Thanks both,

cee dee  - I tried Alt Spacebar X and nothing happened but thanks was worth a try.

oe - my first Linux was my old desktop which wouldn't run anything except Mint 13 maya, that's still going but really really slowly.....I only use it to print my orders as it's conveniently still attached to the printer. Perhaps I might try the antiX on that at some point as I'd like to keep it going if possible. The LMDE says it's for experienced users so I think that counts me out.

The laptop I'm referring to has Mint xfce which I was convinced had longer support than the maya but perhaps I've confused that  with something else.  I'm using it now, my window has no header and it's like typing through a letterbox as the page is tiny and I still can't open the firefox menu.

I think there may be other issues as well, today I tried to boot it from a live disc and it won't do it,  the hinges are on the way out and the battery doesn't hold charge any more. You're right it is pretty old so perhaps it is time to move on...gulp.  It was £25 from a car boot a couple of years ago and has served me well. Tonight I found a laptop with local collection and am going for it...just waiting for the seller to get back to me. It's windows 8.1, ugh....