Couldn't you put the drive in an external caddy to get your data off, then start again i.e. format the disc then load an up to date iso (i think you can get up to date ones from microshaft providing you have a licence...but I could be very wrong 
). That way at least you should get a speedier system without all the accumulated junk.
Alternatively is there not a way to roll back updates (assuming that's the cause) ?
I believe I now have a "clean" OS, Dave, with only the default programs installed so far. The only data that was saved is stuff like music, pictures, downloads, etc, nothing to do with the actual OS. With regards rolling back, I did try System Restore and also rolling back to the previous OS version, neither of which worked. The computer couldn't even repair the startup process so whatever happened did a pretty good job of screwing it up.
That's rotten, Simon - you have my sympathy.
I've looked at the PC Specialist website and found that I can't upgrade my CPU. Before I splash out on a new pooter (the one that meets my requirements would probably cost in the region of £1.5K 
) I might try reinstalling my OS and all my software to see if that speeds things up. All I need to do is find a spare weekend...
Sorry to have hijacked your thread, Gill. I still think, in your case, it might be worth looking at upgrading your current C drive to an SSD, if it isn't already. That might be a cheapish stopgap until you really need to replace your current machine, which should really have given you more than two years service.
