KenB

Can you try Safemode with Networking please ? Click Here This will load Windows with minimal drivers and Sevices. you should still have internet access. Give it a try with known sites that cause problems.

Hi Are you getting as far as the password box on this video - 3 mins 28 secs in If so .... If there is another user account ( use the drop-down arrow ) try this. If there is no password set - leave the box blank and continue.

Hi again Nev and I have had a brief chat - and we both think that there is a lot of internet activity in your last pic. Disconnect from the internet completely. If using a cable - disconnect this. Turn wireless capability off. ( You could simply unplug the router ) Now test the machine again. What are the results ?

Hi You can take the hard-drive out - connect it to another machine and format from there. Unless it is a hard-disk password ? Then you have problems as this will prevent access to the disk itself.

Hi DD, As Nev suggests - please post your solution as this will help others. :)

Hi Sorry for the slow response - I must have missed this one :( Try a System Restore to a date just before the start of your problem. Open the Search Box ( Windows Key + S ) Type in ....recovery ....Click on the "Recovery" box. Click on "Open System Restore" > Next You may need to check the box that says "show more restore points" Select a date just before the start of your problem. Files - photos etc will be fine. Make sure that you use the mains adapter if this is a laptop. You don't want to lose power during this operation.

I've said this more than once ................ computers are anything but logical :) Good to hear that all is well again.

Computers never cease to amaze me :) Good to hear that all is now as it should be.

Hi Gadgie What seems to have happened is that the file association has been changed and all .exe files are directed to Adobe. There is a MSoft article that explains and offers a solution. click here Please note - the FixIt is for Vista only. If you have Win 7 then you will need to do this manually. You should create a Registry Backup before you try the changes. You could also try a System Restore to a date just prior to the start of the problem.

Hi Bringe You are getting BIOS messages that the system configuration has been changed. The Date and Time - and again in the next to last pic. The CMOS battery provides the power to hold these settings when the system is turned off. I can only assume that the problem you are having is related to this in some way. Either that or the use of the vacuum has damaged the BIOS EPROM [ programmable chip ] To be honest modern ICs are quite robust now and if your mains plug was still in the socket the motherboard would still be earthed. It is a rare occurrence that they get damaged - but it is possible. If, when you switch off, the BIOS settings are lost then I would be inclined to change the CMOS battery again .....and hope. It does have to go in with the + on top. =========== You could try resetting the BIOS to defaults. Switch on and tap F10 about once per second [ I think your pic says F10 to enter Set-Up ] Once there move around with the arrow keys. Under File ( top of screen ) select "Apply Defaults and Exit " [ pic #3 ] If the BIOS screen disappears and you boot up from here - fine. If not you will be prompted to Save and Exit .........usually F10. Once booted up - check the date and time in the bottom right corner. Let us know what happens from here.

Hi John There is no easy way to remove XP completely. The majority of the XP files are stored in C:/Windows If you delete this folder you will certainly have removed the ability to use Windows on that drive. There are numerous registry entries - which I would be inclined to leave. You would need to do this from the OS on D: Drive. [ you cannot delete Windows files from the system using those same files ] I am not sure if you dual boot this system at present. If so then you may need to check the Bootini file and make any changes here that are necessary so that there is no delay in booting from just one OS. It may be best to do this first. I think the Bootini would be deleted when you delete "Windows" - but to be on the safe side check this first.

I was asking about the second drive as M$oft are funny about using the same disk on two installations at the same time. 2 Days ..... This is very odd as M$oft is 30 as far as I am aware. The repair install didn't work ? I wonder if M$oft have put a black mark against your Product Code? As you cannot activate it via the internet ( no access ) I suggest a call to M$oft. They will give you another Product Code. [ see below first ] Have you tried the following? CTRL + ALT + Del ......................... Task Manager If it opens ..... File > Run New Task Try opening Internet Explorer from there. You could try typing in ......msconfig after Run New Task If this opens you can run System Restore from there and take the registry settings back to an earlier date.

Hi John I have not heard of this before. Windows should not require re-activation at any time once it has been activated. If you have tried to by-pass a Microsoft function they are not going to be too happy :) You had 30 days to activate the OS. If the installation was legitimate , as you say, then it would have made more sense to contact MSoft before altering the Registry again. Sorry to sound negative and I know it is not helping - this is really for other members who may have similar problems. :) If you have the original XP Installation disk you could try a Repair Install. The installation on the second hard drive - was this done using this same XP Installation Disk ?

Hi and welcome from me too :) Bad connection on LCD Connector I know this is a different machine - but it may give you something else to have a look at ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YordHfRigUI

Glad you managed to fix it Bob :)

Hi Lights flashing - fan running then .....nothing - this is indicative of a CPU overheating. Try the can of compressed air through the vents. [ Short bursts ] You could also try taking out the RAM modules. Switch on with no RAM in place. If you get a different reaction then put just one RAM module back in. Switch on again. If you are back to shutting down - swap the RAM modules over and try the other one. [ this assumes that you have 2 RAM modules ] The RAM is usually located underneath a panel in the base of the laptop. You will need a small screwdriver.

Hi Ray Pete is best to advise on this one ....... but having 2 AVs running is not advisable as they can conflict. So if you are putting Avast on - Defender will need to be off.

Let me know how it goes Bob I am not holding my breath re: Location Services :) How old is the device ?

Hi Slumdog Sorry for the slow response .........I have been away from home. So - you are using a cooling pad to sit the laptop on ? If this is the case it will have no effect on cooling issues on startup. Try getting a can of compressed air. [ any computer shop or even car accessories shops ] Spray through the vents. Use short blasts as long blasts will produce liquid [ the propellant from inside the can ] Dust can build up inside the confined space and cause over-heating problems.

Hi Bob I will post here - only because nobody else has :) This, as you are probably aware, is a VERY common problem. Some suggest charging it for 14+ hours ( leave it charging after it is fully charged ) or turning off "Location Services" has solved the problem. Others returned the device for repair.

Hi Mokles Have you tried turning off your Anti-Virus and firewall then try opening the email attachments? [ I have been away from home - hence the slow responses :) ]

Hi Mokles - sorry for the slow response. I wonder if this could be a corrupt cookie ? Try deleting cookies and then try again. Deleting cookies will delete login details to sites like this which means that you will need to log in with your password again.

Hi I am away fro home for a few days - so responses may be slow. "New cooling device" ..... what have you added ? If this was a CPU- heatsink ....did you clean off the old thermal-paste and apply new ? [ or am I barking up the wrong tree ?? ]

Hi, Sorry for the slow response. Get back to us with an update and we can take it from there :)

Hi John It looks as if you should be able to select JPG as an option I will see if I can find a manual for your printer and get back to you.