thanks Si - yeah I think I ended up with a lemon. I'm pretty sure the start up problems are due to a faulty adapter, as it starts up fine when it's not plugged in, so I've ordered a new one. Aside from that it's still having trouble restarting (it just shuts down) but I don't think that's the end of the world...

It's not been my week for electronics. Aside from my laptop and warranty woes, my ipod has gone and died on me and only comes on when I purposefully drop it on the floor (i know, but it does the trick :blush: ) and the acer monitor decided to die on me just as I was finishing modelling it and so has been replaced!

ha ha... :headbang: