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I have a corrupt operating system. Now the problem lies in the laptop windows 7 is OEM and the product key has partially rubbed off the laptop. However I have managed to retrieve the product key from the hard drive. Though these keys do not match. So I am pretty sure this is a generic product key and if I reinstall and attempt to use it will be invalid as a product key is this the case? Also if I download an OEM install disc and install would it be possible to actually use the OEM key (as I have never installed OEM from scratch without a valid product key from the laptop sticker.)

My laptop has recently broke down and not worth fixing as the motherboard has finally gone so I am just keeping it for spare parts RAM > HDD etc. Now I purchased a new laptop and it has Windows 8 :(

The problem is with windows 8 installed on it and my girlfriend likes it and would like to keep it. So I was just going to partition the hard drive and install windows 7 on the partition (easy enough you would think) until I read this

Warning

You must install the older operating system first, and then install the more recent operating system. If you don't (for example, if you install Windows Vista on a computer already running Windows 7), you can render your system inoperable. This can happen because earlier versions of Windows don't recognize the startup files used in more recent versions of Windows and can overwrite them.

I will admit I am being lazy and I should just format the drive and install windows 7 as a fresh install and then install windows 8 on a partition so I can dual boot the operating systems but what I don't get is how this effects the start up files as at all as if we partition the HDD as all windows 8 start up files should already be installed on the first half of the partition, so lets say I create a separate partition on the drive and install windows 7 all the start up files should install on that half of the operating system.

For some reason I am thinking you may not get the option to choose which operating system you wish to boot at worst case scenario.

As I always would of thought the BIOS would recognise the HDD has 2 partitions and you could load either operating system providing you choose to either by accessing the bios and setting boot priority or simply choosing what you want part of the HDD you want to load first before windows even starts to boot anything 7 or 8.

I can't understand why people still have to pay a TV licence by law, I mean how can this fee even still hold up in a court of law.

So to put it simply it appears that the most (if not all) the fee goes to the BBC for TV and Radio as the BBC has no advertisements and it is supposed to be "quality TV". So if you do not pay for it you get intimidating letters about how you will get fined and taken to court and fined up to £1000.

So I ask this,

Did the viewer ask for the BBC? No, I don't think so and even if they did agree to the BBC I am sure if they love the company that much that they would be more than willing to pay £145.50 per year for it. roughly £12.12 per month.

Now I can understand why they may have had to force users to pay before the digital switch over as anyone with an aerial could receive an analogue signal. But with digital we have advanced technology wow that's right folks (well not that advanced its been around a while) the BBC could simply block these channels out (something like top up TV or sky) and give you a choice to subscribe to their services at £12.12 per month.

So my argument seems to be solid except for maybe the radio stations we get over the air which is still an analogue signal. But lets face it there is no way that it is worth £145.50 per year and should be about quarter of that at £36 for year or just add advertisements to cover the costs.

I mean I never watch Freesat or Digital, instead I watch Netflix. No contract £6.00 per month and lets face it if anyone tells me that the BBC offers better content than Netflix is seriously mistaken at £72 per year half the price of a TV licence, I suppose that it could be argued that you have internet on top of that but that is not the point the internet is my choice I pay for it as it is needed. Just like I would be happy to pay for the TV Licence if it was needed, but its not.

So I think that the biggest criminal is the BBC who penalise the poor because it if you are rich or living comfortably chances are you are probably not going to complain just for an easy life.

The reason why I have attached this to Law is because rather than every other pissed off consumer that does not want to pay £145.50 a year for a licence just saying they agree in some way or another. It would be interesting to have a professional take on there answer or reasoning.

My Sony Xperia J is no longer working and is not worth repairing.

I now am wondering should I buy the Nokia Lumia 520 in its place. I understand this is has windows 8 and it will not be as open as to Android in terms of applications and settings etc. But in terms of design the nokia appears to be a better looking phone and the Windows OS appears to look a lot smoother (though know this will be more stripped down in terms of customisation, settings & features. And to be honest towards the end of my Xperia's life it did seem a little on the slow side though a simple wipe and factory reset probably would of fixed these issues.

