Not a bad suggestion steve to test it i just changed my php mark to 100 processes will wait and see if i still get read time outs.

And to answer your other question about why i do not use linux.

I don't use linux because i am not very good with linux machines my understanding and trying to get to grips with setting one up and putty is very hard for me.

And i suppose i have the kind of attitude of if linux can do it, Windows can do it.