I need advice about my Hotpoint First Edition 1000 WM52?

I got this Hotpoint First Edition 1000 WM52 secondhand only a couple of weeks ago. I wasn't given a manual, so am unsure of all it can (or can't) do...

I have to click the dial around to make it spin after a wash, - is this supposed to be like this?
sometimes it seems to lose power halfway through wash (IE: Lock & lights off, even when full of water, for a few mins, then comes back on again??)
It doesn't seem to use the fabric softener that i put in for the wash?? - am i doing something wrong, or is it the machine...

Stephy
March 2007