Danny

You are referring to the Livebox configuration pages and only you can access these and only you can change the password. The default login name is 'admin' and the default password is also 'admin'. First step is to simply restart the livebox. This often restores the telephone service. http://assistance.orange.fr/how-to-reboot-your-livebox-4073.php If that does not work, it would be best to do a factory reset of your livebox. This should also restart the telephone service assuming the Livebox is not damaged/faulty. The reset procedure varies slightly depending on what model Livebox you have. http://assistance.orange.fr/livebox-tous-les-modeles-524.php reset procedure (rémise à zero) http://assistance.orange.fr/livebox-remise-a-zero-3135.php Remember that if you do a factory reset, you will need to re enter your adsl login and password (starts with fti/ - different to the other passwords referred to above. If still no joy after that, you will need to contact Orange Danny

[quote user="Hawkplasterer"]Can I call the Orange/France Telecom English speaking helpline from here in the UK and get it all arranged on 0033 969 36 39 00 [/quote] yes, no problem for both the phone line and the internet. [quote user="Hawkplasterer"] Also are there any alternatives to France Telecom? [/quote] Yes, it may be possible with any of the other major operaters. What is available depends entirely on the line quality and distance from the exchange. If you know the old number, you can try to enter it here on this site www.degrouptest.com enter the telephone number, click on TESTER and scroll down to see what may be available from the other operaters. It might be more difficult as Orange is the only major one with a dedicated English speaking service. All the others are by Internet or telephone or in person in an SFR shop for example. [quote user="Hawkplasterer"] Finally, any idea of costs involved for initial set up??? [/quote] To open a new FT line is 55 euros installation fee and then 16 euros per/m line rental There may also be the possibility of not having a normal FT line but just internet only and all your call service is VOIP via the modem/router. This is generally cheaper monthly than having the FT line as well. Something like this perhaps You may be best going with Orange/FT for the line to begin with and he internet service from Orange called 'Découvert' at 21 euros per month which you can cancel anytime if you want to change to another operater. Danny

If Emily has been told this by Orange, it is quite possible that it is correct. The info on degrouptest comes from the database of FT (Orange) so it is unlikely to differ. It is also not always accurate too. No harm in checking though. Having checked there, you will only get the real offers by contacting the provider. For many on the edge of ADSL elegibility due to the line length/quality, Orange is the only one who will offer a (mostly) reliable service. Even if Degroupest suggests otherwise. In these lines, any offers from other providers are using Orange's equipment in the exchange and the other providers make very little money from these lines, if at all. They are not really willing to continue the service if the line quality is so poor and it is any hassle for them. I believe that Orange are obliged, by their status as the traditional telecoms operater, to try to offer a minimum service if possible so they tend to do so. By the way, the Orange Internet offers may well be modified tomorrow as their current commercial period ends today. So, we may see some (probably minor) changes to their offers. Danny PS Emily, I presume you mean 32 euros every 2 months to FT.... You should still also get slightly cheaper than the 26 euros p/m internet which I think is an older offer.

If you want, you can uninstall the program then reinstall it. But this time, at the beginning, untick the "include Expat shield community toolbar" option, click on custom installation - instead of the big install button - and unselect all the toolbars, addons options. Then as said before, if you use Firefox browser with the Adblock Plus add on you will get no adverts at all. Danny

[quote user="virginia.c"]Thanks Jane and Danny Am paying more than that currently. When I last phoned them they didn't give me anything similar to what you have mentioned and told me that because my speed was only 512 I couldn't have anything cheaper. Then the next phone call tells me something else and every other phone subsequent phone call something else entirely. If I could do without them I'd happily live without. Will try to calm down and try once more tomorrow![/quote] Virginia, It may well be that your line is not suitable for the ADSL contracts without FT line. If the capacity is marginal for ADSL then you may have to keep the FT line and of course keep paying the line rental. If that is the case, another possibility is to have a basic internet only service at 21 euros p/m http://abonnez-vous.orange.fr/residentiel/forfaits/decouverte.aspx?idnode=110414005 and use other services for cheap telephone calls like telerebais for example. Most international calls are charged at local FT rates. Danny

