KenB

Go back to Device Manager > right click on what is listed and try "Update Driver". When given the option use the Auto Search option.

Hi, Start > type in ......devmgmt.msc.......ENTER Click the + next to Sound / Video / Game Right click on what is listed for "sound" > uninstall. Reboot. Windows should detect "New hardware" and you should get the opportunity to point it to the drivers that you have just downloaded. Let me know how you get on with this.

I have asked the same questions of Acer UK #111122-002247 Hopefully they will be a little more helpful :) Waiting on their reply.

Hi and welcome to ExTS Take a look here There is only one audio driver - so that must be it :)

Hi Paul I have changed it for you - If it isn't correct just let me know.

Hi Paul Just noticed....your Operating System in your details shows XP. This could be confusing for helpers if you post another problem. Should this read "Windows 7" ?

I suspect that error code is related to validating. If the 25 character product key on the installation is different from what is on the label it looks as if the OS has been re-installed at some point from a disk that was different from the original. Please visit http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/ and click on the Validate Windows button then restart your computer. If you weren't able to Validate, proceed as follows: 1. Download this diagnostic tool, saving it to your desktop: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=56062 => WinXP: Double-click on the executable to run the tool. => Vista & Win7: Right-click on the executable and select Run as Administrator to run the tool. 2. After running the tool, click on the Windows tab and then click on COPY (to clipboard). NB: You may want to open a new Notepad file, paste the contents of your clipboard into it & save for future reference. 3. Begin a new thread in the following Microsoft Genuine Advantage forum and paste the results from the WGA and/or OGA Diagnostic Data tool in a detailed post: http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/genuinevista/threads 4. A troubleshooting specialist will analyze the data and recommend an appropriate solution. (copied from R-Dyer)

Hi Looks like you have ordered a decent Hard drive. This refers to the actual disk that stores all of the data.

If you can boot up - try Magic Jelly Bean http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/ It works with Vista. There is no need to install IE9 if it is recommended.

Your new case: I did a quick search and came up with this: http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/8294428/Asus-TA-D31-Midi-Tower-Case-Black/Product.html The one review is not particularly good. You get what you pay for. The new motherboard: Review here There is one observation: This board is not compatible with Crossfire - in other words you can only run one Video Card. If you, at some point, wish to run two - then look for a different motherboard.

Hi and welcome to ExTS I hope you have some sort of AntiVirus software installed ? Starbuck, one of our Security Experts, produced a very good set of options here: http://extremetechsupport.com/threads/12498-What-free-security-would-you-advise-for-a-newbie Please be aware that it is not advised to run 2 AVs at the same time - they will conflict.

I have heard from Acer support - they are either being obstructive or have not read my email correctly. Could you let me have the serial number of your machine please? It should be on a white sticker on the case. It is a long mixture of letters and numbers. They were asking for that - I don't know why because I gave them all the information they needed ......even a link to this thread !! How deep does the PSU go into the case? Where was the machine bought?

PC Experience: Learning all the Time That's what it says under my avatar :)

I have just checked - you can get a 3 user licence .............I have learned something today :)

As far as I am aware - one Disk > one installation. If you are not putting a 64 bit OS on the machine you don't need 8GB RAM. As far as which OS to install for gaming - I am not in a position to comment .......I am not a gamer. I have heard that about XP before - but cannot vouch for it.

Yes. 32 bit systems will only recognise 4GB RAM - and even then you will be lucky if you get to use 3.5 GB. You have not taken into account the cost of the Operating System. This is going to add about £100 to your bill.

Hi and welcome to ExTS Nice choice of Video Card. See here I assume ( with 8GB RAM ) that you are installing a 64 bit OS ? Why are you using integrated sound ?

I have written to Acer Support. #111121-002083 (for my reference) With a bit of luck they will take a look at this thread and advise if the motherboard is non-standard or not. I will get back to you when they reply.

Hi, thanks for the pics - others will be able to follow the thread better. I cannot see the HDD LED / Reset SW / etc connections. This case is very compact - I cannot even see your present Video Card. I assume it is under the DVD drive ? With this set-up your choice of card, as we have already said, is limited. The PSU seems to have no fan ?? and looks non-standard. Can you measure it please. It is the one with the yellow sticker on it. L x W x D in mm. I wonder if the motherboard is non-standard too. I will try to find a manual and get back to you.

MBAM did not find anything - which is encouraging. Does that .dll exist? Start > Computer > C: > Users > <username> > AppData > Roaming > apssk.dll If it is there - right click on it > delete. Download CCleaner from here: (you want the FREE version ) http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download Install, leave it set on the defaults, delete all that it finds. DO NOT run the Registry option. If you are still having problems we will ask one of our security experts to advise further.

You have limited options. I am not familiar with FaceBook For Sale Rooms - but if it is anything like ebay you should be able to contact the F-B team and report the seller. At the very least they should be banned from F-B You can, presumably, contact the seller direct and suggest to them that you would either like your money back or the original installation disk so that you can correct the problem. You can also suggest that Misrosoft will be very interested in the fact that they are selling a computer with an illegal copy of Win7 on it. You can contact Microsoft direct and explain what is happening with the system. It could possibly be that the seller had wiped the drive in preparation for selling - installed the operating system - and had not validated it within the 30 day window. Microsoft will be able to tell you if it is illegal or if it is just not validated. You may be lucky. You last option is to buy a legal copy of Win7 and install that. I would only do this after speaking to Microsoft. First call should be to Microsoft - at least then you will know what you are dealing with.

Thanks Mandy - you were lucky that the version of XP was the same :)

I would be inclined to get my money back. Where did you buy the laptop from?

Hi FLR You will have these photos as .jpg Click on "Go Advanced" > Manage Attachments > Add Files You can add the photos to your post.

Hi Steph, Go back to devmgmt again and right click on your drive > Uninstall. Reboot the system. Windows will detect "new hardware" and auto install the drivers. Try it again. If that doesn't work take a look here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060 Scroll down to Windows Vista - Delete upper and lower filters from the registry. The FixIt should have done this so don't be surprised if they are not there.