KenB

Hi, You may want to consider upgrading your RAM to 1GB. ( assuming your Motherboard will support this ). 512MB ( assuming your kb is in error ) is not a great deal to run XP with. It does, however, depend what you use your machine for. You would notice the difference with the extra RAM.

Hi mac, Start > Run ...type in....winver....OK This should tell you which service pack you have. Right click on My Computer > Properties > Advanced Click on "Settings" next to Startup / Recovery Uncheck "Auto Restart" under "System failure" This should give you an error message next time your system crashes. if you can post it here it may give some hint as to the cause of your problem.

Hi J-B, Sorry to hear of your run-in with your neighbour and his dog. Falling out with neighbours is something I have no experience of but I can imagine how you feel. The reason I am adding to this thread is because I had a similar experience regarding a dog and it's owner. I used to run a lot in a local park and this particular dog had attacked me 4 or 5 times. The owner, an older lady, seemed to think it was amusing. Cutting a long story short .... According to the police ( who visited her, then me ) she is obliged to keep her dog under control. The fact that it did not bite me is not relevant here. The dog was out of control and acting in a threatening manner. My complaint was logged against the lady and more specifically - her dog. I was told that if the dog was out of control again and the police recieved further complaints, the lady could find herself in court. This should be the case with your neighbour. Whilst the dog didn't bite it was out of control and frightened your child. It may be worth asking if there is a similar system in operation where you live. Logically there should be. Local by-laws must state that dogs should be kept under control on all occasions.

Happy Birthday Nev :)

I agree - Vista will run on 1Gb RAM but I would suggest that this is a bare minimum and you would not consider running it on anything less. Similarly you would not consider running XP on anything less than 512MB. I suggested that XP runs well on 1GB and to achieve a similar performance with Vista you would not expect to achieve that with 1GB RAM but would need to have 3GB. If you have 1GB RAM with Vista the equivalent for XP would be 512MB. Just my thoughts - I don't expect everybody to agree :)

Hi, Just to add my twopenny worth I have both XP and Vista ( I also have 98 on a dual boot but that is another issue :) ) When I moved from XP to Vista I did find it a little awkward to find my way around. This would be expected with a new OS. I don't have any issues with either OS. Just one thing to think about: If you are being offered a choice of XP or Vista take a look at the installed RAM. XP runs well with 1GB however Vista would require 3GB to perform as well.

If this is XP you may be able to remove this by accessing the registry. Start > Run ......type in .....regedit......hit OK Click the + next to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Clicking the + each time navigate to .... HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Desktop\NameSpace Under Namespace there will be a list strings containuing letters and numbers. If you click on each of these in turn you will be told what they are in the right panel. If your rogue icon is listed all you need to do is highlight it and hit Delete. Please be careful in the registry - if you are not confident then leave well alone. Wolfey may well have an easier fix :)

Hi, This article may help with understanding why your system is reporting less than the 4Gb RAM that you have installed. The system memory that is reported in the System Information dialog box in Windows Vista is less than you expect if 4 GB of RAM is installed Just to be the exception .....My system is 32bit and it does report the full 4.0Gb that I have installed.

Your router should have a model number similar to F5D7230-4 which would identify the manual needed. This number should be on a label attached to the router.

Hi, When you say "high performance" do you mean High Density ? If so - High Density RAM is only compatible with a relatively small number of motherboards. If you are not sure it is always better to opt for "Low Density" as this is totally compatible.

Hi, When you say "high performance" do you mean High Density ? If so - High Density RAM is only compatible with a relatively small number of motherboards. If you are not sure it is always better to opt for "Low Density" as this is totally compatible.

Hi, When you say "high performance" do you mean High Density ? If so - High Density RAM is only compatible with a relatively small number of motherboards. If you are not sure it is always better to opt for "Low Density" as this is totally compatible.

Control Panel > System > Advanced System Settings ( left panel ) > Click Settings under Startup and Recovery Uncheck the box next to Auto Restart ( System Failure ) > OK You should get an error message next time the problem arises.

Hi tootech, Always happy to be corrected. I have since done some reading. Learning all the time :)

Hi, I think the problem lies with your router settings. The subnet mask ( 255.255.255.255 ) does not compare with the one showing on your computer ( 255.255.255.0 ) As far as I am aware - these should be the same. I have never seen a subnet mask of 255.255.255.255 .........it is usually the one showing on your computer. You could try resetting the router. The ISP provides the subnet mask - but I am sure that one ending in 255 is not a valid subnet. Your ISP will be able to confirm.

Hi, Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup. Select "All files on this computer" You can run Defrag from System Tools too. Download CCleaner from here: CCleaner - Home Install > update > run Do not use the registry option. This clears out unwanted files etc. Download MBAM from here Malwarebytes.org This will check for malware and remove it. Install > update > run Check that you have at least 10 - 15 % disk space free. Start > Computer > right click C:\ > Properties If not your system will run slower and you will find defragmenting possibly a problem. If you do have less than 10% create more space by deleting unwanted programs and moving large files ( photos / videos ) to an external drive or DVD, Suggest that you defrag after you do the rest of the cleanup proceedures.

Hi, If you had nothing on the stick try clicking on ....Computer > right click on the stick ( it will show as Removable Disk (E:\ ) - or other letter > Format.

Hi, In addition to P-Ns post... This is not an uncommon occurance. Radio signals have been known to be picked up on electrical domestic appliances ( vacuum cleaner etc ) and even by dental fillings. see link. http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF12/1221.html The explanation is that something is acting as a receiver and amplifier. This does not have to be specific radio equipment - google cats whisker radio. Not so easy to diagnose what is causing it and how to stop it. If you have an external mic attached try disconnecting this. A change of speakers would probably cure it. Also try coiling the speaker wires around a ferrite rod ( if you happen to have one ) or try a steel bolt. This, hopefully will act as a simple choke to block the signal. Hope this helps.

If this is a USB keyboard try swapping to a PS2 ( round plug) - or vice versa.

Hi Dalo, Sorry for jumping in but I got the impression that this was a desktop machine ??? SuzyWong43, Do you get any beeps when you switch on? If so - how many and in what sequence ? ( 3 short / 1 long; 2 short ?? ) When you put the CMOS battery back did you put it in correctly with the + face up?

Hi, If by this you intend to wipe the drive and start again - simply format the drive from the installation cd and re-install Windows. I assume that you have a full installation version of Windows?

Hi Nev, Nice to "see" you again - it must be ages :)

This depends upon how long ago you spilled the liquid, how much and what the liquid was. If it was within 24 hours then DO NOT turn the laptop on again. Water and electronics do not mix The liquid may have found its way through to the Main Board. If the liquid was water then there is a chance that it will evaporate without residue.. You could speed up this process by using a hairdryer set on half power through the vents and over the keys. In any event leave the laptop off for 2 to 3 days to allow the liquid to thoroughly dry off before you switch on again. If no go with the keyboard then a replacement is your only option - and hope that the rest of the electronics has been untouched.

Hi, If this is the one that has a USB adapter with it - have you tried the mouse in both USB and PS2 ports? Start > Run....type in ....devmgmt.msc....hit OK Click the + next to Mouse and other pointing devices Right click on your Mouse Update the driver. If this fails to correct the problem... Same location and select uninstall. Reboot the system. Windows will find new hardware and re-install the appropriate drivers for you.

Further to Dalo Harkin's answer... If you switch off at the wall and leave the plug in - this maintains the earth (ground) connection to your M/Board through the PSU. There is less possibility of causing damage through a build-up of static if you do this. Remember to discharge any static in you by using the method above or simply touching the bare metal of the chassis.