Plastic Nev

Have you deleted that one? we need to finish up with absolutely no trace that it has ever been on the computer. Just as a matter of interest do you have a full copy of Windows XP to hand, not a recovery disk. If you have one, using it to perform a system repair will put Messenger back, maybe in an older version, but at least that can then be updated. Nev.

Hi again, have you tried a system search, including hidden files for Windows Live? just that on it's own, do not include the word Messenger? See what turns up if anything, and let us know. Nev.

If the loud clicking noises were mechanical sounding and from the case, not the speakers, I would be pretty sure the HDD is duff. Nev.

If those are definitely Messenger files then those are the files to remove, even though they are for an older version they are what is stopping the new download. Nev.

Snipping tool and quit a few other functions are actually there, however they are only enabled by the purchase and install of the Windows 7 upgrade to the next level from the basic Windows 7 starter pack. Nev.

Hi and a welcome to you from me to. Please also be aware that as well as swearing at 'em, some folk have also found out that the aerodynamics of a laptop, are not as good as you might think when thrown out the window. :D They don't fly very well :D Nev.

Hi, and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help, Even with the newer sound systems, plugging in headphones into the jack socket still operates a switch which then cuts the speaker sound, if the switch within the jack socket has become worn or broken then the speakers will stay on. No amount of setting changes will reverse that as it is a hardware problem. The jack sockets need to be checked out first I am afraid. Nev.

Can you do anything with the mouse pad, or even a USB separate mouse? If no virus is present, it could be the keyboard drivers faulty, but to get to device manager and go looking is going to be difficult as it does involve typing, however if a mouse will work OK, then copy and pasting is one way of short cutting letter and number keys that aren't working, Can you get at least that far, or not? Nev.

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help. It should be hold or push in the power button with the power lead disconnected and the battery removed. However, did this just happen, was everything OK previously? Have you downloaded any files recently from the net? Can you manage to run a scan with your anti-virus if you have one on? What security software do you have, as in firewall, anti-virus or other anti-spywares etc? It does sound a lot like some sort of virus or malware at the moment. Nev.

If you are connected to a router by a wireless link, it seems that although the main internet connection to the router is fine, it is the wireless link that is poor. Any chance you can connect via a cable and check again, if it then shows as a good connection then either you are too far away from the router, or there are walls or even furniture getting in the way. Nev.

Unless there is a fault with the hard drive I suggest ignoring that and the link. To install the original XP that the laptop came with you do need the recovery disk to do so. If you no longer have or never did have a recovery disk, you may have to get in touch with the company that made the laptop for a replacement. Nev.

If the date and time goes wrong again, especially after a full shut down and reboot, the Cmos battery is in need of replacement. If that is the case let us know and we can explain how to replace it. Nev.

Do you know which version of Internet Explorer you are using? It should be version8 if the machine is running XP, however if an earlier number than 8 it should be updated as I think around IE5, there was some instability that caused multiple windows to open, I know I suffered at that time. Nev.

A couple of questions to clarify things a little, first you say you wiped (I assume you mean reformatted) and installed Vista Ultimate, What did you use to install it please? You also mention you downloaded and burned to disk Vista Recovery, what exactly was it and where did you download it from? Was it the Vista recovery console? One thing you didn't need to do was to disable Windows defender, and also what sort of antivirus do you have if any? Answers to the above will help a great deal in going further for you. Nev.

Further to Randy's excellent suggestions the other alternative would be a friend who has a PS3, after all, all you want is to rescue photo's so a good mate would be pleased to help I would have thought. Nev.

Hi Biko, Have you got the Windows updates all installed since the service pack 1 was installed, I ask that as some of the gremlins have been sorted with the updates. If you have got them all installed and there is still problems, if you go back to the installed updates page, as a last resort you can uninstall the service pack. However, leave that till Starbuck gets back, he may know of other tricks that I don't. Nev.

Hi, do you have any earphones that can be plugged into the sound out jack socket? if they work it will at least prove the computer is OK and it is the speakers on the monitor or the plug or cable faulty. Can you also tell us which model number of Advent you have, I can then research and find out what type of sound system it has, odds are it may be a Realtek HD system but would like to be sure. Nev.

Hi, OK I am no gamer, or up to speed on graphics cards, however what I do know is the card itself may well be way under what you need for those games. I assume the card is the same as this one here http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/ati-radeon-hd-5000/hd-5450-overview/pages/hd-5450-overview.aspx#1 The specifications and system requirements show that it only needs a power supply of 400 watts, if your power supply is lower than that, then of course you will need to replace it with one of at least that 400 watts. However I would have expected a good gaming card to require a bit more than that. I will of course leave this for someone who knows more about graphics, but my guess is the card isn't quite up to the job you want it to do. Nev.

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help Gentlegiant, sounds like a university environment, but I could be wrong. We are here to help however, and advise, so all the best. Nev.

A very large number of people obtain a computer purely for the purpose of accessing the internet, they are at best technically challenged and further more have no intention of going any further than learning how to use the basic functions of their computer, they just aren't interested. It is folk like them who need decent AV, Firewall, and antimalware protection. Not everyone wants to be a geek you know. Nev.

Just for further confirmation, when Microsoft send out updates that may be quite large this is a common event, you may also see the Windows configuration completing when you re start the computer. All this is quite normal and nothing to worry about, just remember not to turn off the power, it normally shuts down itself at the end of configuration anyway. Then it is safe to turn off power if a desktop, if laptop, then nothing further needs to be done till you turn on again. Nev.

8042 Warrior, everyone has a right to their own opinion and beliefs, although your methods work for you, fine, but to advocate that antivirus software is no use or should be avoided, is not to be recommended to any other computer user. I will also point out that the full Comodo suit does contain antivirus anyway, but to disable that section, for most folk, would be rather silly. Nev.

Randy is correct, only programs and updates are affected or removed by a system restore, all files, even right up to this present minute, will still be there after the restore. Nev.

Hi Stan and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help. There is a tremendous amount of security software now available, so to try and say which is best is actually getting hard to do. However one thing you will find here is that we do recommend freeware of which there is a few good ones that come up to par with the paid for stuff, though in most cases the makers of the freeware do actually make paid for as well, just usually more bells and whistles such as automatic updating and things like that. However one or two freeware which do automatically update are Avast, and Microsofts own "Microsoft Security Essentials" Plus a few more, though those two are regarded as being among the best. This brings me to the next question, even among paid for, no single antivirus can protect you against everything. It just isn't possible, but as you may know you should never try and run more than one antivirus, two or more will conflict with each other. So the best solution is to have one antivirus running, but to also install one or more general antimalware program. These used to be called antispyware, but they are now doing a lot more than just catching spywares. Being static programs and only actually do anything once they have been set to scan, is the reason why more than one can be installed. You will find our security people regard Malwarebytes as being the top of any list. For my own preference I also have Superantispyware installed. At one time most folk were telling users to stop using Norton, but they have cleaned up their act a little since then, but all those you mention are maybe well known, but not quite as good as they could be considering you are paying for them. In the end though it is really down to you and what you feel happy with, providing you take notice of all recommendations and make your mind up from that. There will no doubt be many more will comment here on this thread, no doubt our security guys will be amongst them, and I would heed their advise above most others. Nev.

Wow, I started something here didn't I? Nice one Paul. Looks like I shall have to do something else myself now. Now what would get folk laughing? Nev.