antrobuscp

No probs here, either - Eset a/virus and Firefox/Chrome/IE - that's on Hattons.co.uk and the ehattons site.

Colin

Likewise my Windows tablet. No update has ever taken longer than 20 minutes. Often I don't even notice it has happened.

 

If you read up on the inner workings of Windows Update (the update program on your computer) you can see the reasons for the long delays. The major part of the time is scanning your computer to see what updates are missing. If none are missing (i.e. your system is fully up-to-date) and you have a reasonable broadband speed, the latest update (likely already downloaded) can be installed in a few minutes.

 

If any previous update component is missing (system not up to date), Windows Update downloads it and installs it. Then it goes back to the beginning and starts again. So the time is doubled for every missing update component. Like folding a sheet of paper quickly becomes very thick, it doesn't take long for 20 minutes to turn into several hours as Windows Update keeps starting again.

 

The secret seems to be to never miss an update, however inconvenient. Otherwise the next one could take hours if the previous missed one contained several components.

 

Martin.

I had missed the significance of some announcements I've previously read - I've now checked with a couple of articles, and I suspect that the way in which I am (not regularly) using the 2 Win 10 laptops will not be helping. I've normally brought them home(roughly every 4-6 weeks), backed up to them and then run the update process. Once done, I've shut them down and taken them back to store. From your post and what I've now also read, the likelihood is that they've not been fully updated and have been increasingly playing catch up.

As it happens, with the 1709 upgrade, I suspect that both machines are fully up to date as there were further updates after the main one and I ran the process repeatedly until the machines were flagged as "up to date". It's a pity that the software does not have a method of informing the user of that which needs to be updated although I will acknowledge that sometimes, on repeatedly running the update process, some updates do re-appear to, eventually, install and disappear. The apparent significance of that is not communicated.

I'll amend my methods and see what happens. One thing I don't like, though, is that you could find that your machine can't upgrade(say to a version like 1709), and therefore may go off support as little as 18 months later, even for security updates. 

Colin

See this is what I can't understand.  Why does it take hours for some to update and my clapped out laptop does it in 30 minutes max?  Even the Windows 10 tablet never takes any longer,

 

Perhaps the timing by MS just before Christmas is so they can have a holiday as well.  Just saying.  Let's face it once they have dished out the update their work is hardly done as they may still have to sort out the fallout from the update. 

I suppose it depends upon exactly what is being updated, speed of connection, etc. I have 2 Dell laptops, not highest spec but reasonable, and some updates are quick but the upgrades can take a long time and just checking for updates seems to take some time even without any downloads or installs.

I notice the time it takes as the only time I've run them over the last 18 months has been to actually do updates as my main operating machine is a Win 7 pc. The Win 10 machines were bought as Win 7 and upgraded just before the free upgrade period expired. I use them as off-site backup and to switch my day to day use to gradually over time.

Colin

The annoying part of yesterday's major update was (a) the timing for the release by MS when everyone is rushing to finish for Christmas shut down deadlines and (b) the excessive time it took hogging the machine on re-boot with no obvious warning it would do so before you accepted the option of shut down and install updates.

 

Went for a take away curry; came back and then lost nearly three hours as MS hogged the machine installing stuff then which I'd expected it to do as part of shutting down and crucially whilst I was fetching the curry so the updates job should have been a background task running in a time slot off the critical path.

A classic example of why the updating procedures need improvement.

Colin

I certainly don't object to updates, and have always allowed them to install quite quickly after release, but when I decide. I have not had any serious problems with any update prior to the Win 10 1709 upgrade apart from 2 updates several years ago which prevented access to expanded memory in relation to a core program for me. The offending updates were removed and about 6 months later MS corrected the update, achieved their objective but without the unwanted side effect.

My personal beef with Win 10 is that the updates, despite being controlled as to time of install/reboot, persist in occasionally doing both of those things at inconvenient moments. You think the machine has completed the updates, and a few hours later or next day, there's more.

The upgrades seem more akin to new versions of Windows or "second editions". As such I suppose they could be expected to cause more problems, but I don't remember such  problems arising on earlier versions. I never upgraded full Windows versions prior to Win 10, each pc retained its original version until scrapping.

All this said, I prefer this to the way my wife's Android tablet updates - it just becomes unresponsive, no messages, and next day it tells you it's been updated.

