Paul

steel rail expands at a rate of 0.00000686 per unit length per degree farenheit. Assuming an ambient temperature of 60f then a 60ft rail has an maximum expansion of 0.00000686ft x 80, assuming a maximum rail temperature of 140f (the rail will be considerably hotter than air if in direct sunlight) x 60ft for the length of the rail then the maximum expansion will be in the region of 0.3951 inches or 10.04mm. The maximum expansion gap on rail track in the UK varies dependent on rail type, fixing type and dimensions etc between 14.28 and 14.31mm. I fail to see a problem?

I was going to say the junction of the Ant just above Barton.

an extra clue for you, the same location after the sun has set .......

Correct. I've installed Windows XP Professional x64, with no updates as the VM is not connected to the web but although I can access the disc, and have been able to load the software OK it still won't run, though this time I get the "enter the correct CD-rom in the drive", rather than in Windows 10 where it just does nothing. I'm starting to think Paul's car boot option is the front runner!

I understand they are over here for the next four weeks or so, after all, being Dutch they have nothing better to do .........

So I installed Windows XP Pro x64 and it runs OK, but when I load programs to it they will not open, all I get is "load the correct CD rom and try again". It's as if the programs cannot see the optical drive. I have made sure that the optical drive under devices in virtual box is set to Host :D. I can go to my computer, open the D drive and try and run the program from the disc menu but still get the same. Very frustrating.

I have to admit to being a bit lost when it comes to virtual machines and such like, but I have taken the plunge and found instructions from a website I trust and the process is underway. I have downloaded virtual box and installed it, and have winxp installing it on a new VM. It seems to be going well. The plan was, as Oldgregg suggested to do it, get the file I need (which I can then export to .pdf) then delete everything, including the partition. If this works OK however I might keep it. I'm thinking of all those old Windows 98 era games I have tucked away somewhere that I might like to revisit.

I think I saw that page whilst I was trawling the web. I must admit I don't really understand much of what I've read. From what I do understand, if I had 7 or 8 I could reactivate this process which has been switched off by updates, but not in 10 as it is not there from the start. The software in question was bespoke, and both the company who wrote it and the one which commissioned it are now defunct, so finding any kind of patch or later version is a non starter.

It uses macrovision SafeDisc. I can try and run as XP but it doesn't resolve the issue that the process required to satisfy the softwares start process is not there, so it doesn't run.

The thread title is a little misleading. One is only speeding if you are exceeding the limit of the waterway on which you are navigating. I understand Lake of the Ozarks only has a speed limit after dark, or within the proximity of of a dock or landing stage. As dnks34 says, why have a speedboat if you are not going to go fast? And if you do have one and want to go fast do it in an appropriate place, as these people were. And of course, every now and again they provide the rest of us with a good laugh.

Hi all, help needed from tech experts please. I need to access a file created by old software which will not run on Win 10. The issue is the software, whilst it can be loaded will not run as it needs to be authenticated by checking for the presence of the original disk using a process not included in Win 10 by Microsoft. Did that sound good? I hope you understand what it means because I haven't got a scooby doo! Not a problem, I thought. I have an old retail version (not OEM) of Win XP. Genuine install media and COA, which I bought for a machine I scratch built in 2002. I will install it on a partition of my laptop giving me a dual boot option. I have two HDDs. A 250gb SSD which holds the OS and those programs I use most often and a 1tb HDD which houses all the media plus programs I use less often. I have partitioned that drive to create a new 150gb partition and labelled it X drive but when I try to boot from the Win XP install disk it keeps failing. It goes through the do you need to install 3rd party RAID / SCSI drivers etc but then a few seconds later hits a blue screen, you know the one "windows has shut down to protect your computer" ...... Is there a good reason why I can't put XP on a modern laptop, why I can't install it alongside 10 etc etc. Is there another way of doing it that would work? A virtual machine or anything of that nature. It's quite crucial that I access the file in question.

Nelson's Revenge I hope. Sorry, I thought you meant draught.

That's a bit harsh, there are one or two private skippers out there who know what they're doing.

Crikey Jenny, you Oulton lad's still know how to live it up. I was going to add that my nearest and dearest has to put up with the Crooked Barn but based on our latest visit it'll probably be Bacon Rolls and mushy peas for us too. No Belgian Buns though, that would be spoiling her.

