AnOther

[quote user="Cassis"][quote user="ErnieY"] It's quite easy to archive emails in OE. In Windows Explorer go to: C:\Documents and Settings\XXXX\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{07578491-B067-4853-9295-19546B22A91B}\Microsoft\Outlook Express\ (where \XXXX\ is your user name plus the big string of letters & numbers between the { } will be different for you) You'll find a bunch of files with the extension .dbx, such as inbox.dbx, folders.dbx etc. etc. all your mails are contained within these so copy them all somewhere safe. If you need to restore them at a later date, say to a new PC or after a reinstall of Windows, simply copy them back. [/quote] I think that in order to see such files in Windows Explorer you may first have to go to Tools > File Options > View then unclick the box for "hide protected system files" and click on "show hidden files" and another box that I can't tell you what it translates to in English - something to do with "show system exploitation files".  Once you've done whatever you want to do I would switch all these back in case you bugger up the system by deleting or moving something vital. [/quote] You are quite right of course Cassis and thank you for pointing it out. My excuse is that it's long been my habit on all my systems to routinely unhide protected system and also show hidden files and hadn't realised that .dbx files fell into either of theses categories. Does beg the question why ? Bit like the index.dat files which lurk in every users profile holding details not only of web sites visited but also what you've been searching for on eBay Google and MSN, to name but a few. index.dat files are normally hidden and undeletable (unless you know how) but absolutely no way are they essential Windows files because if you do manage to find and delete them then Windows simply creates new empty ones at next logon. You may reach your own conclusions as to why such files exist, are so hidden away and are undeletable...!!!

It's quite easy to archive emails in OE. In Windows Explorer go to: C:\Documents and Settings\XXXX\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{07578491-B067-4853-9295-19546B22A91B}\Microsoft\Outlook Express\ (where \XXXX\ is your user name plus the big string of letters & numbers between the { } will be different for you) You'll find a bunch of files with the extension .dbx, such as inbox.dbx, folders.dbx etc. etc. all your mails are contained within these so copy them all somewhere safe. If you need to restore them at a later date, say to a new PC or after a reinstall of Windows, simply copy them back. NOTE: IF YOU DO COPY BACK YOU WILL BE PROMPTED TO OVERWRITE THE EXISTING .dbx FILES SO BE AWARE THAT BY DOING SO YOU WILL LOSE ANY EMAILS RECEIVED SINCE THE BACKUP. I have a little proggy somewhere which will actually read .dbx files independently of OE but can't locate it at the mo, I'll post again when I find it. Found it: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/dbxviewer.html

There's no harm in installing the free version of ZoneAlarm. http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp  

What is the situation regarding collecting firewood from the woods and forests? The house I have bought is nestled in quite a heavily wooded area where there must be masses of fallen trees and wood just laying waiting to rot away so what are the legalities of collecting some of this. I'm no expert on woodburners either so maybe the sort of wood that is laying around is not good for burning anyway, or at least not without a good seasoning. I have no idea to whom the woods belong, we're not in a Parc Naturel or anything like that but presumably someone owns them. I guess the Marie's office would know.

[quote user="Sunday Driver"] When you buy a property, the existing insurance is under a contract with the previous owner.  Unless you agree to assume responsibility for the existing insurance policy, then it's nothing to do with you.  You don't have to cancel a policy that isn't yours.[/quote]Thanks SD, that does make more sense. I don't know the expiry date of the currently existing insurance but if it's fully paid up and still got several months to run it may be to my advantage to take it over. One less item on the already lengthy list of things to be attending to from the get go!

Very topical for us as we're due to complete a purchase in January so starting to seriously look into all this type of stuff right now. I know the insurance can be taken over but do I understand that it automatically continues unless, or until, specifically cancelled ? If so then it implies that the various companies don't operate no claims discounts ?

Not France of course but who could resist snapping this.....? Guess where..... [IMG]http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p123/biskitboyo/DSCN2685.jpg[/IMG]

Captured near Lalbenque Northern Lot early in November [IMG]http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p123/biskitboyo/DSCN3577.jpg[/IMG]

[quote user="Bugbear"].............................to turn off connection, right click the icon, then select disable.[/quote]Don't mean to be controversial but I questioned this advice in another thread and reiterate here that this is a clumsy way to disconnect as it affords no way to get back online other than going into Network Connections and re-enabling. Broadband users should have no real reason to disconnect however, if they feel they must, they should use the timeout facility built into most routers, or at least has been present in every router I've encountered. The exception might be with USB modems which unfortunately I have no experience of so can't say how you are supposed to disconnect with these. Dialup users will be well aware of how to disconnect !