Historically, I've found Windows to have been normally capable of making older software run, particularly up to Win XP. Since then it has been harder to run DOS programs, but there are ways it can be done - and that was my main concern until I retired. If they fail now, I can easily do the same work in a spreadsheet. As what would have been short term future proofing, I tested their use in an XP mode VM, and 2 of them would run directly under Win 7/8 32-bit anyway - I've not been able to do the same check in Win 10 as both my machines are 64 bit.

Colin

I don't particularly want to learn a new operating system. I know the programs I use very well, I keep access to old data, and I have things organised the way I want. That said, I use Firefox as my main web browser, I'm familiar with openOffice, but I prefer Outlook to Thunderbird(I've not researched other Linux alternatives). I could therefore switch to Linux and still use software I'm used to. The image manipulation software I use is available in Linux versions.

My main current use machine runs Win 7, and I much prefer to stick with Windows, but if there are continuing upgrade issues once Win 7 goes off support, I will seriously consider a change. This will especially apply if either buying a new machine or suffering ongoing failed attempts to upgrade are the only offers from MS.  

Colin

To be fair I have had very few issues at all.  Yesterday was easy to sort out in the end and despite the laptop being upgraded from 7 to 10 when I could the old thing keeps plodding on and hasn't fallen over........................yet.  It would seem some of us are luckier than others.

 

For me there is little choice.  I won't pay the high price of Apple products and be tied into them and am not interested in learning how to use Linux or whatever else so for me this will do.

I've not had many issues with the software itself - all the programs I need to use(now I've retired) seem to work ok, printer seems to work although I don't print much to paper these days(mainly to pdf). the only issue I've got is the built in card reader I mentioned above. My real unhappiness is with the updating/upgrading. As I've already said, were I still in business, the updating and the time it seems to consume, would be a genuine headache. I know you can put off updates and set times for them to go through, but the machines still occasionally want to re-start at short notice, take too long or after an overnight update, some issue with the install has arisen. I just don't think the system as it's now implemented is anything like as good as it should be.

I've not yet seen an answer, apart from go and buy a new machine, to what happens when your machine cannot be upgraded for hardware reasons - does Windows keep on attempting and failing to install the upgrade(wasting time if nothing else), or does it carry a "flag" not to attempt upgrades but just to install security updates. I'm sure something must be available on this subject, but I haven't seen it.

Colin

On Windows10 you don't need a 3rd-party antivirus -- Windows Defender is free with Windows10 and works very well. Including not getting in the way of updates. And if you encrypt OS files it does ask for grief when updating the OS.

 

regards,

 

Martin.

Whether I'm wasting my money or not, in this case I don't mind, as I've been very happy with the antivirus software I'm using - in my case it was not the a/virus software that interfered with the upgrade. Personally, I don't think I would ever encrypt system disk, but I do fully encrypt all other drives. My reading suggested that even installed but not in use encryption software could make the upgrade process "fall over".

Not that I would consider myself an expert.

Colin

Sorry you're not sorted, Keith.

The updates really do seem to be causing problems for some, and take too long for many. I did a bit of searching because of the problems I had, and I presume you've done the same. I didn't do it, and would be somewhat sceptical anyway, but the advice seems to be to uninstall programs such as antivirus, and encryption, and disconnect as many peripheral devices as possible - printers, cards, usb drives, etc.

For me, and if MS is to be regarded as providing a Windows "service", they really ought to get a grip of the updating/upgrading. These problems did not previously arise for most, and the new process was supposed to improve MS's ability to keep machines stable and up to date - not sure it's working.

Colin

Anybody know a quick way to stop an update loading?

 

My core i7 laptop currently will not install the feature update 1709.

It downloads it every time it is switched on and then tries to install it, eventually giving up with a failure.

it has doen this maybe 40 times.

It has however successfully done Win 10 1703 updates in the meantime.

 

I would like to stop the attempted install as it clogs the machine up for 15-20 mins after first switching on, making it unresponsive..

When I looked on the MS forum the solution was obviously aimed at total geeks as I couldn't undersand what was required to fix the problem.

When I have time I will do an ISO install instead to see if that works.

 

All 3 other PCs in the household have successfully installed the 1709 update without issue.

 

Cheers

 

Keith

Keith,

I know you're quite clued up regarding Win 10 issues, so you may well have tried this. I have upgraded 2 laptops to v1709. Each took me about 2 days and at least 2 failed attempts.

