KenB

I have heard from Bella11 Apparently the above fix worked .............problem solved :)

Hi Bella - that was me. :) I appreciate you taking the trouble to post a "thank you". Your other thread is here: http://extremetechsupport.com/threads/15144-Bella11?p=98620#post98620 It is in "Suggestions and Feedback" - perhaps this is why you couldn't find it. You should get an email with a link to it - did this not happen ?

Hi macp ( we are almost neighbours :) ) I have tried the link above and can access the site no problem. Please wait for starbuck to give your machine a clean bill of health then we can take it from there :)

You are welcome I learned a bit today too :)

Hi and welcome to ExTS I deleted your other post as I have replied to this one. The attributes of the files may well have changed and they may be hidden. If you are using Vista do the following: Start > Computer ......make a note of the drive letter for the pen drive ......... lets say X: Start > type in ....cmd ......now click on cmd.exe that appears top left > Run as Administrator You will see a small black screen. Now type ....... X: .....hit ENTER [ remember to use your own drive letter ] You will see X:\> Now type ATTRIB -H *.* /d /s ........now hit ENTER - please note there is a space between each element *.* is one element so ATTRIB (space) -H ( space ) *.* etc. This will reveal all hidden files on your pen drive. Let me know how you get on.

EDIT - I wrote the explanation before I read your last post!! I MUST learn to read previous posts I MUST learn to read previous posts I MUST learn to read previous posts ....... :) Good to hear that you are up and running. I will leave the explanation below as somebody else may find it useful. ========================================================= Thanks for the prompt :) OK - it is possible to access the Boot.ini file with the hard drive connected to another system. This is a bit long-winded but stick with it.... First you need to connect the problem hard drive to another system. To do this you would need a hard drive to USB adapter or connect it internally on the other system. ( If you need more help with this just shout ) Now the interesting bit :) Once you have the drive connected you should be able to see it by clicking on "Computer" [ My Computer for XP ] It will show up here as a drive letter .............let's say X: [ remember your drive letter - you will need it later ] If you click on X: you should be able to see the files that are on that drive. Now goto Start ( then Run for XP ) and type in .....cmd [ for XP just hit ENTER ] Vista / Win 7 do not hit ENTER but right click on cmd.exe that appears top left of screen > Run as Administrator. This will take you to a black screen http://cdn1.blogsdna.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/windows-7-elevated-command-prompt.png At the prompt type the following: X: ....... hit ENTER [ remember substitute your drive letter for X: ] You will see this: X:\> Now type the following ..... [ please take note of the spaces ] ATTRIB -S -R -H "boot.ini" ......[ there is a space after each section ..... i.e. after B / after -S etc. ALSO ..... boot.ini should be in inverted commas just as typed] It will look as if nothing has happed as the screen will revert to X:\> You have now removed all attributes from the file and we should be able to view it and edit it. The file is a Hidden System Read Only file ......except that it isn't now :) At the prompt now type edit boot.ini .....and hit ENTER [ no inverted commas this time ] You should now see the Boot.ini file as it is on the problem drive. Check this against the standard Boot.ini file below: [boot loader] timeout=30 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW S [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Home" /fastdetect What is written in inverted commas is unimportant - "Micro soft Windows XP Home" is just what appears on boot-up to give the Operating System a name. Also there is a space before /fastdetect The above is for one hard drive with the OS on the first partition ( C: ) Once you have checked and altered the Boot.ini file then click "File" [ top left ] > "Save" Go back to the command prompt and type X: [ your drive letter ] ......ENTER Type edit boot.ini ....... just to check that you have it correct. If all is well type: ATTRIB S R H "Boot.ini" ................ENTER [ again note the spaces ] This will give the file the attributes that we removed earlier. Return the drive to its rightful place and try booting up. Hopefully all will be well :)

I am thinking that it may be possible access the Boot.ini on the problem drive by attaching it to another system. I need to check this out first for you ...... too late now ..... will need to do this tomorrow. Please post a reply as this will prompt me to look at the thread :)

Hi This is a typical Boot.ini file: [boot loader] timeout=30 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home" /fastdetect ===================== Do you get an error message when you try to boot up ? Are you saying that the CDROM drive is not active ?

