About Craig Thomson Expertise I can give some information on anything to do with computing and can give more detailed answers on the following subjects:
General computing questions
Application Packages
Fixing Software faults
Getting rid of virus, spyware, adware e.t.c
Keeping your computer secure
open source software
Html
Installing Graphics Cards
Installing Ram Expert
Installing Small Networks
Installing sound cards
Qbasic
Basic questions about the software development life cycle
Dos questions
Reformatting FAT32 drives and NTFS Drives
Windows Operating systems (95,98,ME,XP)
Experience I have a wide experience with computers.
I know a vast range of subjects to do with computers.
i first started writing computer software at the age of 4 and i was very gifted.
I have been using computers and helping friends and family solve computer related problems for years.
i have extensive knowledge in all subjects to do with computers and there is very few questions i won't be able to answer.
If i cannot find an answer which is very rare i will be able to point the person in the right direction.
Education/Credentials ISO 9001-2000 Computer Skills Test Certification
ISO 9001-2000 Windows 95/98 Test Certification
ISO 9001-2000 Windows XP Test Certification
ISO 9001-2000 DOS Test Certification
ISO 9001-2000 Word 2000 Test Test Certification
ISO 9001-2000 MS Excel 2000 Test Certification
ISO 9001-2000 English Language (Words and Phrases) Certification
Higher Chemistry module: World Of Carbon
Higher Computing various units and modules
GCSE/ Standard Grade Computing Intermediate 2 Grade B
GCSE/ Standard Grade Wood Work Intermediate 2 Grade A
GCSE/ Standard Grade English Intermediate 1 Grade B
Expert: Craig Thomson Date: 9/23/2006 Subject: Accessing broadband, and setting up OE for e-mails,
Question I live in the UK and joined Talktalk 6 weeks ago for the free broadband and cheap phone calls. My 2 year old computer is an AMD 2400 CPU. I have the following problems.
1. I can only wake up the modem by removing the USB lead for 10 seconds and then re-placing Sometimes I have to do it several times in succession...
2. If I click 'Talktalk Assist and Go' icon for HELP my computer freezes.
3. I am unable to setup Outlook Express for e-mails
I sought TalkTalk technical help and a gentleman from India talked me through 3. above exactly as I had already done it. After 80 minutes without success he told me that like many TalkTalk customers before me, the problem was due to Microsoft placing a 'pop-up blocker' on Internet to prevent access. He told me to telephone 0870-6010100 and ask MS to remove it. When the Microsoft lady knew I used Windows Me she explained support had been withdrawn and could only be given if I bought XP. I told her I was quite happy with Me and all I needed was MS to remove the 'pop-up blocker. She rang off and I don't know why. An expert toldl me I had been sent on a "wild goose chase" and that MS would never deliberately do such a thing. All TalkTalk 'Customer Service' said of the incidentwas to contact technical support, thus prolonging a vicious circle at my expense. I re-installed 'Assist and Go' but the computer still freezes if I select it. I asked for a new CD but am still waiting. Can you please throw any light on my problems?
Kind regards,
Pat Alley
Answer Hi Pat
Ok firstly I have never heard of MS putting in a popup blocker with windows me you have to install that separately, if you mean they put a pop up blocker in talk talk and it's causing a bug in the software then it's talk talks fault.
Having to unplug/plug modem in lots of times to get it to respond makes me think that the hardware is of poor quality and talk talk make cheap hardware that doesn't work properly.
It might however be that:
It doesn't work with Windows ME
Your usb port is faulty.
The drivers are not installed correctly.
You haven't connected it up correctly.
If all the above is ok then i'd start blaming talk talk.
I also think you were taken on "wild goose chase" cause it sounds like more of a hardware fault than a software fault.
Telling you to phone Microsoft and ask them to remove it sounds silly that's talk talks job not yours.
If the popup blocker is causing a problem they should bring out a new version of the talk talk program that doesn't have the problem.
They don't sound very professional to me , it's there job to fix there hardware an software and make sure it works properly. It all sounds a little fishy to me.
I have been reading some reviews on talk talk and they sound terrbile.
check it out for yourself i you want
:http://www.broadband-help.com/providers/reviews/156
listen to this quote from the site :
"This user writes:
Unfortunately, talktalk broadband is the worst provider I have come across in recent years. The system is slow and there are numerous problems accessing my e.mail account at different times. I have even lost data in my e.mail account when the service went down over one weekend period.
There has been no explanation as to why there are problems with the system, and the last time I actually managed to contact the customer services team to confirm if the server was down, they did not know until they kept me on the phone for 25 minutes before telling me "that they could not access the system as it appears the server is down".
I have sent numerous e.mails and letters, but none have been replied too.
A very poor service overall, I will be glad to change to another provider"
There are lots more bad reviews just like that one on this site they sound really bad to me.
