What is the Acer Model number? ( look on label on bottom ( of laptop! ))

This will help In Offering specific advice ( do YouTube search on model number + upgrade)

But generally:

A good SSD ( 1TB Kingston / Samsung / Crucial MX500 ) is aBout £85

A usb to SATA cable to connect SSD to laptop is £4

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364016034118?

Macrium disk cloning s/w is free

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/macrium_reflect_free_edition.html


Attach SSD to laptop
Run Macrium
Select clone disk
Copy old disk to SSD
Open large hatch on bottom of laptop
Remove screws holding disk in place and lift out disk
Fit new SSD
Switch on ( optional to,cross fingers)
New SSD will fire up in 20 secs to windows logon!!

Put old disk in caddy ( £5) , format it, and use as backup disk!

I can refurbish a laptop in 15 mins ( + disk cloning - go and make tea! )

Is there a local tech hub or Restart group - they can often do it for you!

If you live near W London, drop,me a note...... I can help

You can't go wrong with Kato!,

Older locos and rolling stock generally have fewer fiddly bits to damage or break and often have greater weigh for decent traction. If they run well, the decision is between cost, availability and looks. I consider the looks less important (unless very poor), as you don't see all the fine detail when running and viewed from a distance anyway.

I often buy models produced over 20 years ago.
It keeps costs down and some British liveries are no longer currently available.
As long as they're in good overall condition they're welcome, even if needing servicing or refurbishment.

Quote from: Chris in Prague on December 04, 2023, 10:26:57 AM

Quote from: Firstone18 on December 03, 2023, 10:10:56 PMI've got Graham Farish and Hornby Minitrix from the 80s, Union Mills form 2005 to last year, and many items of rolling stock from the 80s through to the early 2000s; if you like it apply Rule 1 and enjoy it!!

Seconded! As have I and the locos. have all been successfully converted to DCC.

I've fitted decoders to all my locos, and also fitted coreless motors to those with failed armatures. My old Class 47 now has a B R Lines coreless conversion, and LED White/Red lights at both ends. It runs really well and not so noisy now even though it's the old brass gears in the bogies.

Go into settings and check all the updates are actually updating. This being typed on a five year old laptop that can't run windows 11.

It was my daughters. Without talking to me she bought a new one because this one was slow. One day of updates later it's still fine two years on.

When I said 'disable updates' I was assuming, from what you wrote, that you're using a separate firewall and antivirus. If you're using the Windows Defender + firewall I agree it would not be a good idea to disable updates.

Thanks for all the helpful replies, gents.

Quote from: Brian-1c on December 04, 2023, 06:02:30 PMHow much RAM do you have fitted ? Many retail places sell them with only 4GB, which is nowhere near enough for normal use. You need at least 8GB for Windows 10. 16GB is much better and worthwhile.

Also consider getting an SSD to replace the existing Hard Disk.

It says it has 4Gb RAM, so I take your point. I didn't know you could have the hard drive replaced with an SSD. That may be an economical option.

Quote from: devonjames on December 04, 2023, 06:23:45 PMI wonder if you are running a pre-installed anti virus software package, something like Norton or McAffee which often come bundled with new laptops. The best advice ia never to activate these ```

Short answer... no, I'm not.

Quote from: devonjames on December 04, 2023, 06:23:45 PMAlternatively seek help from a professional who can probably save your files, reformat your hard disk and reinstall a clean version of Windows 10.

My files are all saved and backed up. Would restoring factory settings do the job?

Sorry, @Firstone18 , your reply was way over my head!!

Thanks again, chaps.

Cheers,

Chris

I've seen this twice, once on  a friend's dc layout, and once on my own dcc one.

The only conclusion we could come to-and it may well be wrong-is that the locos concerned inadvertently were parked across an isolating joint and acted as conductor through the chassis.

But this could be completely wrong, we both have never had it happen since (thankfully).

Martyn

Quote from: Browning 9mm on December 05, 2023, 01:27:46 PMsorry, already gone to the RAF benevolent fund.
maybe next year.

And in my opinion just as good a cause.

Regards

(ex)JT Mansell 041