How can I keep my laptop safer while it's in for repair?

[Gellyneck]

That suggestion is more about wasting money than helping a motohomer.

Mine is 8yrs old; I just realised after reading your post. It does everything I need as quickly as I need it. To replace it would be a waste of money.

But you're not spending money to fix it! Repair and lifespan of current unit with, probably, an impending redundant operating system (October) vs cost of new (refurbished?) with supported operating system.

Now which of those is a longer-term money waster?

The best shorter-term solution is probably get an external keyboard and mouse set, as above.

 

[Gellyneck]

Am I wrong, or are you just going to dig at more posts

Yip, don't we all have full house surge protection built into our mains distribution supply unit?

Funnily enough we've just replaced our board with individual circuit RCBO's and surge protection as opposed to previous board with MCBO's.

 

[PP Bear]

Yip, don't we all have full house surge protection built into our mains distribution supply unit?

Funnily enough we've just replaced our board with individual circuit RCBO's and surge protection as opposed to previous board with MCBO's.

Funnily enough mine is 11 years old, is slow and runs windows 10. It won’t support windows 11 and Microsoft will stop supporting all windows 10 security updates from October, so guess I’ll be looking at another one as well.

 

[Gellyneck]

Funnily enough mine is 11 years old, is slow and runs windows 10. It won’t support windows 11 and Microsoft will stop supporting all windows 10 security updates from October, so guess I’ll be looking at another one as well.

Don't be daft! It's just a waste of money!

 

[Phill D]

That suggestion is more about wasting money than helping a motohomer.

Mine is 8yrs old; I just realised after reading your post. It does everything I need as quickly as I need it. To replace it would be a waste of money.

It may not be that much of a waste of money, it really depends on what the repair and parts are going to cost in relation to an adequate replacement.

It’s certainly worth looking at the option.

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[TheMobileWanderer]

But you're not spending money to fix it! Repair and lifespan of current unit with, probably, an impending redundant operating system (October) vs cost of new (refurbished?) with supported operating system.

Now which of those is a longer-term money waster?

The best shorter-term solution is probably get an external keyboard and mouse set, as above.

Well, if we're going to stretch the thread beyond that which the OP asked, then there's still no need to buy new or refurbished.

I did this years ago. 2012, I think. I was quite anxious that I was going to force myself to do a new purchase, but, it was all OK.

Windows XP was nearing end of like just like windows 10 is, for some, today.
So I read the info at Ubuntu and followed the instructions. (They're easier today).

I installed Ubuntu at no cost and since, I have had a much easier computer life, with no such consequences from Microsoft's planned obsolescence.

I also use a dedicated surge protector on the socket which feeds my computer, following recommendation of a friend whose hugely qualified in BT data centre, not to use one is (in his words), mental.

So, were I in OPs shoes, I'd get it fixed, download Ubuntu and chill.

The learning curve to do emails, browsing Internet and writing doc files, was about 15mins. Total install time is about 1hr via step by step on-screen instructions.

Happy to help OP with Ubuntu install if he DMs me

 

[barryd]

This is where having a skilled IT engineer in the family is priceless. I've recently had a total crash of our desk top machine caused by a power surge, it took out the additional hard drive that stored all our user data. The NAS drive that should have carried daily back-ups proved not to be so resulting in domestic chaos. Luckily said IT engineer managed to extract 90% of the data from the HDD and rebuild the machine.

Have you considered using the cloud? If you are an MS Office 365 subscriber (Word, Excel etc) you get OneDrive with 1tb of storage. On mine all my documents, desktop, Pictures libraries etc are synced with OneDrive in real time. If I ever reset my computer or get a new one all I need to do is sign into my Microsoft account and OneDrive and it syncs them all. It also means I can access them from any other computer anywhere in the world. NAS drives are good but as you found out backup systems to them are not always 100% bullet proof.

 

[meanders]

Not that skilled, eh? Otherwise surely, wouldn't you have been using a surge protector?!

Borderline report button territory. Be careful.
1. You have no idea if said family skilled person has any day to day responsibility for the system, pr even lives in the same house.
2. Surge protectors only go so far.
3. Offering advice to help someone after an event is fine. Laying high and mighty and a sneering response is not.

Yes I run my critical gear through a on-line UPS, but I willing to bet the vast majority do not. Even then I still had a printer failure during a storm.

 

[TheMobileWanderer]

Borderline report button territory. Be careful.
1. You have no idea if said family skilled person has any day to day responsibility for the system, pr even lives in the same house.
2. Surge protectors only go so far.
3. Offering advice to help someone after an event is fine. Laying high and mighty and a sneering response is not.

