only differences were norton av2003 (had 2002 before) uninst this but no difference, also ran windows update got some fixes etc that didn't have before including directx 9 (had 8.1 before i think)
gonna try booting in safe mode if i can work out how otherwise i'm stumped...tried changing priority but just uses 99% processor time as soon as i load any table, dx or classic, pc back to normal when i quit...

btw thanks for replying, this forum is pretty quiet didn't think anyone would!!