Ick. I've given up for a time - the laptop now frequently crashes when I boot and/or attempt to power down. I now know where the batterys is coz yanking it is the only way it will now power down. Something goes horribly wrong if the laptop boots with the thing in it, but it runs fine otherwise. Not good.

I've wasted 4 hours or more on this project today, and I don't have that kind of time at all. Thx for the help, but I have to finish my homework :(