Virginia, current Orange offers http://abonnez-vous.orange.fr/residentiel/comparer-offres-internet.aspx if you want to save some money, you can do without the landline (as Val has) and save maybe about 10 euros per month. The cheapest package without landline is 33,90 pm plus 3 euros if you rent the livebox so 36.90 total. http://abonnez-vous.orange.fr/residentiel/forfaits/livebox-zen.aspx This includes international calls to landlines and not to mobiles anywhere. Any calls outside of thie ones included are charged for. If you want to keep your FT line, then the cheapest package is the same one but it is 28,90 plus 3 euros livebox rental. You continue to pay the 16 euro per month for the FT line. Attention....Orange offers will possibly change a bit this Thursday as it is the start of a new commercial period for them. That means the above info will be out date soon. Danny

some alternatives discussed here http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-cd-dvd-burning-software.htm and here http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/the-best-free-alternatives-to-nero-cddvd-burner/ Danny

although phone and internet are both provided by FT/Orange, they are separate contracts so are handled separately. The phone line needs to be changed to 'résidence secondaire' status. Once this is done, you can stop it when you are not there and only pay rental for the months you are there. The simplest way of doing this is to call up, copied from this thread to save me writing it http://www.totalfrance.com/france/forum/viewtopic.php?t=106402 as soon as I get to france I dial 1014 , ask them to start it immediately , and by the time I get to the house it is working ; on one occasion I forgot so when I got to the house I went next door and asked for the connection ..by the time I walked back it was working suspending ....just pick up the phone the day I leave the house There are conditions to this service of course.... The internet (by ADSL) is another kettle of fish. You need to have a basic 'Découverte sans engagement' contract on the line. You may or may not be able to suspend this anymore as Orange seem to want to stop this facility especially for new contracts. You can of course just cancel the service to stop it. This needs to be done by registered letter with 10 days notice. It is advised to use your own compatible modem/router to avoid any hassle of returning rented liveboxes. Any other Internet contract with Orange is taken out for a minimum 12 month subscription so is not suitable for temporary visits. Danny

try following the procedure on this page http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-xp/help/windows-media-player/11/share-media I think you need to specify your device in Media Player and not just with the general media sharing setting. Danny

Richyrich, that response is just fobbing you off. It has nothing to do with ARCEP. If it was, all the companies would need to follow this. If you want unlimited calls, your only choice is to change provider. Danny  

[quote user="richyrich2"] Any idea how I can contest this mis justice? thanks[/quote] Assuming you have signed up to the latest terms and conditions, i.e. you agreed to this,  then you can't really contest it. Like it or lump it, I think. Change provider if you want international inclusive calls without restriction. Orange, for example, has some limitations on their VOIP service - up to 500 different numbers per month but no time limit per day. Unless you go over 24 hours in a day strangely!! (l'utilisation du Service de Téléphone par internet générant une consommation de communications supérieure à 24h par jour) Danny

According to this page, http://www.sfr.fr/vos-services/equipements/innovations/sfr-home-3g/index.jsp it is available for SFR subscribers at 99 euros but it is not the box in your picture - that still does not seem to be available. Danny

[quote user="geraldina"]we have the same problem as you. During the day have no probs unless it is absolutely throwing it down but in the evening we have trouble with ITV1 and all the 4's Channel 4, ITV4 and More 4. Is it something to do with the strength of the signal going down due to switchover!!![/quote] Definitely nothing at all to do with any switchover. All those channels are on Astra 2D satellite. It suggests that the dish/LNB is not properly aligned for good reception from there. See Martin's comments regarding the skew of the LNB for optimum reception. Danny

Yep, very good price. Danny

They both have identical specs as far as I can see including the LED screens which are both "Écran HP BrightView de diagonale de 43,9 cm (17,3 pouces) LED haute définition HD+" Danny

