Hi Paul, Your mains cable, from mains to PC that is, should be easy enough to obtain locally. It is in fact similar to some kettle leads. The ribbon cable I referred to is a flat cable, about 2 inches wide, usually referred to as an IDE cable. It has around 40 wires parallel to each other. One end connects to the PC's motherboard, and there are usually two plugs allowing you to connect up to two drives. In order to get at this cable, you need to open the PC's outer case. (Making absolutely sure the main cable is removed first of course - not just switched off, but removed!!) By the sound of things, the end of this cable which plugs into the motherboard may have come loose, and needs to be pushed back in place. George. -----Original Message----- From: jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Paul Roberts Sent: 04 June 2007 20:42 To: jaws-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [jaws-uk] update on lost drives query Hi Dorathy, I do in fact have what looks like a swelling of the outer cased on my tower which oddly enough swelled out rather than in. that said, I think the problem may be due to the fact that my main cable seems to be a little faulty and so I need to get a new one. Can I obtain one fairly easirly? Also can someone tell me what the Ribbon cable is as I don't know. Is this the same as the main (kettle flex) like cable? Regards Paul. ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.7/830 - Release Date: 03/06/2007 12:47 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.7/830 - Release Date: 03/06/2007 12:47 ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq