I would say memory is the very first thing to try. It is also one of the cheapest improvements you can make. What anti-virus software are you running. McAfee virus software can seriously slow your PC.

So does Norton - big time!

I use free Avira antivirus as real-time protection and then scan regularly with a few others such as AVG, Lavasoft AD-Aware etc.

This is a great place from which to download FREE software. It is one of the website pages belonging to the business who looks after my machine.

Check out: http://www.computerdoctors.uk.net/pages/links.htm

Don't suppose you can recommend a similar Mac outfit in the uk can you DP?

I have used one up near Mansfield before, but always good to here of any more by recommendation.

Anti virus review site

Bitdefender site

Have tried it for a month and it seems quite light compared with the norton etc. Support seems good and prompt 3/4 mins for phone help.USA site seems to offer the best price .Seems user friendly and easily configured.

Just had a phone call from a mate - he has tried to use a PC which he hasn't used for a few months and is being asked for a password for his userid - as far as he is aware, he has never set a password - he is using XP home - any ideas as to how to find or circumvent the password?

Since there isn't a password, the answer to the question is to tell him, 'Enter nothing at all (ie, don't enter anything) and just click OK.'

Skinny

If a blank passowrd does not do the trick, PM me and I'll send you an ISO image of a CD that will reset the password. I'm afraid I can't remember where I got the program from.

Optimist - email sent.

Skinny

You need to include your email address in the PM if you want me to forward the file.

Skinny

I've now found a site for the download http://www.listsoft.com/?id=12378

Optimist - thanks, I will pass it on.

Seymour & Haystacks - Thanks

Can someone now recommend a good FM transmitter so that I can play MP3 files from my laptop PC through my FM radios?

I see an assortment of devices on the market. Most seem to rely on batteries. Most work from the audio output of the laptop.

I don't want it to be powered by batteries.

Surely there are FM transmitters that can be powered by the USB socket?

I'd also rather pay a bit more for a powerful device that reached further than the common 10 to 30 metres that most seem to cover.

Any recommendations, friends?

TP

hi,sorry this is a bit OT,but can any one tell me how many pictures aprox ,you would get on a cheap 3MP Digital camera with 2MBs of built in memory.Its selling for 20 quid in Woolies and the memory sticks are extra (think they want 20quid for them).My present very cheap camera (100KP please don't laugh) can hold 19 "HQ" pics before getting full up. I would have thought I'd be lucky to get more than a handfull in the Woolies camera...its a Premier DS-3090S. Once again apologies for being o/t,cheers, Mike.

phobos

Assuming that it uses a normal compression you wil get one picture stored. Some cameras increase the compressio ratio at the expense of quality which would give you more pictures.

I recently bought a 1GB SD card for under 10 which would store over 500 pics.

yeah,I thought that I wouldn't get many,as my other one,has 16MBs of SDRAM for the 19 "HQ" pics........so in other words this woolies cam is worth next to nothin'with out the stick,no wonder they are reduced from 30quid ,though i've seen 'em advertised on the net for 60 and the sticks are still extra,I presume !.

phobos,

"I'd be lucky to get more than a handfull in the Woolies camera"

If you want to get a better camera than you already own I'd advise you to go to a camera shop and not to Woolies. There is next to no market in second hand digitals so, if you give them a budget, they will be pleased to have you as a customer.

I've got my wife's old Panasonic for sale, I think it is a Panasonic FX5
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/fx5.html

I say think as it is at home not here in the office.

I'll probably sell it to one of the people in my office. It's as good as new, but eclipsed by two years of development.

As Optimist says, memory costs peanuts compared with a few years ago. Any keen camera shop can afford to chuck in a gig or two FOC.

Just one important point that no shop will ever mention. If you wear reading glasses you must get a camera with a proper viewfinder. Without it you will find that composing your image with the screen on the back is next to impossible. The viewfinder is going out of fashion with the new p&s cameras - but it's a retrograde step for all us with reading specs.

TP