Optomist.
Thanks for the reply.The machine is my oldest (about 2 years) with windows xp.
In the past I messed it up by doign several things that I didnt (and still dont ) really understand. Like trying to put a suspect copy of XP Pro on over Xp Home.Not having a fire wall, using Kazza, changing from old copy of Norton system works to dodgy kazza copyies ect ect.....
Now it doesn't have half the software on it came with ( like pre-installed programs ,I keep getting errors and it doesnt boot up correctly and wont let me install Norton Internet security ect because of the mess it is in from installing and not removing programs correctly).
At the moment because of this it is basically being used just for connecting my network and so if the main machine has a problem I will lose everything I want to sort it out so I can back up my main machine to this one and vice / versa.I also now have invested in proper software.
The machine came with 3 main cd's.
Product recovery - this has the windows logo on.
Application and support cd and nero burning rom cd.
I am going to change my internet / cable modem onto the main one on friday night then spend the weekend trying to sort it. I hate doing things like this but if all else fails I can say I tried....then sell some crap shares and buy another new one......Thanks Graeme.

Graeme

I see what you are trying to do.

You may want to consider buying a new hard disk to put your new installation on and mounting your existing one as a secondary drive. For a cost of around 50 you will get a larger and faster disk and still have a backup of everything on your original disk.

If you already have a network why not buy a network cable modem?

Anyone know of any good, free, fax software, just for occasional home usage? Preferably without the couple of annoying features endemic to the W2000 standard software, i.e. not being able to start reception of a fax "now", and not saving the 29 good pages of a fax that has ended in an error on the very last page :-(

Optpmist,
Just to update, managed to sort it out and reformat and installed XP pro,with the help of a freind (lucky he is German as the machine is a Medion and half the instructions werein German). Got all internet back via network, just cant quit manage to get the main machine to see or let the other two see it.But I am working on it and the two others see each other and will share / transfer files between them so I cant be that far away. Really glad I finally got around to having a go and thanks for you advice. Graeme.

Is there an adaptor I can Buy that lets you plug in a Adsl plug and a Modem plug at the same time.Im sick of unplugging one when I want to send a Fax

Iain, whats a fax ;-)

Do you mean the phone or the PC? if phone you should be able to do that with a splitter? I havnt tried it but it should be OK, only possible problem is that you could need a filter on the fax side as well.

If modem, what sort of connection do you have? if its firewire or USB you can add a hub, if its serial you would need a switch.

Can anyone help?

Norton Internet security keeps popping up the message

"Program control
HIGH RISK
DVZMSGR.EXE is attempting to access the Internet.

What do you want to do?
Permit/Block/Manually configure internet access"

What is DVZMSGR.EXE It's in c:\Windows\Dvzcommon\dvzmsgr.exe

Thanks.

SC

It looks as though if it is harmless though possibly not needed.

This link explains it http://hardware.mcse.ms/message80219.html and a Google search will show more info.

Iain, if the ADSL and modem plugs are both standard BT plugs then as Spaceman says a standard splitter will do but you will need a filter on the fax side to strip out the ADSL signal.

SC, dvzmsgr.exe

My laptop is getting slow to boot/shut down. I know there are lots of things loading and a cull will improve things. I have used a free utility Currprocess which tells me what they are but I'm nervous about using the "kill process" option on some of them e.g. I have 4 svchost.exe which all seem identical and a hpgs2wnd.exe plus hpgswnf.exe which are both to do with my HP printer. Any suggestions appreciated.

