Many responses . all appreciated.
Im getting a new CD/DVD ROM as that is part of issue . Seems picky where other machines will run the scuffed CD fine?
The only online use I have used the "GUIDE only" laptop is Minor Planet Center ,because the button in GUIDE 8 to update automatically just locks up and beeps away.
So I am forced to go to MPC and get the soft02.cmt file and dump into the GUIDE cache and click it , usually the new comets can be seen.
Also the MPC Comet data seem to conflict with this data at
"Weekly Info about bright Comets"http://www.aerith.net/comet/weekly/20151017n.html
If I can find those Comets in GUIDE they usually show way dimmer that "Weekly info site"
A case of "Brightness to change without notice?"
Going to need a good used laptop now
Apparently Windows 7 is ok...
May look for a laptop loaded with Pro version.
Thanks