KenB

Let's know how the uninstall - re-install goes.

Download and install the drivers that I linked to ( post 7 ) Before you do that uninstall the drivers as per the link in post 5. Then install the new ones. I will take a look at that error message now.

Just added a driver update ( our posts crossed ) - see my previous post :)

Hi Nicolle There is a more up to date driver here: click here

Hi Nicolle and welcome to ExTS If Nev's suggestion doesn't do it then look at repairing Office 2003 ( I assume this is what you meant when you wrote Windows 2003 ? ) Take a look here: click here You will need to scroll down for the repair options.

Simply ..... ££££££££££s

Hi Ray Is this the offending software ? click here Have nothing to do with it ( as Nev suggests ) Most of what this does you can do yourself if necessary [ for free ] And as Nev rightly points out - never trust your registry to third party software ............... leave well alone unless you know what you are doing or are being instructed by somebody who does :) We practice the old rule here ......... "If it ain't broke .......don't fix it" :)

As Steve says ...... no need for the outfit !! Just one look at the beard with a pint of something bitter sloshing around it would scare anybody http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/laughing/ugly-man-laugh-smiley-emoticon.gif

Hi Jeff and welcome to ExTS I note that you have posted this on a few forums. It will be interesting to see what advice they suggest elsewhere :) I am not aware of any that I can recommend - this is not to say that they don't exist. Somebody here my be more up-to-date You need a local firm rather than a national one in my opinion. Also - why pay when there is nothing wrong? I understand the need to possibly spread the cost but you may never need their services. I did find this company ( This is NOT a recommendation ) click here This covers repair / theft / damage and works out at £30 per year - which sounds like a good deal to me. The machines need to be under 6 months old. You would obviously need to do a lot more investigation. What happens when the machine is over a couple of years old? Is there an age limit? Does it cover software problems? ( this includes operating system problems ) Or is it just hardware? Does it cover replacement parts or just the labour? Does the pc need to be sent away - if so where to? Who does the repair? Home visits? etc etc I suspect that there will be limitations and only major breakdown will be covered. The majority of computer problems are relatively minor - and more of an inconvenience. "Cannot use the internet" for instance. This is where forums like this come in. ( Not that we cannot advise on bigger problems ) The guys and gal here are very good at what they do and advice is easy to follow. We are used to explaining to complete novices. If you run into any problems you know where we are :) I note that one piece of advice ( another site ) was for you to clone the hard drive - but they didn't explain what this was or how to do it :) Basically we would advise you to copy anything that you do not want to lose. ( photos / files etc ) You can do this using a memory stick or DVD disk. Cloning ( or imaging ) the hard drive is simply making a copy of the complete drive so that you can use it to re-install everything if the need arises. We can explain further if you wish :)

Thanks for the info Seedy21 :)

Hi Alex and welcome. I have moved your post from the original thread - you are better with you own. :) Not sure what one of these is ? ====================== Oh dear - I have just checked ................ Is there a Dudley in India ? you are now history :)

I think you have already worked out that it is probably a physical connection on the motherboard. Your hard disk is obviously fine. The problem with laptops is that they are difficult to take apart and work on. If you need any more advice just ask :)

It just goes to show that you cannot be too careful :) I will remove that link from my previous post - thanks for letting us know Ray.

You didn't answer the above. p2psvc = Peer to Peer Service It is not required for an internet connection - only if you are running something like a Homegroup. This too is connected with Homegroup Have you recently created / deleted a Homegroup on this computer ? Try a System Restore to a date just prior to the start of your problem.

Sorry for the slow response - I am on holiday at the moment. :) The external enclosure is probably the easiest option. A further thought - try taking the drive out and re-seat it to make sure that the connections are good. This is worth a try before you spend any time and money on the earlier suggestions.

Hi Sorry for the slow response - I am on holiday at the moment :) So - you have a wireless connection with the laptop BUT the pc that is directly connected to the router via the cable is the problem. Is this correct ? Also - there is no wireless adapter in the pc - is that correct ? Try right clicking on Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC then uninstall. Delete the driver. Reboot the machine and windows should locate new hardware > it will auto - install the drivers. Try the connection again.

Hi Ray There are some "old" versions of Google Earth here .......... supposed to be XP compatible. Give the most recent a try and see how you get on. Link removed - d/l contained malware !! [ see post below ] NB - I have not used this d/l site before and it is untested. You may wish to d/l the file and scan it before you install.

Hi and welcome to ExTS If the files on the hard drive are important to you then I suggest that we try to access those before we try anything else. There are a couple of things we can try: 1. Download Linux Mint from here: click here There are a few options - any will do. This is a Linux based operating system that will run from a CD - no need to install it. Once downloaded click on the ISO and burn it to a cd. Check that the CDROM is the first in the Boot Sequence in the BIOS. To do this you need to switch on and tap either DEL or F2 ( I tend to alternate if I am unsure ) about once per second. This should take you to the BIOS screen. Here you are looking for Boot / Boot Options / or similar There will be a list of options. The CDROM should be top of the list. If it isn't you need to move it up. It will tell you on screen how to do this. ( sometimes with the + / - keys ) If you do need to move it don't forget to "Save and Exit" ( usually F10 ) Once you have done this you simply put the Linux CD in the drive and switch on. It should boot up. ( DO NOT install the Operating System - you want to run it from the dosk ) You should be able to have a look around and find your files - assuming that the hard drive is OK. ==================== A far easier solution is to buy a 2.5 inch Hard drive to USB enclosure. ( example below ) click here[/url] You need to take your hard drive out and simply pop it into the case. You then connect the USB cable to another pc and the hard drive should be recognised. You access it like you would a memory stick and if you can see your files you can transfer them to the pc or burn them to disk. If there is a problem with the hard drive then with the adapter connected we can run a couple of tests from here. You need to make sure which type of connections your hard drive has. Most these days have SATA connections - but there is an older IDE ( they are very different ) If you are unsure click here Let me know if you need further advice on any of the above. :)

Hi and welcome to ExTS Click on Start > type in ...... devmgmt.msc ...... hit ENTER Click the > next to "Network Adapters" 1. Are there any yellow exclamation marks or red Xs ? 2. What is listed here ? 3. Is the problem the same with wireless and a wired ethernet cable ?

Hi and welcome to ExTS If you switch on and then start tapping F8 about once per second cam you boot up in Safe Mode or Last Known Good Configuration ? Which OS do you have ?

Your point is ??? If you are here to score points than I suggest that you take your talents and opinions elsewhere. We are not interested.

Wow ....... that is good service :) Let us know how you get on.

Hi my connection is intermittent ( not at home ) so may not be able to reply every day. As Nev says - try a new CMOS battery. They are quite common and you can pick one up in Halfords / Jewellers / some supermarkets too. It should be a CR3032 The + shows on top when assembled. You will need to set the date and time after replacing the old one.

Hi take a look here - there is some useful info that you may ( or may not ) have seen before click here "Defaults Loaded" seems to imply that the BIOS is functioning OK .......... just back to default settings. When you get the error - can you boot up ? Did you change the battery for a new one? Often this message is linked to a dying battery. Were your date and time settings correct prior to the problem ?

Hi Bob You seem to speak with conviction on a specialised topic. Do you have any background in IT ? I cant disagree - but "the bigger criminals" are also prepared to spread their net wider .......... a few dollars from hundreds of thousands of people by definition makes them "big time" and the "con artist" as you put it is probably not a guy sat in his back room but an organised syndicate. Either way ...... When MS remove support those of us with XP machines ( and I am one ) are going to have to be a little extra vigilant :)