SC

If you don't use the /F switch then it will not change anything on the disk - assuming you are using NTFS file system. switch off and consider your options.

Edit

Whatever you do, mount the disk on another computer. This will prevent any files being overwritten by Windows.

What,switch off now even though chkdsk is running?

edit, yes, ntfs

SC

No I'd let chkdsk finish. I don't think it would make any difference but without the /F it is in read only mode so it's not worth interupting it.

OK, thanks. Bedtime :-)

md

"overheating?? "

Unlikely. It's been happening for a while and I bought one of those coolers recently. No obvious connection.

TP

I had Norton anti virus but stopped paying for the updates and downloaded AVG free edition. Shall i just use AVG, as two firewalls seem to slow things up.

Aldwick, delete Norton first and fully via control panel, then and only then install AVG. I run AVG at home and it's fine. You mustn't run two av programs at once. edit and make sure you have a firewall running, AVG free doesn't have a firewall built in as far as I'm aware.

Update on the hard disc: Ran chkdsk/f accidentally overnight and we're in, now taking all the photos and other bits and bobs off and then it's time for a new hard disc methinks. So saved by the bell for now. Optimist, thanks for all your support.

Aldwick

Do a search on the Norton sight for "Norton Removal Tool". Uninstall does not remove it completely.

SC

I'm glad it worked out. Allthough you can never trust that disk, it may still be possible to use Partition Magic to clone the disk it's a lot easier that reinstalling.

If you go for a clean install, remember that you can't use pre SP2 install CD's on modern hard disks.

Once you are running again, check out Carbonite.com 15 day free trial (I will also benefit should you sign up from this link).

SC,

Lucky you.

Guess what was the first thing I did this morning. Take the external hard drive down to my studio and back up my photography computer!

That Carbonite system looks interesting. Snag is that I don't have a proper internet feed in my studio.

TP

TP, a very salutory lesson!!!

Optimist, can't get Carbonite to open. Will try later. In the meantime I'm transferring all my photos and other data to my other two PCs. Also have a 500Gb external disc arriving today !!

I am using BTYahoo broadband and getting very frustrated with problems. At the moment the yahoo browser is stalling and i am having to get out using the task manager. however , this seems to leave my HUB stalled also and cannot access it so cannot get back online. Have not found a solution to the hub stalling but have got back online by switching the HUB on and off and also switching off the computer but the latter only works sometimes.

Could somebody explain to me what may be happening to the HUB when the browser stalls. ta

75 free ways to refresh Windows XP & Vista

NB. Making changes to services can cause problems, so set a System Restore point or back up your Windows Registry. Even after this precaution, be careful about which services you disable.

Never shut down a service you don't understand, and don't disable several services at once. Instead, turn one off and see whether your system runs okay without it for a while before disabling any others.

And - before you start, it might be an idea to either make a few notes or, better still, print some off - so have a look here:

http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

SC.

Deleted as you suggest.

But is it actually illegal to piggy back? I am aware of the dangers, et al, but was not aware that it was criminal.

TP

Two different people have been taken to court for it in recent months, TP.

Er, yes, very TP!!

Hmmm, I wonder if PC Plod monitors Ebay?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/smartbridges-wireless-wifi-802-11-outdoor-access-point_W0QQitemZ120168873221QQihZ002QQcategoryZ45002QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

DP,

That BlackViper site is interesting.

I have done the indexing and themes tweaks and it seems to have speeded things up for me.

TP

Needing a couple of new PCs running XP pro for the business, want fastish machines, looking around 400-600 without screen, any ideas? Have been looking at Ebuyer HP machines, but has anyone got any other suggestions.

SC

It depends what you want to use your machies for. Many business machines need a good processor and plenty of RAM but do not use much hard disk space and CDROM and floppy drives can be a disadvantage. If this is the case with your bussiness then find someone who will make the machines to your spec and don't pay for stuff that you don't want (also you avoid the rubbish free software/spyware that comes with most new computers.

In any case, make sure you get at least an Intel Core 2 Duo proccessor. That seems to be the best low end at present.

Having said that, in the past year I've bought very old second hand IBM and HP units. They are a pain to set up, because they use some non standard components but the build quality was far better than other machines. I guess that sometimes, you get what you pay for.

Thanks Optimist (again!). These are mainly to be used for database work and mailmerge type stuff using word, which is painfully slow at times on the current cheapo machines we have :-)

Hav had bad experiences in the past with custom made units using cheap components - some suppliers promising the earth and delivering rubbish.