There is a known issue with Samsung GT-S5570 mobile phones when updating to the latest firmware from samfirmware.com. The problem is that after 1 or 2 texts a day, suddenly you are unable to send texts all day.

Some have suggested that this is an issue with the SIM card, and that getting a replacement SIM will fix the issue. Some have reported that this has fixed their issue, but this didn’t help me. I checked my SMSC number, a different messaging app, and even a different SIM card, but still the problem occurred. When switching the phone off and back on again, I was sometimes able to send another text, but the fault would quickly re-occur.

The reason why it wasn’t allowing me to send texts was because the network type was set incorrectly. This occurs because the firmware is intended for the Russian mobile network, and they use a different phone standard there. To fix it, it’s fairly simple.

1. Go to your phone dialler

2. Dial *#*#4636#*#* – The “testing” menu should appear

3. Select “Phone Information”

4. Scroll down to “Set preferred network type”

5. Set this to the correct network type for your area. If you don’t know this, type GSM only.

My network in the UK (t-mobile) is WCDMA only, but your setting may be different. If you get stuck, check the settings of another android phone on the same network.

If you find that your laptop is making a lot of noise, and it’s running slower than normal, then it’s probably safe to say that the computer may well be overheating, and the fan is running non stop to try and cool itself down.

It’s a good idea to make sure it has plenty of ventilation, and close down anything you don’t need running in the notification area (windows tray – next to the clock). Also run a full virus check.

One mistake people make with laptops is accidentally covering up the ventilation holes on the machine. If you are sitting the laptop down on a surface such as your bed sheet, or the carpet, make sure there are no ventilation holes at the back or the bottom of the laptop which could be getting blocked. If these holes get blocked for too long, then you’ve got yourself a fried computer.

A great application I recommend getting at this time of the year is Core Temp – it allows you to monitor your processors core temperature so you can see if your machine is getting dangerously hot. Make sure your laptop processor runs at around 60 degrees c at rest, and when it’s in demand it shouldn’t run any higher than 75-80. All laptops are different though, so after a while you’ll get to know your laptops normal running temperature. If it’s getting to around 90, I’d start to worry if I were you!

If you get stuck, feel free to book me for a computer check up.

The website itself is run by Google, who of course own Google Chrome.  I love the unique way Google promotes some of it’s products.

I especially like the incredibly addictive “Chain Reaction” game, and the band “Arcade Fire” have made a very novel music video for their new song, “We Used To Wait”, which includes somewhere you’ll remember, whoever you are – I won’t spoil the surprise – go and have a look.

This week marks a new beginning for radio broadcasting in South Essex with the launch of Gateway 97.8.

Gateway promises to be one of the most well equipped community radio stations in the country, with five fully equipped radio studios, several remote studios and an outside broadcasting system, all fully ready to go live whenever needed.

After many months of work, and many times working through the night, we finally launched the local radio station for Basildon and East Thurrock on Saturday, September 25th 2010.

Mark heads the engineering team at Gateway 97.8, together with three other engineers, Ryan Stokes, Richard Yates and Robert Thompson.

Ever since Radio Basildon stopped broadcasting in the late 80s, the area has craved its radio station back. The station has been broadcasting in some form since 2006, where it started as an Internet only radio station with occasional broadcasts twice a year through restricted service licences for 28 days at a time.