BeeCeeBee

I have had good success with Acronis True Image. I know that there are some who prefer others but I do not judge by anything other than the fact that I have not only used it for back up but have fully restored one machine using it. The bottom line is that it works. You need to be certain that you enable the Startup Recovery Manager rather than rely on Rescue media. You will get it as an option for a few seconds every time you boot and before it starts loading windows. Very reassuring. One thing I am not sure about is exactly how you would go about restoring the system if the external drive where the image is stored becomes the C drive when you try to restore. It is a matter of settings I am sure. If the drive has not totally failed you may want to make a second image on the failing drive and, if it hasn't totally failed, swap the positions and recover from that 2nd image. Truthfully that may be overkill but it may make things a bit easier. I am sure there are others who will give better advice on settings but I do know that Acronis has worked without a hitch.

Sorry, if I had a long enough cable I would be glad to check it for you. :D But absent a cable problem I would bet on the monitor rather than the graphics card. That being said you could also try replacing the cable as well. Just make sure you are checking the connection both at the PC and the monitor.

Actually it really makes little difference other than the CRT thing. :) If you remove and check the cable (no bent pins) and it remains the same once reconnected the likelihood it is a fault in the monitor. On the other hand it could be an issue with the graphics card as well. I am not the greatest hardware expert in the world but it seems to me that the only way to test this is by process of elimination. The simplest component to eliminate is the monitor. It is also the moist likely source. Do you have access to another monitor even on a short term loan?

From what you describe I assume you are referring to an older CRT monitor. The kind that looks like an old TV. The simplest solution is to just make sure that your cable is firmly connected and that there are no bent pins on the connector. Believe it or not that is the most common cause of color loss. Of course it may well be that there is a fault in one of the tubes in the old monitor. If that is the case, based on current pricing it is time for an upgrade. The best test is to simply try another monitor that you know to be working.

Are you suggesting that the Windows Browser Choice download (KB976002) has disabled your browser and system restore? Was system restore working prior to the update? The browser choice update serves no purpose other than to comply with recent court cases in certain countries. It is my understanding that it only contains a series of links and explanations and should not have any major effect on your operation. (However I have not lived in Europe for some time so I am not all that sure of that.) I am wondering whether some other malware may have found its way in at or around the same time.

Thanks all for the kind thoughts!! I have finally reached the age where I understand my responsibilities and obligations in life. I hope it just stays with me until I am at least 30!! :D

Nothing is 100% and you have taken reasonable steps to secure your new machine. In the quote above you mention both AVG and Norton. The one thing you cannot do is use two real time antivirus programs. It is not a question of having them both installed but only one should be activly scanning your computer. There is nothing wrong with running SUPERantispyware along with an AV program however I am guessing that you are using the free version which is good but does not provide real time scanning. I would also consider running an additional antimalware program such as Malwarebytes. Just turn off one of those AV programs.

Window defender is insufficient by itself, get a good antivirus program and a better antimalware program. Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help has a number of suggestions posted. As for your "small registry cleaner," you are asking for trouble. Is the new laptop still using XP or is your profile still showing the old system. Finally what match is asking you for should not vary. It is telling you what the hardware is and not what it is doing at a given time.

To My Old Friends At FPCH http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp336/beeceebee123/Holidays/HappyChristmasComputerMouse.gif TO ALL AND YOUR FAMILIES!

Please feel free to move this but you are being spammed. Several of your last few members are either leaving visitor messages or signatures that are pure spam. I have banned them all from another site. Miansallu and neokin are ones that I recognize.

When I was living in Ireland I spilled coffee on my laptop keyboard and basically destroyed it. I dealt with a UK company off ebay called ACD Electronics. I don't have a link but I am sure you can find them. I got a brand new (Chinese manufacture ) keyboard that has served me well. It was under 20 stirling if I am correct. I had a small problem with one of the keys but did not want to return it and be without a keyboard. They actually got in touch with the manufacturer and had them mail me a replacement key and hinge. So If you feel comfortable replacing the keyboard they may be worth a try.

I have missed these updates Nev, :) Best of luck and keep us posted.

Congratulations you made it through another year!! http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp336/beeceebee123/SMILEY/Applause.gif

What is the state of the current software? Is it installed? Windows should recognize a scanner if it is working even if it is part of an "all in one." I would totally uninstall the printer and its software and start over. I doubt that will make the scanner software work but it should put it back into the control panel. If it does not, I suggest that the problem is with the hardware. It may be firmware (which basically tells the printer that it is a printer/scanner. Or it may be that the scanner is simply not functioning.

Try this, it will either work or it won't. I have never been able to access my HP scanner using the HP software on XP Home. With the printer attached and turned on, go to your control panel and then "camera's and Scanners" If the scanner is listed (and it should be) you should be able to run it from there.

CONGRATULATIONS RANDY!! It is a milestone worth noting. Many more years here on Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help, I hope and many more fine posts to come. Just never uninstall notepad!!:D

Even when you know it is coming it does not make it hurt any less. I am so terribly sorry as we all are, I am sure. Please let John know that he has our prayers and support. Barry

Raj when you clear private data one of the boxes to tick is for passwords so that even if you have it set to remember it will still clear them all. Once you log in again the password will be remembered until you clear it again. I am not sure that is what has occurred but if that is your only issue with firefox, then it is likely.

Just how extensive has your browsing been and when you try to go to microsoft are you redirected to another site or does it just fail to open. The likelihood is that Tootech is correct but that also assumes a very minimal amount of browsing and no redirects.

It would seem that you should not have picked up a virus or other malware since you have not been connected before but that may not be the case. What, if any, security programs ( Anti virus, anti malware-spyware, firewall) have you installed on your machine? Also, have you installed any programs that others may have downloaded from the internet and put onto discs or flash drives?

Are you attempting to scan using supplied software? If so, you may want to see if you can access the the scanner through your Control Panel (Scanners and Cameras) it is possible that you may be able to use it from there. Despite having software it is the only way that I am able to use an older scanner in XP.

Now that we know that there is a good alternative to OE, the real question is why make the change. I have always found OE to be a pretty reliable mail client. Is there something about Thunderbird that makes it better alternative rather than just an alternative for the sake being an alternative?

Was watching the Masters Tournament from the States when I happened to click the remote only to find another silly Simon Cowel talent contest. I heard this equally silly looking person announce a personal favorite from Les Miserables. I decided to give it a listen and have a laugh. Laugh was on me. (As it so often is) That was worthy of a cast album. I would pay to hear her sing again.

No problem, how did you connect to Orange before? Were you wired to a router or did you use a wireless connection?

The short answer is yes. However, if all you want is to transfer your data from the old hard drive into what I assume is a new PC you may be better off using it as an external hard drive with a caddy and converter to allow it to be connected by way of USB cable. If the PC is new and under warranty you may want to be very careful about opening it and installing old hardware. At the same time, once you transfer what you need from the old drive you will have the opportunity to reformat it and use it for storage and backup.