Yes I run my critical gear through a on-line UPS, but I willing to bet the vast majority do not. Even then I still had a printer failure during a storm.

I wasn't being sneering of the post or it's author. I have heard it said, locally and online, so many times that some family person or friend is an expert or a computer whizz, when they're just a person more familiar with computers than the person commenting. Almost invariably that person later needs to call on a professional.

Reference your points:-
1. The author explained where their advice came from.
2. I'm advised that that depends on which surge protector is used.
3. if my post is deemed wrong, then OK,
However, I would have thought it better that incorrect or incomplete information were pointed out as such for the benefit of all members so they can have greater confidence in the site and it's use as 'a source of help/advice/learning'.

I think I'm better off letting them slide.

 

[Just smiffy]

No keys on my iPad…..

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[PlacidoD]

I was going g to suggest the same, my keyboard & mouse fit snuggly into the laptop bag Deal: Compact Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo, 2.4G Portable Small Cordless Keyboard & Mouse Set UK QWERTY Layout for PC Computer Laptop, White and Silver https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09LLPFTRK?tag=mhf04-21

I endorse this suggestion. I use a Bluetooth keyboard on my work PC and also plug it into a 24" monitor which gives me a fully functioning desktop machine then, in my case, when I take the train to Leeds, I disconnect all and work on the PC on the train linked via my 4G phone.

I am considering setting up the MoHo so I can work from it. The idea is to link the work PC by cable to the 23" TV for use as a monitor and use a small keyboard and mouse like the above. I also have a Dell XPS13 that I can link in the same way. That is my travelling PC that always goes with me in the van. I find using the touchpad tedious. Hence my ambition.

P.S. FYI all - My two bluetooth keyboards work within feet of each other in my home office without any interference one to the other.

 

[pappajohn]

8 years old.......I'd be looking at a new one.
Easy to transfer all data on today's machines and a new one will run so much faster.

 

[meanders]

2. I'm advised that that depends on which surge protector is used.

The little plug in units are next to useless and give a little, if any protection. A decent line conditioner will set you back £00's.

An on-line UPS is the best solution where the input is not connected to the output except the earth. An inverter runs continuously providing the power with the incomer simply providing a charge to the batteries. Even so, a massive earth surge such as a ground wave from a storm will still bypass the unit. A decent size UPS costs £000's and needs the batteries replaced every 4-5 years.

 

[Carpmart]

I didn’t realise people still use keyboards?

Voice to text is just so good now days…

Think I may get an AI setup to take care of posting in my absence and give me a nice succinct summary every day… it’s the future innit!!

 

[gpat]

I don't think they'll even need to turn the laptop on never mind log on. I would stop worrying.

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[Phill D]

I wasn't being sneering of the post or it's author. I have heard it said, locally and online, so many times that some family person or friend is an expert or a computer whizz, when they're just a person more familiar with computers than the person commenting. Almost invariably that person later needs to call on a professional.

Reference your points:-
1. The author explained where their advice came from.
2. I'm advised that that depends on which surge protector is used.
3. if my post is deemed wrong, then OK,
However, I would have thought it better that incorrect or incomplete information were pointed out as such for the benefit of all members so they can have greater confidence in the site and it's use as 'a source of help/advice/learning'.

I think I'm better off letting them slide.

Tbh the advice is reasonable , but the way it reads can easily be misinterpreted.

 

[gus-lopez]

Voice to text is just so good now days…

yes I've seen some of the results on youtube guessing what a heavily accented person is speaking.It is good for a laugh.

 

[Gellyneck]

So, were I in OPs shoes, I'd get it fixed, download Ubuntu and chill.

For me spending an unknown amount on a repair (guess it would be much more than £17) to then have to extract all data files and instal an unfamiliar operating system, albeit a very good one, and go through a learning curve is a non-starter? Data files would then have to be copied back on the assumption they are compatible.

£16.99 on a new keyboard and mouse set seems eminently easier, cheaper and user friendly but each to their own.

Also, gives the potential opportunity to instal a Linux operating system alongside Windows and dual boot thereby still using the laptop whilst going through the learning curve and checking whether they get on with Linux and associated software prior to dumping Windows.

 

[Gellyneck]

yes I've seen some of the results on youtube guessing what a heavily accented person is speaking.It is good for a laugh.

Tell me about it!

There was me with my Scottish accent trying to get through to The Bank of Scotland online and had to say "no that's not correct" at least 5/6 times before the automated system gave up and said "Aye awright I'll pit yi through tae sumbudy"!

