Mine would not even try to start, called helpline told was probably flooded etc.
Turned out that the sparking plug lead was shorting to the cylinder head. Moved it away (found the clip inside the cover that it should have been in but is all but impossible to reach) and it has worked ever since.
Steve Brook
February 2014
I had exactly same problem with this type of saw, used it once but couldn't get it to start again a few months later, spent ages trying to get it to start with pullcord.
Emptied the fuel tank and filled with pump-fresh super-unleaded (with 1/40th 2-stroke oil) and it started first time. Have been told petrol "goes off" within a few months. Hope this works on your saw.
Mark
November 2011
I just bought one took me a lot of pulls to fire it up . It starts after a few pulls now .