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Computer help

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i only watch movies etc on my pc there is no tv sig here in the sticks, so now i use the tv set as a computer monitor not such good graphics as the pc monitor but a lot bigger. be better when they connect my FTTH:grinning:
 
Has anyone used a Mesh wifi system suitable for use in buildings with thick stone walls?
A normal Sky router's wifi has great difficulty penetrating stone walls and wifi extenders such as TP link etc require logging on to the extenders and has not been very .successful when used. It appears that Mesh systems act as a large single network according to adverts ...
 
mikejee said:
Is that the sort that connect through the electrical outlets
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It creates a mesh or net using plug in devices. We have one, our house is brick and large relatively. We use for wifi and security devices. We have had it for about a year and works very well but not sure about stone.
 
mikejee said:
Is that the sort that connect through the electrical outlets
Click to expand...
No it is different. The 'through the mains' links do work but the 'extender' at the end of the link has a password and moving about the house with old stone walls requires it log in to the extender. If 'whats app' audio calls are in progress moving from room to room causes momentarily loss of connection which often end the calls. A mesh system is like having the same network wifi all over the house - the device in use seamlessly connects and the wifi log-in is same all over, so the adverts say.
Stone walls seem to easily block 2.4Ghz and definitely 5Ghz wifi.
 
mw0njm. said:

Broadband over power lines​

that is a nightmare for us radio hams
www.explainthatstuff.com

Broadband over power lines (BPL) - How it works

A simple explanation of how you can get broadband through your power outlet.
www.explainthatstuff.com www.explainthatstuff.com

Powerline

Internet and Wi-Fi directly from the electrical socket?The Powerline network makes it possible! Learn about the innovative Powerline technology.
www.devolo.co.uk www.devolo.co.uk
Click to expand...
I noticed interference on my scanner radio when I was near a TP link
I've just watched the following 20 minute Youtube which explains most of setting up Mesh.
Please note there are other Mesh systems available from other manufacturers
 
oldMohawk said:
I noticed interference on my scanner radio when I was near a TP link
I've just watched the following 20 minute Youtube which explains most of setting up Mesh.
Please note there are other Mesh systems available from other manufacturers
Click to expand...
That is basically what we have. Our system is Ring and the router is hidden. It works very well with no cold or blank spots. We have three outside cameras and door bell that take their feed from the mesh, so far with no drops. No drop reports from the system monitor. The router is AT&T 1gig. Lots of speed streaming 4 TVs. Was hesitant at first, thought it might be an up sell but it works well and reliably.
 
A Broadband story ... :)
My broadband had recently been dropping out intermittently and my usual 40mbps had reduced to 23 so I clicked the call-back button on the BT Hub manager. A lady from BT soon called back and after many settings and tests she said it was a line fault between the street cabinet and my house and they would fix it within 5 days. Next day BT sent a EE Mini Hub with unlimited data in case the line completely failed.

With my current 'slow' download speed of 23 I tried a simultaneous streaming test.
BBC UHD 4K football match on my TV
Same match hi res on my desktop PC
A film streaming on my iPad
Two Alexas streaming radio
Looking at Youtube on my laptop.

It was a bit noisy but all ran perfectly with no buffering so why would I need broadband faster than 40mbps?
 
oldMohawk said:
A Broadband story ... :)
My broadband had recently been dropping out intermittently and my usual 40mbps had reduced to 23 so I clicked the call-back button on the BT Hub manager. A lady from BT soon called back and after many settings and tests she said it was a line fault between the street cabinet and my house and they would fix it within 5 days. Next day BT sent a EE Mini Hub with unlimited data in case the line completely failed.

With my current 'slow' download speed of 23 I tried a simultaneous streaming test.
BBC UHD 4K football match on my TV
Same match hi res on my desktop PC
A film streaming on my iPad
Two Alexas streaming radio
Looking at Youtube on my laptop.

It was a bit noisy but all ran perfectly with no buffering so why would I need broadband faster than 40mbps?
Click to expand...
It is certainly something I had been thinking about. The providers tend to keep your usage a secret, so as a consumer you are never quite sure you have sufficient speed for the things you do.

It then makes the choice of providers difficult, steering you towards remaining with your more expensive provider with an over provision of your needs.
 
Morturn said:
It is certainly something I had been thinking about. The providers tend to keep your usage a secret, so as a consumer you are never quite sure you have sufficient speed for the things you do.

It then makes the choice of providers difficult, steering you towards remaining with your more expensive provider with an over provision of your needs.
Click to expand...
Mort, I think you are correct...........In the US the providers offer a package based upon information that the user provides, then they advise "if you want fast performance" then try to upsell! The good news in the US is that more providers are coming into the market (digital systems are VERY lucrative) and have driven the prices down. When measuring your speed there are variations in rate that will affect the user's performance.
 
Some ISPs have been known to recognise the speed check data type, or the Internet address, and to slightly prioritise the connection while it is taking place, thus giving an optimistic result, which looks good for them. When I first connected, over the phone line, I had a cheap 'starter' rate which gave a download of 2 Mbits. When this finished, I went on the normal rate, which was around 10 Mbits variable between 8 and 20 with no changes at my end, so the ISP is quite capable of adjusting the rate for individual customers.
If you use the speed check from Netflix, the data stream is biassed to be like video streaming, to give a realistic figure for their usage. It is what they do after all.
With the roll out of fibre to the home over here, it is quite noticeable in house sale adverts that the availability of fibre has become high on the list of features. Apparently it is also forming part of the sale contracts, with the option to withdraw if it turns out to be false.
Who needs Gigabit anyway ? o_O
Andrew.
 
