Slimjet

[brainiac]

Have been using the Slimjet browser for the past few weeks (thanks, Chris), but it will not play embedded video in sites like bbc.co.uk. Is there any way round this?

[Buenchico]

That's weird! I watch loads of videos on the BBC site every day using Slimjet.

Video problems in some browsers can sometimes be solved by disabling hardware acceleration (or enabling it if it's currently disabled). It might be worth a try:
Cog wheel (top right) > Settings > Advanced > System > Move the slider to the opposite side of where it is now.

Otherwise you could try resetting Slimjet to it's 'out of the box' state (by using the option just below 'Systems', from the path above).

[brainiac]

Thanks, but there's no 'Advanced' when I click on Settings, but there is a 'Reset Settings' in the long drop-down list...

[Buenchico]

Even weirder!

'Advanced' should be on the left, as in this screenshot from my laptop:
https://ibb.co/9gTtNXw

[brainiac]

Sorry, don't know how to do screenshots, but mine doesn't look anything like that!

[Buenchico]

I'm beginning to suspect that you've installed the 64-bit version of Slimjet (which uses massive amounts of memory and is still a bit buggy), rather than the 32-bit version (which is generally recommended, even for 64-bit systems, uses less memory and is totally stable).

You should be able to check which version of Slimjet you've got via
Cogwheel > Settings > Help Centre > About Slimjet
although, obviously (if you've got a different version to me), you might see a slightly different path.

I'm seeing this when I do that:
"Version 28.0.3.0 (based on Chromium 85.0.4183.69) (Official Build) (32-bit)"

If you've got the 64-bit version, I suggest uninstalling it, RESTARTING YOUR COMPUTER and then installing the 32-bit version from here:
https://www.slimjet.com/en/dlpage.php

If you've already got the 32-bit version, but it's not showing as "Version 28.0.3.0", try updating it. (Cogwheel > Settings > Help Centre > Check Update).

[brainiac]

Thanks - when I check it says Version 10.0.13.0 (based on Chromium 50.0.2661.75)

[brainiac]

Can't update, says 'No newer version available!'

[Buenchico]

Flaming 'eck!

That version's four year's old! I've absolutely no idea how you came to install it!

Try updating it or, possibly better, uninstalling it, restarting your computer and then reinstalling it. Use the big blue button from my link at 1227 above to download the installation file.

[Buenchico]

Crossed posts!

Uninstall Slimjet.

Restart your computer.

Download and reinstall, as above.

[brainiac]

This is a mystery. Uninstalled it, shut down my laptop, restarted laptop (Slimjet shortcut now gone) then installed it from your link. But it still shows as Version 10.0.13.0 !

[Buenchico]

Which version of Windows are you using?

[brainiac]

Hi Chris. Out for a long walk this afternoon, it occurred to me that because my laptop is running Vista, Slimjet is 'choosing' to install an older (as you said) version that is compatible. Could this be it?

[Buenchico]

Although I've never heard of a program automatically defaulting to an earlier version when you try to install it on an old operating system (rather than the user being required to select an older installation file in the first place), that would, indeed, appear to be the cause of your problem. Version 10.0.13.0 was/is the last version of Slimjet to be fully compatible with Windows XP and Vista.

Chrome is no longer supported for Vista
https://computing.which.co.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/207787585-Chrome-is-no-longer-supported-on-Vista
and neither is Firefox
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/end-support-windows-xp-and-vista

Microsoft stopped providing mainstream support for Windows Vista nine years ago, so perhaps it's finally time to upgrade? (A refurbished PC, with a solid state drive, running Windows 10 would cost you around two hundred quid. I can provide you with a link to a recommended supplier if you'd like).

[The Builder]

Brainy... thanks to Chris, I have two refurbished desktops from AC Computers.

Highly recommended.

https://accomputerwarehouse.com/product-category/cheap-refurbished-laptops-uk/?_sfm__price=199+1799

[Buenchico]

Thanks, TB. That's one of the links I was going to offer to Brainiac. (I've bought loads of products from there, both for myself and others, with nothing but excellent value and service).

The laptop that I'm typing this on though, came from Kelsus (simply because AC Computer Warehouse didn't have anything suitable for my needs when I was looking for it). It's another seller that I'm happy to recommend, with this desktop in particular being what I'd currently be considering if I was in Brainiac's position:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dell-OptiPlex-Desktop-PC-Quad-Core-i5-8GB-RAM-240GB-SSD-Windows-10-Pro-Computer/313245447489