Also in terms of hardware etc. the Lumia appears to have a slight advantage with 8GB internal storage and 720p video recording but I know this means nothing in regards to the camera phone as I hate the camera on the xperia J and I did try a photo with the nokia and it seemed better though using this in a phone shop its hard to really tell.

Basically I am looking for a phone that has basic modern capabilities that does not need to be a powerhouse as if I am looking for power I will turn to PC every time. As long as the phone can match or better the Xperia J for under £100 I would be happy.

What's your thoughts? No fan boy comments please about how Eminem is the best, I've always been a fan of Eminem, and maybe all his new music does appeal to you but I am being honest with myself Em has changed and he is no were near what he used so there is no need. If I am honest I think this CD is a bit of an improvement over his newer stuff mostly after the Eminem show and 8 Mile CD etc.

I mean listen to this freestyle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwyOfqbP8JU especially freestyle towards the end. If I was given a choice I would probably choose this the majority of his new stuff

Then we have this closer to 2012

He sounds on form here as well to a certain extent I am sure I could find more

My conclusion is that he is either very over produced or he just is not in to the more quick paced offensive comical raps he used to do and is good at anymore i.e. getting old etc.

Though he is still one of my all time top rappers.

I just want to hear what others think.

Recently we have discovered caterpillar like creatures in our house (enough to make your skin crawl) what is the best method o killing these pests as to pay a company it would cost £200. We have lino on our floors I have done some quick research on Google there seems to be some good advise but would anyone actually have experience or expertise in the area that could point me in the right direction as we have 2 young children in the house and I hate the thoughts of laying any sorts of chemicals and repellents around the home. So what is the most effective safe methods of removal to ensure correct removal.

We live in an apartment on the 4th floor up the apartment is quite small if that helps with the solution.

Did Samsung happen to mention that their servers where down in the UK yesterday got the network error_model_bind error yesterday. Can't seem to recall any warnings or messages stating that the servers would be down and could find very little reference to this on their website just seems to be bad customer service on Samsung's behalf unless I have missed something as I had to research the error on third party sites the closet match I could see on Samsung's website was this http://answers.us.samsung.com/answers/7463/product...

It would be simpler if they just dedicated a small page to any down time on their servers - or like I said have I missed something and there is one available?

Just wondering if this vacuum would be a good buy, its just for cleaning a small flat. The drum is about 3 Litres.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4...

Or would I just be better off buying a cheaper model (maybe 1.5L)? Do you really get what you pay for with these cleaners, or do the cheaper models do just as good? I mean its not as if its going to be something you use for entertainment so it does not really matter about looks as long as it reasonably durable and does the job its supposed to. I would go for a cheaper model but most seem to be out of stock from my location (there are a few so if you think the cheaper would do I can go for the cheapest available). I do not wish to order one online as the Argos seem to be very close to any offers online, only cheaper model I see would be on EBay at 59.99 but for the sake of £15 and if anything goes wrong with the product it would be a lot less hassle to take it back to the shop to get a replacement straight away without having to return by a courier etc.

I am just wondering is it normal for Samsun ue40es6300 Smart LED 3D TV to run hot around the sides after a few hours use? I'm pretty sure this is due to the slim design and that there is no room for the insides to breath due to how compact it is for the size of the screen. Anyone else with one of these TVs or a similar one have the same issue?

(And before anyone mentions it there is plenty of ventilation around my TV and it is not near any sources of heat.)

http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/model/LE32B450C4...

I just noticed something about some so called Full HD TVs, The link above is the model that I own and is very old.

But for a TV that is supposed to 1920 x 1080p (as it is advertised as full HD and if I remember right it said 1080p on the box) only displays 1366 x 768

So basically from what I gather this is not a full HDTV it must downscale the 1080p signal to its maximum resolution of 1366 x 768

Now please don't mention that is does not matter because the TV is only 32" as you can get 32" with 1920 x 1080 resolution.

So many TV manufacturers have lied to us. I know it clearly states in the small print that the TV is only has 1366x768 in the spec online.

