joddle

What soundcard does your Dell use - if Soundmax then there is a well know cure for this.

Of course - should have realised that - with so many things going on it had simply slipped my mind - but many thanks for the reminder - al working fine now!:)

Well happy to say reinstall was much easier than expected - reformatted the HDD and then did a clean install using 64bit iso instead of 32 one. The only issues were niggles really - I had forgotten how I overcame installing a print driver for my aged HP laserjet 1300 but after a few attempts got it working OK - then had to remember how to re-enable the stereo mix and the rear low level inputs - again after a bit of fiddling got that all working again so now have a machine working happily again -and a good bit faster! All in all about an hour to do he reinstall and load up all my software again and recover my files from the backup - then another two or three hours trying to remember how to re-install the printer and soundcard drivers!!! (have now written it all down in case I have to do it again!!!) :o

I have tried to do a repair install but it failed so I have decided to cut my losses and do a clean install using the 64bit iso - maybe its better n the long run - just a *** to reinstall all the software! Many thanks to all of you who tried to help me - it is very much appreciated.

Maybe we are getting closer - Have done as suggested but when run the tool says "you need a Microsoft account to sync your settings" the next page then says "Problem found - Microsoft account required" But if I try and log into my account, because the internet is not connecting to apps it wont do anything, although I can log into my MS account on a normal screen! but that seems not to be recognised by the tool or the apps. Its as though the apps side has become detached from the rest of the system and it all seem to focus around my MS account. I seem not even to cant create a new account from the apps!! I do have an MS account which is working fine on my other PCs

Not blaming you Starbuck and what you suggested did seem to cure the ad ware issue so many thanks indeed- maybe I made a mistake in the instructions but I thought it had created a restore point but after the update but I could find none - also I noted that restore points had been disabled so may be that's why it did not work! not sure how that had happened either and not sure what has gone wrong at all. Is a full OS reinstall now my only realistic option?

Well tonight an identical PC started to do automatic updates - as this machine is less important than the one with issues I decided to let it go and see if the problem was repeated - thank goodness it did not - all apps running fine after the update finished. There must be something really simple to stop the apps connecting to the internet - I can't even log on via the apps to my MS account although I can do that from the desktop - but that does not then translate to anything for the apps! I feel a bit stupid for not creating a restore point after Starbuck had helped me clean the PC of adware - lesson learned but that does not help the issue now - am I heading for a complete OS reinstall?

Just to confirm - the internet works fine from the desktop and all desktop programmes run OK and can connect as normal - its only apps that wont connect to the internet - they try and open but then halt with a "no internet connection" message so it seems there is something stopping the connection but what? Edge simply says it cant connect and wont go any further whilst the desktop browsers all work normally! The error message when I try edge says "The error code is 0x80072EE7" but cant find much info on that and the MS "fast fix" for that error does not work on my OS.

I would normally have done that but following another issue, Starbuck advised me to run ADW cleaner and also JRT and it seems they have removed all my restore points! Any other ideas please?

Just noticed that none of my apps will connect to the internet either!!! - Working fine on other PCs but they have not yet performed an update today - IE and Chrome working fine as is my email (thunderbird) What can have done this - the only thing that has changed is the update this morning.

Have just restarted the pc after an automatic update and now I cant use edge no access the store - they were working fine this morning but as soon as the update had been performed they simply wont connect to the Internet anymore although Chrome and IE work fine - Help please.. this is driving me mad -

Thanks - I have now run JRT and below is the report. but not at all sure about what it has found and done! I have also checked the setting on Malwarebytes and it seems to be exactly as your screenshot - and it always looks for and installs any update when I run it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Junkware Removal Tool (JRT) by Malwarebytes Version: 8.0.4 (03.14.2016) Operating System: Windows 10 Pro x86 Ran by Josh (Administrator) on 11/04/2016 at 8:15:31.85 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ File System: 3 Failed to delete: C:\ProgramData\pdfforge (Folder) Successfully deleted: C:\Users\Josh\AppData\Local\crashrpt (Folder) Successfully deleted: C:\WINDOWS\wininit.ini (File) Registry: 2 Successfully deleted: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{38279E1A-7019-40C1-B579-E99DFB3312E8} (Registry Key) Successfully deleted: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\\{23FD9C33-A9E1-48A1-8404-E5925CF1C8E1} (Registry Value) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Scan was completed on 11/04/2016 at 8:16:58.23 End of JRT log ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So far since the big clean up no odd messages - seems your advice has done the trick - many thanks. So what is your advice for anti adware - should I ditch Malwarebytes for something else? or run it along with something else?

