STR- we had some Dell wireless printers (apparently rebranded Lexmarks): we gave up (asked for our money back) after a few weeks. We now have wired Hp lasers. No problems ever with them (apart from power use).

Key probs were: printer turned on before laptop.
Laptiop turned on before printer.
Router turned on before and / or after printer.

Edit – All the above from Dell support. Basically, what time of day is it – ok, printer before / after laptop – Option 2 – it’s a know it all: they turned them on at the same time: aka user error!
There was so much faffing we got rid and bought a proper (hp) network printer.

I dont know if that helps at all? Life’s too short!

I’ve worn out some cheap tools in just a few years. Here’s my cheapo tips. Others will be along sharpish to contradict totally!

General ratchets, including hex bolts, sockets and stuff to work on your car: B&Q Magnessun. Usually 1/2 price, sometimes 1/3. I got a mad tool set 3 years ago for about £40 that I’ve yet to find a shortcoming with.

BB Tool- Check Probikebit. Currently 70% off (apparently).

Chainwhip tool – got a cheap one and realised I needed 2 to get a cassette off a hope freehub.

Ext BB took. Dont buy the Merlin saucer shaped thing. It slips. Get a proper tool with a big handle.

Chainring bolt tool – you dont know you need one til you need one. Again probikebit.

Cable cutter: Screwfix

Crimps – I had one of these lying around from electrictal work.

Needle nose pliers. Again Magnesson.

Chunky pliers – anything might do.

A 1/2 – 3/8 – 1/4 adapter set. Around £2 on ebay. Invaluable if you ever borrow tools. Or a complete wast of £2 otherwise.

Screwdriers – why not get something that will do you a lifetime in the house / car?

Edit- I’ve just checked and B&Q no no longer do the Magnusson range. So scrap most of the above 🙁

Hairychested – I’m not hassling you! Honest. I just thought I’d run it past you. We did the same thing. And my missus did it before I met her. So long as the car is worth approx less than the VRT + road tax etc.

EU insurance covers all EU TP issues but if the car is worth more than a VRT + tax then it’s a minor gamble / no brainer. Noboby’s gonna shop you but as an ex motor insurance guy – any reasonalbe excuse is the perfect excuse to not pay out for your own car.

Anyways, if you’re over 35 ish then I find Admiral, Driect Line (and associated companies) for me the cheapest.

Electric – a quick scan of Which’s review say’s Siemens, Bosch, AEG.

What exactly are you looking for? Built in, free etc?

My 2p’s worth (sorry if this is obvious) is seperate the shifter and mech – ie undo the cable cinch bolt.

Then but some tension on the cable and try the shifter for both up an down shifts. The cable should move equal amounts. From 1 – 2 – 3 and down.

By using your thumb the mech should shift from granny to middle to top whilst rotating the cranks.

The only similar problem I had was with the mech – it couldnt move past the mech mounting ring / mech due to a stupid problem that’s too embarrasing to mention!

Wow Kit – where’d you meet her?

I’m not putting folks photo’s up here so here’s a humble object. It’s lovely in the dark – glow and warms the room up. It also sounds beautiful – which is more important!

Edit – forgot so say it’s tiny : around the size of a your palm. the psu is ugly though and sits under the desk.

Man tools!

Not too much expeience but after wearing out a few doing up a shack – if I had to pick one to do anything “proper” around the house then a corder version – even a cheaper one. Once comfortable / wealthy – a cordless is a nice luxury.

On the other hand for general diy this is a godsend:
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/62769/Drill-Bits/Drill-Bit-Sets/Combination-Sets/Combination-Quick-Change-Drill-Bit-Set-22-Pieces

Instant changes from drill bits to screws to hex keys (think removing 6 bolt rotors, quick sand with wire brush, screw back in etc) all with no unscrewing etc.

I have been adored by a violent homosexual baboon.

That fecker used to live round my way. Still comes round now and again. Always after I’ve been a lazy ass – off the bike for a few weeks. I’m glad to hear he’s in your neck of the woods nowadays 😉 Peace for me!

Where will the course be run?

If the winner is willing to travel half way or something – would that be do-able?

