Paolo

Perhaps because they like the interface better?

Everything on WindowsUpdate, besides "Microsoft .NET Framework" and "Windows Media Player 7.1". I've just installed IIS to try and test some ASP locally, so I've also got the "Q327696: Internet Information Services Security Roll-up Package" critical update to install for that. I could give you a list of all the updates I have installed, but all I know is that the bug was fixed after all of them, so I can't be of much help as to tracking down which fix it was that altered. Just as an aside, do you use any distributed computing projects, and Office 2000 or XP. I didn't have the time to fully track down the bug, but my best guess was one of these programs causing it. Last I checked there was nothing remotely helpful in the KB, although I only used the Microsoft search of it.

3 instances of the "bug" (if it was all one bug). 1. Entering data in the first field of a form was fine, but switching to the next field would cause IE to hang for ~2 minutes. After that I could complete the rest of the form with no problems. This tended to occur with password forms, but also entering posts in forums, and the occassional other place. 2. Clicking on an HTTP link which required a login would cause IE to hang for again ~2 minutes, before the window finally opened to allow me to enter username/password. 3. Running Outlook Express (msimn.exe). The program would register in task manager, but the splash window wouldn't show until the ol' ~2 minutes had passed, after which the actual program window loaded up in an instant, and OE was fine otherwise.

Does it respond again after a while? I had this bug, and it's finally been sorted! With either SP3 or another of the recent Windows Updates. Outlook Express also took ages to load. P.

How old is your system? Your motherboard might be set to use ACPI for power management, but Windows will assume you only have APM if it's an older motherboard. If ACPI is enabled in the BIOS, and Device Manager returns you have a "Standard PC" rather than "ACPI PC" then it's reinstall time. Option A) Reinstall. Press F5 and choose ACPI when setup tells you to press F6. Continue as normal. Or switch BIOS to APM as well. P.

What card are you going to game with? Wanna sell that G550?

If everyone you plan on chatting to is looking for a new messenger program, and you're all on Windows - then MSN Messenger will do quite well. If you want to chat to people on different programs (Yahoo/AOL/ICQ), then get Trillian. If you do get MSN (from msn.com ), then go to passport.com and create a passport for your email address (you'll need this to chat), or setup a hotmail account (which comes built in with an MSN passport). P.

Quote: It depends a lot more on M$ really and they;re the weak link in the 64 bit chain... It took them 15 years to deliver the first fully 32 bit consumer OS (Windows XP Home) after Intel released the i386. How long will it take them with 64 bit? I doubt anyone considering 64bit computing will want to run a consumer OS (like XP Home). 32bit power users were using NT4/Win2k as well as Linux, 64bit will be just the same - and there is already Win64 code anyway. XP-64 won't be 15 years away. P.

Thought Matrox did it with all their drivers?

Masterfinn: I was wondering why you plan on using FTP to access the NTFS? You can access NTFS partitions across a network - using 'File and Print Sharing'. Just remember to check that the Win2k box has a user account for the Win9x boxes. Dunno if you need this facility, but thought I'd let you know that it's possible Also, if you have several hard disks, you can combine them into larger disks using software RAID (like hardware RAID, but without the hardware to do it - so using your CPU).

It's in Win2k Pro.