Plastic Nev

Hi, and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help. That error code could be the memory as it is often linked to a hardware fault, (not always though) can you tell us a bit more about the modules you have, are they all the same speed? are they DDR, DDR1 or 2 are they the same make? Have you tried removing them, one at a time, then check what the system says you have? And finally, in some circumstances they may have to be installed in a certain order when different sizes are involved. Let us know as much as possible about them, there are memory checking downloads but lets know what we have to deal with first please. Nev.

I also have been a bit busy so missed this, a belated happy birthday mate and if you like a bit of ragtime music, have a look and listen here- http://www.mediafire.com/file/rnkauagogew/Birthdayboy_Rag.MID I hope you have a decent MIDI file player for the best out of it, as I haven't got round to turning it to MP3 yet. Nev.

Hi, I am still a little puzzled by the error message you got "Sound driver enabled but not functioning properly" Was this with the sound card in, or do you still get it with the card out? It may be there is something wrong with Windows itself, that can be cured with a Windows repair as that actually replaces all the Windows files, but you will need a full Windows disk, not a recovery disk, and it must also be of the same type as the operating system as it is now, for example Windows XP Home. If you do have a disk have a look here for instructions on doing a Windows repair.- Windows XP Home Repair Guide Scroll down to the section on doing the repair, please take careful note of the instruction to press enter and not "R" for the first part of the repair process, only press "R" later in the process. Nev.

Hum, not sure about that error message, however Microsoft themselves have a similar procedure, just look at the "Fix it for me" section and click their link, here- Your CD drive or DVD drive is missing or is not recognized by Windows or other programs. if that fix works out correctly, but doesn't actually cure the fault, it may be the drive has died altogether, in which case you will need to buy a new one. Nev.

Hi, you can test the charger, (sometimes referred to as the power brick :D), if you have a voltmeter or multimeter switched to DC volts at a range above 10volts. If that is OK, then as Jelly Bean said it may be the power supply part of the motherboard inside the laptop, in which case it does mean a new board. However if no meter is available, the only other way is to check the supply "Brick" on another laptop that uses the same voltage.

Hi Kango, and welcome to uor bit of paradise. Well we think it is. I wonder if the name is in reference to the wonderful power hammer that I have spent some time bouncing around on.

Hi Liam, and welcome to our bit of paradise.

Hi, Click "Start" > Run, and type or copy and paste- msconfig click the "Startup" tab then scroll down to MsnMsgr, remove the tick. Click "Apply" then "OK". Should do what you want. Nev.

Hi Bob, I see you have already asked that question on the Acronis forum, but no reply there as yet. Here- empty recycle bin | Forums However if you are making a backup every day, how full is the external drive? is Acronis set up to delete previous backups? I am wondering if the drive is now full is all. Nev.

Hi, I do mean yes to the use of those connectors, however, although I know power supplies, I am no expert on graphics cards, so as far as I know it should be OK. However, if you want to wait for a better opinion from one of our other tech people who knows more on Graphics that is fine, and I recommend that you do. Nev.

Providing your power supply will provide at least 550 watts as this spec shows- GeForce GTX 280 then yes is the answer as far as I know. The important thing is that the power supply (PSU) can deliver that wattage. Nev.

Hi, just a follow up from Tootech, the fact the XP operating system on the disk is corrupt should not prevent you from seeing and at least copying the ordinary (Non XP) files. However, if that try of loading Windows 98 actually started a reformat, some data may be lost anyway. it all depends on how far the Windows 98 got before it refused to go further. Sorry about that, but I thought you should be warned. However there is nothing lost by trying, you never know, the files may be OK. Nev.

Basically, The monk is right. To go any further you need a full copy of Windows XP, or at least the proper recovery disk for each machine, any disk or floppy created from another machine will not work. If you get in touch with HP they can supply a recovery disk for that machine, the Time machine, being so old, you may not have any luck with the manufacturers so a Full copy of XP may have to be bought. Nev.

