Hi All

Here's what's happening:

1. Little dots (periods) start to be added without stop when I open either a text doc or some form with a textbox........................................................

2. Did full system scan with Norton but nothing detected - I keep the system updated - I also have all incoming and outgoing email auto-scanned

3. Tried to use GoBack, but there were no boots to go back to - seems that they were wiped out

4. During boot, system automatically goes into cmos setup (i believe it's cmos) - I then Exit Without Saving, and then boot resumes

5. Uninstalled mouse software - MS Intellipoint - thinking that the prob had something to do with the mouse, but no change - still lots of periods.............

6. I read about some of the latest viruses, but nothing sounded like this.

Does anyone have any idea what could be wrong?

My main machine is now useless, but I'm not quite sure how to approach this cuz Norton came up zilcho - I'm hiding my panic

Many thanks

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I had the same problem before. Turned out that it was the voice recognition software I had installed. When I turned off the microhone, the dots (and other odd characters) went away. I have since uninstalled the software, and problem no more. I don't know if this is the case for you, but what you describe is exactly what happened to me.

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Cheers,

Dan
Founder and CEO

LionsGate Creative
GoodPassRobot
Magelln

Hey Dan

I think I turned off the voice stuff long ago. I'll take a look and report back.

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Could it be a dying machine?

If so, what might be the prob?

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Your (3) and (4) are suspicious. Out of curiosity, do you have a microphone connected, and is it turned on? Still working the other angle as it is so similar to what happened to me - however, not with (3) and (4). You could try the MS Newgroups: http://www.microsoft.com/...sgroups/default.mspx

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Cheers,

Dan
Founder and CEO

LionsGate Creative
GoodPassRobot
Magelln

Dan the Man

YOU NAILED IT!

Man, I would NEVER have figured this out.

I know I turned off this voice recognition thing when I first got the machine, at least I thought so. I do have a mike plugged in for IM and stuff. If I can find any way to rip out this VR by the throat, I'm gonna do it.

I spent some time on the phone with Dell tech, and they ran a hard drive diagnostics and did some other stuff that I hadn't seen before.

Thanks so much, Dan. I owe you a monster beer

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Cool, and you're welcome! A beer would go down well now =)

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Cheers,

Dan
Founder and CEO

LionsGate Creative
GoodPassRobot
Magelln

Save the beer for when the Eagles win

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Football ended for me when the Argos downed the Lions 27 to 19 in the Grey Cup, back in November 2004 =) But I may watch the Super Bowl if just to see if any costumes malfunction during the half-time show ;)

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Cheers,

Dan
Founder and CEO

LionsGate Creative
GoodPassRobot
Magelln

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