UlsterRugby1999

Hi - I have been testing my pool with various testing strips and drops and tablets and even a cheap (ish) electronic tester. Today I have had readings from 1.0 - 5.0 re chlorine and Ph from 6.4 (ish) to 7.8 (ish). What is the morst reliable, consistent and accurate tester I can use. I had thought that an electronic device might have been more accurate. Any ideas or views out there. Cheers - Paul

Hi - I have several of those low level solar lights for the garden. Some of them have stopped working and I wondered if its possible to buy replacement batteries for them. I've done a few quick searches on Google and eBay but found nothing at all. Cheers - Paul

Timco  thats how I recall it too. At the end of the day it all depends on why you want a mobile, what you will use it for and so on. Here my wife and my son each have Orange PAYG sim cards. They pay 35€ which gives them 40€ of credit and last for 3 months. They use their credit up most times and overall its not a bad system. We had looked at the likes of Tele2 Mobile where we could have had a phone and card for a 2 year contract and 30 mins of calls for 14€ per month but we would have had to pay extra for texts and any calls that went over the 30 mins. Given that the Orange MobiCarte allows for texts and voice calls and doesnt limit you to a certain number of calls per month we stayed with the MobiCarte.

If you have an ADSL package with Alice/Orange/Free/Tele2 and several others then you will most likely have the option of (or can add the option of) VoIP. Simply by plugging a telephone into your ADSL Router (which is supplied by your Internet Service Provider) you can access VoIP calls. Your actual calls cost you nothing to many countries (varies from ISP to ISP) and is, in general, quite good quality. Personally, I use Alie (the old Tiscali) and its pretty good.

ErnieY's advice, as always, is spot on. I have two friends who live quite close to each other in dept 36. One has 2Mb package with Orange the other has to live with a 56kb dial up. Furthermore, I live in a commune, in 86, where we have ADSL. I have installed 2 packages for friends in the same commune who are further away from the exchange than I am, by as much a 1 km, yet they each obtain 5 - 600kbs more than I do. So tread carefully and do your research. http://www.degrouptest.com/        if you can obtain a very local telephone number, enter it into the space on this web site and it will let you know if you are able to receive ADSL

CCleaner not only cleans up your registry strings but asks every time if you would like to make a back up of your registry. What Briwy says is quite correct and this would be why CCleaner not only asks you if you want to save it, but explains what to do if things do go wrong.

I think you will might need to use something like CCleaner to remover registry data. Do a Google search for CCleaner and you'll get there. This is a clear example of why Norton and McAfee type progs are not only troublesome but a waste of money. Take a look at an earlier thread - http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/972081/ShowPost.aspx

I use IE7 with Google Toolbar which stops virtually all PopUps. You might try it and see. Cookies - wiser than I will give a better response but generally they are there to assist page loading and the like for you visits and are, normally, harmless. That said, they take up space so I remove them with CCleaner - except those from sites I go to regularly.

Others more techie than I might disagree but it is never wise to run more than one AntiVirus program on the same machine. As for too many programs, I doubt it is the root problem. Grisoft's AVG is a brilliant program and along with this I use AVG Anti Spyware, Adaware and Windows defender. I have never had a problem in terms of compatibility nor has it ever effected the running of my machine. With respect, slow running machines very often come from cluttered HD's which have not been defragmented for ages (or ever at all) - faulty or obsolete registry entries - far too much in Start Up and the need for regular cleaning. AOL have a vested interest in getting you to use their Norton kit. You have already asked the question about why to pay for it. Dont would be my advice. Let AVG do it for you. Get a decent Spam tool (my pref is Mailwasher Pro) a good Anti Spyware (Adaware & AVG AntiSpyware) and a good FireWall (ZoneLabs ZoneAlarm is also an excellent tool). All, except MailWasher Pro are free and give updates free of charge too. MailWasher have a free edition too. Finally, CCleaner will keep your rubbish in the bin and keep your registry and Start Up issues in check too. And guess what - its FREE too. You can always try out this FREE service online with PCPitstop. Its also a useful tool. AVG Anti Spyware = http://free.grisoft.com/doc/20/lng/us/tpl/v5 CCleaner = http://www.ccleaner.com/ Adaware = http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php Windows Defender = http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx PCPitstop = http://pcpitstop.com/

ErnieY - I agree with many aspects of what you say but in this particular example there, IMHO, appears to be a magnitude of reasons why you should use your own desktop based mail client. You are in control and not subject some outrageous whimsical ISP as Wanadoo/Orange have shown themselves to be. That’s personal a view, of course, and your views equally have solid merit. I rather suspect that Morse98 is going to have to go through hoops and loops with Wanadoo/Orange to try to regain access to the lost data. I would have thought they would continue, for some period of time, the data on their servers but I may be wrong here. Morse98 - have you tried to call their Help Line and see where that gets you. Surely if you have saved data on their server, via your contract with them they must hold this information still.

