Plastic Nev

If this is originally a Dell machine, the warning message will be in reference to some part of the original Dell set up and should have no bearing on your present problem. For it to have gone faulty again this soon after a Windows repair, suggests something like a hardware fault such as your hard drive. However I am no expert in that area so will pass this on to someone who is.

CD/DVD drives have two seperate heads, one for the CD, and one for DVD, it is possible the CD head has failed. A swap with a known to be working drive would prove that for you if it is possible to do, otherwise a new drive would have to be bought. However that doesn't explain why the external USB drive wouldn't work. Let us know if you can do a swap first and what the result is.

The sudden rise in "services.exe" is daft. However a thought went whizzing by and I caught it in time to ask, Can you keep a check on "Services.exe" while doing anything else except trying to play a CD or DVD, also does the same thing happen whether connected and on line, or also when off line?

Hi, this leap in CPU usage, suggests there is something running in the background, but only now and then. Next time it happens have a look in task manager, processes, and see if anything shows up as high usage at that time. Let us know and we may get to the bottom of this.

Hi again, there is no need for expensive (or even cheap) loudspeakers yet, a pair of I pod headphones will prove the point one way or the other and they can be got for a fairly low price, or even borrow a set for an hour or two. They are usually about 16 ohms impedance, so should prove there is a mismatch problem or not. see here for a set at less than£3-00 Soyntec Netsound 240 Headphones - Products Let us know if that does improve the volume or not, so it can be taken further if still a problem.

There is also one question that needs to be asked, but you will need the computer manual to get the answer, or if a separate sound card, the manual for that. It is one detail seldom found in the software. The question is, what is the rated impedance of the output from the computer, this will be something like 5 ohms or 15 ohms, and what is the impedance of the headphones again either 5 ohms or 15 ohms. If the output is 5 ohms, but the headphones are 15 ohms there will be a severe lack of volume. The only real way is to match the headphones with the output. Most PC speaker outputs these days are 5 ohms, or even 3 ohms. I hope that isn't too technical for you. I can explain further if needed.

Hi again Puzzled, I have found something that may help, have a look here- BurnWorld.com - MP4 Software for Downloading & Video Converting They have software downloads and a good description of what MP4 is. I hope that is of help. Edit to add, I have also found this freeware converter which may be of help- Free MP4 to AVI Converter 1.2 - Convert MP4, M4V, MP4V files to AVI or MPEG, iPod MP4 to AVI converter - Jacek Pazera

Hi, I have the U Lead version 6, just been to look through it but no mention of the file types it can handle, just DV or DVD. However I am also concerned that if your version of U lead came with the camera it should be able to be used with it. Next off the list is Windows Movie maker. you are right there as it will not handle MP4, at least not my version which could be a little old now any way. Can you give us some details of the camera, and model number so I can do a bit of research on it.

The worrying thing about this downadup/conficker thing is that as yet the scum that created it and therefore controls it, hasn't yet used it, as far as can be detected. It is still just sitting in all those infected machines doing nothing. During this time since its first detection, it leaves you wondering what it may all lead to. Has whoever it is been gathering other resources for something really big?

Dirty Polo is also well into self build, so both him and Dalo will hopefully be able to give you all the info you need.

Another of similarity. Couple in their nineties are both having problems remembering things. During a checkup, the doctor tells them that they're physically okay, but they might want to start writing things down to help them remember. Later that night, while watching TV, the old man gets up from his chair. "Want anything while I'm in the kitchen?" he asks. "Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?" "Sure." "Don't you think you should write it down so you can remember it?" she asks. "No, I can remember it." "Well, I'd like some strawberries on top, too. Maybe you should write it down, so's not to forget it?" He says, "I can remember that. You want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries." "I'd also like whipped cream. I'm certain you'll forget that, write it down?" she asks. Irritated, he says, "I don't need to write it down, I can remember it! Ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream - I got it, for goodness sake!" Then he toddles into the kitchen. After about 20 minutes, the old man returns from the kitchen and hands his wife a plate of bacon and eggs. She stares at the plate for a moment. "Where's my toast ?"

You know you are getting old when the memory starts to fade, like here-- An elderly couple had dinner at another couple's house, and after eating, the wives left the table and went into the kitchen. The two gentlemen were talking, and one said, "Last night we went out to a new restaurant and it was really great. I would recommend it very highly." The other man said, "What is the name of the restaurant?" The first man thought and thought and finally said, "What is the name of that flower you give to someone you love? You know... The one that's red and has thorns." "Do you mean a rose?" "Yes, that's the one," replied the man. He then turned towards the kitchen and yelled, "Rose, what's the name of that restaurant we went to last night?"