 

[meanders]

The other problem is that a lot of software is still only available for Windows! I use several pieces of software including the specialist software that integrates with my big sound mixer, plus two different 'show control' applications that only run on Windows or MACOS. Ditto the Smartsoft software that runs alongside my ETC SmartFadeML lighting desk, and the ShowXpress PC based lighting software when I don't need to the capacity of the the bigger desk. There is no equivalent of any of those four that runs under Linux. While no doubt its a cracking OS, it still can't do it all. And yes, I could use WINE but again, its an extra overhead on the hardware. When I hit that 'Go' button, it need it to do it instantaneously. To be fair, I have never tried any of them under anything other than native Windows, except for running SCS under an early version of VMWare which added about half a second latency so I dumped it and went back to native for simplicity.

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[Gellyneck]

The other problem is that a lot of software is still only available for Windows! I use several pieces of software including the specialist software that integrates with my big sound mixer, plus two different 'show control' applications that only run on Windows or MACOS. Ditto the Smartsoft software that runs alongside my ETC SmartFadeML lighting desk, and the ShowXpress PC based lighting software when I don't need to the capacity of the the bigger desk. There is no equivalent of any of those four that runs under Linux. While no doubt its a cracking OS, it still can't do it all. And yes, I could use WINE but again, its an extra overhead on the hardware. When I hit that 'Go' button, it need it to do it instantaneously. To be fair, I have never tried any of them under anything other than native Windows, except for running SCS under an early version of VMWare which added about half a second latency so I dumped it and went back to native for simplicity.

Don't think that would be a problem for the wee bold fella as he just turns the radio on!

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

Thanks guys for your input as always. I found a video on YouTube which has partially painlessly solved the issue (80 percent). The good thing about the video is that it's of a laptop of similar vintage. Quite simple really, it involved me going to device manager and uninstalling the keyboard driver and restarting the laptop which will reinstall a brand new driver. I've had to restart it twice which seems to have done the trick. All the keys are working except one which may be an issue with removing the key and cleaning it out which will hopefully sort it. Thanks again guys

 

[rod_vw]

Borderline report button territory. Be careful.
1. You have no idea if said family skilled person has any day to day responsibility for the system, pr even lives in the same house.
2. Surge protectors only go so far.
3. Offering advice to help someone after an event is fine. Laying high and mighty and a sneering response is not.

Yes I run my critical gear through a on-line UPS, but I willing to bet the vast majority do not. Even then I still had a printer failure during a storm.

Thankyou meanders that sums it up nicely. Having been in the major customer voice telecom industry I will agree about surge protectors and also agree with you about a UPS which would be a nice addition.

In reply to barryd no I don't subscribe to Office 365 but I do have a 1tb NAS drive containing two mirrored drives. The back-up failure turned out not to be a failure at all, just what we knew in the telecoms trade as 'customer miss-op' so I take the blame for that.

 

[Jon Stewart]

Well, if we're going to stretch the thread beyond that which the OP asked, then there's still no need to buy new or refurbished.

I did this years ago. 2012, I think. I was quite anxious that I was going to force myself to do a new purchase, but, it was all OK.

Windows XP was nearing end of like just like windows 10 is, for some, today.
So I read the info at Ubuntu and followed the instructions. (They're easier today).

I installed Ubuntu at no cost and since, I have had a much easier computer life, with no such consequences from Microsoft's planned obsolescence.

I also use a dedicated surge protector on the socket which feeds my computer, following recommendation of a friend whose hugely qualified in BT data centre, not to use one is (in his words), mental.

So, were I in OPs shoes, I'd get it fixed, download Ubuntu and chill.

The learning curve to do emails, browsing Internet and writing doc files, was about 15mins. Total install time is about 1hr via step by step on-screen instructions.

Happy to help OP with Ubuntu install if he DMs me

Get Ubuntu Budgie.

If your machine supports full virtualization, install Oracle Virtualbox and then Windows 11, if you need to use MS Office.

Virtualbox has a TPM emulator!

You will not do video processing or play graphic intensive games on the windows guest operating system, but Win11 and office works fine speed wise.

 

[ChrisL]

The easy and simplest solution is to buy a wireless or Bluetooth keyboard, I fitted a new keyboard to my HP laptop but prefer the Bluetooth one because it's full size.

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[stevewagner]

Very unlikely to work on a laptop.

Not helpful really. I did it to mine when the keys were sticky and it blew all sorts of crap out and worked perfectly afterwards.