I agree with ErnieY that this rationale from FT was rubbish. The actual rationale is more to do with the new ISP set up within Wanadoo and the new look Orange set up I believe. I do not agree with the online mail facility though as you need to be online to access your email unlike Outlook which is a management tool apart from a mail client, and a very good one too. Also, if you do, as we all should do, a back up of your messages and contacts and so on, then you have them on a separate file usually saved in My Documents. They are saved as PST files and can be exported to another PC, so if you have a network at home, or in the office, you can have them stored, or simply access them, on any number of systems. However, I suspect that if you have not already tried it, you might still be able to access your old account by going into Wanadoo (or Orange as it is now) and inputting your old logon data. If you havent triued this then do so and let us know what happens. If you have and it failed, let us know also.

I have just completed an application for a friend, this morning, to Orange. For 39,90€ per month he has got ADSL 24/7, their Livebox and calls to UK/Ireland/USA etc at no additional cost, although the cost for this is 7€ per month included in the 39,90€ monthly rate. Also included in the monthly rate is 3€ rental for the Livebox. I am with Alice. They give me the calls package via VoIP to Ireland/UK/US/ etc, their Alicebox and 24/7 ADSL unlimited connection. If something goes wrong, their helpline (as was pointed out previously) is free to call. This costs 29,95€ per month. As for Teleconnect - I have a client who has signed up to their service. He was won over by the English speaking service and the no contract aspect to things. He regrets this as his ADSL connection drops regularly. I have been with Alice for 2 1/2 years and I can honestly say that I have never had a problem. During a recent thread I started regarding free VoIP packages, some mention was made of FREE. I sent an email to FREE to ask them about switching from Alice to FREE. At the same time I sent an email to ALICE asking for confirmation of the package I had with them. Within an hour I had an autoresponder from both. Within 24 hours I received a personal and in depth response from an ALICE advisor which went to great lenths to explain my package and how to configure each aspect of the package. I have yet to receive a response (other than the autoresponder) from FREE. To me its the ability to maintain a service and also to deal with problems promptly that is as important as the price. I reckon that I have achieved all of this through Alice.

Interesting response Pierre ZFP. I have an ADSL router with WiFi card attached running 5 desk tops and 2 PDA's and the router is attached to a 20 metre extension from the main FT Master socket. Degroup test have determined that I should receive circa 700kbps bandwidth and I receive exactly that - more or less. [;-)] As I connect the router to my PC via Ethernet cable would it not be very difficult for me to have my router beside the master socket while my Host PC on the network is based some 20 metres away. The other thing that people should consdier is that the WiFi signal deteriorates over distance and especially when trying to work its way through 500 mm thick stone walls. I'd be interested to hear if you can encourage any additional bandwidth out of my set up as uploading GBs of images for web pages and for clients is tough going at 700kbps. Any thoughts gratefully received. [:)]

I sent and email to Free and one to Alice. Got the usual Auto Responders from both. Nothing yet from Free but Alice sent me a very detailed and totally informative email explaining that I had the free calls via VoIP facility and how to set it up. The sender recognised that I wasnt French (or a very good French speaker) and gave me the details in virtual paint by numbers format. God bless her for that too. I believe, from what I read in the email, that they automatically migrated me onto the newer system and it costs the same as I was paying - 29.99€ per month. I'm delighted with their response time and must say that despite many pundits who have slagged them off they have come very good on this occasion at least. Danny - I tested the system as you suggested and called my FT landline number and guess what - it rang. [:D]

Timco You are missing nothing - but its simply personal choice. I Hibernate my laptop regularly. As a techie you know that its quicker to resume than to reboot. Resume doesnt clear cache memory and so on but each to his own. Deauville - did it ever hibernate.

