense to have a backup.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
12/03/2011 12:18

Why is my Sony Vaio laptop very slow to start up?

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
12/03/2011 12:38

Why is my Sony Vaio laptop very slow to start up?

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
12/03/2011 13:11

May be you have too many things ( progs / services) starting up that you don't use? ...



Start your reading here:



http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/askjack/2005/nov/17/whenwindowsxpisslowtosta



..and be wary of 'the best' advice.. they can be getting paid to direct you to a product that isn't 'the best' ..:(

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
12/03/2011 14:40

Cheers Mark, I'll give it a try.

Enchanted


Joined: 20/07/2008
Posts: 159

Message Posted:
12/03/2011 21:50

Please can you help me with an It problem

I have an Orange email address (wanadoo) and also a gmail. When I go abroad, I can receive emails though orange, but cannot send. Gmail is Ok. This is using outlook express and windows xp. Everything works corectly in the UK. I cant get any sense out of orange. It drives me nuts!!

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
13/03/2011 00:06

Hi Enchanted,



You will need to enter your username and password in the outgoing server settings (same as your inbound), thus allowing mail to relay through Orange smtp servers when you are not on their network.

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
13/03/2011 01:07

Surely it is better to use gmail within the browser and and add Orange email so as when you move from country to county or pc to pc all your emails are 'intact' and you can view them from ANY pc ?



Alternatively, I would 'dump' outlook express and use Thunderbird - using IMAP rather than popmail



If you wish to stay with outlook express and use gmail, suggest following these instructions:



http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=77659



and THIS for Orange email:



http://wongablog.co.uk/2007/02/13/gmail-workaround-for-orangefreeservewanadoo-customers-with-email-problems/

Washerman


Joined: 19/09/2008
Posts: 2301

Message Posted:
13/03/2011 08:16

Orange may not allow you to log on to your outgoing mail server using the foreign IP address.



Have you tried using a VPN ? Alternatively, set your outgoing mail server as Gmail with a reply address of Orange (if that is your preference)

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
13/03/2011 10:21

msg 66 The articleThe msconfig also runs in Windows 7 and it's amazing to see what loads....

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
15/03/2011 01:54

Moonstone - msg62



Sorry, please expand on your question, I have no clue as to what you are asking.



Thanks

moonstone


Joined: 27/08/2009
Posts: 158

Message Posted:
15/03/2011 16:46

which crack codes for downloading programs off the internet are secure. I've tried a few but don't seem to work properly or are full of viruses. If you could help out i'd be very grateful.

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
16/03/2011 23:17

Hi Moonstone,



I am really sorry, but I have no idea, I try to stay away from software piracy type websites

moonstone


Joined: 27/08/2009
Posts: 158

Message Posted:
24/03/2011 17:18

ok thanks anyway