Thetownend.com

 :crash: :crash: :crash:

Got this new HP Pavilion Laptop last week and it is extremely lucky to have a screen in one piece right now  :no:

Won't let me install anything, first off I wanted chrome, runs download file, pop up appears saying downloading, won't even get to 1% just keeps whizzing past saying downloading when it's clearly not.

Went to use movie maker, not installed anymore is it! Need to download Windows essential 2012 where it is now locked away. Exactly the same happens above just says downloading.

I have actually managed to install Firefox tonight, it's as if when an installation is needed through windows it just doesn't do anything (but pretends to!)

Please help TEF.

Have you tried kicking it?

That's the extend of my computering knowledge.

Anyone else with a more technical response?

Unplug it before kicking it. More technical

Have you tried turning it off and back on again?

 ::) let's say Iv tried the above...and it still doesn't work.

Sorry then, you have reached the end of my expertise, I would have by now either a) broken it or b) given it to the wife who has altogether more patience that I have! - Sorry  ::)

Ok, thanks for letting me know you don't know to fix it

You're welcome.

It doesn't sound like you don't have installation issues as much as download ones.

The download of Chrome doesn't get beyond 1% - this is before the installation stage, and suggests some sort of internet/firewall issue blocking the download. You seem to have downloaded Firefox just fine (or was this already pre-downloaded onto the pc?), have you tried downloading anything else?

Perhaps there's some sort of pre-installed firewall/virus checker causing problems here - are you getting any sort of message about scanning downloads or the like?

Cheers Nemo, thats whats baffling me, there is litterally nothing on the laptop from new. Just a free trial McAffee but I have tried disabling that incase it was blocking. when i say it doesn't get past 1% it doesn't actually come up with a % bar. just says downloading for an eternity. Firefox was downloaded perfect. the problem iv got is how to resolve it, laptop issue or windows issue and whether to just take it back to currys and say take a look?

I take it you've tried downloading the same file on different browsers? (I know chrome is the problem but presumably you have IE and FF now, does the same thing happen?)

Are you sure it's the downloading and not installing you're having problems with? I only ask because the thing you describe is the same as my issue and I've noticed it's because I can install standard .exe files but not those who which use Microsoft installers (.msi)

There's your answer right there. Take it back to currys. If it is still in warranty.

I really don't understand why people buy the crap from currys/PC world.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curse_of_knowledge

I've not bought a laptop or computer from there, but I've picked up some genuine bargains in PC World.

The amount of people who's laptops I fixed who have bought from there is unreal.

Buy lots of them cheaply, sell on cheaply.

I haven't bought from there since I had an experience with the "TechGuys" or whatever firm it is.

But I don't know that much about computers. Not everyone is an expert.

(You meant to say "whose", for example ;))

I believe Gary Glitter feels the same?

You're thinking of ThaiGuys.

So I'm in the market for a laptop for 16yo son. Want him to use for school & then uni stuff, skype, im etc but not gaming. Can you give a recommendation please?

I'd go for one of these.

http://www.ebuyer.com/727187-lenovo-essential-b50-10-laptop-80qr0016uk

SSD is a must. I would enrol in One Drive or Google drive to save work.

Students get an allowance. Their school should have Google Drive set up. We do, and they get 50gb storage for free.

They don't make the laptops.

Thank you

Still haven't got round to getting one! Now, a slightly different requirement! Number 2 teenage son needs a laptop as he wants to use it to do some coding. He messes around with Python and coding stuff for Minecraft.

Would he need a more powerful laptop than the Lenovo stated above? A friend recommended this one: http://www.ebuyer.com/737416

Just found it cheaper here:

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/lenovo-b50-50-15.6-intel-core-i3-5005u-4gb-500gb-dvd-rw-dl-windows-10-lapt-80s2000quk/version.asp?refsource=LDadwords&crtag=LD&refsource=ldadwords&gclid=Cj0KEQjwte27BRCM6vjIidHvnKQBEiQAC4MzrY-IJGop63j2xPIvJxfCQOwriogX2SPyYU3v3NuX0swaAoj18P8HAQ

For coding he'd require no greater spec, if anything you could go lower (but don't) - just ensure you go for an SSD.

Long term *ducks for cover* he might be better off going for a Mac or moving to Linux/Unix of some flavour.

 

Get him a raspberry pi3 - £35 off amazon with a basic case. You'll need at least one SD card too.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Raspberry-Pi-Model-Quad-Motherboard/dp/B01CCOXV34/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467754703&sr=8-1&keywords=raspberry+pi+3

He's got a couple of the old Pis. But needs a laptop to go on a course in the summer holidays.

He won't need a powerful laptop for coding, unless he's running shitloads of software.

Groupon has some MAC offers at the moment. I recal seeing a 13" Macbook air for under £500.

Are any of those Groupon Macs any good?

Showed my son the Lenovo and he was worried about the i3 processor.

He then started talking about laptops that were £1k!

So, can someone please run through specifications that I should look for?

Processor?
RAM ?
SSD (yes)
Owt else

Sorry chaps. Just don't want to get him something that will be really laggy. Would rather pay more for him to have something decent that will last a while.

i5
SSD
8gb or more RAM

Thanks jayoh

Who is jjedmunds these days?

Peter Venkman

Of the ones I could find they look pretty gash. They're simply "refurbished" old ones. I'm sure better could be found on eBay.