Miss Nancy: Ok - I think that's the problem - you have set the sample level much too low. Set it around 25 (or higher) with an high render time. You can then stop the render when you are happy with the quality. With those settings too low you get stuck if the render is naff and have to start all over. For my proper renders I usually do some small test renders to check lighting etc and when ok I leave a full render overnight while I sleep!