pepsoid

Sorry, you're talking to a bit of a technophobe here... how would one "disable all start-up entries" then? (or... *ahem*... any other "simple" solutions? )

Blimey, looks complicated! Thanks, cluberti, I'll let you know if that works... Peps

Thank you for your suggestions! However... I don't have a CD or DVD in either of the drives, I have not tried it in safe mode, and I don't have a network mapped drive (at least I don't think so - I am not part of a network, except in that both the PC and my girlfriend's Mac share a broadband connection)... Erm... Help (again)...?

I have recently started getting a little flashlight, which "searches" for about half a minute before enabling me to access the C drive. Similarly, it takes about the same amount of time to "Save As" any type of file, before allowing me to select a folder to save to. There is no problem when I access a folder within the C drive directly, via a shortcut, or "Save" (rather than "Save As")... I have thoroughly scanned for viruses via AVG and nothing has been picked up. I'm hoping it's not just that my several-years-old PC is getting irreperably knackered! Help...?? Peps