"Coho, it just seems strange that both of your computers would have this problem at the same time, and since the CDs work ok it just seems to point to the DVDs as the problem. I have found that some of the blank cheaper brands of DVDs do seem to have a higher failure rate when they get older. I no longer store anything that I want to keep only on DVDs, but make sure I have copies on external hard drives." As do I. I would much rather send a DVD to Alaska family than my external drve. Guess will reinstall Windows in about 2 weeks unless someone comes up with a better way. Thanks

It seems strange that the BSOD only happens at startup and shutdown, it suggests corrupt files to me. Assuming you have the W98SE CD you could run the System File Checker (sfc) to check for corrupt or missing files. Do not put the CD in the drawer unless asked. Click Start, click Run and type sfc and hit OK. Your computer will test Windows and may well ask you for guidance, this will only be in cases where the installed driver is newer than the original so you would not allow the computer to change that back. If it finds corrupt files it may/will ask for your CD. Christopher wrote I have done all the clean up and virus checks What does that mean? Can you list the task for us please? What anti virus, firewall and other safety programs are you running? I see you have a built in Verge S# video card, the latest driver available from ECS is dated 2004/07/03, you probably have those so updating may not be needed. Try clicking Start/Control panel/System/Device manager and look down the list for yellow marks, either exclamtion or question marks. Double click on anything to bring up Properties and have a looksee. Any irregularities?

Kathy, those decorated foam circles are really cute!!! It's a shame they couldn't stand up to the wind outdoors. I suppose you could do the same thing and somehow hang a weight on them... I'll have to think about that! oldcrafty and minnie, I could definitely use the foam to keep out the cold draft on my house windows, but I'd hate to lose the natural daylight. marie, I did a LOT of searching and wasn't coming up with anything other than photo/memory boards. I thought I might make one of those, but a friend said they require 1/2" thick foam board and mine is only 1/4". She suggested using two together to make up the thickness, so I might still do that. Thanks everyone! :)

I don't think I can explain it too well, but maybe you have heard of "Up Jenkins" which is a game that involves one side of the table passing a small object like a quarter under the table. They pass it until the other side calls Up Jenkins. Then they all raise up both hands (close fisted) and elbows on the table. The other side then says Down Jenkins and all bring their hands down flat on the table. The person with the quarter conceals it (tries anyway) and the other side gets three guesses who has it. It's kind of a kiddie game. Maybe you could play What's my line?" with each side being a team. Everyone writes down a little known / unknown fact about themselves and trades in the group. Then group members read and hold up the paper. Each person claims that the mismatched fact is true about himself. The other team must try to get the right facts back matched with the person who wrote them.