Windows Vista Black Screen Startup change disk permissions

A long, long path to the fix!

After following every fix including registry edits, startup repair, boot from DVD repair, etc, etc. Removed hard drive and connected to working PC, double-click hard drive was 'access denied'. Change permissions to give 'Everyone' full control, re-installed hard drive, restart, job done!

One error reported with the recycle bin after logging in but machine and applications running correctly.

Wish I had done that 3 hours earlier!

Skype Signing in Slow and Fails

Had a problem with a client's PC where Skype logging in takes a long time and then fails. Tried many things including disable firewall, anti-virus, re-install network, etc. Final fix was to delete (or rename) the following folder:

C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Application Data\Skype

* If you don't see the Application Data folder then Tools > File Types > Display Hidden Files

%username% is the name of the logged in user. Make sure Skype is not running before you attempt this.

Restart skype, re-enter login details and works a treat!

As ever with a computer fix: time to fix = 1 minute, time to find the fix = 2 hours!

Excel Name Box edit

CTRL + F3 will display the Name Manager in Excel.

To create - add list on separate sheet, highlight list and type name in cell name (top left corner).

To link to a drop-down choose Data > Data Validation, in pop-up box choose =listName in the source field.