ok thanks everyone, looks like ram is needed. cheers for the info 2048 but i didn't even know what a lot of the stuff that was in start up was. but i guess i'll learn this stuff as i go along. also yeah, i think theres only 2 memory sockets for expansion and they're both being used. i remember a friend coming round and adding to it. 1gb max then eh? i'll see to replacing the ram cards (if thats what they're called) soon