Clever s*ds - help required please!!

[LAT]

So how long will it take for N to escape?

Will you only release him if he offers to do the hoovering?

Actually, hoovering is one job he does mainly do now.

[Bunnylump]

Having a total nightmare here - literally brand new laptop (Lenovo Yoga) purchased in October and having LOADS of problems with things like Excel not working properly and the Explorer has stopped working twice. Obviously the very last thing on this Earth I want to happen right in the middle of a lockdown is to have to send it back. Do you think this is my only option or could something else be causing this connected with Microsoft or something please? I know this is a stupid question as you can't see it, but just wondered!

[LAT]

Depending on who you bought it from, do they have a helpline you could call?

[Bunnylump]

Bought it from John Lewis, but they'll just say to send it in and they'll look at it! I just can't face not having internet access for weeks on end right now!

Excel problem seems to have (for the moment, anyway) rectified itself, but this is all very worrying and annoying.

[LAT]

It is so frustrating and time-consuming when things like this happen, isn't it? I do hope it sorts itself out properly soon.

Some computer engineers will be able to log in remotely to see what they can do to sort things out. This is more and more popular these days!

[Bunnylump]

Big apologies to anyone whose head I've bitten off today.

[SparkOut]

The trouble is that computers (and cars, these days) have digital systems that you can't just look at and "see the physically broken bit".
It could be there's nothing physically wrong at all, but not really any way of diagnosing "not working properly".
Lenovo do have a pretty good support service - it will definitely be under warranty with Lenovo, whether on return to base terms or on-site, but you can bet on-site isn't going to happen right now. Return to base turnaround is typically about a week plus or minus a couple of days. Well, plus.
But unless you can give them clear symptoms of a hardware fault to claim support for, they probably won't offer you anything useful.
A remote connection from someone to investigate sounds the most promising idea, although with no guarantees of clearly finding a specific problem that can be fixed.
Tomorrow I am out saving all the little tiny fishies by using network equipment stolen "reassigned" from another site, but can poke into it Thursday evening if you like.

[Bunnylump]

Thank you, that would be fantastic. x

[Bunnylump]

My mental image of SparkOut when at work. Fish man!

[LAT]

That's brilliant!

[SparkOut]

It doesn't look quite *exactly* like a Fladen suit, but just as ungainly
I don't get to go on the water as often as I should given site visit restrictions, and I am not always on the water.
Today was mostly in the loft at one of the hatcheries.

[SparkOut]

Anyone know anyone who can help with employment law, particularly in Scotland, if that makes a difference?

[LAT]

sorry, can't help. Try Citizen's advice?

Hope not bad news!

[Bunnylump]

No, sorry, used to know a very little bit a VERY long time ago, but now all out of date!

[Bunnylump]

My laptop is suggesting I might like to update to Windows 11. Is there any good reason why I shouldn't do this please?

[Scurra]

Personally, I probably wouldn't do it for another six months or so; this is a significant upgrade and not everything is perfect quite yet. Then again, the same has been true of every Windows version though; the difference now is that updates are much faster and more convenient to install.
But if your system is capable of the update - and not all systems are (my desktop isn't, for example!) - then it's not going to be a bad thing in the long run.
The main downside of not doing it now is that your system will keep nagging you about it if you don't do it.

[Bunnylump]

OK thank you.

[LAT]

I am planning to change my anti virus protection. Husband has a new computer and it didn't seem to like the Norton we had so he now has a different one (Avast I think) which has the option to be used on multiple computers. So it seems daft for me to pay for a different one.
My question is, will I need to remove the old Norton before installing the Avast or can I make sure the Avast installs OK before getting rid of the Norton?

[SparkOut]

You will need to completly remove the old product and restart your computer before installing the new one. Check that the new computer did not already come bundled with a "free 3 month trial" of something else as well (possibly McAfee). That would also interfere and might be the reason for the original trouble with Norton on the new computer.
Avast! have an entirely free version which includes the basic protection elements you need. It's what I use. I'm aware they also have enhanced security products for a subscription and I would take a judgement call on whether there's a benefit per use case. I think you might like the extra layer of ransomware protection and the peace of mind that some of the filters priovide. But no product is 100% guarantee against specific weaknesses so you still have to be sensible and vigilant.

[LAT]

Thanks, that is very helpful. I shall take a deep breath and give it a go!