Otherwise, and I’d love, really love to enter, I just couldnt do it in a weekend etc.

Hairy – we did this for a while with a yellow plated fiat in dublin but insured in the uk before we finally moved over here (uk-its a long story). I’m sure that legally we were ‘covered’ but I imagine they insurance co would have some significant wriggle room if you had to claim on your own policy.

On the other hand we didnt have to pay Irish car tax (1500 pa iirc?) which was probably more than the car was worth.

Introduce more fibre into his diet.

Or laxatives?

I’ve kind of done it the other way.

Major thing is keep a bank account open.

Cancel all Credit cards,

I’d totally disagree with that.

If possible try and stay on the register of elecors (eg move it to folks address etc).

Keep a photocopy of your passport. It’s a royal pita to replace once abroad.

Get health insurance – check it’s conditions on residency.

Seriously consider transferring your existing driving licence vs redoing a test in the new country. That depends on your language skills etc. But (hangs head in shame) 2 licences are nice.

Forward mail to a relative (via RM redirect etc) – and get them to open / read it. PO boxes are rubbish.

Learn to speculte on the new currency versus the one you’ll end up back with. It’s really frustrating moving money this month when next month you realise you’ve just lost 10%.

Enjoy!

Reluctant = shoplifter! 🙂

Can you do stuff to order?

Christ I hope he’s not dead!

I feel for Admirable up there! When a Doc sends you to A&E it’s a more than a little worrying. Then you get to sit around for ages. Especially for chest stuff.

Personally I take the sit around for ages as a good thing – if it’s really bad you get seen quickly ime.

Of course this can and does go wrong (ime on August bank holiday in Edinburgh) but the NHS are generally trying to do their best.

My (and other’s) Romin opinion here – although for a mtb:

http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specialized-romin-saddle-on-a-mountain-bike-wouldnt-have-happened-in-my-day

Ok – that was reassuring. WAS!

But at 01:30 I’m bouncing off the ceiling in pain! Relative to broken bones I’ve moved to 11!

EDIT – I know I’m being a wimp here. Its just better than shouting at the ceiling!

DD- That’s a qualitiy post right there!

Mine was very similar as regards suddeness (which,after a few years, I now see as a big plus). Everyone was in shock.

In comparison to my own uncles etc it’s better – imo – to go sharpish, rather than a prolonged painful thing. Either way is awful.

The Irish wake thing is a real pita though. But it does get it all over and done with (publically).

Kindest regards (from an ex Paddy now in Scots-land).

hiring a Solicitor but the cost is a worry

It is. But. The vultures earn their worth.

I only say this as my brother is one. You need one. Seriously. Your relatives already have one.

And I apogise for not offering my condolences earlier. Sorry.;

You might think the residence is worthless. It isnt. Anyone who tell’s you it is is lying.

Monkey – are you living there?

afaik this makes very “lttle” diiference but the emotional “difference” is huge.

You need a solicitor.

Simple.

If there’s a will that will state all. If not then generally all gets shared equally with children (assuming deceased’s spouse is also deceased). Shared equally will usually involve sale of the main residence.

But – and this is a big but – there is always a row. You are way way better off getting someone to do the arguing for you.

In my own case it was the opposite – dad wanted X. He knew for ages he was gone. Everyone knew his wishes. He’d discussed it with us and we’d agreed. There was still a row!

Get a solicitor.

I used HolidayAutos to go from heathrow to edinburgh. Booked online in advance. Turned out to be europcar. It didnt cost anymore than ususal. I got a brand new car – like o.1 miles on the clock mondeo.

The only downside was that I as moving house from London and used a bosx full of CDs / DVDs to keep the door open. It was nicked from right under my nose! Feckers!

Sorry monkey. That’s rubbish. What do you mean “he wants to foist this old property…”? No matter what state property is in it’s still an asset worth something. So you’ve gone to cab too?

I read hrough that lot and ime it’s stupid! Crc are almost / kindof my local lbs (bear with me). I live 2 miles from a great shop (tbc) but my wifes folks come from Ballyclare where Crc are based. My brother in law does stuff for them and they have a real local ethos!