Hi Kathi, the direct IDE to SATA converters require removing the cover and connecting to a spare connection inside on the motherboard. However as your machine is one of the small ones there may not be a spare SATA connector. (Same connection type as the CD/DVD drive or hard drive) If not then it would be best to look for an IDE to USB connector so you can connect outside the computer via a USB port. If you wish to make that more permanent and keep the drive as an external storage device, you can get a USB "Caddy" or box, to fit the drive inside it. Just make sure the caddy is for the right size, either two and a half inch for a typical laptop drive or three and a half inch for a standard desktop drive, and for IDE. Nev.

Hi here is the link- http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/images/bluedemon/attach/zip.gif Fix CD Drive.zip And here are instructions to open it- How to create and use compressed (zipped) folders in Windows XP Scroll down the page to- How to extract files from a compressed folder Nev.

A video was taken at the time of winning this contest, unfortunately too long to upload to You Tube, and in the new High Definition format, meant I couldn't find a free program to edit it into two parts. However, I have managed to rip the sound track off the video, then pass it on to a friend who has kindly done a bit of work on it then hosted it on "Soundclick". It is called "Music for a festival" and is at the top of the page. the other music is stuff my friend has done himself. To play, there are three arrows, the right hand one is the HI FI download. here- Music page of Condor GB - MP3 music page on SoundClick

Hi, that "Fix CD Drive.reg" is actually an automated program that finds and deletes the problem filters. Goku is right to warn it can upset some programs, however it is extremely rare that it does so, and only on certain programs. As yet there is no definite list of programs that may be upset, but on the rare off chance it does upset a program, you should have either the original disk if a bought program, or proof of purchase to be able to download a new version if downloaded from the net. For all free programs, if corrupted, just uninstall the remains and re download a fresh one. Have you looked at a free anti-virus to tide you over yet? Nev.

Hi, try a right click on the task bar, is there a tick by "Lock the Taskbar"? Will unticking it release it? Nev.

Glad to hear it, and thanks for the update. Nev.

Hi, have a look here, check all your known details first, operating system ETC. Canon PIXMA MP260 drivers Nev.

If the upper and lower filter trick doesn't work or help, have you looked inside and checked all connections too it? The best way is power off, but leave plug in to retain an earth connection, then completely remove, then replace the leads plugged into the drive, both at the drive and also on the motherboard, do one lead at a time, this will make sure the connections are ok. If no luck after that I am afraid it may be the drive has died. Can you remove it and try it on a different computer? Nev.

Not a lot you can do yourself in this case JB. The only thing you can do is fend off those people by telling them to get their machines cleaned up, either professionally and pay good money, or to come here or other forums for expert advice and help. The folk in charge of Facebook, if not already informed, should be, and it is up to them to remove the offending infected video's. As general advice to others using Facebook, there is more and more infected stuff being posted, be careful and don't click any links or video downloads, even if you trust the person who supposedly sent it. It may not be them, and is as JB says, the virus itself is getting addresses and posting itself on.

Hi, if the disk actually spins up to speed, but is not being seen or read it may be a faulty disk drive, but there is one thing you can try first. Have a look at this sticky thread and Gokus post number7- http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/dvd-cd-rom-drives-and-printer-scanner-issues/4325-cd-dvd-drives-not-recognised.html However, until you have the drive sorted and you can install the antivirus you have bought, have a look at our recommendations for the free ones as a temporary measure. You may, like myself, prefer a good free one such as Avast, and get your money back on the disk. You can download and install them direct from the net, so no need for the drive. have a look here- http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/security-questions-av-firewalls-etc/3597-free-pc-help-recommended-security-products.html

Hi, again, yes the RAM has to be fully compatible, that includes the voltage too, at least to start off with, tweaking it later can be done, but you have to be sure you start with the right voltage. I wish you the best of luck as it just may be all those you have now are either not quite compatible, or as in the very rare case all now dead ones. Nev.

Great news jinkie, and thanks for letting us know. Thanks also for thanking me, even though in the end you found the drivers yourself. Please come back again if there is anything else. Nev.