KenB

Hi, Give the contacts a clean with a pencil eraser and try again. If this doesn't solve the problem ..... If you only have one RAM module I would suggest replacing it. If you have 2 than try them one at a time to identify the problem one ( the system will run on 1 module ) If you need to replace then you may wish to upgrade. A free scan from here will tell you the exact RAM that is compatible and the max. supported by your motherboard. http://www.crucial.com/uk/systemscanner/ There is always a possibility that the problem lies with the motherboard - but I would bet on the RAM itself.

Hi, Check that your Virtual Memory is "System Managed" Click Start, click Run, type sysdm.cpl in the Open box, and then press ENTER. Click the Advanced tab, and then under Performance click Settings. Click the Advanced tab, and then under Virtual memory click Change. Under Drive [Volume Label], click the drive that contains the paging file that you want to change. [ This is usually C:\ ) Make sure that "System Managed" has a check next to it. Change this if necessary. Click OK to close the dialog box and apply changes.

If the drive is "freezing the screen" as you suggest and is not showing in Disk Manager and other drives are showing normally - I would suggest that the problem lies with the drive itself. Unless others have another suggestion.

Hi Kris, Sorry to hear that you still have the problem. You can take the drive out - it will be accessible by removing a cover usually underneath the laptop. The drive will be a 2.5 inch ( laptop standard ). The are 2 options as to type. SATA or IDE ( PATA ). The connections are different. This link will explain: http://kenspchelp.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=75 You can buy - relatively cheaply - a USB adapter that will connect the drive to a USB port of another computer. I have this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/IOMAX-SATA-Adapter-Power-Drive/dp/B001A5SK56 This does all options for 2.5 inch and 3.5 inch. There are cheaper versions if you search for: "2.5 inch sata/ide to usb adapter" With this you should be able to access the drive just as you would with a memory stick ( flash drive ).

Hi and welcome to ExTS Right click the monitor icon ( bottom right of screen ) and select "Repair" Then using the same method You should be be able to "connect to a Network" Click on this and try connecting to your home network. You will probably need the Network Key.

Hi Kris and welcome to ExTS. Sadly, there is very little you can do with a laptop - they are so complex to work on. What you can try is to take the battery out completely and try running on the power connection only. Secondly, Locate the RAM modules ( usually under a removable panel underneath the machine ) Take them out - clean the connections with a pencil eraser - and put JUST ONE back. Try the machine. If no go - try the other module by itself.

Take a look at the link I supplied. Select the price range you are interested in. Let us know which card you prefer ( if you are using onboard graphics then you should see an improvement with any of the PCIe x 16 cards listed ). We should be able to advise if your 400W PSU is enough.

Hi again, Try running in Safe Mode. Switch on and constantly tap F8 ( about once per second ). Select Safe Mode from the list of Startup Options. Graphics will look odd due to limited drivers. You could also try "Last Known Good Configuration" from the same list.

Hi, You don't say which Video card you have at the moment. I think you will find members here reluctant to recommend one specific card. It is your money and should be your choice. It depends what you want to use the card for and how much you want to pay. Nev is correct when he mentioned the upgrading of the PSU. It is the PSU that supplies the card with the power and if it is falling short due to it's limited output your graphics will suffer. It depends on the requirements of the individual card. Take a look here: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-graphics-card-geforce-gtx-590-radeon-hd-6990,2879.html There is a wide range of prices. Read the reviews and select the best card for the money you wish to spend. Regarding PSU. 400W is probably OK for lower lend cards but if you are upgrading then 650W is probably a better bet. This is just a generalisation - it depends on the card you select. I found this that may be useful at some point: http://downloadmirror.intel.com/15117/eng/D945GCCR_TechProdSpec.pdf

No Shut down normally and Switch off at the wall. Take the panel off. Inspect the motherboard capacitors and look for bulged ( domed ) tops or discolouration. http://www.eventlogblog.com/blog/2008/01/18/Bad.jpg The tops should be flat. Any discolouration indicates leakage. Switch on. Try to locate the source of the sound. Shut down normally and switch off at the wall. The motherboard has cards ( Video / RAM / Sound / NIC etc that can be removed ) If you feel that you will not remember where things are located take a photograph before removing. Take all cards off the m/board. Switch on. If you do not get the high pitched sound then switch off and put the cards back one at a time. Test after replacing each card. http://www.rigshowcase.com/img/2982EMFh/4934 To take the RAM out you need to release the white levers at each end. The other cards may be held in by one screw into the case.

One more thought .... Try the d/l from Kelly again. With the VBScript DLL reregistered it may have solved that particular problem.

I was going to suggest a Repair Install - but this is not possible without the CD. I am out of suggestions at this point. Frank or Randy may have another idea or two. I will wait to see what they suggest. Sorry I cannot be of more assistance.

It takes no time at all to complete the re-registering. Do you have a full XP installation CD ( not recovery disks ) ?

Try registering the dll again: Start > Run ....type in .....regsvr32 VBScript .... ( space after 32 ) then hit ENTER

Did it say anything about VBscript ?

Strange - not had that one before. Try System Restore to a date when you know the icons were functioning normally. ( See previous post )

Hi, Assuming O/S is XP : Download this fix from Kelly's Korner. http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm Scroll down to number 195 ( right side ) I have recommended this fix before with successes. The d/l is safe. This is a registry fix so you may wish to create a Restore Point first. Start > Run ...type in ....msconfig .....ENTER Launch System Restore. Create New Restore Point.

You say that the drive was used as a secondary drive - presumably internal on a desktop? If you connect the drive to the motherboard again, is the drive recognised ?

I think Frank was suggesting that your desktop ( with icons ) may well be just one image. Which is why you cannot move or click on any "Icon". Did you actually try to change the desktop wallpaper to something new?

I have never heard a switch make any sort of noise. It could be a capacitor failing. Inspect the board. Capacitors should not have bulged tops or be discoloured. It could be the PSU. I doubt that it is the switch. Have you taken the panel off and listened to see if you can locate the source ? Take the video card / RAM / and any other cards off the motherboard. Switch on. If the whistle is not there then put the cards back one at a time to locate the problem. (switch off at the wall between each addition )

Do you have another drive to try in the caddy? If this doesn't show in Disk Management then I would suspect the problem lies with the adapter.

Hi, If you goto Start > type in .....diskmgmt.msc Does the drive show up there ?

Is this all? Not something like Ralink 802.11n wireless LAN card to identify the card? Have you tried an ethernet cable direct to the router just to see if the laptop can connect this way ? Download Belarc from here: http://www.belarc.com/Programs/advisor.exe Run it and it will diagnose the hardware etc on your system. What does it say regarding Network Adapters ?

Hi and welcome to ExTS. Is this a SATA or IDE drive? If it is IDE then you may need to change the jumper position to get the drive recognised. ( It depends how it was setup originally ).

Hi, I don't understand this statement. Do you have 2 Hard Drives ? Is one sitting there not connected to anything? You didn't answer Nev's question re. Beeps. When you switch on - do you get any beeps at all ? Monitor says no signal ... This could be linked to the cable connecting the monitor - check the pins to see if they are bent / broken. Try the monitor on another system to see if it works. It could be the Video Card or onboard video ( whichever you have ) It could be a motherboard fault. You should normally get one POST beep. If you are getting more this is an indication as to the problem. let us know the sequence ( 1 long 2 short or whatever it is ) Ths is assuming that the internal speaker is connected - most towers have this. Please give us feedback on all of the above.