In reply to Tony, no, it doesn't seem to be the case. The case isn't getting warm beyond normal (that I can see) and the serial port doesn't move in the slightest. Which is probably fortunate...

In reply to Paul's questions, your understanding a) to e) is correct. I haven't yet tried prodding it with Hyperterm, but I certainly don't see any feedback about what it's doing (playing new tracks, etc, if I leave it going, and I haven't checked the external outputs in home mode - lax of me, I know, but I don't have the cables to hand). Nothing looks strange or out of the ordinary, and I can't smell anything that indicates friodes or leaking of magic smoke. I have'nt unplugged the display board entirely, no - will it tolerate that?

In reply to Trevor, no - apart from the usual rattling of the back connector and the tiny bit of movement on the drive tray, nothing rattles when I shake it hard.

This is really puzzling me something fierce. And especially since my partner's finally got used to it and actually looks forward to having it in the new car, my loss is more keen than ever.

Will try attacking it with hyperterm tonight.

Paul