[quote user="Dirty Tom"]Sorry not very tecnical minded but I have a button with a symbol that looks like this (( I )) (looks like a radio mast, )on my computer I just turn it on and off to stop start my connection, If its off when I turn my computer on it wont start up untill i turn it on[/quote]You're presumably using a Wireless connection to your router and what you are doing is turning the radio on or off which is fine. Unfortunately the ethernet (wired) connection does not quite provide the same function.

Good you've got AOL under control. Whilst right clicking on the network icon and disabling will indeed disconnect your PC it is very clumsy method because what it does is actually simply disable or switch off the network connection from your PC to your router after which you have no option but to go into Network Connections and re-enable it. As I said before there should be a facility in your router to make it disconnect after a period of inactivity and reconnect on demand. Which router do you have ? I do agree that if your AV is up to date then it really is unneccessary to disconnect. Also most routers have a built in firewall which will further protect you from unwanted nasties. As an extra level you could download the free version of ZoneAlarm. It's worth remembering that 99% of nasties are contracted either from opening up unsolicited emails and/or attachments, illegally downloading software from dodgy sources or visiting porn sites, none of which you indulge in I'm sure...!  

If AOL Messnger is all you're worried about then there must be a way to prevent it from starting up with the PC. Along with many other programmes the default is probably to start with Windows so you need to change this behaviour. Here is a site I found with Google search for "stop aol messenger starting with pc" and you'll find what you need under Service Connection. http://canada.aol.com/aim/aim55/support/start.adp On a personal note IMHO AOL and it's software are the spawn of the Devil and I would not countenance it on any computer of mine...!   Remember:- Google is your friend...!  

Bugbear is correct however, if it does bother you, then there is probably somewhere in your Router setup where you can tell it to connect on demand and then disconnect after a certain period.

Thanks for the info. As with most things in France I guess much is down to interpretation and the attitude of the local bureaucracy. The project is probably a couple of years off yet but never too soon to be doing research.

G8HOR (since 1973) and A4XID (Oman - 1979 to 1981) Moving to Lot (46) in the new year and although I've been pretty inactive for a number of years I'm considering getting back into it. With semi remote location and no neighbours in sight I don't think antennas will be a major problem.

What is the definition of an "On Ground" pool ? The reason I ask is that I have recently bought a house without a pool but was thinking I might like to install one but an "In Ground" one would almost certainly bust the budget. Additionally the property I have bought is on a fairly steep slope which really doesn't lend itself very well at all to "In Ground". On the other hand however, taking advantage of the slope, it would be perfectly feasable to build up some sort of tapered structure to house a pool, all without any digging at all except perhaps for some foundation work. Would this qualify as "On Ground" ?

About 61c/ltr you say...................that's around 25% more than UK then. Just today bought 1000lt for @ 29.19 + 5% VAT = £306.50 (or 453 Euros if you prefer) Oh for the days of the 14p lt !

Hi, Completing on a French house purchase on Jan 31st (Dept. 46 - Prayssac) and planning to move across as soon as possible after we have a confirmed buyer for our UK house so doing my homework on such mundane subjects as utilities etc. The property we have bought has oil CH so I am trying to decide which electricity option I should go for and wonder if anyone here can give me some experience based advice. Visitors excepted there's only the 2 of us and for the first couple of years at least I will be away working for 2 weeks out of 5 so our overall consumption should be fairly modest and having seen the rates on the EDF site Option Tempo seems tempting. I might add that as of yet my French is pretty C.R.A.P. so having dificulty in understanding the nitty gritty on their site.  Thanks in advance for any input. Ernie

[quote user="Sunday Driver"]The departmental driving restrictions are being lifted from 1 January, although I understand you will still not be able to take the car outside France.[/quote]If true this is fantastic news because I'm decamping UK for The Lot (Prayssac) early next year bringing my 69 MGB with me. From what I'd read so far it I could see it was going to be a nightmare getting it registered so was considering the FFVE route.