KenB

Hi Jim There is no specific check that you can do on the motherboard - it will either work or it won't. A tech should have the facility to check it. The HDD can be checked. Start > click on "Computer" Right-click on C:\ Select the "Tools" tab Properties In the Error-checking area, click "Check Now" You may be asked to re-boot.

Hi I have Office 2010 but have managed to re-create what you describe. What you are having problems with is Auto Format of Border Lines. In earlier versions of Word it has been a pain. You should be able to turn this off. See here and here

Hi I would be inclined to try a System Restore to a date just before the start of your problem. Start > ..........type in ............system restore ...............ENTER You will be given a list of dates. If the dates shown don't go back far enough there should be a box to tick for "Show more dates". Select a date that you know is before the start of this problem. Your data / files / photos etc will be fine. Any updates / driver installs will need to be re-done as these will be lost. See here for more info:

Now you do have me confused :) Are you still having problems ?

I have re-read the manual and F12 is used to alter the current boot only ...........my mistake. I was right first time - it is F2. Switch on and immediately start tapping F2 - about 1 tap per second should do it. Shortly after the DELL Logo appears ( keep tapping F2 ) you should be taken to the BIOS. From there you will be able to alter the Boot Sequence. I think that the Floppy Drive is first at the moment and you need to move this down the sequence - described earlier. Don't forget to Save and Exit .......usually F10 but it will say on screen. The Manual is very clear click here

Hi again Zoe Download Speccy from here ( if you don't have it already :) ) http://www.piriform.com/speccy/download You want the free version. Run it and post the temperatures - after you have been using the laptop for a while.

I can't see, from what you have said earlier, that re-installing the OS would have fixed this. It definitely sounded like a hardware problem - "no sign life at all " No beeps usually indicates a PSU or motherboard problem. So - is all OK again ? I would be inclined to keep everything backed up ..............just in case :)

You are welcome :)

Hi Jim Normally beep codes would give us some indication as to what is wrong - but this I have not seen before. However ..........if you have removed hardware you are going to get a beep code because the BIOS ( self test ) cannot find it. What you need to do now is to switch off and add just one item or connection at a time. Switch on after each and note that it is stable. (the beep code may change - this is OK ) You need to get to the point where it will not switch on again - this identifies the problem. Treat the RAM as separate items and put them back one at a time.

Hi, F2 often works but all BIOS are different. This is the system's way of saying "press this key to get into the BIOS" This only shows for a few seconds - the key you want is shown on the screen at this time. The BIOS is the code held on a chip on the computer main board. It holds the basic settings and check procedures before the Operating System on the hard drive takes over.

I can see there being problems if it WAS wireless - but an ethernet ( wired ) connection is usually stable. Let me know how re-setting the router goes.

From your first post: What if you click on C:\ > ..............and follow the path to Internet Explorer .......desktop.htt If it is there right click on it and rename. You may need to uncheck hide protected operating system files first

I would say not. If the ISP has not limited your account - and 1.37 GB of 10GB is nowhere near overusing - there has to be another reason. Have you tried switching the router off -leave for 1 minute - switch on again. Also - I don't know if you answered this earlier ............is this a wireless connection?

I can see now why you ended up in Device Manager. When I do this I have "Acer Crystal Eye Webcam" showing. It is as if you have no means of running the webcam. Try installing ManyCam http://www.manycam.com/ I have just tested it and as soon as I open it my web cam is functioning.

Butting in again :) This is excellent This is rubbish !! No wonder you are getting error messages. Which ISP are you with ? You may want to give them a ring and ask if they are restricting your usage. Give them the 2 readings. nearly 17 Megabits per second as opposed to 0.22 !! If you d/l a lot of films say - you may well have gone over the limit set by the ISP.

Hi Jim I could be virtually anything :) Suggest you follow these instructions: http://kenspchelp.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=172 I assume this is a desktop ? You need to strip it down to just the 20(4) way connection and see if it is stable at that point. Is there any sign of life at all - fans running / keyboard lights up ??

Hi When you go to Start and type in ............webcam ........... ( don't hit Enter ) What do you get in the left panel ?

Hi Try this: Hold down the Windows key and tap E Then ..........tools > folder options > view > uncheck hide protected operating system files. Click on OK Then Start ...........type in ........desktop.htt................ENTER You should be given the location. You need to rename the file desktopold.htt Refresh the page CTRL + R Windows should create another desktop.htt Go back to .............tools > folder options > view > and check hide protected op. sys. files. Click on OK

Right click on the device in Device Manager > Uninstall Reboot the machine. Windows should find new hardware and re-install the appropriate driver for it. Try Start > webcam again.

Hi and welcome to ExTS Yes it is - it depends what has happened to the hard drive. 1. If you have a full installation CD for XP ( not recovery disks ) it is possible to try a Repair Install of the OS and get the system working again. 2. If you don't have the full install CD then you could take the hard drive out and connect it up to another machine using either an external enclosure or Hard Drive to USB adapter. If you go for the enclosure - once you have the photos etc off the drive you can format it and use it as extra storage as an external drive. If you are still getting the screen-saver is the machine booting up normally to that point? Try this: Switch on and constantly tap F8 about once per second. You should get a list of options - select Last Known Good Configuration and boot up with this. If that fails from the same list try Safe Mode. Before we take the HDD out let's see if we can do anything with the machine itself. Do you have the installation CD ? Is this a laptop or desktop ?

This is never recommended as the cleaner can produce a lot of static - which isn't good for the ICs on the motherboard. If it came to a choice - junk the machine or try the hoover then you have nothing to lose. The can of compressed air will have a straw-like attachment that you can poke into the vents. Taking a laptop apart is not the most simple of things to do - but if the machine isn't working and you don't want to spend money on it - it is worth giving this a try too. We may be able to find some instructions if it comes to this route. EDIT: Just read Nev's post below: If you do decide to take it apart take a series of digital photos to help you when it comes to re-assembly :)

:) :) :) :)

You never said if you tried uninstalling the webcam from device manager and letting Windows re-install the drivers. Have you ?

And we STILL let him post .............from time to time :)

Nev may be onto something by suggesting overheating. You could get a can of compressed air ( from any computer shop ) and give it a few blasts through the vents. You could take any panels off from underneath and give it a blast through there too. Dust can build up over time and can cause the machine to over-heat. If it is this - then the machine will just shut down. Try the compressed air and then try booting normally If you get part-way through recovery and it shuts down you will have no option but to use the recovery options again The OS will be un-bootable. ( If there is such a word :) )