They won't come to you to see it. You can take it in to your local shop and they will test it there. Or you can also call up 3900 and they will go through a series of tests - you will need to be by the computer and livebox. If it is deemed to be faulty, they will give you a code to take it to the shop for an exchange. Its probably easier to just take it in. If it is a faulty power supply, they should change it. If it is an older version rented livebox, they will now change it for the latest model free of charge in the Orange shop. http://assistance.orange.fr/echanger-votre-livebox-812.php If it is 3 yrs old, then it is probably the livebox mini, so they should change it anyway. Take a print out of that page and highlight the Vous rendre directement en boutique avec votre ancienne Livebox pour obtenir immédiatement une Livebox 2 bit, in case you get a grumpy sales person. Also take in all the bits and pieces - filters, cables etc etc. All assuming it is a rented livebox, of course. Danny

[quote user="Frederick"] I suspect some French official behind this tax thinks all foreign second home owners MUST be making money from them and not paying us any tax And if they say they are not ... don't believe them .[/quote] Again, it is not aimed specifically at foreigners, unless I have misread something. I would guess a lot of  people (foreign or not) do rent them out and don't declare the income. Danny

Not sure what the crikey is for but.... Their "recons" are virtually brand new and most have at least 6 month manufacturer's guarantee. Comparing like for like i.e exact same specifications, I think their prices are reasonable.. The OP did suggest  £250-300 so was trying to keep in that price range. Danny

[quote user="Jon02"]But what I do strongly object to is a tax (anywhere) that is specifically directed at foreigners who can't vote against it. Which this very much is; all the rest is a fig leaf against the inevitable EC accusations of discrimination. I pay taxes, make little use of the facilties provided and support the local economy. Whatever happened to Liberté, égalité, fraternité? [/quote]Is it specifically directed at foreigners? I see no mention of whether they are French or foreign. If I understand correctly, the proposal is for second homes belonging to non residents i.e. those whose principal residence is abroad and are therefore non resident for tax purposes. So it would apply to those of any nationality who pay their main income taxes abroad. Foreigners and non residents are not the same thing. Danny

[quote user="Ab"] WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR £250-300 Thanks sorry about shouting justnoticed caps lock on   dam computers!! [/quote] http://www.digitalrefresh.fr/aspire-5732z-444g50mn-15-6-reconditionne,fr,4,ANG_LXPMZ02110.cfm?tri=1&marq=0 for example is pretty good value.... it depends on what screen size, specification you want, really. Remember if you buy in France, it is very likely to have an operating system (most likely Windows 7) in French. Danny

it is 3103 Danny

Leclerc use SFR's network too http://www.leclercmobile.fr/aide/couverture-reseau.html Danny

There is no specific mention of 0845 UK numbers with Orange but they do say that 0870 and 0871 are not included and will therefore be charged for. Danny

to reiterate, just to make sure it is clear... For TNT by satellite from ASTRA1 satellite ( the same satellite used by Canalsat), the decoder must be labelled TNTSAT. For TNT by satellite from Atlantic Bird 3 satellite, the decoder must be labelled FRANSAT. They will only receive the TNT channels (and any others FTA) via the appropiate satellite. FTA channels on Astra http://fr.kingofsat.net/freqs.php?&pos=19.2E&standard=All&ordre=freq&filtre=Clear FTA channels on AB3 http://fr.kingofsat.net/freqs.php?&pos=5W&standard=All&ordre=freq&filtre=Clear (fewer than Astra1...) Danny

Don't really know about the first question but.... CanalSat comes via Astra1 satellite so if you want, you can leave the  dish alone and buy a decoder which is labelled clearly TNTSAT. With that you will receive all the French TNT channels and any FTA channels on Astra (including Eurosport in German) Prices start about 100 euros for SD only like this for example http://www.transplanet.fr/boutique/info_produit.asp?num=17725&fam=4 and about 170 for HD capable like this for example http://www.transplanet.fr/boutique/info_produit.asp?num=17353&fam=4 There are plenty others to choose from http://www.tntsat.tv/Choisir-mon-decodeur.htm#A11 If you want to repoint your dish to AB3 satellite you can get the same thing with a Fransat decoder. http://www.fransat.fr/choisir-decodeur-fransat-television-numerique.htm Danny