And here are the logs off all the other PCs on the network - (except Surface running W8.1RT) # AdwCleaner v5.109 - Logfile created 10/04/2016 at 10:44:37 # Updated 04/04/2016 by Xplode # Database : 2016-04-09.1 [server] # Operating system : Windows 10 Pro (x86) # Username : Josh - DELL3GB # Running from : \\MAIN755\Archive\installation\Downloaded programmes\adwcleaner.exe # Option : Clean # Support : http://toolslib.net/forum ***** [ Services ] ***** ***** [ Folders ] ***** [-] Folder Deleted : C:\Hola [-] Folder Deleted : C:\Program Files\Hola [-] Folder Deleted : C:\ProgramData\apn [#] Folder Deleted : C:\ProgramData\Application Data\apn [-] Folder Deleted : C:\Users\Josh\AppData\Local\Hola [-] Folder Deleted : C:\Users\Josh\AppData\Roaming\Hola ***** [ Files ] ***** ***** [ DLLs ] ***** ***** [ Shortcuts ] ***** ***** [ Scheduled tasks ] ***** ***** [ Registry ] ***** [-] Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\MozillaPlugins\@hola.org/FlashPlayer [-] Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\MozillaPlugins\@hola.org/vlc [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{884189CF-7C10-41E8-A014-F7B2BE40AADB} [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\{6978F29A-3493-40B2-8CDC-9C13A02F85A4} [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\{D7949A66-D936-4028-9552-14F7DC50F38D} [-] Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\APN PIP [-] Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Hola [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Hola [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\SearchProtect [-] Key Deleted : HKU\.DEFAULT\Software\Hola [-] Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\InternetRegistry\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-2363833853-3689249111-2580041171-1000\Software\AskPartnerNetwork [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\8036C72171EF4ba46856BF57969F6A36 [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\89BB7852687BDC34B9A81E01C7FF9173 [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\8CBC85D72B148084ABE8C2F072F781F4 [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\8CC5A38A64D6098468BC8395BA0EFF03 [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\8DF9A1AC557F56c49B56F6B83E293C15 [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\A97C590397DCC454AA8923563BAB10E4 [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\B08932C78B697C244BE7BA3E6FF09B62 [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\CFA51B44D54927c4E9B7BC1D3FD1E49F [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\D14A7F65792054F418578C78367D13F7 [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\DFE9F0BD163D827438CB6AD6B100EC48 [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\F739A19A8327dc64C9A8B641A9E89646 [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\158D6D9E3FE81fa428925F22ACB3A965 [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\15E6C514FEFC09f45BAFAAE1D7546ED4 [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\1DB42320A8525634AA089F0BEC86473B [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\22468B0D6050b2e46B9C4B67A8F59577 [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\2251BF05A2F606d43BB064BD63CBD87E [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\3255D95681398614190EDF0A4F3F77DB [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\3CDF313E9B28c944FBC7579CF4949414 [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\71E54748EDD3dc1468548785DC856EDA [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\754590DD06DE8d249B526503432F99D4 [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\UpgradeCodes\7AB5857A57A0687786597A857BFFFFFF [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UpgradeCodes\7AB5857A57A0687786597A857BFFFFFF [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MsConfig\StartupReg\ApnTBMon ***** [ Web browsers ] ***** ************************* :: "Tracing" keys deleted :: Winsock settings cleared ************************* C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[C1].txt - [4909 bytes] - [10/04/2016 10:44:37] C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[s1].txt - [4931 bytes] - [10/04/2016 10:43:17] ########## EOF - C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[C1].txt - [5055 bytes] ########## # AdwCleaner v5.109 - Logfile created 10/04/2016 at 10:45:02 # Updated 04/04/2016 by Xplode # Database : 2016-04-09.1 [server] # Operating system : Windows 10 Pro (x64) # Username : Josh - DELL780FAST # Running from : \\MAIN755\Archive\installation\Downloaded programmes\adwcleaner.exe # Option : Clean # Support : http://toolslib.net/forum ***** [ Services ] ***** ***** [ Folders ] ***** [-] Folder Deleted : C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverToolkit [-] Folder Deleted : C:\Program Files (x86)\TweakBit [-] Folder Deleted : C:\ProgramData\TweakBit [#] Folder Deleted : C:\ProgramData\Application Data\TweakBit [-] Folder Deleted : C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\TweakBit [-] Folder Deleted : C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\DriverToolkit ***** [ Files ] ***** ***** [ DLLs ] ***** ***** [ Shortcuts ] ***** [-] Shortcut Disinfected : C:\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Search.lnk ***** [ Scheduled tasks ] ***** ***** [ Registry ] ***** [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Record\{425E7597-03A2-338D-B72A-0E51FFE77A7E} [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Record\{915BB7D5-082E-3B91-B1E0-45B5FDE01F24} [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Record\{2009AF2F-5786-3067-8799-B97F7832FDD6} [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Record\{FB2E65F4-5687-33EF-9BBF-4E3C9C98D3B9} [-] Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{AE07101B-46D4-4A98-AF68-0333EA26E113} [-] Key Deleted : [x64] HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{AE07101B-46D4-4A98-AF68-0333EA26E113} [-] Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\DriverToolkit [-] Key Deleted : HKU\S-1-5-21-2623549667-1798606694-2243065831-1000-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\Software\DriverToolkit [-] Key Deleted : [x64] HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\3152E1F19977892449DC968802CE8964 [-] Key Deleted : [x64] HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\649A52D257CA5DB4EAAE8BA9EB23E467 ***** [ Web browsers ] ***** ************************* :: "Tracing" keys deleted :: Winsock settings cleared ************************* C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[C1].txt - [2172 bytes] - [10/04/2016 10:45:02] C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[s1].txt - [2426 bytes] - [10/04/2016 10:43:51] ########## EOF - C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[C1].txt - [2318 bytes] ########## # AdwCleaner v5.109 - Registro generado 10/04/2016 en 10:53:53 # Actualizado 04/04/2016 por Xplode # Base de datos : 2016-04-09.1 [servidor] # Sistema operativo : Windows 10 Pro (x86) # Nombre de usuario : Spanish Dell - SPANISH755 # Ejecutado desde : \\MAIN755\Archive\installation\Downloaded programmes\adwcleaner.exe # Opción : Limpiar # Apoyo : http://toolslib.net/forum ***** [ Servicios ] ***** ***** [ Carpetas ] ***** [-] Carpeta eliminar : C:\ProgramData\apn ***** [ Archivos ] ***** ***** [ DLLs ] ***** ***** [ Accesos directos ] ***** ***** [ Tareas programadas ] ***** ***** [ Registro ] ***** [-] Llave eliminar : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{1AA60054-57D9-4F99-9A55-D0FBFBE7ECD3} [-] Llave eliminar : HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\InternetRegistry\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-156927757-916406335-1171728041-1000\Software\melondrea [-] Llave eliminar : HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{84797D2E-B3F9-4E72-931C-84BD88626611} ***** [ Navegadores Web ] ***** ************************* :: Llaves "Tracing" removidas :: Winsock Configuración borrada ************************* C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[C1].txt - [1182 bytes] - [10/04/2016 10:53:53] C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[s1].txt - [1386 bytes] - [10/04/2016 10:47:12] ########## EOF - C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[C1].txt - [1328 bytes] ##########

