At the moment I am working as you can see but I've also now updated my laptop (not with NIS I might add) so I have an up-to-date fallback position.
What is going to happen with this machine is that it's oging to get a completely fresh install in a few weeks when I have more time.
Oh, and I'm not going to go Linux on this box. I see so many threads on various fora about this hardware wont work, that setting isn't right, etc., etc., etc. I don't necessarily like Bill Gates but Windows is not my problem here, NIS is. I'm not going to make the obvious statement about windows simply because it will jinx me to do so. I know this is true - it is an unwritten law of IT.
I will play with linux on a lower spec machine later in teh summer though when I have more free time. I am curious but I'm not yet ready to swap over. You never know, I might even like it once I get a reliable install working with all my various kit over the home network.
In the meantime at least I seem to have NIS under control ...