An old boatman once told me, as you head round the bend towards the bridges, if you can see the bridges you shouldn't try and turn, unless you have no other option. I've always found that sound advice.

you can try that if you wish to demonstrate incredible stupidity, but I would not recommend it, or trying to turn in front of the bridges to an inexperienced crew who had asked for advice.

Of course, if you are stupid enough to ignore it and reach the bridges without sufficient clearance on a fast ebb you do, as you say have no choice but to try and turn before them. I have seen two people try down the years, both ended up with superstructure damage.

Yes there is, there is a height board before you get to the Yacht Station giving you plenty of chance to go about before reaching the bridges, where the river is wider and the flow not quite so fast.

First one here. Under no circumstances should you ever try to turn in front of the bridges on an outgoing tide. Even an experienced skipper can get into trouble very easily. Once you are beam on to the tide it is very difficult to get the bow around into the stream. Always go through the bridges and turn past the yellow post, or better still go under the lift bridge, have a look at Breydon and then turn back to the Bure. If you do decide to take the boat down to Yarmouth the best plan is to go down on the last of the ebb tide, moor at Stracey Arms and wait there until the tide stops. That way, by the time you get to Yarmouth the tide will be running in and you can moor up against the incoming tide with no need to turn. The staff at the Yacht Station will help you tie up and cast off once you are ready to leave. I'd still support the Acle option though, and if you've not spent out on the fun fair or Regent Road's tat shops then you can always stop at the Bridge Inn on the way back for a pint or two and a bite to eat. One of the finest pubs on the river.

Just to throw another option I would go for Acle, and in from there. The X1/X11 from the Kings Head which is a fifteen minute walk from the bridge run every half hour or so, non stop and take fifteen minutes. They offer a High5 ticket which allows unlimited travel for up to five people all day, I think it's £10 but check with First. That's quite handy as when you arrive at the Market Gates in Yarmouth you can jump on a Number 2 which takes you to the southern end of the pleasure beach, all on the same ticket.

The Nitrogen found in diesel forms NOx, which is the stuff that gives diesel it's bad name. The lack of Nitrogen in Petrol means the Oxygen molecules bind with Carbon to produce CO Or so I understand. I'm sure somebody will be along with Chemistry 2.2 sometime soon.

I can't agree with that, there is pretty clear advice on what to do, get out. Get out, and then be thankful that you had one fitted so you could be with us today to recite the story. Get off, and stay off until the alarm says it is safe to return. Cold and wet is better than dead. Carbon monoxide kills. You don't have to be asleep, it catches you unaware, makes you drowsy and puts you to sleep. A sleep you will never wake up from. I have lost a close friend to CO poisoning and would not be without proper detectors. Good quality ones with display to show ppm. It should be law that every habitable building has them, every boat, every caravan, every tent. There is no excuse.

Nice to see the Full English cooked properly. One pan, one oven dish. I've been on holiday with people who have cooked breakfast and by the time you've finished washing up it's time to start making lunch. Nice too to see no hash browns, no baked beans. They have no place on a proper English breakfast, though I would have liked a slice of fried bread. Warm the plates, if you have a grill over the oven that's ideal, the heat from the oven will do the job, if not stand them in hot water in the sink. The warm plates will keep the eggs hot whilst the bread fries in all the lovely bacon fat and butter from the tomatoes. Fresh tomatoes are a must too, not tinned that leave your plate swimming in watery juice. I can add a few of my tips. If you are holidaying on a boat remember to take a decent frying pan with you, there is rarely one on board. Once you have plated up leave the gas on low and put some boiling water and a tiny squirt of fairy liquid in the pan and oven tray. Put the pan on the gas and stand the oven tray on top of it. While you eat breakfast the greasy pans will clean themselves. Enjoy with a glass of Orange juice and that's two of your five a day taken care of.

I'd go down the orange oil route, rather than a solvent based remover which is likely to blight the surface of the perspex.

there are other things that need sorting too, road links, leisure services but that dine then fine. This is not some pretty little thatched cottage village, is an ex mining village, a village where children who grew up here cannot buy houses because they are too expensive so yes. sort the infrastructure and the homes are most welcome.