It sounds as if you have deleted the XP option from the Boot.ini - otherwise it should have booted. Do you have the original XP installation disk - not recovery disks ?

I have closed this thread for the moment - let's continue in the other one. http://extremetechsupport.com/threads/15150-wired-and-wireless-connection-reconnecting-all-the-time

This seems a bit extreme !! =============== EDIT I thought I recognised your problem ..... I have advised you on CHF. http://computerhelpforums.net/threads/internet-connection-problems.34612/ It was me who took you through It was also me who suggested that it may be malware related. It was me who identified a Password Stealer on your system .... amongst other things. etavares then picked up the thread and was helping you remove the malware. This is where you threw your rattle out of the pram because things were not moving quickly enough for you. DSTM had to remove your bad language from a post and you were banned from CHF. Your system DOES have malware on it. The cause is more than likely the P2P software that you have on it. This may - or may not be the cause of your networking problem - we will never know because you have excluded yourself from any assistance here with your comment above! We approach problems logically. If malware seems to be involved than this is dealt with first. You obviously know better. If you go elsewhere you will be told exactly the same.

Hi and welcome to ExTS :) Is this a desktop or laptop ? Download Speccy from here: click here You want the free version. Install and run it. On the default page it will give you 2 or 3 temperatures ..... copy this and post it here please.

Hi, Did you have separate hard drives ? I don't understand ...... if you deleted the second boot option ( bottom line ) then the machine should just boot from the primary disk. ( first in the boot order ) ...... assuming that the boot.ini file is still good. You should not get a choice. The MajorGeeks example shows XP Pro on 2 partitions ( same drive ) They were suggesting deleting the second option ( partition 2 ) If you have 2 hard drives - which OS is on the primary drive ? If you have 2 hard drives ..... if you disconnect the Win 7 drive .... does the XP drive boot up now? How did you have the dual boot set up ? I assume it was the XP Boot.ini that you altered as Win7 does not have one :)

Looking at your pic ...... I would suggest that if you are using just 2 modules they should be in the slots with the white locking levers. ( it looks as if you have one in each of the white and black slots ) If the machine is running OK then this - presumably - doesn't matter. Normally, if the motherboard requires matched pairs, the single pair will sit in the same colour slots.

John, you are very welcome. You know where we are if you have any more problems :)

Thanks Nev ..... yes I missed the "M" off ..... I have been back and corrected it. Fed It looks as if one of your RAM modules could be causing the problem. Follow Vr5fx advice ...... You need to identify which specific module is causing the problem. Your machine should run OK on 3 ..... but if not > just put 2 modules in the same coloured slots.

Hi Bella Are you talking about one of the arrow keys or the screen curser ? If it is the screen curser ............ take a look at the function keys at the top .... If one of them has a blue hand on ( on mine it is F7 ) then hold the Fn key down and press the "F" key You may have disabled the key pad.

Hi George J-B is a ladette ................ she is one of the boys though :) It will not do any harm. Happy to be of assistance - you know where we are if you have any more problems :)

That is good to hear - you know where we are if you have any more problems :)

Hi J-B is correct from what I can find. Click here for system requirements Elements 9 Elements 11 is compatible with Win 8

Next time it does this make a note of the beep pattern and let me know what it is ( 1 long ... 2 short ) If you can find the text file that it refers to I would be interested in seeing that. You didn't give us any information re. this....

Hi, Is this located ...... C: > Documents and Settings > HP_Owner > etc ? What is the path of this one ?

Hi and welcome to ExTS If you can connect the drive internally - but when connected to the USB port it isn't recognised it could well be that the USB port isn't providing enough power to run the drive. ( I know it should .... but I have come across incidences where it doesn't ) You could try one of these: click here

Hi Lorna and welcome to ExTS. I have altered the title of your thread so that others looking can find the solution if they are searching. :) I could give you the usual response .......... turn the machine on its side :) ( But I doubt you would appreciate the humour as it is annoying :) ) Try: Hold CTRL and ALT keys down together then press the up arrow. If this doesn't do it try the down arrow key ....

Let us know if you have any luck with Epson cartridges.