[nade]

My younger brother had "issues" with his PC recently. And I stuck Zonealarm, Avast and Spybot on it.

S4B, try tapping the F8 key when you turn the machine on, then select the "Safe Mode" option. This'll load windows up without loading any of the other apps/drivers. One you are in safe mode, start up Avast and choose to do a full scan of the PC.

I had to do this with my brothers and I was able to run Avast and I couldn't believe the amount of viruses and trojan's it found.

Oh and stay away from another free antivirus AVG. I installed that first on my brothers and it could find viruses but was unable to remove them... so tried Avast and very chuffed with it.

[Andy B]

This is why it's a good idea to have your data on a different drive to your operating system.

It does appear to have to seperate hard drives...when I open up My computer it's got two 60G drives wiht windows on only one so I could (in theory) xfer all my data to the other drive couldn't I?...

I think a visit to PC world and their "Tech Guys" - (or is that the carphone warehouse?...No no I am right, carphone warehouse is the "geek squad") is in order tomorrow.....

Shall I shout or be nice to them do you think?

Considering what is ON my hard disk, I think I shall be nice.

[ladbroke]

This is why it's a good idea to have your data on a different drive to your operating system.

It does appear to have to seperate hard drives...when I open up My computer it's got two 60G drives wiht windows on only one so I could (in theory) xfer all my data to the other drive couldn't I?...

I think a visit to PC world and their "Tech Guys" - (or is that the carphone warehouse?...No no I am right, carphone warehouse is the "geek squad") is in order tomorrow.....

Shall I shout or be nice to them do you think?

Considering what is ON my hard disk, I think I shall be nice.

Tech guys my arse, they probably wouldn't know the screen from their rectum, if you have the O/S on disc do a fresh install and as Topher says create a partition for the O/S. About 7 or 8 Gb partition for the operating system should do the trick

[Boboff]

Guys I think you are forgetting your audience here !

S4, everytime it looses it's connection start again and use it as time to have a cup of Tea and do two pieces of ironing !

[S4B]

Hi S4B,

Don't sigh

What make is your laptop and router??

How far away is your laptop to the router??

Lastly, Where is the router located?

MasterChief is on your case!!!

My laptop is an ACER Aspire 5630

Router is ....... Actually I have no idea and it doesn't seem to say errrr it's a 4 hub ethernet router its model number is ea715 which is also attached to my Dlink wireless thingy (Yes I'm a girl!)

I actually sit right next to my router most of the time and it's located on a shelf next to me

Guys I think you are forgetting your audience here !

S4, everytime it looses it's connection start again and use it as time to have a cup of Tea and do two pieces of ironing !

Boboff that's 3 extra lashes next time I see you!!!!

[MK Chris]

I actually sit right next to my router most of the time and it's located on a shelf next to me

Why don't you use it wired then?

[pjordan2000]

I've disabled Norton following Bruvva's advice and it seems to be a bit better although now I've said that the whole thing will probably be invaded by virus's now. Can anyone suggest a good anti virus thing I can download?

I know i'm a little bit late on the suggestion scene but I highly recommend AVG. Probably a bit late of me now though

[Andy B]

This is why it's a good idea to have your data on a different drive to your operating system.

It does appear to have to seperate hard drives...when I open up My computer it's got two 60G drives wiht windows on only one so I could (in theory) xfer all my data to the other drive couldn't I?...

I think a visit to PC world and their "Tech Guys" - (or is that the carphone warehouse?...No no I am right, carphone warehouse is the "geek squad") is in order tomorrow.....

Shall I shout or be nice to them do you think?

Considering what is ON my hard disk, I think I shall be nice.

Tech guys my arse, they probably wouldn't know the screen from their rectum, if you have the O/S on disc do a fresh install and as Topher says create a partition for the O/S. About 7 or 8 Gb partition for the operating system should do the trick

I don't have the original discs hence a trip to PC world...not many computers do come with the original discs these days anyway.....

[S4B]

I actually sit right next to my router most of the time and it's located on a shelf next to me

Why don't you use it wired then?

Tried that Topher, same thing happens, also it means I can take my laptop with me if I want to change rooms - now that would have been without complication but obviously I still have complications!

[Weebl and Bob]

Hi i am having problems with my msn messenger and xbox live keeps cutting out every 10 - 15 mins any one please help

[Chris]

Not meaning to be intentionally rude to newbies, but two of your nine posts have been about your problems with MSN and/or Xbox live. Why not go away, ask someone on a Microsoft forum, then come back when it's fixed and you can stop bothering us with them?

[Weebl and Bob]

fine but i only sed twice i have tried the microsoft forms many of time not getting a reply sorry if i was bothering you just wanted to have some help because i cant get it any were else

[Sunny So Cal]

I wouldn't use Norton if someone paid me. Utter crap and it's run by useless morons. They buggered up my brand new PC 2 weeks after getting it one time and when I phoned their friendly (ha!) and useful (double ha!) customer service (in Bangladesh!!!) I ended up speaking to someone who suggested I delete things from my registry. When I laughed and said that's a definite no, she insisted it wouldn't do anything to my PC because it was "only Norton stuff" I'd be deleting. The moment I did, the PC shut down. Idiots. I use one called CA Associates and it works fairly well. Only a few issues with firewalls, etc but those I've settled. I really can't decide whether I like my sons MacBook more.

[Mafro]

I actually sit right next to my router most of the time and it's located on a shelf next to me

Why don't you use it wired then?

Tried that Topher, same thing happens, also it means I can take my laptop with me if I want to change rooms - now that would have been without complication but obviously I still have complications!

Have you tried resetting the router to its factory settings?

While I'm here a bit of a related question,I'm thinking about getting a 2nd phone line installed with BT, does this require a new main socket to be installed? (costs about 166 quid!)

[S4B]

The router works fine for Mr S4B's machine so I don't think that's what it is.

Yes it will cost you the 166 quid. Dunno if you need another main socket but they'll still charge you for it!

[MK Chris]

While I'm here a bit of a related question,I'm thinking about getting a 2nd phone line installed with BT, does this require a new main socket to be installed? (costs about 166 quid!)

Yeah, it will do.

It will also require a BT engineer to come and install it, so be armed with plenty of air freshener.

[S4B]

While I'm here a bit of a related question,I'm thinking about getting a 2nd phone line installed with BT, does this require a new main socket to be installed? (costs about 166 quid!)

Yeah, it will do.

It will also require a BT engineer to come and install it, so be armed with plenty of air freshener.

Oh and book a few days off work because, even if they do turn up on the day they say they will, they'll not be able to do it in one visit!

[Mafro]

That's a bit of a pain in the arse, we've got plenty of extra sockets around the house. Plus my dad is an electrician so there would be no need for the engineer. The bit on the BT website is a bit confusing then:

Sometimes one phone line isn't enough. An additional line for calling and chatting to friends can make life much easier.

Installation is only £124.99 and will be included in your quarterly BT phone bill with your rental charges.*

You'll need your phone number and account number to order. (You'll find your account number in the top left hand corner of your phone bill, e.g. EA12345678)

Doesn't mention the need for a new socket there, its in a seperate section.

[MK Chris]

Yeah, but your extra sockets will be wired into your existing line (I believe). It's probably possible to swap them, but will involve the same sort of cost I imagine.

[Mafro]

I don't see why one of them couldn't be switched to a main one. They can get to France if they think I'm paying that price.