Morning Danny The more I look the more it appears that AliceBox (which is what I have) does offer me the free calls via VoIP. I am certain that this was not the case when I signed up 18 months ago as I received a list of charges for Ireland, UK and so on. However, all the info that you have found and that I have trawled through shows that the facility is there. I will plug a phone set into the AliceBox and call my normal landline and see where that takes me. Once, again, many thanks for your patience and detailed responses. I greatly appreciate it. A bientot et merci - Slan agus go rath mile maith agat[:D]

Thanks Danny I never previously found that page that you linked to as my browser automatically goes to member logon page and it defaults to my existing account page. Since your link I have been searching through various paperwork and web pages within Mon Compte from Alice and have discovered a telephone number which begins 05 16 66 ** **. Ir also appears in the telephone directory - which I had never noticed before. Does this, in your opinion, indicate that I already have this service. [8-)]

Danny - great response and wonderfully simply delivered. Many thanks for that. Basically, you advise to go for a package such as Free and keep the FT line either as a back up or for incoming/outgoing fax. One big question which, therefore, is prompted from the VOIP issue. I presently use Skpye on a PC2PC basis. My normal download bandwidth is between 600 - 800kb (but is usually around the 650kb level) and upload of circa 120kb (these are results of Speedtest). With this level of bandwidth, Skype is pretty poor and quite often the sound quality is poor with even worse results o on the Webcam imagary.. How will this new service with Free, for example, be affected by such a relatively low bandwidth. If I retain my old FT line (which I believe is the correct step) am I then given a separate number with Free (or whoever). One other thing that puzzles me, Tele2 (who offer the free calls to 49 countries package) ask you to dial 45 49 ** ** ** instead of 05 49 ** ** **. Does this indicate that their service is not VOIP but a normal subscriber line routed through their systems? Or have I lost the plot altogether. 

Hi - I am presently using Alice for my ADSL package (nonDegroupee), paying FT the normal line rental and using Tlk2 to cover the cost of our landline calls. Having studied the various publications and excellent postings on this Forum, I have decided to take the plunge and go fo an inclusive package for both ADSL and Telephone calls/line rental. I have looked at Tele2, Neuf, Free, Orange and Alice. My findings are that Tele2 require the number 4 to be keyed in instead of the first 0 for every call - is this the case for all the other providers Alice will charge me 6 cents to call Ireland and the UK, Orange have differing charges, while Free/Neuf and Tele2 will charge me nothing and without (it appears) time limits The prices seem to vary from 29.90€ per month to 34.90€ per month They all state that I can retain my old telephone number 05 49 ** ** ** - I dont understand the significance of this What I dont understand is the following: Is this system of free calls using the VOIP method of connectivity What happens to my old 05 49 number if I make a landline to landline/mobile telephone call Do I in practice have 2 telephone numbers - 1 ADSL based for VOIP and one analogue as in my old 05 49 number Do I need to buy special handsets for the use of the new ADSL number or will my old handsets work What impact will this have on stand alone fax systems Unfortunately my French language skills are not good enough to figure all of this out. If there is any other advice or suggestions I would be grateful to you all for any helpfull nudges. Cheers Paul

Good man JJ - great advice. I use the Mailwasher Pro (paid for version) which will allow you more from the program but also works for all your mail accounts. The cost is very little and its a great program.

Hi Using Sys Restore is fine - but you still need to know why. Did you load any software, or download any .exe files or something like that. Something has caused this and basically Outlook Express is a poor cousin/sister of Outlook, it isnt that bad. Something has annoyed your system and you need to locate it.

Sorry  nicktrollope Have to say I dont agree with your comments on Skype. I have 15 plus clients with whom I hold full range vid/conf via Skype and never had a problem. Moreover, I dont have the wonderful luxury of 8MB - I'm lucky to get 0.8MB. As for the FREE comment or cheaper than - if you are in communication with another PC/Mac user who has the software on board - it is FREE. You do not have to pay any unnecessary fee nor any other bits and bobs. Oh - and by the way - as you are giving advice - what the heck is wrong with eBay????? I think you might find that many of your fellow members here are regular users of eBay. Please advise what you know that should make us pull back from Skype becasue of its new parentage. Merci - Paul

Hey - thanks everyone for your input Much appreciated.

Cheers Hoddy - good point although the place is a shell right now so I guess the mess will not really be spotted.

I need to get approx 30 beams cleaned. Over the many years they have become a horrible blackish colour and I need to get them back to their natural state. I have heard of the sand blasting process but have no experience of it. Is it difficult? Can I hire the equipment to do this job easily? Is there a better way? Cheers all - Paul