Hi Dunedin which board did I get moved to? I wasn't sure exactly where to put my question first! Anyway -thanks for replying. I do have the installation CD Here's what happens...When I start the computer, the Dell logo appears with a horizontal bar 'loading' as soon as it's 'loaded' the screen goes black with the following message in white: Error loading operating system_ (with a flashing horizontal line at the end). When I have tried to boot from the CD I have also got the message Keyboard Failure followed by Error loading operating system. There are no numeric codes! If I must lose all my data -so be it ,but I am hoping there might be a way to try to repair before reinstalling! many thanks again britmom