IT

If you format the disk you will lose ALL of the programs and data stored on it and will have to re-install Windows all of your programs and copy your data from your backup media. Do this only as a last resort.

If you have to reformat your disk you are best to boot from the installation CD and use the format option on that.

However, if your operating system is really un-recoverable, and bearing in mind that your hard disk may have a problem, a far better solution would be to buy a new hard disk (about 70) and mount your existing one as a second drive so that you can easily copy the data across. You should also consider upgrading to Win 2K or Win XP at the same time (if you do, make sure that you select the NTFS file system when you install).

Whenever I install a program I copy the CD contents to a directory called Setup on my hard disk and run the setup program from the hard disk. Not only is this a quicker way to install the programs but also if I ever have to start from scratch all I have to do is copy my setup directory instead of searching for all of the CD's.

Edit Kayak beat me to it but these comments are still relevant.

Yes, I agree with your comments Optimist.

Kayak and Optimist

You both have been very helpful and I really appreciate the time and effort you have given. I have restored the registry twice now as the first time I got a few blue screens again. So far so good (touch wood) I have had no IE6 errors. I have done the complete DOS scan disk which took approx 8.5 hrs (no errors) then defragged as well. My machine is running a lot faster now. I have one new SD RAM stick on order (256k) to replace the 128k stick nearest the processor. My machine will soon be running 384k as a pose to 256k which can only help things along. Also have bought a new surgemaster to be on the safe side. If I start getting the same errors all over again I will reformat and try again for the last time on 98 second edition, failing that it will used as a flying frisbee and will purchase 2000/XP and install, (who's the most stable?)also a bit worrying though at the moment with the MS blaster worm from hell doing it's dirty deeds on XP/2000.
So as for now, I will play it by ear and see what's in store for me next week. Reflecting back on missed trading opportunities it would have been more viable for me to have bought a new up to date computer, as a pose to trying to trade on the old Dell Pentium 2 back up (which has been the most reliable machine ever), whilst my usual AMD Duron 1300 has been out of action.
Can you two tell me your valued opinions on what Processer is the most reliable, Pentium or AMD Duron?
Thanks again.

HELP required.....

wives pc stopped working all the case fans etc are working but no power up beep or any video signal to the monitor or even hardrive spinning....

does this sound like power supply or motherboard????

Fans working suggest it could possibly not be power supply unless you now different..

Looks like the the MoBo are there any test that i can carry out???

Trouble with pc,s it is a matter of isolating the problem the repair is pretty cheap these days.

Hope someone can help..

Rick...

IT

Don't format your existing disk get a new one it will always be useful.

If you are going tobuy a new computer then my personal predudice is always go for Intel (I had a bad experience with a K5 many years ago) but many people seem to get away with AMD these days.

More important than the processor is what goes with it. Make sure you get DDR memory (512MB min), a fast hard disk and that the motherboard has an up to date chipset. Go for a mid range processor in terms of speed your money is far better spent on extra RAM than a faster processor. Also avoid cut down processor's such as Celoron

Mega Bucks

I would not like to call this one it could be either.

Check the easy things first. Disconnect all disk drives etc and remove any PCI cards to see if that makes a difference.

Power supplies are cheaper than motherboards so I would go for that next. I have been known to stand 2 computers together and plug the power leads from one into the other.

Optimist

Thanks for the reply, bought a brand new power supply from a computer fair today for a grand total of 6 and it is still the same.
Ordered a brand new motherboard from ebuyer for 25 will be delievered tuesday so will be up and running again for a grand total of 31 what a bargain.

Thanks for your help but it was my day for bargains :-)

A very happy camper...

Mega...