I use avira pro as my antivirus and ran Malwarebytes for malware checking. Now have just run ADW as instructed and the log is here - not sure what that all means though! # AdwCleaner v5.109 - Logfile created 10/04/2016 at 10:31:40 # Updated 04/04/2016 by Xplode # Database : 2016-04-09.1 [server] # Operating system : Windows 10 Pro (x86) # Username : Josh - MAIN755 # Running from : C:\Users\Josh\Downloads\AdwCleaner.exe # Option : Clean # Support : http://toolslib.net/forum ***** [ Services ] ***** ***** [ Folders ] ***** [-] Folder Deleted : C:\Program Files\TweakBit [-] Folder Deleted : C:\ProgramData\TweakBit [-] Folder Deleted : C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\TweakBit ***** [ Files ] ***** ***** [ DLLs ] ***** ***** [ Shortcuts ] ***** ***** [ Scheduled tasks ] ***** ***** [ Registry ] ***** [-] Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\APN PIP [-] Key Deleted : HKU\S-1-5-21-1359800976-2264866879-497154635-1001-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\Software\APN PIP [-] Key Deleted : HKU\S-1-5-21-1359800976-2264866879-497154635-1001-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-1\Software\APN PIP [-] Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet Explorer\EdpDomStorage\akamaihd.net [-] Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet Explorer\EdpDomStorage\en.softonic.com [-] Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet Explorer\EdpDomStorage\istartedsomething.com [-] Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet Explorer\EdpDomStorage\photocopier.en.softonic.com [-] Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet Explorer\EdpDomStorage\rar-file-open-knife.en.softonic.com [-] Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet Explorer\EdpDomStorage\softonic.com [-] Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\akamaihd.net [-] Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\en.softonic.com [-] Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\istartedsomething.com [-] Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\photocopier.en.softonic.com [-] Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\rar-file-open-knife.en.softonic.com [-] Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\softonic.com ***** [ Web browsers ] ***** [-] [C:\Users\Josh\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Web Data] [search Provider] Deleted : uk.ask.com ************************* :: "Tracing" keys deleted :: Winsock settings cleared ************************* C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[C1].txt - [3929 bytes] - [10/04/2016 10:31:40] C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[s1].txt - [3958 bytes] - [10/04/2016 10:29:26] ########## EOF - C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[C1].txt - [4075 bytes] ##########

I saw the note from Google and I do use the captcha and it normally then allows me in but the next search often come up with the same thing. Is seems to react more to questions on "how" to do something but for years I have had nothing but in the past few weeks this seems to be the norm! - Have checked again for viruses and malware but my machines seem clean so not sure what's doing this - I don't have AVG on the machines I am using at the moment although it is on one laptop but that is not in use at the moment.

