Vacuming has been known to work but it also has the potential to do damage. Be careful and do it at your risk.

Sorry Breydon, had to go out.
Sounds like a hardware fault, not a software one.
Somebody with electronic diagnostics needs to have a look, imo.
P.C.s are relatively easy to fiddle with, but laptops are tricky.
If the fan is not cooling the main processor, then the software should boot up & then shut down & continue doing this, in my experience. Hope it isn't one you bought in a pub!!!

Thanks ExecLine. Will try. Funny thing I was talking to someone yesterday afternoon and they were suggesting the same thing.

Will let you know.

My Java plug-in is 1.6.0_7

Checked it out though and it says I have the latest version and there are no more updates. Also cleared the cache from the Java TIF. All to no avail!

I wonder if it is something to do with pop-ups.

Will investegate shortly. Will also see if I can get thr' to Selftrade IT.

Christ, I'm losing enough money with them so they should help! :-(

My friend has inherited a computer but its password protected (Windows) so he can't get on it.

There is nothing on the computer that is needed so if a format of the hard disk is needed then thats ok.

How do I help him ?

Cheers

Is it nicked

No :-)

It was literally inherited by a mate from a neighbour who died.

If you have got the original Windows disk, try:
http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=305

Friends of mine were given a computer from a single uncle who died and were surprised to find that there was a lot to look at. A whole side to Uncle's life that no one knew existed :-)

Just rang my mate and there are no disks with the computer HARRYCAT.

Is it possible to just reformat the whole thing from a copy of Windows XP ?

Unlike Kayak's mate my mate isn't nosey :-)

Dil

You can reset the Windows password by using this NT Password Reset. Last time I used it, it was an ISO image that could be burnt to a CD which you use to boot the computer and then reset the Windows password.

Once you get Windows running, run Belarc Advisor to recover the Windows Key if you haven't already got it. Reformatting the disk is never a bad idea on an unknown machine, but you may as well get any info and program keys off the disk first. If you go for a complete reinstall, you must have an XP SP2 disk if the hard drive is bigger than 125MB.

Edit

I've just read your last post. Any XP installation disk will do but note my comments re SP2 and you have to have thecorrect version (Home or Prof). You also have to recover the key first.

the fan on my laptop is now working
but not moving from packard bell screen

Can't I just get him a dodgy copy of any Windows XP version to use ?

Will try the other way first for him though Optimist but probably not until weekend.

I think you need to visit the repair shop. Or the fridge!

There are sites around that will help you crack or at least reset the Windows password(s).

search for

reset windows password

or

hack windows password

Cheers Haystack I have had a look at a few , will see if the one Optimist gave me works first.

The password cracker sites will only work if it is an easy to guess password or if you are not using the high encription option on your system. This was a late addon for Win 2K and is standard on Win XP although it may not be enabled.

The one that I suggested does not crack the password, it just replaces it.

MS has finally got round to wanting SP3 on my XP comp.
I remember this was a nightmare update when it first came out.
Anyone know if things have improved?
Thanks in advance.

I have been using XP SP3 for 10 moths with no problems. System performance is supposed to be improved by around 10% but that is almost impossible to verify in real life. The only problem thaat I have heard about was highlighted by MightyMicro on these boards. It was a DHCP issue which had an easy workaround if you only have a couple of machines. It may well have been fixed now.

Much obliged, Optimist. Thanks.