There are too many possibilities, especially given all that you might have
updated. Perhaps its, the firewall. While disconnected from the
Internet, if you are on broadband, temporarily disconnect from the
broadband modem, disable the firewall. Then, open Internet Explorer, it
should take you to a page cannot be displayed message since you are
disconnected from the Internet. If it does, then connect to the Internet
or reconnect the broadband modem, open IE and see if you still have the
problem.
Beyond that, some other things you can try:
First, be sure your antivirus software has the latest definitions and run
a
virus scan.
Second, download, install and run Ad Aware:
www.lavasoftusa.com
Since you've already tried System Restore, try system file checker as
outlined below:
The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a restore CD
or
restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.
Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press enter. Note,
there
is a space between sfc and the forward slash. You will be asked for your
XP
CD. Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen may appear, this
is
not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked by autorun. Simply
minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.
If the above fails to resolve the issue, try a repair install as follows:
Be sure you are well backed up in case there is a problem from which you
are
unable to recover. NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data
files intact, if something goes wrong during the repair install, you may
be
forced to start over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your
data backed up, you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.
Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive, boot with the
XP
CD in the drive. If it isn't or you are not sure, you need to enter the
system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter setup press a specific key, when
you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence.
Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will
reboot.
Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD,
it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if
you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.
Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.
Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.
The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement.
Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.
--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org:
http://www.dts-l.org/
