Just an update and conclusion for you (I hate stories without
endings)!

On my 2nd visit I first thing I tried was a release all - yup, it hung
the computer.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, this is what I did.

I removed the network card from the computer. Restarted the PC and
shutdown again. Reinserted the card and updated drivers. Did a
release_all, restarted the PC once again and hey presto!

The rest is history - it all worked.

I tend to remember these little incidents for the future - a bit like
the university of life!

Thanks for the help, I might post here again.

Regards

John