Hi Adrian. On the subject of new machines, I have used Europc (www.europc.com quite a few times. This company sells new and refurbished PCs though they can and happily will add things such as memory, an extra sound card etc. I have ordered a couple of PCs from them. One of them, a Packard Bell machine broke down and I needed technical support. The support person arrived within 2 working days on the day I was told he would. He couldn't fix the problem though but a new machine was couriered to me. Like Adrian, I did need to set up JAWS, though the machine did boot straight into windows. EuroPC are quick and I have found their staff helpful. There is online information but ringing the company is a better idea. You do not get the flexibility of being able to build your own machine online, but the availability of refurbished computers means you can get some good deals. If you are not happy with installation of JAWS and the like, companies such as sight & Sound, Technovision etc. can supply PCs but, because configuration changes need to be made to standard windows XP and JAWS needs to be installed it is not always the cheapest way to buy a PC. It can be worth spending a little more though in the long run if you do not feel confident. It's always really useful to know what people think of computer suppliers. Regards graham ----- Original Message ----- From: "Adrian Higginbotham" <adrian.higginbotham@xxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 10:52 AM Subject: [access-uk] My new pc All: following up on a couple of recent threads on the list about choosing a new computer. I promised to let a number of people know how I got on with my new machine from PC Specialist. When I placed the order the Website indicated a lead time of 7 to 10 working days. There is a useful online tracking system that shows you your machine progressing the five stages from order to dispatch. In reality this system isn't all that useful as, in my case anyway, the order sat at one stage for most of the time and then jumped 2 or 3 stages inside a very short period. still nice to be able to check on progress without having to sit in a telephone queue though. in the end my machine actually took 12 working days to be delivered, ordered on a sunday, arrived on the tuesday of the 3rd week. I had an email notification that the machine had been dispatched on monday afternoon and it was delivered at 9.30 next morning which is not half bad. The pc specialist site did say that if I entered my mobile number on to the my details area of the site I would also receive a text message when my order was dispatched. this didn't happen. The machine: The monitor has been delivered with a european power lead only, not a uk lead as detailed. this is a simple oversight which is a little annoying but not too problematic as I have simply used one from a old machine until the new one arrives, which following a quick phone call I am told it will. When I built my machine the online guidance recommended that for the processor I had selected it would be advisable to upgrade the power supply and fan. This I did. The machine I have to say seems to be pretty noisy in running, I don't know if the extra fan is to blame but I'm certainly glad it isn't in the sitting room. The case itself is huge, plenty of room for expansion and came supplied with all the little extra bits and pieces that hadn't been used during the build, drive cables etc. running and software installation The machine booted straight up, no need to enter authorization codes, or to login, so I was able to get up and running straight away using narrator without any assistance. the only software I have tried to install thus far has been jfw and this hasn't been succesfful as yet as jaws after installing failed to talk. narrator allowed me to establish that jfw is flagging a video intercept error. With no operational internet connection until I plug the router back in I let things lie until this morning. Aphone call to s and s flagged the probability that there are two display drivers installed and that this is messing up the jaws intercept. In my call to Pc specialist about the power cord I ask if this was likely to be the case and they confirmed that the ati radeons series do indeed come set-up with two display drivers installed so I'm hopeful that I'll get up and running this evening simply by disabling one of these. overall: I describe the experience as not completely smooth but in the main more than satisfactory in terms of machine ability and value for money. Would I recommend pc specialist? yes for anyone confident enough to set-up and resolve technical issues themselves, no if you are relying on the machine running straight out of the box with a gliche free screenreader install. Adrian Higginbotham Project manager, Standards British Educational Communications and Technology Agency - BECTA Tel: Direct dial 024 7679 7333 - Becta switchboard 02476-416994. 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