given the hdd format, reinstalled clean copy of the os. runs fine first few times. throw in all the drivers, few reboots, good as gold. do a windows update - reboot, f**ked. master boot sector disappears. repair that with system recovery, back in as normal. go to install a few apps, windows installer now wont run. repair that, reboot, then i get the "no operating system" exists message / pc doesnt recognise the os.
and i've done this whole process with unsatisfactory results around 4 times now since thursday night.
so pebcak you reckon? do enlighten me with a solution Dunc...
i haven't started ruling out hardware (except the hdd) yet.