Thanks Space/Kayak
They are standard BT Plugs.Not thought about needing another filter!Ill try My local shoppe
Cheers Iain

Thanks Optimist, suspected it was harmless but I don't get many of these unless I've installed new software. It will be the dataviz software that links with my Palm PDA. Wood, trees, can't see the for the.... :-)

Any Ideas Chaps.......
I pushed my luck thinking I was on a role from the weekend and installed a new dvd writer.Seemed straight forward........pluged everything back in and as I hit the power swithch at the back of the pc the speakers started making a rapid clicking noise with bad interference. turned off the power . checked every thing cant see any problems . Pushed and pulled all the connections ect.
End result = power on at the back = internal fan starts but nothing happens when I switch on at the front. if I put the speakers in still get the same noise but no response from the deskyop unit except the fan still works.
Technical support made me do a static discharge after waiting 20 mins on premium rate number to basically then tell me they havent got a clue. " it might be the power unit or it could be the mother board" but if I send it back to them they will give me an estimate for a cost of 100. in advance.
unit is 16 months old but only had 12 month on site cover (Aldi but the last offer had 3 years) .
Any ideas or do I take it to PC world to look at to get some idea of cost. Or does anyone by chance now a good independant repaireer Middx / Watford area.
Graeme.

I would recommend these guys to you, albeit they are up a M1 from you a tadge. Easy to find and worth the visit. What you spend in time and petrol, you'll get back in cash not spent on repairs. This is because they are inexpensive, whilst thorough, effective, efficient and trustworthy.

http://www.computerdoctors.uk.net/

Ask for 'John' and he'll suggest things to you on the phone even before you bring the machine in.

They might even do it while you wait if they can, in view of the distance and if you ask them nicely and set it up beforehand.

GRAEME.ALEXANDER,
OK the standard way of working this sort of thing out is to undo everything you have done and see if you still have the problem, however I would check the power connectors from the power supply to the motherboard and all the disk drives (floppy, CD/DVD and hard drive).

Then check that the sound card is seated properly, it might be worth taking it out and putting it back in. Check any other cards are seated in tehir slots properly as well.

Try that then post back here.

Good luck.

Graeme.

Spaceman is spot on. If that does not work I would go further and remove the sound card if you have one and also unplug all drives etc. The computer will not boot if you do that but at least yo should get the initial start up screen which will prove it works.

There is normally a thin wire (3 core)that goes between the CD drive and the soundcard or MB. I don't know whether that has caused the problem but you can safely remove it.

Don't even think of taking it to PC World.

I knew of Computer Doctors some years ago. They may have matured since then but use caution.

I've just downloaded Norton Ghost 9.0 (upgrade from v2003). It arrived as an ISO file which I am instructed must be burned first to a CD-R before I can use Ghost 9.0. Presumably I have to buy a CD writer now! If so, it will be an external one using USB. Both USB ports are in use although there is a fatter port next to it (you can tell I'm a layman). Can someone kindly confirm I need to buy a CD-writer and any recommendations? TIA

Bones

Yes you do need a CD writer, although there may be a way round it. If you buy a USB one then you need to buy a USB hub that will split a USB port into four. Connect your CD writer directly to the computer though.

Make sure that the software that comes with it is capable of burning ISO images a common one is Nero which is OK, I don't know about others. Don't use cheap disks for ISO images.

Why do you want a USB writer?

Do a Google search for "IsoBuster". I believe that this program can extract files from the ISO image file direct to your hard disk. IsoBuster is on free trial but there are some smaller free programs around.

Edit

If you end up buying a CD writer, why not go for a DVD writer instead?

Optimist - many thanks for taking the time to help. I'll buy a DVD writer. The Ghost Readme says Nero Burning Rom and Roxio Easy CD Creator will both burn the ISO image so I'll ensure it comes with one of those. No, I have no reason to specify a USB writer, I just assumed it would come with USB if it were external.

The Ghost requires a CD for a boot disk function if ever I needed to recover the program so I won't get ISOBuster.

Thanks again.

thanks guys (so far)

Have tried all the above except the sound card bit because it looks like that is fixed to the mother board. If I am looking in the right place, behind where the speakers (5.1) plug in then it is a silver cube type fixed to the mother board. There is no siginal getting through to the screen.
If I end up going to an independent what should I be looking for and asking to try to find a decent one and not a cowboy.
Your help / advice is really apreciated as this stuff tereifies me.
Doc Pro I havent ruled them out yet, its just the distance........Graeme.