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.

can@t see that> as you can see my keyboard keeps showing wrong characters too> what have i done?

Could be a bit of muck - or it might just be something else

Greystone
I have had the same problem a few times. It is often a stuck key (alt or ctrl). I usually give a bit of a bang on the table and reboot.

Thank you all. A good slap and a reboot has restored sanity to my keyboard - obviously a female machine I have here - very expensive and difficult to understand.

Trouble is, G, it'll win in the end - they always do.

Amongst my overnight spam was a message that claimed it was sent by my own internet mailbox ***@****.com

I have a Dynamic IP with BE Unlimited. I rarely re-boot my PC and only ever re-boot my router when it loses my broadband signal. Should I be re-booting more often?

With regard to my address list I don't use Outlook so I'm pretty confident that aspect is safe.

I always thought it was impossible to cheat a false 'from' message on e:mails due to the SMTP system. It seems not.

TP

It's very common to fake the from address - I would say that 99% of the spam I get has a faked From address, often my own (why the morons figure that I'm likely to open an email that apparently comes from myself, but which I know I didn't send, I have no idea).

Google "fake from address email" and the 3rd or 4th link has a video showing how to fake the from address. Another great contribution to the internet.

Thanks zz,

Now I know.

And, as you hint, another handy resource for the prankster in my soul.

TP

when i open a fresh page using IE it takes about 18 seconds to open,
then when i start looking, the pages open up very fast as it was before,
the only thing i can remember doing before this happened was a disc defrag,
all the scans has been done,(AVG,SpyBot,Super-Antispy,cleanup)

any ideas how to get the first page in IE to open up within 2 secs,homepage i use is google.

sc

scussy,

Have you tried changing the home page to blank?

TP