Download Ubuntu and burn to a CD. Boot laptop from CD. Do you have similar performance issues?

Good point, I forgot to mention this. I've got copies of Ubuntu and XP Reatogo that I've used for previous recovery stuff. Tried Reatogo and the machine still behaves in the same way, hence methinks the hardware is somehow at fault. Ubuntu will be the same.

Probably worth a re-install / repair if you have the Windows disk. Or System Restore to a date when it was all working fine.

Don't have the original Vista discs and I never made a restore point. But the latter isn't really a problem because all data is backed up anyway.

The only (useful?) discs I have are:
HP Restore Plus (disc 1 of 3)
Vista SP1 (DVD 1 of 2)

Surely it's a hardware thang?

Cheers

Sorry to hear your struggles – sounds harsh to me.

Anyway, there seems to be a financial theme to my contribution today, so for the third time I shall recommend the savvy people and savvy ideas of MSE and their banking forum.

Good luck.

Also check out MSE mortgage advice[/url] and MSE mortgage forum.

Oh yeah, like Muffin Man says, +1 MoneySavingExpert[/url] … loads of helpful people and ideas on there.

I review our monthly budget every quarter or so and technically we should be saving a good wad each month. But somehow it's just not translating into real life, (or rather, bank balance) because somewhere we're spending invisible money on invisible things that seem to prevent us saving. Haven't figured it out yet.

Still, we're grateful for what we have (and that goes beyond just the materialistic) and we're happy.

I'm looking to buy my first home with my long term girlfriend by Summer

Hmm, I can only hope you live in a different part of the country to me, or you have a significant amount of wedge put away, because mortages are unlikely to be handed out to a couple comprising someone on low pay and a primary school teacher. Hence, IMO forget the home-owning thing for now and look at your longer terms career options.

Take a good look at what you enjoy and what you can see yourself doing. You might need to put in some effort in terms of time (and perhaps money) to figure it out and perhaps even get the relevant experience to get an introduction.

Sell his numbers to some Nigerians.

Ignoring all the politics above …

If I had a go I'd certainly end up at the bottom well before my bike.

Agreed. Great performance in The Wire, but IMO came across as a bit of a cock on JR's show.

Cheers Ton, I'll pick up a file in the morning.

I have to say Simon and his crew know their stuff when it comes to builds and fixing, etc – have been using them since 2003.

Heard mixed comments about their rides though; Sat friendly and chilled, Sun fast and unforgiving (or the other way round).

On the subject of BKB, I really don't know what all the fuss is about. Sure, it used to be a good link-up trail to Peaslake/Pitch (always gave me that Endor/speeder-bike feeling) but it's hardly ground-breaking (even though I do continually find myself doing it when in the area).

Actually, I've just remembered another firm I worked with who did installs nationally. Mainly Genersys (flats) and Apricus (tubes) but may do other good stuff now. PM if you want more info.

The tubes are best for our climate, they work in winter, whereas flat ones don't

Not entirely true – tubes CAN be more effective in winter months but it depends on manufacturer etc. Sometimes you're better off going for a decent flat panel that's going to work properly and reliably during spring/summer/autumn than try to be clever by going for a piece of cheap Chinese retro-engineering. I was in the game for a while and know that for every decent manufacturer/installer, there's a whole load of b0ll0cks out there.

Ton, I don't know where your mate is based, but if it's in Surrey/Sussex I can put you/him in contact with someone.

SM

You need these bad boys[/url] … they might take a couple of days to respond but once they do they'll get you sorted.

I'm sure you're on their Xmas card list too…

If they're thinking of buying me one using tax-payers' money as opposed to their own, then they can **** off.

+1 MyProtein recovery powder

No idea if I'm getting any benefits but it tastes of chocolate and that's good enough for me.

Lazy feckers.

Those two parents are now the latest entries on my list for culling.

I have. With FG as my witness on the first ride out on a Blur4x, I also made sure I didnt scout it first- just rolled up and straight down. I shouted and jumped up and down at the bottom

Nice one. R E S P E C T :D

I take it you've not been back to own it then :-)

No! I do now though Its all washed out/eroded now that roll-in isn't it?

Could be, haven't checked it out (the side trail on the left) for a couple of years. Is it true you busted your elbow there?

+1 Holmbury and Leith

Holmbury hill and the North Downs.

