Much obliged, Optimist. Thanks.

My BBC iplayer has stopped working after working fine for months .... this happened after updating to SP3. Plays for approx 14 seconds then starts buffering.

Any suggestions ?

Dilare you opening up a junk/second hand shop?

Why ... got some MDX products that need shifting ?

Dil - you don't need anything other than the Windows XP CD to crack the administrator password. See this article: http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=305

Alternately, as you say you're not bothered about what's on the machine, you can indeed format the disk and install XP from the CD

Hi zz I haven't seen you around for some time.

Thanks for that link. I think the NT password reset is easier but it does have the disadvantage that it will destroy the existing user accounts.

I used to think that password protecting the BIOS and hence locking out alternative boot devices was a waste of time because it is so easily circumvented but I'm now coming to the view that computers should always be locked and BIOS protected. It's just too easy to get into them.

Hi O - just upgraded here from freeloader status (got sick of Advfn's non-working monitor and total lack of interest in fixing it, so came over here)

My problem of getting onto the Selftrade site was resolved to a point. As a company they are useless with the IT dept not getting back to me. Surprisingly it was Virginmedia who helped. It was something to do with my LAN settings and proxy servers. However, after the changes, my computer ran like a dog yesterday on all sites and could barely cope with anything. By unticking 'use a proxy server for your Lan' speeded everything back up but then I couldn't get back onto Selftrade! I've been told Firefox will be better so I'm trying that today.

dd

click the Advanced button under the 'use a proxy server for your Lan' and insert the selftrade site under Exceptions

cheers will try

Cheers zzaxx , problem is my mate has no disks at all although I can lay my hands on a copy of XP.

Dilbert,

Windows XP has an activation feature which is intended to restrict usage to one copy per computer. It's called WPA (Windows Product Activation). Even if it's genuine, you might have a problem activating your copy of XP if it's already registered on the Microsoft database for a different PC.

If you don't activate it within 30 days, I think it disables access. Unless you work out how to crack the WPA of course.

:o)

Depends on the source of the XP CD - if it comes from a Volume Licensing set (eg corporate install, or some types of MSDN), the number of installs are unlimited, with no activation requirement

It works fine hils .... apparently :-)

Been tearing my hair out last few days.

I have an Epson Stylus C42 Plus printer. I changed an ink cartridge without a problem. Knowing the nozzles needed cleaning I followed instructions, but both the green and red lights started to flash (I understand this is normal), but after 30 mins they were still flashing. All attempts to stop the process via the PC failed so I switched the printer off, both wth the green off/on button and the mains. On switching back on all I get are the same flashing lights and the printer takes no notice of anything I do via the PC.
Been on the Epson Web Site but it does not help.
Any ideas please.

I have an Epson C62. Had the same fault a while ago.
I was not (& am still not) using genuine Epson cartridges as the cost is too high. Epson cartridges (& copies) use a chip to monitor the level of ink, though in fact all they do is calculate the ink level rather than monitor the actual level. If you are using the non-genuine cartridges then the cartridge may be at fault. Try taking it out & re-installing but watch out for leaking ink.
I cured my problem by un-installing the printer & ink monitor software, re-booting & then re-installing the software from the disk. I still think though that the cartridge chip was at fault & tried a difference manufacturer which has never since caused me a problem.

Thanks Harrycat,

Also use none Epson Cartridges. I have tried to get the cartridge out via the PC instructions but all it does is keep flashing so it won't do anything else.
Have taken the printer apart, remover cartridge manually (probable completely knackered it now) and replaced, no difference, still flashing.
Will have another go though, using your un-install, re-install suggestion and post the result.

Every time I click anything it opens in a new browser window _ how can I put it right?

Don't click anything :-)

In Firefox:
tools
Options
Tabs
and the button to open in new tab instead of new window.

I'm sure it's very similar in IE

If that doesn't work stick to Dil's suggestion.