thanks Don I'm going for the 'os' [xphome sp2]. it does everything but 'save [as]' and allied functions such as 'print', therefore the failure is very specific. cheers ted ------------------------------ From: "Don" <dsw32952@xxxxxxxxx> Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: = can't save [xphomes2] Date: Sat, 17 Dec 2005 11:38:07 -0500 I don't know anything about Dr. Watson. If you have it, you should also have a help file plus you could log on to the website and peruse the support pages and forums. I'll take your word that the problem is limited to your laptop. That leaves two possibilities... 1. Software... corruption in the program kernel(s) or the shared file(s) common to all software where the problem exists. This includes the operating system. I would start here. Search the MS OFFICE and MS WINDOWS support/update sites and make sure you have all the patches and updates. I know you said you've done that, but double check anyway. Search the Knowledge Base for the problem and possible solutions. Ditto the MS newsgroups. If no luck there.... Backup all the affected data files first and then uninstall the software, clean the registry and then reinstall the software. If the problem still exists, back up ALL data and move on to the operating system. First, if W98 offers a repair option try that. Then try to install over the existing installation (I really do not recommend that, but some people like to try it first... it might save a little work and in theory does no harm to existing data files). Then as a last resort move on to a clean install of your operating system. (I personally, would skip the software uninstall and go straight to the OS install, but some folks are intimidated by that process and will do literally everything else and a little more before attempting that.) 2. Hardware. With a laptop it is difficult to trouble shoot because of the physical structure. It is also difficult in some PCs where what used to be expansion cards are now integrated in the motherboard. In a PC I would try swapping out some parts... RAM first, then the harddrive controller and then the harddrive itself. If that doesn't find anything I would try flashing the BIOS to see if an updated BIOS fixes the problem. I would save the BIOS flash for the absolutely last ditch effort to fix the problem, because in some circumstances, if you botch the flash, you have to replace the BIOS chip. Don ----- Original Message ----- From: "ted" <ted.clark@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2005 4:52 AM Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: = can't save [xphomes2] > > thanks Don, it is my laptop [XP failure], without doubt. > I don't have Norton. > how does one use ,Dr Watson ? > in w98 my next step would have been to go to system tools and > laboriously > gone through the system files repairing or replacing each one > that looked > suspicious ! > reinstall is a long way off while i can still use IE and OE > successfuly > cheers ted -- <Please delete this line and everything below.> To unsub or change your email settings: //www.freelists.org/webpage/pctechtalk To access our Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCTechTalk/messages/ //www.freelists.org/archives/pctechtalk/