Back-up any personal data (none of which should be considered 100%
trustworthy at this point) then format the HDD & do a clean install of
Windows. Please note that another Repair Install (AKA in-place upgrade)
will NOT fix this!
HOW TO do a clean install of WinXP: See
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html#steps and/or Method 1 in
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978307
After the clean install, you'll have the equivalent of a "new computer" so
take care of everything on the following page before otherwise connecting
the machine to the internet or a network and before using a flash drive or
SDCard that isn't brand-new or hasn't been freshly formatted:
4 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online
http://www.microsoft.com/security/pypc.aspx
Other helpful references include:
HOW TO get a computer running WinXP Gold (no Service Packs) fully patched
(after a clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/micro...5afa8ed33e121c
HOW TO get a computer running WinXP SP1(a) or SP2 fully patched (after a
clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/micro...66ae41add7dd2b
Tip: After getting the computer fully-patched, download/install KB971029
manually:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971029
NB: Any Norton or McAfee free-trial that came preinstalled on the computer
when you bought it will be reinstalled (but invalid) when Windows is
reinstalled. You MUST uninstall the free-trial and download/run the
appropriate removal tool before installing any updates, Windows Service
Packs or IE upgrades and before installing your new anti-virus application
(which will require WinXP SP3 to be installed).
Norton Removal Tool
ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/englis...moval_Tool.exe
McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool
http://download.mcafee.com/products/...tches/MCPR.exe
Also see:
Steps To Help Prevent Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/security/spyware/prevent.aspx
Steps to Help Prevent Computer Worms
http://www.microsoft.com/security/worms/prevent.aspx
Avoid Rogue Security Software!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/antivirus/rogue.aspx
If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA or Geek Squad) computer repair shop.
PS: A salary is a fixed income, too. (I don't have one either.)
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
www.banthecheck.com
ksh wrote:
> I somehow lost all my "Window" elements. Microsoft suggested that I try a
> "reinstall" which I did, but the problem was only 99% of the update
> downloaded and then it froze and now none of the Windows files work.
> Could
> not restore to earlier date as the download erased that option. I have
> been
> working with Microsoft and Dell to no avail.
>
> My main concern over wiping everything out and reloading from the Recovery
> Disk is that I will lose my "personal videos/pictures" and these can't be
> replaced. I've tried to download them on CD, uploading to online photo
> places and nothing works. In general, I've completely mucked up the whole
> system in numerous areas.
>
> I have the recovery disk that came with the computer - which is a
> refurbished one that I received August 2009. I just want to preserve my
> personal videos as they can't be replaced. If I can find a way to do
> this,
> I don't care if I have to start from the scratch the set-up of my computer
> system as a whole.
>
> Any advice. I live on a fixed income and don't have the funds available
> to
> purchase new software.
>
> Thank you in advance for any advice/assistance you can offer me.
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