My laptop is getting slow to boot/shut down. I know there are lots of things loading and a cull will improve things. I have used a free utility Currprocess which tells me what they are but I'm nervous about using the "kill process" option on some of them e.g. I have 4 svchost.exe which all seem identical and a hpgs2wnd.exe plus hpgswnf.exe which are both to do with my HP printer. Any suggestions appreciated.

Thanks Space/Kayak
They are standard BT Plugs.Not thought about needing another filter!Ill try My local shoppe
Cheers Iain

Thanks Optimist, suspected it was harmless but I don't get many of these unless I've installed new software. It will be the dataviz software that links with my Palm PDA. Wood, trees, can't see the for the.... :-)

Any Ideas Chaps.......
I pushed my luck thinking I was on a role from the weekend and installed a new dvd writer.Seemed straight forward........pluged everything back in and as I hit the power swithch at the back of the pc the speakers started making a rapid clicking noise with bad interference. turned off the power . checked every thing cant see any problems . Pushed and pulled all the connections ect.
End result = power on at the back = internal fan starts but nothing happens when I switch on at the front. if I put the speakers in still get the same noise but no response from the deskyop unit except the fan still works.
Technical support made me do a static discharge after waiting 20 mins on premium rate number to basically then tell me they havent got a clue. " it might be the power unit or it could be the mother board" but if I send it back to them they will give me an estimate for a cost of 100. in advance.
unit is 16 months old but only had 12 month on site cover (Aldi but the last offer had 3 years) .
Any ideas or do I take it to PC world to look at to get some idea of cost. Or does anyone by chance now a good independant repaireer Middx / Watford area.
Graeme.

I would recommend these guys to you, albeit they are up a M1 from you a tadge. Easy to find and worth the visit. What you spend in time and petrol, you'll get back in cash not spent on repairs. This is because they are inexpensive, whilst thorough, effective, efficient and trustworthy.

http://www.computerdoctors.uk.net/

Ask for 'John' and he'll suggest things to you on the phone even before you bring the machine in.

They might even do it while you wait if they can, in view of the distance and if you ask them nicely and set it up beforehand.

GRAEME.ALEXANDER,
OK the standard way of working this sort of thing out is to undo everything you have done and see if you still have the problem, however I would check the power connectors from the power supply to the motherboard and all the disk drives (floppy, CD/DVD and hard drive).

Then check that the sound card is seated properly, it might be worth taking it out and putting it back in. Check any other cards are seated in tehir slots properly as well.

Try that then post back here.

Good luck.

Graeme.

Spaceman is spot on. If that does not work I would go further and remove the sound card if you have one and also unplug all drives etc. The computer will not boot if you do that but at least yo should get the initial start up screen which will prove it works.

There is normally a thin wire (3 core)that goes between the CD drive and the soundcard or MB. I don't know whether that has caused the problem but you can safely remove it.

Don't even think of taking it to PC World.

I knew of Computer Doctors some years ago. They may have matured since then but use caution.

I've just downloaded Norton Ghost 9.0 (upgrade from v2003). It arrived as an ISO file which I am instructed must be burned first to a CD-R before I can use Ghost 9.0. Presumably I have to buy a CD writer now! If so, it will be an external one using USB. Both USB ports are in use although there is a fatter port next to it (you can tell I'm a layman). Can someone kindly confirm I need to buy a CD-writer and any recommendations? TIA

Bones

Yes you do need a CD writer, although there may be a way round it. If you buy a USB one then you need to buy a USB hub that will split a USB port into four. Connect your CD writer directly to the computer though.

Make sure that the software that comes with it is capable of burning ISO images a common one is Nero which is OK, I don't know about others. Don't use cheap disks for ISO images.

Why do you want a USB writer?

Do a Google search for "IsoBuster". I believe that this program can extract files from the ISO image file direct to your hard disk. IsoBuster is on free trial but there are some smaller free programs around.

Edit

If you end up buying a CD writer, why not go for a DVD writer instead?

Optimist - many thanks for taking the time to help. I'll buy a DVD writer. The Ghost Readme says Nero Burning Rom and Roxio Easy CD Creator will both burn the ISO image so I'll ensure it comes with one of those. No, I have no reason to specify a USB writer, I just assumed it would come with USB if it were external.

The Ghost requires a CD for a boot disk function if ever I needed to recover the program so I won't get ISOBuster.

Thanks again.

thanks guys (so far)

Have tried all the above except the sound card bit because it looks like that is fixed to the mother board. If I am looking in the right place, behind where the speakers (5.1) plug in then it is a silver cube type fixed to the mother board. There is no siginal getting through to the screen.
If I end up going to an independent what should I be looking for and asking to try to find a decent one and not a cowboy.
Your help / advice is really apreciated as this stuff tereifies me.
Doc Pro I havent ruled them out yet, its just the distance........Graeme.

Graeme

You have a problem there.

I would suggest that you go to one of the rapidly disapearing privately owned computer shops, but beware there are cowboys around. Question them and if possible watch them while they look it over. Buy them a drink.

Your problem must be either something left off or in the wrong place, a faulty motherboard or less likely, the power supply.

All you need is someone who knows what they are doing, has a work bench and a few bits to swap over to identify the fault.

Even if you have damaged the MB that should cost less than 100 + time.

Taken the plunge, found small operation (Operates out of converted G/F Flat).
The man on the phone was polite, helpful and was willing to have a look after I gave him the history. Have just dropped it off and he will try to look at it tomorrow and then let me know the cost. I got a good first impression so I hope I am right, I will update you on the outcome........Any one fancy a Guess for a bit of a laugh.
I recon I have done something stupid and 99 (hopefully not more)
Thanks again for all the help, Graeme.

Good Luck Graham.
Right!My next problem.
Im using a Matrox g550 dual head.When you watch a video you cant get it to stretch across both screens.The right hand screen just goes black.
Any ideas?

I think it's just a limitation Iain, mine does the same.

Thanks Anyway Kayak.Kids wanted to get their PC games to stretch across both screens.
Ill break it to the gently.
Many thanks as usual

GOOD NEWS.........
Well it is as far as I am concerned.
I haven't killed it I only wounded it......
It was the power supply 40 +vat.
Graeme.

I'm experimenting with a Linux machine.

Does anyone know of any free/cheap software that will enable me to log on to the Linux GUI from Win XP?

Optiomist I assume you mean X-Windows? I cant remember the one I used to use but I will post it if I can find it! I have heard that cygwin is OK but I have never used it. http://x.cygwin.com/

The commercial Xwindows manager for Windows are fairly costly.

Optimist,

install VNC server on the linux server and connect to it usinog the VNC view on your windows box.