For the past few days, I am regularly getting a message from google saying I need to fill in a capcha because of unusual traffic from my network. I have checked for malware and viruses etc and nothing here., In fact nothing appears to have changed on my system yet this happens from the pcs as well as on the ipad and on my surface RT. Why has this suddenly happened? and what can I do about it?

I think the answer to my problem must be simple - but for the life of me I cant find it. The issue is as follows on my system with all PCs running W10 I have a network of 4 pcs and one of them acts like a library for the others. On that PC is a large HDD containing loads of stuff which can be accessed from the other PCs The drive has two primary folders, one called "archive" and one called "files" So far so good I have made the drive sharable and it appears under the network on all the other PCs and when I click on it I can see the two main folders on any of the other PCs. All looks good at that point. However, although I can open and view the contents of the "archive" folder and any of its subfolders, I cannot do the same with the "files" folder - if I click on that all I get is a message saying "Windows cannot access etc etc"! Also if I make any of the sub folders in "files" sharable they too appear on the other pcs but again if I try and access them I get the same "windows cannot access etc etc" message. Any help please - this is driving me crazy....

YEs good so far but still not 100% - for instance it now take a long time for all the PCs on the network to find each other - sometimes I have to click on a particular PC a couple of times to get it to respond. Much better than before and no repeats so far of the annoying little box asking me to log in and provide a password every time I try and access another machine on the network. Conversely the homegrou0p now only has the connections it should have but I did nothing to change that - that all happened during the update! As I basically use on PC as a library to access material from the other machines to save duplication, I wonder if I actually need a homegroup! Could I just use the network instead? What's the advantages/disadvantages of the homegroup anyway? - not really sure about that.

WOW - this morning the pcs have updated again - an lo and behold, the networking issues seems to have been solved as I can now see all my pcs from "network" and access all the shared folders etc. And to boot the homegoup seems not to have been wrecked this time either :)

Those inks are very interesting and confirm the issues I am having are real and not just me! The biggest issue is that often the PC that created the homegroup seems to think it is still there even when you have left it!. At the moment the only solution I have found that works is thus: 1) Leave the homegroup on all PCs - 2) turn off all the pcs 3) reboot one of the pcs which did not create the last homegroup 4) create a new homegroup 5) boot up the other pcs and join the new homegroup. Then you have to recreate the shares but that is pretty minor. There must be a better way of connecting the PCs together ! ! ! ! !!

Although on the whole I love W10, the past few days havereally tried my patience. I have 4 pcs allrunning W10 and linked using my router and a homegroup. However, every timethere is a major update to W10, such as there has been over the past few days,as each machine updates itself it knocks out the functionality of the homegroup.The homegroup always appears to be there but the other PCs can’t see it and itcan’t see the others. When this happens, if I disconnect the recently updated PC from the homegroupthen try joining it again, but nothing gets better – the other PCs are stillinvisible and it is invisible to the other PCs. This happens to each PC as it gets updated. The only way I have found ofgetting a homegroup up and running again is to disconnect every PC from thehomegroup and reboot each machine. I can then create a new homegroup on onemachine and then successfully connect each PC to it. BUT WHY?? – this is a real pain. Why do major updates dothat?? MS should do something to stop it happening.

Update - solution was easy in the end - I simply set the browser internet settings back to default and everything sprang into life again - no idea why though!

I am running one machine with dual boot - w10 and XP as I still have several specialised programmes which won't run under W10. The two systems are on different hard drives. Under W10 everything works fine. and I can use either the WI FI or Ethernet t connect to the internet Under XP, I have problems connecting to the internet. Both the wifi adapter and the Ethernet say they are connected and confirm the status in the little icon in the bottom right hand corner. The router flashes accordingly suggesting the connection is good However if I try and connect to the internet nothing works - and even trying the diagnosis it fails to connect. I have tries disabling and re-enabling both adapters and tried each one on its own as well as together and still no joy. Its as if there is something in the software stopping it but I don't have a clue as to what. Any ideas please!

Yes that makes perfect sense. Time for a new router methinks - I was going to change anyway as the kids tablets and pcs all have N capability so perhaps the old router is getting a bit long in the tooth - many thanks for your reply. .