Hora, did you not have part of Park Life named Hora's Elbow in your honour many moons ago?

Carrs cheesy biscuits, big chunk of cheddar and a wad of potato salad.

BTW, check your contract to see if any vehicle types are not allowed (this tends to apply to company car policies more so that CAs). Then it should be a case of you decide what you want and how to pay for it, i.e. finance, lease, outright purchase, etc.

My car allowance is simply an extension of my salary (paid monthly) i.e. I pay the tax on it in the same way and that's it. It's up to me what car I have, so things like CO2 and all the other guff mean nothing. I also claim mileage.

+1 XT

Very lucky if you get mid 40's.

Take away 10mpg if it's a steptronic/auto thingy.

1) 5-6 years ago on the South Downs near Chanctonbury Ring: I passed an old dear (gypsy looking) having a kip by the side of the trail with her rickety old bike beside her.
2) 1 year ago in a sunny field in the middle of nowhere in Surrey: was out for an early evening run and passed a besuited middle-aged man trying (or pretending?) to get to sleep on his pillow (I kid you not) next to his two labradors.
3) 1 year ago on North Downs near Ranmore: gave directions to a couple of American bible-bashing weirdos who were cycling from Guildford to Dorking to attend a Church gathering – what made it weird was they had a German Shepherd for company … and they were even contemplating cycling along the A25 with the dog in tow!

I had a confrontation with one in a supermarket queue yesterday evening. He was a particularly nasty, ignorant, foul-mouthed insubordinate who made a complete pr1ck of himself. I so wanted to clobber him, but thought better of it given the locale – plus I kind of pittied him. Still a pr1ck thought …

Can't really justify going over £100 even for a decent petrol motor, and don't want to take a gamble on an old one for say £50 and then have to pay 2-3 times that in repairs soon after.

Will probably go with the Rotak methinks.

Cheers

Sounds similar to ours, hence wanting something that isn't going to kick up the occassional divot like the Hayter did.

I've got a Rotak – it does a cracking job.

I've heard mixed comments on the Rotak – is your lawn flat and smooth or rough and bumpy?

Skyliner, I probably will buy the tool … but luckily the whole thing came out by hand – didn't even need to use a mallet.

Excellents advice – job now done, thanks all.

PS couldn't work out how to remove middle ring with crank still on, so had to remove the whole lot anyway (20p didn't work strangely, but angled pair of scissors did).

Cheers
SM

+1 check out AV forums – plenty of expertise on there.

I was asking the same question myself in Dec – did loads of research and opted for a LG LH4010 from Richer Sounds:

> Superb picture with full 1080HD and progressive scan.
> Audio decent enough for everyday use but we plug it into the downstairs amp for proper sound.
> Loads of connectivity otions; 3 HDMI, PC/VGA, USB (MP3s, photos, etc), component, 2 SCART, headphones.
> Freeview.
> 5 min setup.
> Loads of customisation options.

Here's another thread on this.

SM

Still going strong with a pair of Zocchi 03 Bombers … due a service though …

I have a Mule and recently swapped the bladder for a 3l Deuter. Cheaper than CB and far easier to clean.

Have you tried adjusting the straps/load to prevent the digging in thing? I've used mine to carry stuff internally/externally and after some jiggery pokery it's fine.

A few years ago one of my sales guys was dealing with two prospects; (Mr) Jan Isukov and Jane Mycock. We thought it would be proper funny if they got together and had a double-barreled surname (I'm sure you can work it out) :lol:

Sorry to hear your sad news BigG – I too was hoping for a positive update this morning. RIP Smudge.

And definitely follow up with RSPCA.

PS we suddenly lost one of our dogs a couple of weekends ago (16yr old Bert) – absolutely devestated. But time can be a great healer and it's certainly "easier" to deal with now. One thing that's helped more than I expected is having an individual cremation, especially since Bert is now "back home."

+1 for Spesh's warranty and all round customer care. For a start you get to speak with the experts (mechanics) themselves … and you can visit them/drop stuff off for repair, etc, if in the area.

I've had a carbon one since last summer (or rather, I've had the carbon frame and the rest is custom).

Excellent piece of kit and probably better than both my Enduros, though not entirely sure why. Feels more agile I think. Could do with a more aggressive set of forks but limited by the geometry.

As for reliability and maintenance, it's probably wise to check all suss bearings/links every few weeks just to be sure.

Get it and enjoy.