HI, can anybody help me with the thread that I've created called Fundraising Ball at the Savoy -

am I able to put the webpage http://www.justgiving.com/celebrationball and my e-mail address in there as a hyperlink so people can go directly to the web address?
thanks

Yes, cut and paste into your post:

&lta href="http://www.justgiving.com/celebrationball"&gthttp://www.justgiving.com/celebrationball&lt/a&gt

and this after putting in your address

&lta href="mailto:a@a.com"&gtmail me&lt/a&gt

Also, enable your emails via MoneyAM by clicking on User Settings in the top right hand corner on each BB separately. Then people can send you emails by clicking on your username.

Thank Kayak - it worked great

I have been through my *task manger* (a right click on the task bar brings up the option to display the tast manager) systematically and dumped over 25% of the tasks running on my machine with no ill effects. i compared the tasks running with this handy link and noted each one that I couldn't find on this list. I then temporarily removed them to see the impact on my PC.

http://www.answersthatwork.com/

Web site blurb
==============
Through our support service we often come across problems caused primarily by programs running in the background, programs which in most cases start at the same time as Windows. Sometimes these programs are useful and need to be there; quite often, however, they are not needed, and in too many cases they cause severe problems.

The pages below are from our in-house database and provide guidance on the usefulness or not of these programs, and removal procedures when recommended.

In Windows 95/98/ME you can bring up the Task List by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del. In Windows NT4/2000/XP you bring up the Task List by right-clicking on the Task Bar and choosing "Task Manager"

Not for the uninitiated.

Jeroo, usefull link that thanks for posting.

Can anybody help me with this problem - I trade with GNI Touch - for some reason I recently have not been able to access this when using BT broadband although it hasn't been a problem before. This is the case even when I use a different PC, however I can connect to Touch through a different ISP (not broadband) - any suggestions?

Balmoral - I had this problem, using 128K ISDN perfect, 2MB broadband - nothing. After tearing my hair out I deleted the network driver (I'm using a small wifi network) but my pc is hardwired; loaded the latest driver and perfect!

Pls don't ask me why but it worked for me.

thanks Captain Scarlet - will try it

I remember someone posting (could have been here or on the other side) that their new notebook was overheating. It turned out that the Celeron processor is known to run quite hot. I've noticed the same with my HP (Celeron) notebook - the fan is working a lot of the time.

I'm going to buy a new notebook soon... and I wouldn't want to get another one with a Celeron chip. The two alternatives at the moment seem to be Pentium 4 and Athlon. Are there any known issues with these? Athlon notebooks are quite a lot cheaper than the equivalent Pentiums - are they as good? I've also seen Centrino mentioned - is that a separate chip or a version of Pentium?

Thanks for any answers and advice that help to clear the fog!

PeterG in terms of performance for the pound AMD normally win, however recently the intel chips have reversed this trend with the HT versions. However for notebooks this isnt really a major issue as CPU power isnt usually the main requirement. I cant advise on any particular products but I woud not be concerned about the heat to much, heat is a product of power and as long as the chips are able to withstand it its not an issue.

The mobile version of each manufacturers chips are pretty good, although I think there was a problem with the AMD and Windows XP when first launched.

Help needed.
When I try to apply the blaster patch downloaded from Symantec I get the message 'setup has dected that the version of the Service Pack installed on your system is lower than what is necessary to apply this hot fix. At minimum you must have Service Pack 2 installed'..
What is a Service PAck and how do I get an up to date one installed..
HAs anyone else had the same problem and found a work-around?
Any advice will be greately appreciated..
TIA
Shammy

Shammy, service packs are collections of fixes which are applied in one go and bring your system up to date to a certain point in time. You get service packs from Windows Update. There will be a service pack for Windows and one for Internet Explorer, start by downloading the Windows one (SP4 for Windows 2000), and then move on to all of the other items shown to you in Windows Update. It is very important to keep your system up to date. If you download all of the fixes from Windows Update you will not need to install the symantec one as it will already have done that.

thanks Kayak, will do as you recommend.

edited...all sorted out now..but will have to review my policy of 'if it aint broke, dont fix it'!! thanks once again