Brummie a long time ago said:
Some ISPs have been known to recognise the speed check data type, or the Internet address, and to slightly prioritise the connection while it is taking place, thus giving an optimistic result, which looks good for them. When I first connected, over the phone line, I had a cheap 'starter' rate which gave a download of 2 Mbits. When this finished, I went on the normal rate, which was around 10 Mbits variable between 8 and 20 with no changes at my end, so the ISP is quite capable of adjusting the rate for individual customers.
If you use the speed check from Netflix, the data stream is biassed to be like video streaming, to give a realistic figure for their usage. It is what they do after all.
With the roll out of fibre to the home over here, it is quite noticeable in house sale adverts that the availability of fibre has become high on the list of features. Apparently it is also forming part of the sale contracts, with the option to withdraw if it turns out to be false.
Who needs Gigabit anyway ? o_O
Andrew.
Click to expand...
We have a gigabit but that was part of the package (which we are going to change shortly), and even with that it still variee/delays. And the providers can and do vary the speeds at will.
 
oldMohawk said:
A Broadband story ... :)
Click to expand...
My BB problem caused by a fault on the 400metres of copper line from cabinet to house was cleared up by BT and Openreach within the time promised. Speed is back to 40 down and 10 up. One thing I've learnt is that I can run everything I need with a down speed of 23.
I still have the mobile EE mini hub they sent and which they will activate if my line BB completely fails. When fibre to houses is eventually available where I live it will be more reliable but I don't need the super/ultra fast speeds advertised on TV etc.
 
I usually partition the hard drives in my pcs so that data/photos is stored on a data partition usually D drive and Windows and apps are on the C drive. I back up the data to a separate SSD. So if I bought a new computer I would first tidy up the installed Windows (remove bloatware etc) then download and install fresh copies of the apps I use. I would then copy the data from the SSD to the data partion D drive in the new pc .... but we all run our devices differently .... :)

My drives in my Acer desktop PC
Image1.jpg
 
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From the hardware viewpoint. Not USB, it only has one 'polarity', so can't connect computers, talk on one wire, listen on another. If you have a suitable cable, use ethernet between the computers, modern computers can listen and talk down the same cable. There is also a 'crossover' cable easily available in case the computers can't sort the polarity themselves. That way, the two computers will happily chat to each other. You could use WiFi, that will be slower, but may suit your needs.
Windows will have software designed for exactly the purpose. You may have to answer some questions as part of the setup, but they will not be onerous. The most important is getting the source, (old computer), and the destination, (new computer right).
Getting a new computer is a good time to clear out the old stuff you no longer need. Windows will check raw compatibility as you transfer, but will not decide for you whether you really need something or not.

Of course, you could always set up the new computer from fresh, then restore all the stuff you need from your backup as per oldMohawk above. That is the cleanest and best method, no compatibility issues.

Andrew.
 
mw0njm. said:
i just swapped the hard disk from my old pc into the new pc all was ok. simple:grinning:
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Pete, the ssd in my old pc is 120gb, whereas my new pc is 512 gb, so not much point in swapping. I`ve been looking at EaseUS for data transfer, has anyone used that ?
 
Smudger said:
I am getting a new pc, should be arriving tomorrow. Any ( simple ) help in transferring all data from the old pc to the new one is appreciated. Preferably by cable or usb for someone with limited it knowledge.
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Firstly, take care not to overthink this straightforward task.

If you are just transferring your data and not the Windows operating system, then a USB should work ok depending on the capacity of the USB stick.

It will be worth spending time setting up your new PC first. You should think about how to organise your files and pictures etc in a way that works for you.

Most certainly, have a look at how many hard drives or partitions your new computer has. Its good practice to keep your data files off the C: Windows system drive.

Its just a question of copying your data to the USB and Copying it to the new computer. If your data is already organised into folders, then copy each folder.

Remember to eject the USB stick each time before you remove it.

Do ger back if you need any further help.
 
Morturn said:
Firstly, take care not to overthink this straightforward task.

If you are just transferring your data and not the Windows operating system, then a USB should work ok depending on the capacity of the USB stick.

It will be worth spending time setting up your new PC first. You should think about how to organise your files and pictures etc in a way that works for you.

Most certainly, have a look at how many hard drives or partitions your new computer has. Its good practice to keep your data files off the C: Windows system drive.

Its just a question of copying your data to the USB and Copying it to the new computer. If your data is already organised into folders, then copy each folder.

Remember to eject the USB stick each time before you remove it.

Do ger back if you need any further help.
Click to expand...
Thanks Mort, It will be just data. I do have a usb backing up my file history, so will i be able to use that to transfer the files to the new pc ? I wish IT was as simple as cabinet making !
 
Yes, that should be ok. Once you have set up the new PC, put the contents of the USB on the new machine in a place where you can find it. Then clean off the USB and start moving your folders.

In all fairness, a pen and paper is useful to keep check of what you have moved. Copy the files so you leave the old ones one the old computer, as a backup until your happy all is well with the new machine.

We can compare our cabinet making notes when you all sorted.
 
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