Thankfully, DSS Agent/Broderbund is not on PM 16, so that's not an issue for me. Randy, I searched the software in regedit. All my software was listed, but there was nothing for Printmaster or Broderbund. Mikie, I searched for Application Data\Printmaster folders and found a few in Word that I downloaded from Broderbund with some technical notes I wanted to keep. Would I need to delete these? Soooooo, I need to proceed with backing up my registry before tiptoeing into RegSeeker. I'm proceeding cautiously. These are new waters for me! :) I googled for info on backing up the registry and feel somewhat overwhelmed. I don't know if Microsoft is saying the same thing in two sets of directions or giving me two different procedures... ONE SET OF DIRECTIONS suggests I use my XP Home Ed CD: "Install Backup from the CD-ROM in Windows XP Home Edition" "The Backup utility is not included in the default installation of Windows XP Home Edition. The Backup icon is not present on the Start menu in Windows XP Home Edition, nor is Backup listed in Add Remove Programs for Windows XP Home edition. This article describes how to install Backup, which is included on the CD-ROM in the Valueadd folder. To use Backup, you have to install it manually. Note: Automated System Recovery is not a supported feature in Windows XP Home Edition using Backup, but Backup is provided on the CD-ROM as additional value to help back up critical system data. For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 302700 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302700/EN-US/) An Error Message Is Displayed When You Attempt to Use the Automated System Recovery Wizard Manually Install the Backup Utility To manually install Backup: 1. Double-click the Ntbackup.msi file in the following location on the Windows XP Home Edition CD-ROM to start a wizard that installs Backup: CD-ROM Drive:\VALUEADD\MSFT\NTBACKUP 2. When the wizard is complete, click Finish." SECOND SET OF DIRECTIONS suggests downloading Guided Help. I downloaded it, but when it asked if I wanted it to run, I canceled it because I didnt know what would happen. The notes online say: "Guided Help is available to back up the registry. Guided Help can automatically perform the steps for you. The actions that this Guided Help performs cannot be undone after Guided Help is finished. For more information about Guided Help, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 915092 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/915092/) Description of Guided Help for Microsoft Knowledge Base articles Requirements to install and to use this Guided Help  You must be logged on to Windows by using a computer administrator account to install and to use this Guided Help.  You must be running Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Media Center Edition, or Windows XP Tablet PC Edition to install and to use this Guided Help. You must first download Guided Help." What method do you use to back up the registry? Thanks for your patience and help abreeze

See above on models #'s for air handler / stat: will include below: What size zone in living area? Guessing 1500 in the area this one zone will cover. All companies were in agreement with a 2 ton system. For a 2 ton, that is some very frisky pricing.: These quotes were almost $1100 below another HVAC company. Do you think this is high? Can you give the model number of the air handler quoted? Trane 7 series (TAM7AOA24H21SB) What does the quote include and complete scope of work involved? New ductwork? Air filter cabinet? What Mdl thermostat quoted? All work included, Trane 802 stat quoted. Will look into american standard. But just quotes from two companies on trane products so far. Thanks

Any grout between the tile and tub should be removed so pull it out with the old sealant and re seal the joint with the most expensive 100% silicone sealant you can find, not just tile and tub caulk. It is necessary to thoroughly remove all of the original silicone in order for the new silicone to stick. Unfortunately that is extremely difficult. Here are some suggestions from GE: "It is VERY difficult to remove silicone from a surface. However, if you must remove it, follow the suggestions below. To remove silicone sealant from surfaces, first remove as much as possible by cutting/peeling/scraping excess sealant from surface. * For ceramic tile, marble, Formica, fiberglass, etc., use 100% mineral spirits (turpentine) and a non-abrasive scouring pad. Test solvent on a hidden area of the surface to ensure that discoloration will not occur. If discoloration does occur, contact the manufacturer of the surface for further assistance. * For glass surfaces, use a razor blade to remove as much as possible, then apply mineral spirits. Remove excess as much as possible, then apply mineral spirits. Remove excess with a towel or other suitable cleaning utensil that will not mar the surface (such as a non-abrasive pad). NOTE: For surfaces such as hard plastics or painted surfaces, including cars, use rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth. Do not use mineral spirits. Only use these solvents in a well-ventilated area and follow all safety precautions and instructions listed on the product label. Material Safety Data Sheets for GE Sealants & Adhesives products are available upon request. Similar information for solvents and other chemicals you choose to use with GE products should be obtained from your suppliers. When solvents are used, proper safety precautions must be observed. On Rough, Porous Surfaces: To remove sealant from a porous/rough surface, (concrete, brick, wallpaper) remove as much of the sealant as possible (same as smooth surface). If necessary, use a wire brush in conjunction with mineral spirits. NOTE: We do not recommend use of a wire brush to remove sealant from wood surfaces, as doing so could damage the wood. Also, mineral spirits should not be used if the wood has any type of finish on it. Test solvent on a hidden area before applying. Mineral spirits are flammable and should be used away from sparks, flames and other sources of ignition. Only use these solvents in a well-ventilated area and follow all safety precautions and instructions listed on the product label. Material Safety Data Sheets for GE Sealants & Adhesives products are available upon request. Similar information for solvents and other chemicals you choose to use with GE products should be obtained from your suppliers. When solvents are used, proper safety precautions must be observed. NOTE: There is nothing that will dissolve silicone. NOTE: If reapplying silicone to the area, remove the old sealant. Then clean the area with a disinfectant if mold or mildew is present, apply rubbing alcohol. Let the area dry before re-applying silicone. Do not use soap to clean surfaces to be sealed because silicone will not adhere to surfaces covered with any soap scum." I suspect this is a far more difficult job than you yet realize.

The pic added by huggorm is not helpful to this discussion. Nothing remotely like that need be done here-as he himself does explain. Again, do as you please, but the doomers and gloomers here are going way off the tracks IMO. A few judicious pruning cuts would have that up and off your house in no time. Nor would it look ungainly. Now one thing to keep in mind-I have two-and especially one-very large, old arborvitaes-I don't know what cultivar but they look more or less like species except stay greener in winter.....and the seedlings thereof, which I collect regularly, grow unbelievably fast for an arb. In any case, the one in question is at the midway point of the front of my house, right adjacent to our front porch, so in a sense, badly out of scale with the house. These are big plants. But here's the thing: I like the tree more than I like the house and it provides a very nice, cool microclimate in warm weather up on that porch, holds uncountable birds and other critters, etc. So I'm not just thinking design elements here. And all of the attributes I'm listing for this big old arb could also apply to your spruce. I think another fallacy in play here is that one must always, everywhere, raise a tree up equally all the way around. Yes, I would normally do so too, but in certain cases-and this is one of them-an unbalanced approach can get you where you need to be. So in this scenario, more raising up would be done on the house side. Trust me, it can work.