Hallelujah finally back in windows after another grub/linux scare. Luckily I had the WindowsXP recovery disc so I could fix it- also thanks to Knoppix that allowed me on my second attempt to get access to the net to find the correct procedure at the command-line. It is quite amazing that I decided to familiarise myself with the Windows XP CLI just the other day. Serious headaches and possible expenditure have been saved hooray! However it leaves me feeling a bit pissed offwith Linux. However now I know the reset MBR "command" fixmbr I have a blunt weapon to deal with the problem if it occurs again. iI iknow I am a newbie but even an easy to use and stable set up seems far less stable than XP_ - this must have been major startup problem number six in amount five months of use. XP has had scary moments about once a year. I think I'll try and stick ubuntu on it as its a nice easy install. Or as its there I could try mandriva. Or not - I've learnt a few tricks from Linux that I cabn bring back to xp and I know knoppix can work so why not forget about the second disk (I suspect it might be a bit of a dodgy disk anyway) Another linuxify windows moment is installing vim on the machine. I wrote this all in the console mode of vim shame it doesn't have the same integration as on linux but then there's alot of things missing from linux such as reliability with a dual boot.

Think I am emberking on a bit of another linux diet. Have been o-d-ing on it a bit. Like two mags a week. So I am xp writing this.

However yesterday was abit of a breakthrough for linux - I trusted it to a practical task. Sorting out some train tickets. doesn't sound like much but if my focus is on doing something rather than general exploration I want to reboot into xp because of familiarity mainly and the presence of various core working documents. So I gave a moments thought when the task arose and decided I could follow it all through on Linux. A step in the right direction more than a breakthrough however I am also really enjoying being in xp at the moment with my nil problemo headphones playing bbc radio 4 at a single click. Have been playing with xps command line so all is not lost.

 I am still using a workaround for synaptic though it is a better one - each session I have to type something into mepis utilities and it works as normal until session ends.

Headphones are another item.  they worked immediately with knoppix and ubuntu but dont with mepis.  its about five days since I started attempting a solution.  Zero response on the forum so far to my query- you always feel a bit uncomfortable when you get no reply.  It makes you think the 1) the solution is obvious and I have overlooked some basic documentation 2) I have broken some bit of forum etiquette - I didn't declare what kind of cream cake I had for afternoon tea or something.

There are brief moments when it is nice listening to the radio through the phones when the gf is watching telly.   It is a feature Iwould like but it looks like I will have to live without until I stumble upon a solution.

Showed my dad Puppy and Knoppix yesterday - he seemed interested.  he did warn that it could entail long phone calls if he starts experimenting with them.