don,t see it in the startup msconfig

Windows key and R at the same time or Windows key then click on the section at the bottom of the list.

not there either

Does it still occur if you start the computer in Safe mode and then shut down ?

Put MCCWAS into Google and you will come up with a few references. It seems to be something to do with the wretched BT Desktop Help updates.

EDIT Sorry, the link is MCCWSA

kevin , thanks . i had googled mccwsawin and nothing came up but on entering mccwsa i saw the reference to bthelpnotifier.exe.

removed it on startup and shutdown ok now , thanks. bthelp did not load properly from the hub disk and had to go to website for update - there does seem to be something wrong with it

any idea what this exe command does?

Found this

"bthelpnotifier.exe is a process installed alongside BT Broadband and provides additional configuration options for this product. This program is a non-essential process, but should not be terminated unless suspected to be causing problems"

and

"BTHelpNotifier.exe System tray icon for the Virtual Assistant from BT Broadband, used to communicate internet problems via the network rather than telephone."

Also try this. There is some good info.

http://forums.vnunet.com/message.jspa?messageID=851859

well the virtual assistant is a waste of time anyway!

having removed this exe command will i now be able or not to communicate with the help online question answer service?.

Don't know the answer to that - but I hope you never have to!

maddoctor. Before I quit BT I had numerous problems with the BT Help programme (although from memory it was a different one that used to mis-behave from the one you've got). I deleted the Help software and everything was OK. When I used to call the BT help centre to report trouble they never asked me to use BT Help. My advice would be to ditch it permanently. It's very basic even when it works. I remember getting 0.5 meg service and the Help suite told me everything was OK!

bolshi , not worried about losing the bthelp as peeps here are so good at helping and thanks to all above who replied to my plea.

i have had a similiar experience when i tried to get help from btindia , i had gone down to 40kps download and was told everything was ok! after going thro endless basic routines.

maddoctor. The reason I started looking around for another provider was the BTIndia experience. It took me 90 minutes to report a fault the last time! And I do mean the LAST time!

I think the best Forum for all types of Broadband problems and also the best Web site for gaining knowledge on Broadband issues, is at

http://forum.kitz.co.uk/index.php

A good place to buy BT Modems and also other tackle, as and when they have it, is at

http://www.puzbie.co.uk

Puzbie's also have a good Forum. They sell quite a lot of stuff on eBay and do this mostly on a 'Buy it Now' basis.

Does anybody have any experience of Hanns G (or Hannstar) monitors? If so, are they reliable?

I'm contemplating picking up 4 of their 19" widescreen TFT's (AH191DP) at under 100 each which seems very good vfm given their spec.

Also would I need to change my Matrox splitter cables to DVI or could I get away with a VGA to DVI adaptor on each cable?

Hilary, the monitor you refer to has a power consumption of 55W per hour. An LG L194WT monitor ( 125.00 from Scan.co.uk ) uses 34W. Multiply the difference by four and the LG's will save you about 60 pence if used for, say, 10 hours per day. This soon adds up. Also, the LG is a far superior monitor, having a contrast ratio of 2000 to 1 and a very wide viewing angle. In other words, what you initially lose on the purchase price you will soon make up for in running costs and possibly fewer visits to Specsavers! The LG monitor comes with VGA to DVI adaptors.

http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1&sku=104703

With a 3 year warranty hilary, you know they are reliable

Thanks guys, I'll take a look.

And if you go for the Dells, ring them with the order - they're usually prepared to knock a bit off the price if you're spending a bit.