I have just bought a new Acer Aspire 1315LM it came with xp already installed so i thought id install Zone Alarm Pro as additional security, after which I noticed my LAN would halt for no reason and then the system would freeze. I was downloading a microsoft update at the time. i tried rebooting and noticed errors in windows error log refering to the True Vector Engine failing to start. Then the same thing happened when i attempted to download critical updates again. Now I am unable to boot the laptop at all. I get a power light and the fan kicks in for a few seconds, the back also gets very hot but no HDD activity light and a black screen. I cannot access the system to uninstall zonealarm as it does not attempt to read the HDD. Please help! this system is brand new ! Thanks.

Sounds like a hard disk failier, take it back to the vendor of which you perchused it from under the Manufacture's warranty and see what they have to say. If it wont read the HDD then its useless and so long as you dont open the laptop you may get it repaired or replaced.