srisky

'Sorry srisky, I've had no idea what gender you were' No need to apologise, there's no way you can tell from my user name. The latest is that the original hard drive is not being recognised. This may have been the case since the 12th, as up until yesterday there was an external drive with backed up files still attached. I now realise that the computer was attempting to install windows xp on the external drive but wasn't able to as it's memory is really small. It was only when I remembered that it was still attached and removed it to prevent corruption that I realised that the original internal hard drive was not being recognised. I fear I have sent you all on a wild goose chase! I would love to be able work out the problem and fix it myself but I just don't have the know-how!

Hi all, It's good to know that my PC has had a decent life span. I haven't excluded any of the suggested avenues (I don't know enough about computers to do that) so I may yet replace the hard drive or bin the whole lot. However, before I decide I need someone cleverer than me to look at it! The useful advice posted here has taken me beyond the limits of my computer skills, so to that end your time has not been wasted! P.s I'm a she/her

Thanks all for taking time to post advice - it's much appreciated. I think I'm starting to reach the very limit of my 'expertise' and now entering dodgy territory. So time to call in an expert to have look at it. Once it's fixed (fingers crossed) I shall report back for anyone who's interested. P.s yes, the hard drive is 7y old

Yes, it worked fine last night and the onlh thing I did differently was to remove a cdr with photos from the drive and rebooted. No new hardware/software had been installed since.

Ok, so last night all seemed well. However, this morning when I turned the comp on I had the following message: 'windows could not to start because the following file is missing or corrupt: windows/system/config/system. You can attempt to repair this file by starting windows setup using the original setup CDROM. Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair.' So I do just that and setup loads various files and drives. However, when I press 'r' I get the following message: 'the recovery console provides system repair and recovery functionality. Type EXIT to quit recovery console and restart comp' If I do that, I end up back to missing/corrupt file message. If I don't press 'r' but go to windows setup then the options I get are to: Set up windows xp (which apparently I can't due to the lack of space) Create a partition in the unpartioned space Delete selected partition Creating/deleting partitions will prob result in loss of everything on our C: drive. Although most things are backed up, it seems a bit drastic and irreversible. Any ideas??

Ah, you all sound very clever, but no idea about half the stuff you said! Right click - didn't check the cables, partly because I haven't moved any of the hardware for several months and partly because the screen was on (implying the connections were fine) but blank. Did attempt booting in the safe mode but very tricky when the screen remained blank! Undisputedtruth - no idea how to access the BIOS screen but, again, it would be tricky if that involves seeing anything on the screen. I'm going to google BIOS screen so I know for next time! The only thing I can think of that may have helped resolve the problem is removing the CD-R. I'm not sure why that would have caused a problem in the first place, as all it contains are some photos. The CD had been in the drive for several weeks and the computer worked fine.

Thanks Loz - I should have been clearer, the screen wasn't black (as it would be if off) but grey lit and blank. Anyway, after repeatedly turning it on and off it's working again!! Although, advice is still welcome as something was/is not right...

Our Dell PC is about 7y old and this morning when I turned it on the screen remained blank. The power light on the screen is on and green. The hard drive fires up and it attempts to access the CD ROM that's in the drive but then gives up, although I can still hear the fan whirring. The lights on the attached external memory sticks/drives are lit. I'm no computer expert (as you can prob tell from above) but it doesn't sound good. Any one have any advice on what to do next or can recommend someone who fixes these things? Thanks Btw, I've tried turning it on and off and shouting at it but to no avail :(

California - TuPac

Once - Pearl Jam

ceiling

This wheel's on fire - Bob Dylan

Watching windows - Roni Size

Portuguese

institution

Green Eyes - Erykah Badu

Also Bluewater in Kent, just off the A2, which is one of those fully enclosed out of town shopping centres with loads of parking and late night shopping. Takes about 40mins to drive. Happy shopping!

Great advice, Sillywoman. I had heard similar stories about NCT teachers pushing home birth/natural birth from friends (not in this area) and, therefore, I completely avoided NCT and booked my antenatal classes with an independent midwife. Is there some way in which you could provide this (albeit anectodotal) feedback to the NCT organisers? I appreciate that some women would prefer the 'positive birth' classes but they should also be informed of assisted delivery/c-sections/epidurals etc in a less negative manner so should their delivery go down this route then they don't feel guilty, isolated etc.

Gosh, sorry for the long post and well done if you bothered reading it ;-)

A very brave post, littlemoos, it must have been ever so hard to write it. As described, shoulder dystocia and cord prolaspe (as well as other complications) can happen quickly, unexpectedly and the situation can deteriorate rapidly. Importantly, you need to factor how long the transfer from home to labour ward/theatre could take: - community midwives realise there is something wrong - call 999 - ambulance dispatched - ambulance arrives - paramedics get a handover from midwife +/- your observations are taken (hopefully can be done enroute) - transfer you into the ambulance (not necessarily straightforward if the labour is becoming complicated) - drive to hospital - transfer from ambulance to ward (hopefully there will be an emergency lift) - arrive on ward - handover from midwife to doctors/hospital midwifery team - rapid assessment by doctors - treatment commences/transfer to theatre I was told repeatedly told by my (wonderful) midwives that if they think anything is going wrong then they will call for an ambulance and bluelight me to hospital but the length of time was never emphasised. I am not trying to convince anyone against homebirths, as the majority have a wonderful outcome, but an informed decision should be empowering. If what I write seems like scaremongering, then please re-read littlemoos post. It is scary and deeply traumatising. I think sometimes the dream of having a natural delivery in the comforts of your home and then curling up in your own bed with you newborn overshadows the ultimate dream of a healthy mother and baby. It definitely sounds better than the alternative of being in hospital with increased chances of interventions and then spending the night on your own in a noisy post natal ward. When it's put like that, I know which I would prefer! It's not the mother's fault but sometimes not enough gravitas is put on the 'when things go wrong scenario' by the health professionals. > Rates of complications per 1000 births for first timers > Hospital midwife unit 4.5 > Stand alone midwife unit 4.7 > Hospital 5.3 > Home. 9.3 Having not read the study (so do correct me if my interpretation is wrong), the rates of complications of home births do seem high if you take into consideration that: - those having home births ought to be considered very low risk - the rates of complications at hospital would include those who have high risk pregnancies, as well as the low risk ones. All the very best for your pregnancy, littlemoos (and anyone else who's expecting).

Sign o' the times - Prince

Put shoes on, too? I use shoes to keep my daughter's socks on and it generally works well. BUT some shoes are much better at staying on than others, so if you are not careful you will be retracing your steps for shoes and socks! :-S

Need you tonight - INXS

I guess there are at least ways in which a thread can metmorphose: - in Chinese whispers style, as per your example. This probably happens if you just read the last one or two posts beore writing your own; - or in the same way a conversation/debate may flow from an one topic to another

fish