Plastic Nev

Hi, if your friend is willing to take the card back and refund any cash you paid, that may be the only simple answer, it is looking like there may be a fault with the DVI output from the card, hence why your brothers DVI monitor doesn't work on it either. This strange sound when power is off, does it still make that noise if the plug is pulled from the wall socket? If it does, I would be concerned that a capacitor is about to go as the noise could just be pressure releasing, which shouldn't be there any way. Nev.

Considering a BIOS password can only have been installed by a previous owner, I suggest finding that owner. We cannot help in any other way regarding passwords. This is because we have no way of knowing whether the equipment is genuinely yours or stolen. Sorry for that, but for others security we have to follow that rule. Nev.

Hi Baz47, welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help You can only install 64bit operating systems where the processor is capable of running 64bit. If you can tell us the model number and original make of the laptop we can find out for you if the processor is capable or not. As for data transfer from the old drive to the new one, depends on if the old drive is still inside the machine and connected, or now outside it. If outside, an adapter for connection to USB port is what you would need, the data then shows in the same way a pen drive does. All data then can be dragged and dropped onto relevant folders on the new hard drive. Nev.

Hi Joseph, Welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help. A lot may well depend on what imports are allowed into your country to start off with. However you seem to have most of your needs well covered. I will point out that where a laptop is equipped for two hard drives, they come with the two fitted, I don't know of any that has a spare bay but without a drive in it. I would rather be looking for a machine with one good sized drive, but with the thought that it can be removed and a SSD drive fitted later. As I am not in your country, therefore do not know if there are any limitations on imports or not, I cannot be specific as to which laptop to go for. Also some manufacturers may also not be importing due to restrictions they may face. Sorry I can't really be of more help as I don't know what is or is not available in your country. Nev.

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help. I can only find this site which is directly for it, is this the software? http://philips-sound-agent-2.software.informer.com/ However first thing I find is that it is fairly old and Philips stopped doing it in 2004 I believe, plenty of different entries on Google from different help forums, but at a guess it is software that basically takes over your sound system with the intention of improving the quality, but not sure about how. Information about how it works and what it does seems a little short, so as BeeCeeBee asked, how is it all connected together, and could you describe a little more about both the software and how it is connected to a hi fi, etc. Nev.

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help. Firstly you are very wise to not reformat that drive, neither should you yet try putting anything else on it. It does indeed look as if something has happened to have deleted all the files, now this is where we learn something about the delete process. What happens is the name and path to the file is removed and is all that happens. Under normal circumstances, that allows windows or any other operating system come to that, to write new data over the top of what was there. In your case, fortunately no new data has been written, or I hope not yet. This means that file recovery software can then scan and copy the data it sees, but remember, the original path and file name have gone, so each file is just given a numerical name as it is copied. To identify each file unfortunately means opening, and in this case being MP3 files, playing them to be able to recognise what it is. You can then of course rename it once you know what it is. The recovery software you used is not one I recognise, so can you please give me the full name, and if possible a link to the site from where you downloaded it. That way, once I or any other helper knows more about it, we may be able to better offer more help or at least make recommendation's for other software. Nev.

A bit cheeky that using your name Starbuck. Go find 'em with a big hammer mate!!:D

I am thinking that is the answer to all the problems, especially if the disk was not a Dell one. Your best bet now may be to write or E Mail at least to Dell requesting replacement disks. You will need the full model name and number, also if it is still stuck on the case, the service tag number. It will cost, but hopefully not too much. Otherwise it will mean buying a new full XP disk, if there are any still around, and installing from scratch. Nev.

Something I meant to ask earlier, is the new monitor a modern flat screen or another CRT type? I don't know if there may be a difference here, but in most cases a flat screen should replace a CRT without any major settings changes, resolution perhaps, but even if that was wrong you should still get something on screen to work from. I will leave it open in case anyone else has any idea's, but without some form of display, it can be tricky to diagnose what could be wrong and how to fix it. Nev.

Hi, I can't find any details regarding this Ksproxy, are you sure you have managed to get the full name? I am a little concerned about the restore CD you used as you say you bought the machine second hand with no disks, so can you tell us what this restore disk is, and where you got it please. It is vaguely possible it is something malware related, as on your other thread you are saying that no drivers can be installed. Nev.