In fact when viewing an HD source it shows on the top corner of my TV 1920 x 1080 so I am confused, so even the TVs software is coded with lies e.g you are now viewing 1920 x 1080 lines. What? Its only can produce 1366x768

I'm not worried I am still happy with my TV as it has served me well, I could do with a more modern TV but I will get on in due course. So technically I have been sold the TV with lies? Just saying though and I wonder how many other people have missed this out all those years ago.

Networking is not my strong point (I have done very basic networking etc) so here is a simple question for those who know it a lot better than me so basically I think I understand the basic concept but correct me were I am wrong as I need to know.

So basically a subnet mask is 255.255.255.0

So am I right in saying if an IP address is set to for example 195.168.2.1 according to the subnet mask this should lock in the first 3 sets of numbers to identify a network and only computers connected to my LAN can access this eg 195.168.2.XX can access the network but 195.168.1.2 could not access the network.

Am I also right in saying if a subnet mask is set to 255.255.255.0 a maximum of 225 computers could technically be networked to the ip address starting 195.168.2.xx (up to 225)

Now if Im right so far (I hope I am) but I think I am going to be wrong here, what if the subnet was changed on another computer network to 255.255.0.0 and the IP address was set on one of its devices to 195.168.2.13 could this computer access the network with the Subnet of 255.255.255.0 but any computers with this subnet 255.255.255.0 could not access the computers with the subnet 225.225.225.0 as the IP address of that other computers on that network as there devices could have IP addresses of 192.168.7.10 but if an IP address was set to match the first 3 sets of numbers in 195.168.2.xx those computers could communicate and other computers on the other network could not eg 192.168.12.12

I hope I you can understand what I mean in the above is wrong please correct me.

I have to buy a double pram soon with a car seat. But I came across great offer on Ebay though I am a bit reluctant to purchase the product due to the companies returns policy and I am unsure if its even fair if someone could clarify - the same pram is also available from amazon but it costs an extra £100 do they operate the same policies because I would pay the extra £100 for a fairer policy incase my goods came faulty or broken. The company from ebay called Pro Cosmo have this as there returns policy - It is the buyers responsibility to check the item and contents within 7 working days of receive of goods. Any irregularities, missing parts or faults must be reported to us by email within 7 working days with attached photos. If the item is faulty we are happy to exchange all faulty parts for free of charge. Buyer is responsible for the safe return of goods in their original (reselleable) condition and packing within 7 working days of receiving from manufacturer. Buyer will be responsible to arrange carrier on their own cost and send it back to the manufacturer to Poland. As soon as item will reach manufacturer we will provide full refund, except for the delivery costs, unless the item is faulty. Payment must be completed within 7 days of listing end. Non-paying bidders will be reported to ebay and begin the unpaid item process. Order will be processed after receiving cleared payment.

So if my pram happened to be damaged I would be liable for a return charge and according to there official website they may charge a restocking fee off 20% that sounds very unfair to me if goods came damaged through no fault of my own eg if the pram cost £300 and £30 to return that would mean I could end up paying £30 plus the 20% of the pram at £60 at £90 extra just to return a pram that was damaged through no fault of my own and claim warranty.

Is this fair or am I missing something?

I have reloaded lots off operating systems in the past so I have no problems doing that. I just recently came across this problem the other day - my question is simple - can I use a retail version of windows 7 home premium to reload an OEM version - I am pretty sure that the product keys would not be compatible due to different lengths of numbers and letters etc - but what if I entered the OEM product key under windows activation under system properties would this work or is the only method through the OEM disc or reloading with the retail and phoning microsoft for activation. The PC has no reccover to factory settings and no OEM discs or recovery discs with it. Also if it does work does it work with xp and vista too. I know I could just download the OEM disc if I wanted but I am just curious would the above work - I have checked online for the answer but information is a little vauge and most anwers you get is people wanting to load an OEM copy of windows from one laptop/pc on another laptop/PC which is not what I am trying to do.

Who likes windows 8. I hate it and don't see what all the hype is about