7thfloor, I and a friend have recently had a total of 3 pcs that were so clogged up we had no option with but to re-install XP. This was on PCs that had Norton, Spybot and Adaware running. I managed to save the other PCs on my network from the same fate by doing online virus scans at trendmicro.com and pcpitstop.com and installing and running spywaredoctor and spywareblaster. These found numerous trojans, auto dialers and popups that the others had failed to spot.

Maybe you solution lies in the same direction.


best of luck

Neil

robber, spywaredoctor is know to produce false postives, my guess is that the one you found were false.

I would not use spywaredoctor instead of sybot and adaware.

Edit I have just downloaded a trail version of this program, it gave me 3 warnings all 3 were wrong with one descrided as "Very Dangerous Spyware" its rubbish.

On a previous 'puter, it was set up so that if I fired up OE or IE the thing would automatically dial-up for me. Don't know how that worked.

At the mo when I load up, it just gives me the dialler window and I have to push the button to start it.

Can anyone tell me what settings I need to make it auto dial?

G.

Mr G get yourself a secretary :-)

MB - Can't afford one - gotta wife ;-)

Greystone,

is there a tickbox option on that dialler window for connect automatically?

Ian

Ian - No. It may be hidden somewhere but it is all Spanish and, whilst I can comfortably order a bocadillo and a glass of wine in the language, the techie stuff floors me.

I'm sure before I was using freeserve and I'm now on wanadoo which is the same family so you may be onto something there. ;-)

G.

Robber, I have had a bit deeper look at the Spyware Doctor product and I have slightly changed my mind about it, its not a rogue program but its detection does not seem to be very good. The 3 things it found on my PC were not spyware or trojans or anything else that needs removing. It looks as though it could end up being OK but at the moment I would definitely not uses it.

And apologies if I sounded a bit arrogant in my earlier post, I didn't mean to.

greystone, try (in IE) Tools/Internet Options/Connections tab and tick Always dial my default connection, or the Spanish equivalent ;-)

Little problem. Took a few screws out to see if a hard disc really does look like this. Boy, were they stiff. Anyway, I took a photo, looks like this:



Now I've put all the screws back in it doesn't seem to do anything other than spin. I'm sure I connected the wires back correctly. All my critical information that it's taken me years to collect is on there. If I can only get it working again I can get all this info off!

How do I do that?

































Only kidding!

Kayak - Already done that but still no joy. No worry. It is not a big prob just a minor annoyance. ;-)

G.

Greystone, if you ever get the username/password prompt, one of the tick boxes on there will be about connecting automatically. If you never see the password prompt you can always force it to display by removing the password from Tools/Internet Options/Connections tab/Settings, and reconnecting.

Greystone

To display password prompt.

Go into properties for the dial up connection, select Options tab (2nd tab) "Prompt for Name and password..." is the 2nd check box down.

Spaceman, no problem, I find many of the trojan/sypware/virus checker produce the odd false positive; some because their definitions are not spot on and others to try to con you into paying for something (these are the ones I avoid at all costs).

I may not use the full range of checkers much now but each of them produced loads of hits when I first ran them on my PCs so Im still happy to recommend them all to uses who have serious PC problems.

Neil

Kayak/Spaceman/anyone, help!

My lap top fell of the sofa and has done some damage to the little socket (attached to mother board) where the power cable plugs into.

I took the lap top apart and finally got to the MB, looked underneath and sure enough there is a little black conector whch has fallen off. I put it back on as best I can (just pushed it), put the lap top back together and tried it it.

First of all I'm amazed it fires up at all after I had it in bits. Then I proceed to try and insert the power cable, volia, it works for a few seconds then cuts out (the power supply). After a little fiddle it comes back on but now has gone again.

Are these components attached with a soldering iron? (it seems attached with a silver substance) If so can I just try and do it myself? Or any other ideas? i.e. can I glue it on or does it need to conduct somehow?

thanks!

Mr Euro. they differ from PC to PC but I would guess its soldered, You have probably already broken the warranty by opening it, so I would definatly have a go with the soldering Iron (but I am pretty used to soldering !!!). Try and find where the break is before soldering. Gently flex the part and see if you can see the break, it could be that the break is not exactly where you expect, it might be on the mobo tracks near the socket, if it is its a bit harder to solder and you will probably have to scrape some lacquer off the track before solding a link across the break.

Thanks Spaceman.

In fact it's really strange and I cannot understand how it works. The little black box (connector) is plastic and yet is soldered on to the motherboard just with 3 little dabs of solder. What I don't inderstand is how does it conduct the power into the mother board? It can't be through the solder as it doesn;t conduct through plastic? I think the solder is only there to stick it to the mother board? I can't recall any tracks but perhaps there were?

Do you think I could super glue it on?

Thanks!

Mr Euro, the conductors will be going through holes in the motherboard to end in the blobs of solder.

To be honest I think it may be the socket itself that's misshapen rather than the soldering to the motherboard.

hi Kayak, no I'm sure it's the soldering thats broken, the connector is fine. But how does it conduct through plastic? This is what I don't understand? I am tempted to try and super glue it but will await yours/Spacemans guidance! Else it's a trip to the electrical repair shop!

It can't conduct through plastic. Either the conductors go from the bottom of the socket through holes in the motherboard and are soldered from the other side, or they go out sideways on the same side of the motherboard and are soldered there. You can't solder onto plastic so if you see solder on the socket there must be a bit of metal there.

If you do try to fix it, wipe your soldering iron on a damp sponge to ensure the solder you try to put on is clean and be very very quick or otherwise the heat will conduct to the plastic socket and melt it faster than you can say "I shouldn't mess with things I don't understand." :-)