GreyArea

Sounds like you've lost a lot of files. Might be worth running a disc checker to make sure you haven't got any bad sectors. What make is the drive? You can download a utility from most drive manufactures which will test your drive's health. Good luck installing SP2 and all the updates - it takes hours!

I've modded some Halfords superbright bulbs, which are a 9005 (main beam) fit, so they will fit on the 9006 holder. I know others have done this too, but I was wondering if anyone had any problems as a result? These bulbs are 60w compared to 51w for a standard bulb. Would the extra heat be a problem for my LED sidelights?

Before you reinstall, it's worth trying the drive in another PC, so you can retrieve any data from it. Other than that, it's worth trying a repair, by booting from your XP CD. Skip the first repair option, and head to setup, then choose repair if it detects your existing install. This will overwrite your Windows install, but preserve your data files. Another trick, boot from the CD, choose recovery console and try typing fixmbr and fixboot. This will repair the boot sector and Master Boot Record

Have a look at this link http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000630.htm and this one http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555302

I paid £8000 for a 2001 SE, with 47.000 miles. In the same garage there was an 2001 S, with 75,000 miles (but had DVD player) and it was £7,500...

Hi Mike I put it in my local friendly garage yesterday, to get a suspension knock examined - the nearside shock is leaking, and they said they could fit me a pair of gas shocks for about £220 inc labour, which seems reasonable, but I might buy the KYB ones and get them to fit them for me. Had the headlamps adjusted too, so I can see where I'm going a bit better at night now! Sadly, I've managed to put two new scratches into the front skirt, as I'm just not used to having one, but that's only £90 for a respray! Other than that, I love the car and when I win the lottery, I will buy a new one, rather than second hand Simon

Thanks for all the replies, I'll give the steam trick a try, and if that doesn't cure it, look into the detailing. I'm so glad I found this forum, it's an indespensible source of information! Simon

Is there anyway to get rid of the smell of smoke from my car? I've had it a month now and it's starting to annoy me. I didn't really notice it when I first bought it, but each time I get in now, I can smell stale smoke. Air fresheners just cover the smell, so I'm after something that will get the smell out of the fabric, without damaging the leather.

It unclips, but it's a bit of a sod. You won't want to remove it, just disconnect it, as it will leave a big hole behind otherwise!

Have you tried www.etyres.co.uk? Quite a lot cheaper than kwik fit, etc. Not used them yet, but the prices are good.

As far as I'm aware, if you are now missing your master key, you will need your ECU replaced or reflashed. I've been speaking to a mobile locksmith about this problem and he quoted me £500 plus keys, although if he needs to get into the car as well, it might be more. He's also in Bristol. However, you may find someone in your area that can do what he does. Check out your insurance and see if they will cover stolen keys, my first policy didn't, so I changed policy, after Lexus quoted me £2000 for a new ECU, immobiliser, locks and keys! Hope you get it sorted.

Vista 64 drivers have to be signed, and there are few of them about. There is virtually no software optimised for 64-bit yet, either. I'd forget about Vista 64 for a while. As for XP, I run both 32 and 64 bit versions and there's no real difference.

I'm positive I have one lying around somewhere, if you still want it? If so, PM me your address and I'll stick it in the post.

I bought the car from an independent garage, not from Lexus. I've already been back and they won't help, as they received the car with just the one key. If I'd known more about it before I bought the car, I would probably have decided to shop elsewhere, but hindsight is a wonderful thing!

I managed to clip a bit of concrete as I was turning into a parking space and have gouged the front skirt. It now matches the scrape on the other side the previous owner put there! Anyway, as it's now showing white and has some deep scratches in it, does anyone know if this is an easy repair job? Has anyone used repair companies like Chips Away that do trim repairs and what sort of prices do they charge? Thanks

I might go the hit and miss route initially, using my wife's car's beam pattern on a wall as a reference, until I can get it to a garage. I bet the washer bottle is right in the way on the left lamp... Thanks

For dipped beam, you need the 9006/HB4 fitting. Main beam is 9005/HB3. Both Halfords I've checked only have the 9005. The 9005 may fit in the 9006 hole (but you need to modify it), but the wattage is too high and may not be legal.

Yes, and turning it to any other number lowers the beam pattern as you'd expect.

Is there any way to adjust the height of the headlight beam on the IS200? I find it really difficult to see at night, as the beam pattern seems to fall really short. For instance, if I'm behind a car in a queue of traffic, the top of the beam pattern is only on the bottom of the bumper of the car in front, at a distance of 4-6 feet. Looking around other cars, the beam seems to be higher. Tonight, on my first proper drive on unlit roads, I can't see where I'm going much above 40/50mph, as the beam pattern just doesn't seem to extend far enough in front of the car. The height adjuster on the dash is set to position zero, so that's not the problem. Am I making any sense? :duh: Can anyone help? Or am I just getting old and my night vision is rubbish?!

My mistake - was just looking at the web reviews, not the actual mag I saw two sets of reviews, one for H4 and one for H7, IIRC. They produced different winners! I've only put the silverstars in as a a temp measure until I can afford an HID upgrade kit. However, looking at my beam pattern, it seems awfully low, even with the adjustment dial set to "0" so I'm wondering if part of my problem is the headlights aren't actually aligned properly.

Yeah, I had a look earlier, not sure on the wattages, or are all 501 bulbs the same wattage? I wanted to replace my Internal light, map light and boot light, as they are pretty poor on the light output front. When I ordered some replacement halogens last week, I was given a free set of Extreme White Xenon Sidelights. They do give out a whiter light, but not as good as LEDs. Are the internal lights all 501s?

I think that group buy has closed - shame as I wanted some LEDs too. Maybe if there's enough interest, he'll do another group buy?

That was for the twin filament fitting (H4). For the single filament H7, the Osram came out best (Tested more recently). However, they have not done a test on the 9006/HB4 fitment. Halfords does not seem to do its super brilliance in the 9006 fitment, although for some reason it does have it in the 9005 (Main beam) fitment Perhaps the Ring +50 is the best bet?

I bought them from Autobulbs direct and the cost was £23.(Click on upgrade Xenon bulbs) I'll be out in the countryside tonight, instead of city lighting, so I'll be able to get a better idea of how they perform. Simon

I actually cancelled my existing insurance and took out a new policy with a company that covers replacement keys, so I'll hopefully be able to get some contribution towards the cost. Anyway, the name of the locksmith is Andy Morgan, and his number is 07899 043 902. He's a mobile locksmith, in Bristol, but I don't think he'll travel as far as Nottinghamshire! Still, he has all the kit to do it, all you would need to do is source the blank keys. If you do use him, please let me know how you get on, as I'll be doing this in the New Year. Simon