sorted PPLIVE
reinstalled Windows Media player 9
though it didn't actually say it was
for Windows XP pro.
then installed PPLIVE from
http://www.football4less.com/streams/pplive_new.html
used the link that says
Due to some problems reported with the later versions, it is recommended to try this version:
PPlive 1.0.9.5
got it
working ok
will now try and sort out the rest