KenB

If, by upgrading the processor, you are trying to make the system faster .............you would be better adding more RAM. If this is your motherboard http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en/mb/introduction.php?S_ID=141 It supports up to 2GB RAM. XP runs very well with 1GB.

Hi, Both of those cards would do the job. They both have 512MB on-board DDR2 memory. For a few extra pounds take a look here: click here This card has 1GB DDR3 memory. This will be noticeably better. It does however require a 400Watt PSU. You don't say what you have already - I suspect it may be only 300Watt.

Thanks for the update Bob. Good to hear that your system is operating normally now.

Hi, With the drive connected to the working computer - - - Can you access the drive and have you backed up any data that you want ? Which drive letter is attached to the drive in "Computer" ?

Hi, Glad to hear that you sorted the posting problem. If you get the same results with on-board and a video-card it does look as if it is software. What is strange is that it is just "some images". Start > Run .....type in ....dxdiag .......ENTER ( for XP it may be dxdiag.exe ) Which version of DirectX are you using? Click the "Display" option. Are all of the options enabled? Does it show any problems listed in the box? This may help click here

Hi and welcome to ExTS I don't understand this. Are you saying that the hard drive is full?

It does sound as if Clickfree was the cause of your problems. Keep us informed Bob - and Merry Christmas :)

If you have a second PC with a spare SATA motherboard connection you can add this drive and hopefully access it. Let me know if you can. I am away for 3 days - will pick this up then.

I am away for 3 days .......will pick this up then if others do not contribute. If it is OK with onboard but not with the video cards then it is Motherboard related.

I suggest a hard drive to USB adapter or enclosure ( Google both for price ) If you have a laptop then this is relatively cheap: See Here This is an enclosure. There are cheaper ones if you spend a little time looking. You can take your hard drive out and connect it up to the USB port via the enclosure. Once you connect it up to another computer you should be able to access the drive like you would a memory stick. I suggest you give this a try. If ( and there is no guarantees ) you can access the drive, I suggest that you take any data / photos off it first before we do anything else. EDIT: Both Nev and I post on CHF too - decide where you want to continue. I feel I must remind you that this machine should still be under warranty. You need to check with the seller before you carry out any work on the system.

Hi again I have not seen anything like this before. Coloured bands - yes ....but not dashes ?????? Right click on the Adapter in Device manager and select "Update Driver" Make sure you have an internet connection and let it do the Auto-search. This is not likely to fix it as you get the same condition with 2 cards. If this fails - enable the onboard video and disable the Video card. You will obviously have to move the connection to the onboard socket. Do you get the same condition using this?

If you have tried the F8 ( Advanced Boot Options ) ; the Startup Repair ; System Restore .......I suggest that you remove the drive and attach it to an enclosure or adapter and connect it to another computer USB port. If the drive is recognised you should be able to retrieve data and run some tests on the drive - specifically system file checker. I assume this is a desktop ? If so you need a 3.5 inch adapter / enclosure. You need to know if this is a SATA or IDE drive ( different connections ). It is probably SATA Get back to me if you want to go down this route.

Hi and welcome to ExTS My initial thought is that this is still under warranty ( Is it ? ) If it is I suggest that you contact the retail outlet who sold it to you and ask their advice. You may be invalidating any warranty by following our advice. I was going to suggest removing the hard drive and running a system file check on it by attaching it via a hard drive to USB adapter or enclosure. If this doesn't invalidate the warranty it is also possible to take the files / photos etc off it if the drive is accessible.

Let us know what happens after you revert back to an earlier version of IE.

I don't understand this. Outside chance .............Have you tried "Last Known Good Configuration" after tapping F8 ?

You are welcome. If you have any further problems - you know where we are :) Merry Christmas.

Hi and welcome to ExTS Initially I would have thought "Video card" - but you have swapped this. Start > type in ....devmgmt.msc.......ENTER Click the + next to Display Adapters What is listed? If there is anything other than your present card > right click > Disable. Leave only your present card enabled. ================ When you have the dashes on screen ........if you move the monitor cable do they change?

Olivias38 I would be very careful what you post. This is irrelevant.

Hi Bob, Is this just IE8 ? Have you tried another browser? You should have a second browser on the system for situations like this. Try SR-Iron http://www.srware.net/en/software_srware_iron_download.php Or one of the other free options. You could try uninstalling IE8. You will revert to an earlier version of IE. If this is OK you could then re-install. To uninstall IE8 you should be able to do this from Add / Remove in Control Panel You will need to restart.

Hi, This appears to be a common problem - some suggestions refer to a MS update as I am sure you are aware. When you use the Vista disk there should be an option to System Restore http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/startup-repair.png Give this a try. Select a date just prior to the start of your problem.

Hi and welcome to ExTS Using your monitor: Boot up and check the resolution and the refresh rate. What is it set to? Check the Power Options and set these to "Never" Go to Device Manager > Keyboards Click the + and right click on the keyboard. If Power Management is there make sure that "Allow this device to Wake the Computer" is checked.

Great service from Virgin. As Starbuck says - this thread is going nowhere. If you are still having problems after getting your machine back from the Virgin Repair Service I suggest that you contact them again. They will probably send another "dude" around. I admit defeat.

I understand now. :) You will need a few DVDs and you will need to select what you want to transfer. Another option is to buy an external hard drive. Let me know when you are ready to recover the drive. ( I am away for 3 days from tomorrow )

Not if you turn it off from within the router settings. And this was going to solve your connection problems ?? Has it ?

Hi, You have had somebody to look at your system who is retired - so he doesn't work for your Internet Service Provider ?? He says that This doesn't make sense. It is not the number of computers that you have in your house ...but what is being downloaded. One computer can exceed the limit set by your ISP. I have 4 in my house - but I never have a problem exceeding my limit. This is possible. We need to look at this possibility a little closer. Took it where? Why would he need to take it anywhere? What did he hope to achieve by keeping the PC for 2 days ??? The fact is your connection - if it was your machine .....your father's machine .......or a neighbour using your connection illegally ....looks as if it may have been exceeding your ISP download limit. You need to contact Virgin and ask them directly if they are limiting your connection. If you turn the wireless option off on the router then NOBODY can connect to the internet wirelessly. You would need an ethernet cable direct to the router. If you have WEP or WPA enabled ( you need a key to connect to the router ) then nobody can use your system other than those with the coded key. Get back to us when you have spoken with Virgin.