1
Technical Help / Re: Hard drive failure
« on: Tuesday 02 December 25 14:15 GMT (UK) »
Thanks everyone. Have a clearer idea of what to do (and what not to do) now.
Thanks again
STG
Thanks again
STG
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2
Technical Help / Hard drive failure
« on: Monday 01 December 25 11:53 GMT (UK) »
Last Thursday the hard drive on my Dell laptop failed. I've bought a new laptop and copied the files from the back-ups onto the hard drive, so all, except 2-3 days work has been recovered.
However, now I don't know what to do with the Dell. Previously when I've replaced laptops I've put the old one back to factory settings and given it away, but as I can't do that with this one, I don't know quite how to dispose of it.
I've had a quick Google, but can't see anywhere locally that I could drop it off for them to dispose of it, and anyway, even though the data that's on it is inaccessible to me, it might be accessible to someone else. If we took the back off and removed the hard drive and battery, could the casing go in the dustbin? And could we break up the hard drive into pieces and put those in the dustbin, and take the battery to a battery recycling spot?
Would that work? Sorry I'm clueless about this.
Thanks
STG
However, now I don't know what to do with the Dell. Previously when I've replaced laptops I've put the old one back to factory settings and given it away, but as I can't do that with this one, I don't know quite how to dispose of it.
I've had a quick Google, but can't see anywhere locally that I could drop it off for them to dispose of it, and anyway, even though the data that's on it is inaccessible to me, it might be accessible to someone else. If we took the back off and removed the hard drive and battery, could the casing go in the dustbin? And could we break up the hard drive into pieces and put those in the dustbin, and take the battery to a battery recycling spot?
Would that work? Sorry I'm clueless about this.
Thanks
STG
3
Technical Help / Re: Blank screen
« on: Friday 14 November 25 10:31 GMT (UK) »Have a look at what is the key combination to boot the Laptop into Safe Mode.
If that works and you get a working display you are likely to have a Driver File issue.
With it working do copy any important files to a portable hard drive or USB memory stick.
With a Laptop there is often a hidden partition on its hard drive where a recovery file exists, this can be used to restore the system to a working condition.
If all else fails then contacting Dell Support may achieve help (but don’t hold your breath if it is a few years old).
Sorry if it is ifs and buts but I cannot be more specific.
The safe mode thing didn't work, but you gave me the confidence to Google. That took me to some Dell help and somehow I have managed to get my screen working again. Am busy doing backups now!
Fingers crossed it behaves itself now.
Thank you sooooo much.
4
Technical Help / Blank screen
« on: Friday 14 November 25 09:40 GMT (UK) »
I have a Dell laptop. This morning when I switched it on, I got the usual Dell logo for a few seconds and then the screen went blank and has stayed blank.
Does this mean it's dead?
STG
Does this mean it's dead?
STG
5
World War Two / Re: "Not a publishable cas"
« on: Saturday 18 October 25 17:46 BST (UK) »I think you are reading too much into this - they were literally not casualties but interned. So their names were not published on any casualty list. I assume they were missing in action in Norway and it took time until their MIA status changed to interned. In the time it took them to get to Sweden and the their names to be sent back to UK by the Red Cross they would be listed as MIA as there was no confirmation of their deaths.Alan I think I understand the point you making, but as Graham points out, the bit I have highlighted is not correct. Their names were on a casualty list, because that's what the document where they are listed was called, as you can see from the heading from the previous page, shown below.
All occurrences of this type - deaths, injuries, capture, internment, missing etc - were (and still are) all termed 'casualties' in military parlance, based on a different meaning of casual, namely irregular, not permanent, as in casual labour.
However your wider point is correct; these men were not injured and it wasn't in the public interest for their whereabouts to be released to the press in the same way that lists of men known to have been killed, injured or made prisoners of war were released for publication.
Today the MOD has a Joint Service Publication - JSP 751 - which is the complete manual for how to handle all types of casualties. It includes a section on dealing with the media, part of which says "The names of other [that is, those not listed as killed] casualties will not be released, other than in exceptional circumstances, and must only be carried out with the consent of the casualty or, if they cannot be consulted, their [emergency contact]".
That's really helpful. Thanks so much Andy.
STG
6
World War Two / Re: "Not a publishable cas"
« on: Friday 10 October 25 20:06 BST (UK) »
The Leicesters were in Norway in 1940 but overrun by the Germans. Some got to the coast and escaped, others fled to Sweden where they were interned until repatriated. I haven't seen any others noted as "not a publishable cas.", so I can't work out what was different for these men.
STG
STG
7
World War Two / Re: "Not a publishable cas"
« on: Friday 10 October 25 16:18 BST (UK) »They were Interned in Sweden not Interred.
They were prisoners in Sweden not deceased casualties.
Tony
Sorry for the typo (interned, not interred), but that aside, I'm still interested to know why their details were "not publishable".
8
World War Two / "Not a publishable cas"
« on: Friday 10 October 25 15:38 BST (UK) »
Whilst looking for something else, I stumbled across a casualty list from 1944 where some of the soldiers who had previously been interred in Sweden are marked as "Not a publishable cas" and I wondered why.
Can anyone explain, please?
Thanks
STG
PS: I'm assuming that "cas" is short for casualty.
Can anyone explain, please?
Thanks
STG
PS: I'm assuming that "cas" is short for casualty.
9
The Common Room / 50% off Find My Past until 30 Sept 2025
« on: Friday 26 September 25 11:18 BST (UK) »
Apologies if this is a repeat, but I've only just found out about this offer and it only has a few days longer to run.
The info says "50% off our all-areas 12 month Everything subscription until 30 September."
I renewed my own subscription at the beginning of August 2025, so wondered whether I'd be eligible. However, I've just phoned them and the answer was Yes! They've put a code onto my account which means that when I renew next year, it will automatically be charged at 50% off.
Customer Service Phone number = 020 3326 6300
Hope it helps someone else.
STG
The info says "50% off our all-areas 12 month Everything subscription until 30 September."
I renewed my own subscription at the beginning of August 2025, so wondered whether I'd be eligible. However, I've just phoned them and the answer was Yes! They've put a code onto my account which means that when I renew next year, it will automatically be charged at 50% off.
Customer Service Phone number = 020 3326 6300
Hope it helps someone else.
STG