There is a problem with the deffault time servers that Windows uses - some or all of them can no longer talk to Windows. Microsoft have known about it for months so they will one day send out a fix.

The best time server is pool.ntp.org because it will use a differenr server every time. I don't think it matters how far axay it is because your computer is able to take the time lag into account.

If you need really accurate time, Google for a registry hack that can change how often it updates.

Thanks Hils, Outlook 2007 has changed the rules and gone all clever, however I can now see what I should have done - thanks. It looks as though I copy the WAB into Outlook Express first, then Outlook will copy it over.

I've managed to leave my USB stick with my WAB on it at work so won't be able to install until morning. This is all since I got a copy of Outlook installed on my lappy at the same time as my main desktop PC skidded off the road, so I had to transfer everything to the lappy.

Well my ASUS laptop ordered 6/11 and promised for this week has still not arrived :-) A little disgruntled.

Slightly off topic but i wonder if any of you computer buffs can explain
how the following works.

I've come across a site where it says i can download to my pc for free
almost any old arcade games, now i used to love playing some of these
games about 15 years ago and would love to do so again but i dont seem
to know or understand how the site works and there seems to be little
in the way of links to help, it's a genuine site etc etc and i've seen examples
of what games can be downloaded on you tube but i'm really struggling to get
started, i have windows xp.

http://mamedev.org/

Do all laptops have the second monitor option for the display? I'm looking at this one:

HP 67155

SC

Most laptops have a VGA output but some of them will not support a seond desktop only a clone of the laptop screen. I suspect that the situation has improved now and you will be OK but I've rarely been able to identify that facility from the published specs.

You will have to do some digging or order on condition that it does support a second desktop.

I've just looked at the display setting on my Asus laptop and it looks as if there is an option to run a separate screen in tandem with the in-situ screen.

It refers to an Intel Graphics Controller. I'm reluctant to experiment in case I lock myself out of an "aint broke" lappie. But from what it was telling me it seemed to refer to two desktops.

TP

TP

Plug a monitor into the VGA output, it may come on automatically or you may have to activate it.

Right click the desktop then select properties and the settings tab. There should be two monitors shown, No 2 may be greyed out. Select monitor 2, then check the box 'Extend my desktop across this screen' then click Apply. Uncheck the box to reverse.

Thanks guys

Opt,

I'm running a second monitor already. Have the laptop one turned off.

Tried what you said. For a time it all went horribly dark.

I'll leave the pioneering to SC. Mine 'aint broke'.

TP

Ordered one - the HP site says it has a projector/external VGA monitor port on the back so it looks as though we're OK...

I'm in trouble if it doesn't!

Many thanks to all those who tried to help with my mame pc problem !

I have Vista Ultimate 32; on a second hand laptop I bought in February (I have my back up disc), it came installed.

It has worked fine but in recent weeks I have been getting messages which for all the world look genuine asking me for 'Windows Activation' or windows will stop working.

It always says 'within 27 days it will stop working' and asks for the serial number of my Vista which I don't have.

Is it possible the previous owner registered it for a year, or some such? I've no way of getting the serial number as the seller was on EBay. And I have to say it's a brill laptop for what I paid.

Or is it what it feels like and logic screams it must be - a Virus Message?????

It sounds like you've been sold a pirate copy of Vista which has had the activation temporarily cracked and it's now come back to bite you on the backside.

You'll probably either have to buy a legit copy or work out how to crack it otherwise it'll stop working in 27 days time just as it says on the label.

Harwick

Hilary may well be right and you will ultimately have to buy a legal copy. However, an easy way to recover software keys is to run Belarc Advisor which will list software keys as well as a load of other usefull info about your machine. I'm sure that there are other ways to get the key, but Belarc Advisor is so useful that you should run it anyway.

If the key is not accepted, them you will most likely be asked to phone Microsoft and do a manual activation. So long as you bought the machine in good faith, you will have nothing to lose by doing that.

Opt,

I'll download anything that makes me seem wiser - an easy task in my case!

Snag is that my Belarc would not install on this XP Pro machine and gave that not a valid Win 32 application message.

I had it a while ago with Virtual Access, but forget what the fix is.

Tony

Thanks all , downloaded Belarc so now have the product key.

Could I have done something to disable it - I was fiddling between administrator and home a couple of weeks ago (when I had a problem I sould add, Java stopped working on Firefox, still unsolved, though works on IE!) and Belarc shows this (admin and guest both have x beside them):

"local user accounts last logon
home 20/11/2007 08:57:22 (admin)
local system accounts
x Administrator 02/11/2006 14:02:01 (admin)
x Guest never

DISABLED x Marks a disabled account; LOCKED OUT Marks a locked account "

Another question, will I have to change or download a whole new system or will I just be given a new key to type in? I'd like to keep this Vista as I like it but I gather it is over 100!!!

Thanks for any answers. Last thought, where do i get a number to ring Microsoft, or can I get a key online?

TP

Have you got the latest version, and are you logged in as an Administrator?

Hawick

The Administrator is normally disabled in Vista you should not be able to log on as Administrator. A user can have Admin rights, but these are slightly less than full Administrator. Some programs need Administrator rights to run, but these have to be specifically authorized every time.

I suggest that you click Start Button - Help & Support then search for 'activate'. From memory, if the activation process does not like your key then you are offered a number to phone (try not to use a cordless phone as you will have to press a lot of keys).

Should you have to buy another Vista package, then you can probably just enter the key. However, if you have a dodgy copy then you don't really know what you have got. You should consider at least a full reinstall.

Wehn I clicked on buy a new key now, after putting in my key number in the box, i got I got:
'Unable to verify site certificate pa.one.microsoft.com

Could be a site pretending to be, etc.............. Surely if it was a microsoft site this is very unlikely?

In a tizz now, does anyone have a microsoft support phone number (UK or better still Slovenia!). Thanks!

I did this from control panel system where I got the message to renew within 28 days

If the last section of the site is .microsoft.com (correctly spelt) then the site should be OK.

You may find it cheaper to buy an OEM copy fro a retailer than go direct to Microsoft although I'd be interested to know what MS charge.