Laptop #1 - I had forgotten that I run 2 encryption programs which the upgrade doesn't like - Diskcryptor and PGP. Once I had un-installed them, the upgrade worked fine, and I then re-installed the offending programs. The upgrade process did not flag up the conflict, I traced it with an online search, which triggered my memory of the 1703 upgrade. I used the normal MS update method. O2micro card reader not working but I don't know if this is a 1709 issue or if it harks back to the Win7>10 upgrade as I've had no need to use it 'til now. Fortunately I have a separate USB card reader which works.

Laptop #2 - I did the un-install mentioned above but the upgrade fell over at much the same point as with #1. After visiting the MS website, I used the "Upgrade assistant" to manage the update, and this worked. Re-installed the encryption software and all is working .

I really wish MS would get on top of all the updating issues Win 10 has - it was never like this before, and yes, I understand that the nature of the updates has changed and the reasons why. If I was still working, the time lost in upgrade hassles and re-booting at awkward moments would be a real problem - even with the upgrading controls we have been allowed.

Colin

Sorry to drag my old post up, I received my replacement this week and have had chance to play tonight.

I now goes round the track without the front pony wheels derailing after some adjustment of the screw holding it in place (although I have to say the front pony’s consistently try to ride up the rails, typically over the fish plate joiners. however it still won’t go over a single point. The inner most axle wheels ride up on the v of the point. I know some of you have said get decent points but I will still argue the case that any modern train should be able to go over points, even the guy who did his review in this thread showed it derailing, that’s unacceptable. I’m now really debating whether I want to spend £160 on a train that can only go round and round and not go into siding etc.

I initially had the same problem that you experienced. I found that the pony wheel back-to-back measurement was a little too wide. After seeing your latest message, I ran my model through the longest "ladder" into my fiddle yard - a mixture of code 100 Streamline points including some of small radius. The loco wasn't the smoothest through them, but it didn't derail. I tried it through the most problematic points for other models - at low speed(which is all it would ever be), and it was ok. This stretch is the first I intend to re-lay when I get to refurbing the trackwork(it is 30+ years old). I do have 3 Setrack points including the curved version, and it goes through those also - again at the desired low speed.

I know it doesn't directly help you, but I do think it is the back-to-back being out which is causing any problems. As to the pony truck, it is sprung vertically, but I suspect a light "centering" springing would do no harm.

Colin

When I first joined Flickr, most photos only received a handful of views. That changed completely when I joined groups, and since then most photos receive a much larger number of views. I occasionally use the search facility, but normally only for rather general types of subject.

Colin 

I've added nearly 2,500 photos to Flickr over the last 12 months. I can't say that I've found the user interface a problem. There are things I'd like to improve - greater/easier ability to change the display order of certain items - but I've not found the "tagging" problematic. I usually just add any specific tags that I feel are appropriate, and generally leave the "standard" tags alone. They are often American versions of English terms - ocean for sea, for example - or so widely drawn that I don't feel they add or detract from likely searches. The tags I add are the ones I feel would assist in targeted searches.

Just my view and, of course, I only joined in December 2016 so I can't express a view as to whether what I'm using is better or worse than that which went before.

Colin

Two photos - a sunset taken at Poldhu Cove on The Lizard, Cornwall, and one of some spray being blown over the harbour wall at St Ives.

Interesting you mention back to back been out. I’ve not sent mine back yet, without the right tools is not worth even attempting to fix the back to back?

I have had to "tweek" the back to back measurement on a number of models over the years. The only tool I used was a small screwdriver to remove the pony truck from the bogie and to re-attach it. Once out I applied a little hand pressure to the wheels whilst slowly twisting them on the axle. Not exactly precise or highly technical, but it has always worked for me. The only fiddly bit was re-assembly - the truck is mounted on a circular pillar, with a spring around it. On top of this goes a washer(with a square centre), and the plastic truck. You really need three hands to hold all these together, but there isn't enough space, so it took a few goes before it all went together as intended. In fact one end went together first time, the other took a little time. I'm not encouraging you to do anything you're not comfortable with, but it's the sort of issue that crops up from time to time and I wouldn't return a model for - provided of course I knew what I was doing and that my fix would solve the problem.

Colin

It seems that I was lucky. I arranged on Monday to pick up my Bulleid diesel, possibly before the short delivery was noticed. I would imagine Kernow are rather less than pleased given that they had apparently been asked to pay before delivery, as had we as a result.

It is a superb model. I had an issue with the "pony" wheels on the bogies derailing on some Peco Code 100 points. One look at the wheelsets and I was sure the back to back was out. As supplied the wheelbacks were about 15mm, or a touch more, apart. Setting them to a bit under 15mm seems to have cured the problem.

