Thanks Kayak. The BIOS setting was one of the first I checked - it was and is enabled. One question though - would it make sense to try and update the "Audio Codecs" driver? I notice when I look at the properties for the codecs driver, it says the manufacturer is unknown - I thought it probably ought to be Realtek.

In the Device Manager section there may be other oarts missing.

I have the following in the list

Audio Codecs
Legacy Audio Drivers
Legacy Video Capture devices
Media Control Devices
Soundmax Integrated Digital Audio
Video Codecs

Media Control Devices may be of interest to look at if you have it. You migh try uninstalling that one. Another possibility is to uninstall the lot and let Windows find the hardware device and reinstall them. I have had to do this and they never reappeared until I had then set the default device and rebooted again after that.

No the audio codecs (and the other devices) will be part of the audio driver. However they are often written by other firms, so might not be stamped Realtek.

Haystack, will try your suggestion in a short while. Wife's dragging me out for some shopping!

Kayak, thanks.

It might be a case of taking the kit back to where the motherboard change was done and asking why it doesn't work.

Haystack, yes. I'll be taking it back to them after I've had a chat with them over the phone. Luckily, they're pretty close to where I live. The work is being done by a social enterprise organisation and I'm quite happy with the quality of their work though the turn-around time can be a bit long.

EDIT: Took the machine book to the shop. A helpful chap took a quick look and decided to stick a soundcard in. Problem sorted! :-)

I opened an attachment in an e.amil and all hell as broken loose!
Warning sign says ive got a Worm.Win.netsky tha has its own engine and can use
email or active x !!!

What should i do?

Thanks.
d.

Try this: -

"so long as it is the basic netsky, this will do it.
Click start, run and type in MRT, this will open the malicious software removal tool, run this tool if you have the tool as Netsky is in the database,
if you do not have this tool, then go here,

http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

and down load it, it is totaly free, it should update automaticaly, run the scan for the full system, Netsky should be removed and disposed of."

Haystack

I ran that, it scanned ofr over an hour and said no malicious software was found..??

my icons that are normally at the bottom of the screen have gone to a right hand side margin, if i click anywhere in that margin, my screensaver goes green with a black spyware warning sign in the middle of it!!!!!

Do you have anti virus software running on your PC?

You might try running a virus scan using your anti virus software or using

Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware to find and remove it

www.malwarebytes.org

As a general rule don't open attachments on emails that you don't recognise or even better don't open the email at all.

That virus should not have infected your PC if you are running anti virus software. I am currently using Microsoft's Security Essentials

Sounds like you need to download a Trend Micro Housecall

They say: "Scan now with HouseCall 7.1!"

HouseCall is Trend Micros highly popular and capable on-demand scanner for identifying and removing viruses, Trojans, worms, unwanted browser plugins, and other malware.

Getting Started with HouseCall

Click Download HouseCall 7.1 to begin. Please note that HouseCall requires a small download before it can scan your computer.
You can also choose to save a copy of the launcher (HousecallLauncher.exe) and use it to quickly launch HouseCall. Remember to visit this page occasionally to get the latest copy of the launcher.
It is recommended that first-time users select the Quick Scan option, which is available in addition to the Full Scan or Folder Scan options.

Blimey, Doc.

With all the anti-virus/spyware/malware/speed-boosting/performance-enhancing/steroidal goodies that you seem to have on your PC, is there any room left to run the proper programs of this world like Barbie Riding ClubTM.

:o)

Haystack/Doc

Thanks, ive run them, they say thy have found Trojans and have removered them.
A new icon called internet security keeps appearing though, they clear it and it comes back to say the lap tops got severe infections and i need to purchase things to get rid of them. Is it possible these signs are fake? How to i get rid of them?
I licked the icon and pressed delete but t said i had t go to add/remove progs to delete it, i did but i couldnt find it in there!

Yes H, i know "licking" the icons isnt a good idea!

:-)

Hils

According to my contact at http://www.softsift.com/ well, how shall I say it? Barbie Riding Club™ might just now be so 'last year'.

:-)

Dailos

Go into the PC in Safe Mode. (Press F8 when the machine is booting up)
You will get a few options.
Choose Safe Mode with Networking.
Download and install Super AntiSpyware Free Edition from http://www.superantispyware.com/.
Try using the code 'FRIEND' to get yourself a discount.
It shouldn't be necessary to update it, if you download it from this web site.
Run a full scan.
Reboot into Normal mode.
Should be sorted.

Finally, I would suggest you strongly consider uing this program (the 'Pro' version) as your main AV software and set it up to run in the background to give you protection from web site nasties when you are browsing and e-mail nasties too, as and when they come in.
SAS updates several times per week and is very, very, up to date. It's also not too sexpensive. One of the best on the market IMHO.

Good Luck! Nothing is impossible.

Think Retro, Doc.

:o)

Cheers Doc, its sorted!
Keep an eye on AVN (long).
d.

Hi
I've just added Windows 7 to an HD with xp installed (dual booting). Is it possible to add shortcuts in 7 to the apps I have in running xp or do I need to reinstall them?
tia