Hi Jlay, Is your mouse a wireless one? if so have you tried changing the batteries?

Hi Star, if you used the Nortons own removal tool it should have removed all of it, though a look in your registry might still show some small odd bits left, I wouldn't worry about them, as messing in the registry can cause hard to recover from problems.

I got this update on board earlier but thanks anyway.

Hi fremen, welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help. From how I understand what you want, you would like to have say one program or page open on one screen, and a different page or program on the other screen? I am sorry but from one graphics card, one computer and therefore one monitor output, it cannot be done, even though you are using a splitter, all that is doing is splitting or multiplying one signal by two. Our graphics expert may have suggestions which may involve two graphics cards, but I doubt even that is possible to obtain what you want.

Although not a Vista user myself, I think Vista still comes with the Windows Movie Maker, it should be in your program list if it is there. Once opened, there should be an option to "Import" video, this option will handle just about all types of video format, once imported you can then edit the video if you wish, and then send the finished video in whatever format you want, direct to disk, if there is burning software on board, Windows Movie Maker will find and use it.

Hi Glimmerman, in device management, a double click on the device itself should open a window that will tell you, and then us, what type of sound system you have, it may be the AC97 or some other type. Once we know that, we may be able to find a source for a driver for it. Please let us have as much information as possible as there are a few different types of sound systems.

For Mara Although I am not attractive and maybe smell a bit I have a sense of humour and also lots of wit. I am now old and wrinkly near ready for the wreath but my smile is full of laughter even though I have no teeth I want to rest, time to retire my aching bones and and all but deep inside I am full of life with you I could have a ball this worn out tired wreck is nearly out of time but I think you are so lovely won't you be my valentine.

Sorry to be so late in getting back to you. Unfortunately no I haven't used such an adapter. However if someone makes one and a reputable company at that, I should hope it will work OK and not cause any damage. Having said that, when I first saw your request I also was a bit sceptical, as your friend said, they are two very different technologies. Once I found there were several different devices, advertised but not in stock, by different retailers, my opinion changed though.

Sorry to be so late in getting back to you. Unfortunately no I haven't used such an adapter. However if someone makes one and a reputable company at that, I should hope it will work OK and not cause any damage. Having said that, when I first saw your request I also was a bit sceptical, as your friend said, they are two very different technologies. Once I found there were several different devices, advertised but not in stock, by different retailers, my opinion changed though.

Sorry to be so late in getting back to you. Unfortunately no I haven't used such an adapter. However if someone makes one and a reputable company at that, I should hope it will work OK and not cause any damage. Having said that, when I first saw your request I also was a bit sceptical, as your friend said, they are two very different technologies. Once I found there were several different devices, advertised but not in stock, by different retailers, my opinion changed though.

Having read this far, and a Hi Jasand again, I would say "Phew, thank goodness for last known good config" then wait till Friday when you can rescue your girls files, or, if you can get at them without a password or other security, download them all to CD's or DVDs to keep them safe if you know where, and what, they are. With that, I will leave tootech to carry on.

Hi again David, Now I have had a bit more time to look round for you, if that slot you do have is for Express cards, then Creative do a card that will fit. A little expensive at £60 but at least worth a look here- X-Fi Xtreme Audio Notebook After all the 2ZS was around that price when I bought mine. A shame the newer laptops come with the Express slot instead of the older PCMCIA expansion slot. Any excuse to squeeze some more cash out of us eh!:D Edit to add- If however I am wrong and the slots you have are just ordinary memory card readers, then have a look round that creative site, they also do USB sound cards. let us know a bit more about the slots you do have. Another possibility that may be worth considering in the circumstances, would be to look at perhaps a part exchange of the laptop for one with the facilities you need. You never know, you may get a good deal that way.

Hi again David, Now I have had a bit more time to look round for you, if that slot you do have is for Express cards, then Creative do a card that will fit. A little expensive at £60 but at least worth a look here- X-Fi Xtreme Audio Notebook After all the 2ZS was around that price when I bought mine. A shame the newer laptops come with the Express slot instead of the older PCMCIA expansion slot. Any excuse to squeeze some more cash out of us eh!:D Edit to add- If however I am wrong and the slots you have are just ordinary memory card readers, then have a look round that creative site, they also do USB sound cards. let us know a bit more about the slots you do have. Another possibility that may be worth considering in the circumstances, would be to look at perhaps a part exchange of the laptop for one with the facilities you need. You never know, you may get a good deal that way.