Conan, Thanks for your time. I will try the Microsoft Anti Spyware prog. The Trend Micro on line scan should not be corrupted by anything nasty lurking in the machine - I think that's the idea. It is not installed in anyway.
I hangs with nothing plugged in I'm afraid.
Engineer, thanks for your input. Yes, I did indeed defrag - it was a big one but made no difference.
Downroute as we speak, will attack again on Thursday and report back. Anyone else is welcome to comment - please!!
Regards,
mcdhu