Colin

But that's not a problem as every year they send me an invitation to pay for their "tax enquiry insurance' in case I should be picked for an enquiry.

 

My answer is that if something is wrong and gets flagged up by HMRC I'd want to know why they didn't spot it,  The reason that comes back is that I could be chosen at random and that an 'interview' with HMRC would cost £2-3000. 

 

I've not paid any of these 'invitations' and the running total if I had would be just over £7,500 .....I nice little earner for no work.

Enquiry insurance is not something we ever "pushed" to clients. We felt we didn't see so many enquiries as to make it necessary. We did tell clients that such cover was available if we were asked about it. Sometimes business package insurance includes some cover, as did(does?) membership of certain bodies. I think Federation of Small Business offered something. Full tax enquiries are costly to deal with if you are unfortunate enough to drop for one - in both time and money.

There are many reasons why a case may be picked for enquiry, including the random exam. Many of them are caused by issues the accountant would be unaware of. In my experience the annual client meeting sometimes caught such issues. Certainly, an accountant looking at a client's accounts/returns with a critical eye may have an inkling of some factor increasing the risk of an enquiry. If that were the case I would discuss the problem with the client to try and deal with it. Frequently, it could be as simple as placing an explanatory paragraph into the return and/or in the accompanying letter.

Colin

It will always be far cheaper doing it yourself than to pay for others to do it, accountancy costs are like every thing else once they get staff and premises the costs just sky rocket, rents, business rates etc, staff wages and benefits. Many small businesses suffer from having to greatly increase costs when they try and expand. When I had an accountant doing my simple accounts, I expect it took him longer to see me and explain than do it, but it was one thing less for me to do. I now have to do a tax return each year, takes me longer to find the information than fill in the return

 

This does not excuse what the accountant has done, but explains the high charges 

It will always be cheaper doing it yourself, so long as you do it right, and you are correct regarding some of the reasons why accountancy fees are as high as they are. Simple accounts are relatively quick and easy to do so long as records are kept in an organised fashion. There are various rules that are simple in themselves but they require attention by the do-it-yourself taxpayer or you can end up with a tax enquiry(and they can happen anyway). To a qualified(by experience or formal qualification) person a lot of the rules are just built in to the way you think and approach the work.

The meeting with the client to "see you and explain" is, to me, an integral part of the work, and many's the time at such a meeting that I became aware of material information, not otherwise noted or mentioned,  relating to the accounts or otherwise necessary to properly advise on or plan their affairs.

I would be very unhappy at the situation in which Edwardian finds himself, and I would have thought that the fee issue should have been identified and acted upon at an earlier point.

Colin

HMRC's free payroll software for up to 10 employees works quite well, and is not difficult to use. Sometimes it is the rules surrounding SSP or SMP which are more fiddly. A lot of small business people feel they are better spending their time promoting and running the business rather than doing the "back-office" work themselves or, they are too "knackered" at the end of the day to do the chores.

You pays your money and takes your choice. 

Yes, the tax code is far too complex. When I first qualified(1972) the "Yellow tax handbook" we used was very thick, but all the pages were "proper" paper. I can't remember how many pages, but let's say 1500. By the time I retired (2015) there were 3 volumes printed on tissue paper and there must have been  three or four times the number of pages. In addition there were similar volumes covering Inheritance Tax, and two for VAT, which didn't exist in 1972 - Purchase tax back then applied to far fewer businesses.

Colin

Sorry, can't help with the Win 10 backup problem. I gave up on "backup" programs many years ago. For data files, I don't see the point in keeping them in any kind of special format, and I simply copy to other hard drives and regularly synchronise them in rotation. If I want a system backup or clone, I have successfully used AEOMEI Backupper.

Colin

Hopefully, as Oxford own their own factory, Hornby's "supply chain issues" will improve and time span from "announcement" to "production" improve as a result.

That was one key thing, apart from the people involved, that struck me. More/better control over production on the horizon for Hornby?

Colin

I just think my brain needs de-fragging.

Colin

Only bought one Dyson cleaner, never again. Would be very wary of any Dyson product.

Colin

Have you tried DesktopOK? You can save icon positions so restoring your preferred layout takes a few seconds.

Colin

I use a hard drive dock to attach uncased hard drives to my portable. The version I have no longer seems to be available(it has a gigabit network port), but there are various types available. The uncased drive is in a protective cover, and be lifted out in moments. The connection from the dock to pc can be USB or SATA(which is fast file transfer). Costs are usually around £50/60.

Colin