Just a quick update. Awaiting two copies of WIN XP PRO and a router compatible with NTL for my two PCs.I want to clean install my hard drive using WIN XP disc as boot-up. Could somebody please post a step-by-step guide on how to re-configure my hard drive for a clean install. Many thanks for your help.

Steve

scussy, if you boot up the PC with the XP install disc already in the drive you should be presented with a menu, Take the 'reformat' option then just follow the prompts which should guide right through to complete fresh install.

If the above doesnt happen then you may need to getr into the PCs BIOS to change the boot sequence. How you do this depends on the make of motherboard.


Neil

Having got broadband up & running I have a peculiar problem with my new PC running XP home:

If I open up IE with Moneyam as my home page I get the MAM home page. If I then click on a tab to go to, say, the traders thread, I get the log in screnn, click OK as it has my user name and password saved, I then get a blank screen. Close that, open up a new screen and I get straight in.

I then click on stockwatch and get a totally blank page - i.e. no header or anything and the correct address in address section, and the "Done" message at the bottom.

I have removed e-trust anti virus which came with the machine and rebooted.

When I was trying to set up the router for broadband I could not get past the country selection screen, so tried it with my old Win 98 SE machine and got into the setup screens easily. If I only had this one machine I'd be struggling.

This is very strange. I'm sure it's some sort of firewall or antivirus s/w problem but is very strange. Can anyone please help!!!

edit: Have just been looking at the Autotrader site, and where they suggest you slect the vehicle make and model, the two drop down lists are blank. Bizzare :-0

Hopefully a really simple question..
Compatability
If replacing a dvd/rom drive (internal) on a compaq (now HP) machine
(presario 5000)
about 2 - 2 1/2 yrs old, is there a compatability issue?
Or with this type of component does it not matter - I am looking to
replace like-for-like (don't need a dvd writer etc) seen samsung ones
for under 20 (fits my budget!) on pcworlds components site.
Any help gratefully received!

re my problems,clean install win XP and using a router etc,
i am now up and running on one pc through the new router and i have now after
a few days have a clean install of win XP pro,
many problems on the way but with the help here and a couple of phone calls
just managed it,now to sort out my multi monitors,my sons PC will be done at the W/E
a big thanks to Neil,and all,

steve

stockbunny, yes should be easy and probably just a straight swap so long as they are both IDE which theyu probably are. Thye will just work for reading but for writing you will need dvd capable software.

Ok guys I need to put some more memory into this PC of mine.
What do I do? Go to a shop and ask for memory please and stick it in the CD drive and close the slot?
Normally I would just buy a new machine but not ready for that now. My current pc tower Pentium 4 1.6 Ghz has only 225mb of ram and all this broadband stuff and progs I have running it just goes belly up. So how do I know what to buy and where do I stick it (polite answers only please)

Thanks in anticipation
M

If it is the same computer that you do the daily Traders Thread on,take it to a shop we dont want to be down for long:-)

Mega...


Keep up the good work and thanks again!!!!

Martini, there are lots of subtle differences between memory modules, just make sure you get the same. If it's a proprietry machine give the memory retailer the machine's make and module and you'll get the correct type. Inserting it's a doddle but you have to take a screwdriver and remove the cover! If you're not comfortable with that take it to a local independent. It'll take them five minutes to do. Don't want you messing the traders thread up.

I'll try and find a link to show you how but no time at the present. Will look later in the weekend.

Cheers.
I am usually quite happy taking things apart but somehow PCs past me by.
Suppose it is so important to me now I am nervous about buggering it up and the pain of starting again.
M

Latest copy of PC Advisor has an article called "Slam in the Ram". Haven't read it myself. 4.99 from all good newsagents and some dodgy ones as well.

Just found this - it's from the PC's for Dummies book. edit- just turned it into an html link. Wayhay!!!

"Adding More Memory to Your PC"

"Recognising different types of memory"

Martini, ram is normally pretty simple but as SC says above there are a number of different types. You need to check what your motherboard can handle and you might have to throw some of the ram thats in there away to upgrade.

Its worth upgrading your RAM if you only have 225MB as its pretty cheap now but are you sure its RAM thats the main problem? is your Hard Disk OK and not to full? have you defraged lately? etc etc.

What Operating System are you useing?

Just to repeat my earlier question:

Having got broadband up & running I have a peculiar problem with my new PC running XP home:

If I open up IE with Moneyam as my home page I get the MAM home page. If I then click on a tab to go to, say, the traders thread, I get the log in screnn, click OK as it has my user name and password saved, I then get a blank screen. Close that, open up a new screen and I get straight in. Or click back to the home page the click on (say) the traders page and we're straight in. But stockwatch remains totally blank -

No matter how I go into the stockwatch page it remains a totally blank page - i.e. no header or anything and the correct address in address section, and the "Done" message at the bottom.

I have removed e-trust anti virus which came with the machine and rebooted.

When I was trying to set up the router for broadband I could not get past the country selection screen, so tried it with my old Win 98 SE machine and got into the setup screens easily. If I only had this one machine I'd be struggling.

This is very strange. I'm sure it's some sort of firewall or antivirus s/w problem but is very strange. Can anyone please help!!!

edit: Have just been looking at the Autotrader site, and where they suggest you slect the vehicle make and model, the two drop down lists are blank. Bizzare :-0

double edit: Cant get advfn in any shape or form on the new pc. Perhaps it doesn't like all the rubbish on the fbb? Or maybe there's a logical explanation.

SC do you have any other software running, eg ad blockers and pop up stoppers? Spwareblockers etc if so swith them of and try again. If that does not help have a look at the IE security settings, to troubleshoot you might try reducing the security and seeing if that helps, if it does you can then tailor them and increase the security if needed.

The problem sounds as though it could be cookie related although I am not certain of that.

New machine so not that I am aware of - I understand where you're coming from though. Will try ( for a very short time) with everything set to lowest security rating. Thanks.

Well I can get advfn now but I want MAM !!!

Off to bed now. Tomorrow's another (busy) day.

Seymour Clearly
Cheers

Spaceman
XP home - hard drive half full - defrag regularly - clear temps regularly.

Everything ok most of time but when I got a lot running it just gets very slow.

M

Seems to be related to pop-ups. Can't get pop-ups and can't find out how to enable them (XP)

Disappearing Taskbar

Over the past month or so Im having my Taskbar disappear on me perhaps twice a week. (The whole thing from the Start button to the clock at the end).

I usually have 2 or 3 browser windows open with my Broadband connection on.

It has just happened to me again. I was monitoring 2 or 3 web sites and I left the PC unattended for an hour or so. When I got back to it, the whole Taskbar had gone! All browser windows were still open and functioning correctly. I tried clicking on the 4 sides of the desktop to see if it was hidden all to no avail. I have to re-start my PC to restore it back to normality.

7th floor, sometimes it seems to get stuck. Use Alt-tab to bring another window to the foreground and it should appear. Otherwise minimise all the windows.