Thx. Works fine with express!

Thats the first solution!

wrt your second problem, do you have access to the insides of either the laptop or another working computer?
If so, check that the working laptop/pc has a spare ide connection. Set the jumper on your removed harddrive to 'slave' (instructions here: http://www.ehow.com/how_6031_change-master/slave-designation.html) and connect the drive up with ide and power cables.
When starting up your laptop/pc check that the bios recognises the new drive, and you should be able to access any data on the drive once windows boots up.

I have just re-installed (for the ????th) time XP Home on my wife's PC - however I can't activate it as this has been done too many times already. I have just rung the microsoft number to get activation, but that was a waste of time. Apparently there should be, (but ain't), an identification number on the "activate windows by phone" screen - so I can't get any further on that.
Anyone help with any suggestions as to how I can get it activated?

Thanks in advance

I cannot create a sub folder called 'sys' in Windows XP, it won't let me.

The reason that I am trying to do this, is because I have some software on a CD that won't install. It says it can't find a file called something.ini which is in a sub-directory called 'sys'.

The strange thing is that when I view the CD, I find that the directory sys is not there. I can see it on two other PCs and install the software there. I looked on my PC and I have no files or directories called sys anywhere in the file system. That is why I tried to create a sub-directory called 'sys' which failed.

Any ideas?

ChuffChuffChaser

After checking your query out at http://www.saynoto0870.com/companysearch.php I determined the following:-

Microsoft: Software Product Activation Line

Freephone: 0800 0188354
Alternatively: 0870 241963

Try a download of PCWizard from http://www.cpuid.org

This program will astound you with what it can reveal about 'secret information', eg, Program Product codes, Passwords, Hidden Passwords, etc, etc. on your machine. Actually, thinking about it, you'll need to have the machine up and running before you can do this download. Back to the drawing board then, eh?

Meanwhile, the 'puzzle solver' in me also found this:

Check out the 3rd one down

For those interested and I know there are some out there? ;-)
Finally sorted out Pc cilllen Internet security 2006 blocking streaming.
You have to disable web site filter and web Mail. Even if you put the Stockwatch address in the exceptions list it still blocks streaming.
Trend Micro support were prompt in replies as to the remedy but they were wrong.
My 14 year old son will be waiting for me to forget to re-enable it no doubt!

Thx Shano.

Have had great difficulty connectin VCR, Freeview and DVD recorder.

Found a website which helps courtesy of Sony:

Sony connection diagrams

In a few weeks Telewest are at last installing Broadband in my area. If possible, I would like at the same time have them connect a wireless router (if that is the correct description), the idea being to eventually replace my PC with a laptop I could use anywhere in the house. Any ideas if this could be done, if so what particular equipment, where would I get it, what price laptop?
Thanks.

John,

It can possibly be done. I say possibly since the wireless signal might be capable of reaching several houses down your street, or die beyond the next room.

I live in a Victorian mansion block and get more signals through my study window from next door than I can transmit from one end of my flat to the other.

I recommend you use http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/

They have a great stock and a splendid help desk. These gadgets are usually easy to configure, but when frustration kicks in you'll find their help restores sanity.

What price laptop? What length piece of string?

I started down the IBM Thinkpad route and then was made aware of Asus. Asus, apart from making memory boards for desktop PC's, make laptops for IBM, Fujitsu and other. So when you buy the Asus labelled machines you often save about a third.

I bought mine at http://www.klcomputers.co.uk/

Have fun.

TP

Thanks TP.

John/TP Having done a little looking myself recently I'd buy a router with MIMO router if distance/thick walls are an issue. If not then slightly cheaper are the 108mb transfer rate varieties - twice the speed of most. Not useful now maybe given ADSL rates are well below but a bit of future proofing. Don't forget to secure the wireless network or your neighbours will be able to use it also.

HI - thanks for the replies chaps.
DocProc - thanks for the phone nos. tried the 0800 no - that's where I found out that I would need the missing id no. - it's an automated service with no one at the other end as far as I can see.
Will give the other 2 suggestions a run

thanks

K,

The downside, for me anyway, of the Mimo solution is my liking for using my PDA to quickly look for any e:mail arrivals. My understanding is that there is no way that a PDA can have a special Mimo receiver attached.

The advantage of the PDA is that it has no boot up time.

TP

Thanks for replys. I phoned Telewest to arrange appointment to install Broadband and while I was on asked a young fella what he thought. He recommended a Netgear router, best place PC World, 25-30. When engineers come to install Broadband ask if they would kindly help with implementation. He thinks they will.
Leaving PC, printer, hard drive etc., where it is now but will then let me use laptop anywhere else in my flat. For a non-technical mind like mine, this is a good start to wireless stuff without disturbing anyone else in the flat.

Can anyone recommend a way to get your website picked up by the search engines. I listed a website a few weeks ago and still it does not appear if you search for it, only if you actually type the address into the address bar.
Thanks for any tips.
Alan

http://www.uk-cheapest.co.uk/submissions2.php?ref=goo-crn-s

Alan,this is a good company to use,also it could well be a idea to add a counter on your website.

Mega...

Cheers Mega.
Got a counter and it stays still for days, then shoots up by about 200 in an hour or so. Don't know whats causing this or if it is significant.
Will try that link.
Thanks.
Alan

And thanks for the visit!!
Every little helps. ;-)
Alan

Ten Steps to Ensure PC Security

and also

Safety on the Internet

This latter site thoroughly discusses

Viruses and worms
Trojan horses and crackers
Spyware and adware
Email problems
Read email safely- Dealing with Attachments and Web Bugs
Phishing
Spam
Slide show- Tutorial on Making Outlook Express Safer
Cookies- Function and Management
Advanced cookie management in IE6
Cookie management in Firefox
Making Internet Explorer Safer
Table of default settings for all security zones
Figures showing all possible settings of security zones
The hidden "My Computer" zone
Comparison of the "Internet" zone in different versions of IE6
"Internet zone" settings in Windows XP SP2
Recommended settings for increased security
How to add sites to the "Trusted" zone
What ActiveX is
Pop-up blocker and Add-on manager in Windows XP SP2
Slide show- Tutorial on Making Internet Explorer Safer
Internet Explorer vs. Other Browsers
Which is Safer, IE or Firefox?