egafd.com

It's that time again. The techie question.

Fudgie is going laptop, hence the sale of this very trusty old warhorse of a PC on ebay. I'm transferring all my files across to a fairly swanky Compaq Presario, which uses Windows Vista.


Now, Microsoft, in their capitalist wisdom, insist on 'Windows Easy transfer', which involves the further purchase of a new transfer A-to-A USB. I've bypassed this, tranferred data to DVD and slowly transferred. It worked.

So, 4 things:

1. Internet settings/ favourites.

I've saved my favourites on to DVD, and I use Mozilla Firefox. So, do I download a fresh version of Firefox, and copy and paste the favouites folder into the Vista favourites?

2. Internet provider.

I've been on Tiscali 2Mb for 2 years now, solid, reliable and trouble-free for the best part of ?13 a month. As broadband is predominant in the UK, are there faster providers for a better price, and who do you recommend from personal experience?

At present, can I install my tiscali software with the old installation disc that I have retained, and hook up as per normal in the interim? Would it cause bother when I transfer to another provider?

3. Wireless.

How do I go wireless, or get a good wireless provider?

4. Sound.

As you know, sound direct from a laptop is tinny and poor- it is great through earphones though.

But!

Can I connect speakers through the earphones jack?

Can I connect the laptop to my hifi via red/white audio leads into the auxiliary?

Can I get 5.1 through it?



Ta so much guys, I need your feedback.

!happy!

Fudgie, I run a new laptop wirelessly and with vista, I thought Vista was going to be a nightmare, and it was! but......as long as you disable everything and set it up properly it is great, you dont need tcpip V6 running, get rid of norton straight away, add the programmes you want to use to the vista firewall, and set up port forwarding on your router, this is very important if you file share. also make sure you take charge of ALL accounts UAC section, or it will nag the fuck out of you for permission to use this or that, I am sure this time next year it will be the norm just as xp was.
persevere with vista it has a cool interface and some good features, but you must take charge of ALL accounts..

Oh I dunno it's not that bad*















* There is no truth in this statement

Fudgy, when you get your wireless router don't expect it to be secure. Google 'Shields Up' (easier to google than to link to as they keep changing the location). Once found run the 'Common Ports' test. You will probably fail with the FTP, Telnet and HTTPS ports open.

You need to run these in Stealth. Depending on your router you may have to use Telnet to close them.