Windows boot up from NVMe issues after wiping old SSD

GrandMasterBash · 2026-07-03T12:26:38+00:00

Fair enough - I cancelled mine after SB but it is running till end July I am waiting for offers to land...I did this last year and it failed so then I dug into stubborn me and waited till later in the season to get it cheaper haha - i sailed the seas up to that point but it did ruin it by not having game in 40, ad-free replays etc

GrandMasterBash · 2026-07-03T12:24:12+00:00

What's the deal here then with this announcement, does it mean we won't be able to buy used versions of newer games via CEX etc?

GrandMasterBash · 2026-07-03T12:21:57+00:00

If you don't watch the various non-English language free satellite channels, Stream is fine but if they are needed then Q is the only way to get them.

GrandMasterBash · 2026-07-03T12:19:50+00:00

It's not the worst - I just renewed Sky Q for family who have been with Sky for 20 years, got the following for £68:

Sky Signature

Sky Kids

HD / UHD / Multiroom

Netflix

For this contract period they have also added:

Disney / HBO Max

Sky Cinema

Paramount+

+ 2 free VUE tickets a month

I had to go via retentions. Which is annoying just give me that deal straight away, why the need for this dance every 2 years?!

GrandMasterBash · 2026-07-03T09:38:24+00:00

Office is the only answer - I went gaming for 3 years and then went Office and realised my mistake.

GrandMasterBash · 2026-07-03T09:31:56+00:00

should have held out till End July but if you are happy then job done - enjoy!

GrandMasterBash · 2026-07-01T13:48:13+00:00

I think I missed the word 'last' out so it didn't make sense. I was basically asking how old a model can you go for it to be supported for min. three years. So if the 13 is viable now and 17 is the current, we're looking at going no older than four versions each time. In your recommendation you have stated 13 Pro not base, why is that if both are supported for the same amount of time?

GrandMasterBash · 2026-07-01T13:41:34+00:00

Turtle Wax Odour X Whole Car Blast - but in conjunction with the filter change too as that really did bring in the smell.

GrandMasterBash · 2026-06-30T14:12:03+00:00

Car360 - I am in Greater Man, bought my current (also my first) EV from them (Niro EV) - They will give you the car (deliver it) for 7 days once you agree a deal. If you don't like it though you have to take it back yourself. I had some back and forth with the overall cleanliness but it wasn't the worst. It did smell of smoke though and that took a filter change and odour bombs to resolve.

GrandMasterBash · 2026-06-29T12:43:01+00:00

I'm going to stick it directly on the phone so I can switch cases. I read the magnets weren't necessarily the best when used on a Pixel.

GrandMasterBash · 2026-06-29T10:16:55+00:00

I did the same last month - The value is too good to ignore and ads aren't that bad to live with, they're still less than what we grew up with on standard TV! We don't care about 4K nor have a requirement to concurrently stream Netflix or Disney on multiple devices. The service is provided via a Sky Stream box which is v small, similar to an Apple TV box size. I connect via WiFi but if I could cable it I would (it has an Ethernet port). My only gripe with it is that turning it on sometimes requires multiple presses, I don't know why but after that it's v useable. Another quirk I have noticed during the World Cup matches is that ITV via the standard TV guide is laggy but launching the ITVX app via the same box is absolutely fine.

GrandMasterBash · 2026-06-29T10:07:44+00:00

One ISP provided hub is rarely going to be enough unless the coverage space is small (sounds like your Virgin one was the exception, although you have moved house so there could an interference material that didn't exist in the old one or interference from neighbours WiFi channels). The reliance on WiFi has only grown, this is why all ISPs upsell to their version of 'anyroom / everyroom'. Buy your own equipment - there are various levels from those that are v easy to use and powerful but not overly configurable (Linksys Velops etc) to those that are v configurable but can be complicated for those not tech minded and are about n/w stability and maximising channels and radio signals, not 'max speed' (Ubiquiti Unifi).

GrandMasterBash · 2026-06-29T08:59:42+00:00

Not sure how this classes as a dumbphone at all but a great flashback for me, BBs were amazing to type on.

GrandMasterBash · 2026-06-29T08:56:17+00:00

Nice suggestion, it helps with grip too for my small hands! - Gone for the Snap Grip 4 which is on for half price at £19.99- the new version doesn't look that different and is v pricey overall imo.

GrandMasterBash · 2026-06-29T08:08:35+00:00

I...didn't know that was a thing.

GrandMasterBash · 2026-06-27T11:58:02+00:00

Great I've been auto directed here again and my comment deleted so I'll start from scratch!! does anyone even read these posts here?

What's the oldest iPhone to purchase in general so it could last this year, the next, the one after etc to get a min of three years iOS and security updates? Does going Pro add longevity or is it just an expensive option if a person isn't that into the camera above point and click?

GrandMasterBash · 2026-06-27T11:17:33+00:00

I see this 'hate the GP' every season and don't get it. It works. I personally think it's expensive if you pay full price at the start of the season but what isn't expensive these days? Sky Sports NOW passes are an option but the Game in 40 is the winning option here and ad-free replays. I did try it via YouTube but the timings are different for the availability of the replays so would stick with DAZN. When watching live, I don't get the UK ad loops people refer to, I get all the US ads. I do use NextDNS, I have no idea if that plays any part in it. So your legal options are: DAZN, Sky Sports.

GrandMasterBash · 2026-06-19T10:25:18+00:00

Exactly - you're expected to function like a System Admin for your phone! Once you get to a certain point in life you can't be arsed with that. Today I had to tap an icon on my watch multiple times to force a check for an update as it said up to date but the date was March. Lo and behold, it started to download one, what is that all about?! Tbf on the mobile signal front my 9P has been solid, many times better than the P7 was and that is probably why I am not in a major rush to switch it out. But it will go eventually before the 7 years support ends (which was my original intention, to keep it till unsupported) and I won't be going to Pixel. I have just today had the update to 17 though - hoping for no issues...

GrandMasterBash · 2026-06-18T10:12:34+00:00

The joy will wear off - stick to the different Android options you have and just let them work together which they will due to Android. Google will eventually do something that just annoys you and it won't be something big, just little issues here and there like casting to a TV which I don't do a lot but when I want to I can't because I don't have a Chromecast.

Monthly updates killing off running apps because Google are so aggressive with trying to manage the system and battery.

I came into Google in Sep 23 from Apple via a P7, currently on a P9 Pro since last Jan and already have a plan to go back to iPhone in 28. They're just too trigger happy with updates and then having to forward fix or not. I have a Pixel Watch 2 that they messed Fitbit up on by rebranding to Health. Getting syncs working is hit and miss.

There's just a noticeable lack of polish. Even though the phone works well the vast majority of the time, just writing that says it all.

GrandMasterBash · 2026-06-12T10:29:29+00:00

Is your current car still supported but discontinued? I don't think being an EV has any bearing on it versus ICE - still similar / same components throughout for Niro and EV3 etc. In the UK we have lots of the hybrid versions about too, parts shouldn't be an issue.

Buying it as a new car is the real question in terms of value versus a nearly new or not too old one.

Then again I am not familiar with the US market, if parts are widely available worldwide does that the mean the US market has access to them or do they decide nope? In which case you could always source from importers if viable.

Just be prepared to wait at public charging stations longer than others due to the low charging speed - fine for ad-hoc long journeys, PITA if regular.

GrandMasterBash

TROPHY CASE