Hi, I just checked this very comprehensive list of known dll files, and cannot find that apssk.dll in there either, a strange puzzle indeed. Have a look here= http://www.what-is-exe.com/ However the list is growing, so it may appear at some stage in the future. Next thing to check is maybe things you have set to run at start up, it may well be a missing file from one of those items. Again another list of useful stuff giving various start up entries, but couldn't find yours however, but still worth a look, it may remind you of something, here = http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_search.php?by=A

To just clarify a little more! Windows7 is now fully numerical or alphabetical in its storage system, and there is no way of turning that off. If you want pictures side by side, you must follow an alphabetical or numbered order now. It is a right pain in the neck I know, I also got a bit**&^% off with it at first, but learned now to name or number stuff so it falls into the right section. I also made different folders so photo's can be placed in a folder for the subject the folder is named for. I am afraid it is the only way. Nev.

Buying anything via the Facebook sale room is no different from buying from any private seller that you may find in the for sale columns of your local newspaper. I doubt Facebook will do anything as they do have a disclaimer about such sale rooms. Your argument is with whoever sold it and maybe Microsoft. If the seller cannot be found then Kens option of contacting Microsoft about it is the best option, though as I said earlier you just might have to pay for it to be a legal copy. If it turns out to be one of the many hacked operating systems, which can be from being the full system, right through to the bottom of the pile and being fully virus and other malwares pre installed. In that case, a new disk is the best. Nev.

In short an upgrade will not do that. You may have to get in touch with Microsoft at their UK offices and explain the problem, though you may have to buy a new key from them. That may cost as much as getting a new genuine copy on disk and loading that. Now I have seen Ken answered at the same time, indeed get your money back. Nev.

Once again, sorry for not remembering this, I would be asking for an inspection and quotation first if you do take it to a shop, describe the problem, IE, the fans run full speed from start up etc, but let them diagnose what the fault is. Be aware some shops may charge just for that, though others may not in the hope they can recoup their costs from doing the repair. However let us know what you find out from a shop if you take it in. Nev.

Hi James, Speccy is good but better for full general information is Belarc Advisor, from here= http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html The website looks a bit basic and dated, but don't worry, the download is the bees knees. Nev.

Does the computer have a PS2 socket, round coloured mauve or purple? (I know some Dell machines don't) If you do have that socket, you can get USB to PS2 adapters so the keyboard will work directly on start up. However, it may actually be going into safe mode, with no indication on screen, we cannot know. If you are confident the monitor works, it looks like a graphics fault. If you have a graphics card in a PCIe port, it may be that is faulty, but if no separate graphics card, it could be the graphics chip or chips on the motherboard. If your old CRT monitor went duff while plugged in, it just may have damaged those chips when it went. I am afraid in that case it can only be cured with a new motherboard. Nev.

OK do you have any disks that came with the computer or better a full XP install disk from Microsoft? Nev.

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help Ricky. A bit difficult to know anything with out a monitor that works, so first one is prove the monitor is OK by trying it on a different computer if possible. Next is borrow a known to be working monitor and try it on your computer. If that does work then it may then be possible to go from there. However, we can see if the monitor will work when the computer is in safe mode. Turn off the computer, then restart and keep tapping F8 key. If it is going to work with safe mode, things should come up on screen. Let us know how you get on and if it is possible to test the monitor or computer in the ways I said. Nev.

Hi, a couple of things, if you removed the hard drive and replaced, is check that the connections and cables are fully connected first. Secondly will the computer start OK with the new graphics card removed, assuming the motherboard has the normal simple graphic chips installed? Nev.

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help Mandy. I hope you find what you need, or that we can help you. Nev.

Well done, he has done well, but a look at some of the other entries shows he has some stiff competition to beat. Nev.

You just may have disturbed one or both or more RAM sticks if fitted, when you removed the graphics card, pulling out and replacing the RAM will have remade the connection. Nev.

Totally agree with Ken here, I would now be suspecting a problem with Ableton. There just maybe some incompatibility problem with something else that may be running in the background, and there are many things that do so, but antivirus software can sometimes be a problem with other software. Depends on which you are using, though I have seen clashes with AVG or Norton, especially older versions of Norton. Also similar with some firewall software too. A good idea to check out the Ableton site first and see if there are any similarities and solutions to your problem. An option you may not favour perhaps would be to look for other software capable of doing what you need as well and try using that instead of the Ableton. There are quite a lot of similar sequencers available with a lot quite able to do most if not all the Ableton can do. If interested in trying others, either as freeware, or shareware with the option to later buy the upgrade, there is a tremendous list of software available here= http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/ Have a look at MIDI sequencers, Production suite, and many more. You will find Ableton live there as well as Cubase and others. Nev.

Thanks for letting us know you have found the fault and the reason for the problem. It will possibly be of help for someone else. Nev.