Guess how many locals they employ? 50? No. 100? No. 200? No. 300? Getting close.

Sure they’re far from perfect but apparently they responded to all the pre Christmas whinging about packets not getting delivered by sending everyting in bigger boxes ( apparently forcing rm to use a van rather than a postie who just puts a card in).

Not perfect but still very good. They’ve lost the lbs vibe unless you live nearby but that are still trying.

I’m not too sure about thir growing distributed tie In’s though.

I cant give an exact comparison but I used formula k24 (precursor to rx) for a couple of years and found them good. Then one day I had a sudden brown pants failure followed by a stupid warranty hoohah with formula: the failure according to them was corrosion on 3 month old lever pivot / adjuster. They eventually sorted it but what a pain!

Since relegated formulas to the pub bike and fitted slx to the others. Noicably less faffing / bleeding /hassle – even at -minus 15!

They do feel different tho! There is a bit of a blank spot with initial pull with servowave brakes: after this they are fab ime.

Thanks guys. Thats reassuring. I’ve got antibiotics.

If, like me, a spoon is an instrument of torture then try a Specialized BG saddle. I’ve got different ones and all are good (esp a Romin and a Phenom gel).

-the cassette and chainrings are definitely new, I bought em from merlin in December and have hardly

Well the good news is you’ve ruled out 90% of the common problems!

I presume a new chain at the same time?

An acroymn of FART. Or somesuch!

Always stop before you think you need to

I cant do that. It’s just not in my genes!

MAX. That’s where my speedo / “risko” is set!

A couple of things.

– have you built this bike yourself?
– is there any noise when pedalling along easily? Any chain vs mech rubbing?
– are you sure – really sure the chainline in right
– are you sure the cassette / chaingrings are new?

Physically – 99.9% the 0.1% is a real bonus: I cant carry shopping bags! Seriosuly – ligaments or something means I have to lie down with any sort of shopping! It rips my arms off!

Stranger thing is in my head though. Flipping terrified of jumps. Stuff I’ve done for years has got me shaking in my boots. I wake up terrified / nightmares of simple jumps gone wrong! Mrs has kindly (off the scale nice this is:) booked me a course with a coach to get over this stupid mind block I have. How sweet is that?

It’s wierd but Google gets more up to date results than STW on it’s own forum:

http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/go-ape-site-at-glentress

How’s things with you anyways?

And that’s what it’s about for me, a bit of chat, a bit of thought, a bit of banter, a bit of a laugh and no need for insults, just like real life

A “bit of thought”. That will never work on here!

Steven – for some reason the search function doesnt seem to work for recent threads. So you’re forgiven!

The consensus is positive – I know I’ll be dragging nieces and nephews there while I go off and have some proper fun!

So to summarise: you guys are just trying to hype up some piece of tat that you ordered 13 years ago when £50 was worth £50 quid?

Then today a piece of pewter arrives after all the rest of us have had to listen to said 13 years of whinging from you in the longest running whinging thread ever and now all of a sudden you’re telling us that it’s great?

I foresee a self appreciating spiral that means these are now “worth” infinetly more than you originally paid?

mmmBop – saw one on the classifieds! Single pivot is your knees 😉

If the object of the fun objects I conclude it is not actually fun.

Much wiseness!

dumbassidiot

Did you mean to post this in the Wanted section then – or are we just looking for some attention.

btw – I’m only been cheeky 😉

Best mate is in Dubai for a fixed term contract. I’ve only ever spent a few days there. Main problem for mate is that his wife cant / isnt allowed do anything apart from have kids or shop. No work etc.

Also the ex-pat commununity (at least in his compound) is very cliquey and it does their heads in. He works as an engineer in construction and most of the bod’s on his sites are Indian nationals who get treated really really badly – accidents are common. The temp never officially reaches 50 degrees – cause then all manual labourers are allowed the day off.

He’s biding his time. Cant wait to leave and spend his new found wealth!

I think it’s like working off shore – just do it for the cash and shut up about the downsides.

I miss the original (charmingly nutty Kaesae)!

The new one is nice too – but less 400+ post threads.

What’s the emergency?