MSN Dial Up Wiped Out Mysteriously

[Guest]

Home, stand-alone Dell Dimension 4100 with ~700 Mhz processor & 40 Gig hard
drive, 52 dial-up modem to MSN ISP. Spybot-cleaned & Windows Updates fully
up-to-date. Early warning signs? About 10 days ago my desktop icons, 1-click
icons & tray icons began occassionally blinking & winking w/o apparent cause.
Couple days later Opera browser (latest non-Beta version) wouldn't bookmark
from menu bar, only shortcut menu. Last shut down prior to incident produced
"program not responding" -- had to use power button to shut down.

Upon next
start up my complete Network & Dial Up folder contents were missing.
Unable
to access Internet now.

Other symptoms:
--Internet Connection Wizard
"Country/region" selection box in 3rd step blank. Clicking on it ends Wizard
set-up w/message box "icwconn1.exe has generated errors and will be closed by
Windows. You will need to restart the program. An error log is being
created." Impossible to re-create an Internet Connection using Wizard
(selecting manual/LAN).
--Clicking on Search/Files & Folders from Start menu
produces nothing -- no response.
--Clicking on Add/Remove Programs from Start
Menu produces only blank/empty box. May be unable to add/remove
programs.
--Got an "Error 711: Remote Access Dialer will not start" notice
when trying to do something (forget what). When I looked up error 711 in help
manual, it wouldn't show page!
--Dial Up/Download program/page on one of my
applications appears completely wiped out
--Missing programs are not in
Recycle Bin or anywhere else on drive (C), desktop, My Computer, etc.

I had
just run an up-to-date Spybot and installed the latest security pack from
MSN/Windows Update on the 12th. All was operating well and normally. And then
had the trouble shutting down and, upon later powering up found all these
problems.

I tried a few soft & hard reboots to no effect. Re-ran Spybot,
which found no problems. I ran a disk scan/check from Windows Explorer, both
automatic and thorough, and it did not find any problems or restore the Dial
Up contents or fix other symptoms above.

I am totally perplexed. Am I victim
of a voltage spike from t-storms over the last 10 days (I do have/use a spike
protector strip.)? Virus that snuck past Spybot/Windows Update? I haven't
opened any unscanned email attachments or downloaded any questionable
software.

I'm a bit afraid to try an emergency repair (disc) or a reload of
Windows 2000 for fear of losing files, folders, and favorites.

Any
suggestions/ideas/fixes would be greatly appreciated Oh Gods of the Ether.
Thanks.

 

[Dave Patrick]

Sounds like the profile may be corrupt. You may see something like;

C:\Documents and Settings\user000
C:\Documents and Settings\user

If the profile is corrupt, you can rename the profile(while logged on as
local admin), then when the user logs on again a new profile will be created
from the image in \default user. You can then copy over the items you need
from the renamed profile. Copy the folder contents not the folders
themselves. When your sure you have all you need, you can delete the renamed
profile(s). Use the import function of your e-mail software. Don't overwrite
ntuser.dat

--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| Home, stand-alone Dell Dimension 4100 with ~700 Mhz processor & 40 Gig
hard
| drive, 52 dial-up modem to MSN ISP. Spybot-cleaned & Windows Updates fully
| up-to-date. Early warning signs? About 10 days ago my desktop icons,
1-click
| icons & tray icons began occassionally blinking & winking w/o apparent
cause.
| Couple days later Opera browser (latest non-Beta version) wouldn't
bookmark
| from menu bar, only shortcut menu. Last shut down prior to incident
produced
| "program not responding" -- had to use power button to shut down.
|
| Upon next
| start up my complete Network & Dial Up folder contents were missing.
| Unable
| to access Internet now.
|
| Other symptoms:
| --Internet Connection Wizard
| "Country/region" selection box in 3rd step blank. Clicking on it ends
Wizard
| set-up w/message box "icwconn1.exe has generated errors and will be closed
by
| Windows. You will need to restart the program. An error log is being
| created." Impossible to re-create an Internet Connection using Wizard
| (selecting manual/LAN).
| --Clicking on Search/Files & Folders from Start menu
| produces nothing -- no response.
| --Clicking on Add/Remove Programs from Start
| Menu produces only blank/empty box. May be unable to add/remove
| programs.
| --Got an "Error 711: Remote Access Dialer will not start" notice
| when trying to do something (forget what). When I looked up error 711 in
help
| manual, it wouldn't show page!
| --Dial Up/Download program/page on one of my
| applications appears completely wiped out
| --Missing programs are not in
| Recycle Bin or anywhere else on drive (C), desktop, My Computer, etc.
|
| I had
| just run an up-to-date Spybot and installed the latest security pack from
| MSN/Windows Update on the 12th. All was operating well and normally. And
then
| had the trouble shutting down and, upon later powering up found all these
| problems.
|
| I tried a few soft & hard reboots to no effect. Re-ran Spybot,
| which found no problems. I ran a disk scan/check from Windows Explorer,
both
| automatic and thorough, and it did not find any problems or restore the
Dial
| Up contents or fix other symptoms above.
|
| I am totally perplexed. Am I victim
| of a voltage spike from t-storms over the last 10 days (I do have/use a
spike
| protector strip.)? Virus that snuck past Spybot/Windows Update? I haven't
| opened any unscanned email attachments or downloaded any questionable
| software.
|
| I'm a bit afraid to try an emergency repair (disc) or a reload of
| Windows 2000 for fear of losing files, folders, and favorites.
|
| Any
| suggestions/ideas/fixes would be greatly appreciated Oh Gods of the Ether.
| Thanks.

 

[Guest]

Mr. Patrick,

First thank you for being the only person to respond to my
query. I greatly appreciate you taking the time.

However, I'm afraid your
reply assumed a level of sophistication on my part that I do not possess.
Understanding and implementing your suggestion has proven impossible for
me.

Also, from my limited understanding of profiles, I cannot understand how
a corrupted profile can produce all the symptoms I mentioned. For example, I
am using the book "Windows 2000 Pro: The Missing Manual" by Sharon Pogue, 8th
printing, 2004 edition to help guide me. Page 169 defines a user profile as
"individual accounts, each with its own desktop, Start menu, and other
settings." While one might infer that blinking icons on the desktop or quick
launch bar could result from a corrupted profile that stores them, it does
not seem to me to follow that a symptom like dialogue boxes failing to
appear, text box choices going blank, my Add/Remove Progam box being blank,
or bookmarks failing to work from the menu bar but working from the
right-button short menu could be the result of the computer somehow storing
my Start menu choices or quick launch choices incorrectly.

More specifically
addressing your kind reply, which I stress I am thankful for, I have
fundamental questions. At the start you said I might be seeing C:\Documents
and Settings\user000... But you didn't say *where* or *when* I might be
seeing this. So I can't verify it.

My sense of what you suggesting I do was
to somehow create a new account, move things over from the corrupt account,
then eliminate the corrupt account. If that is the case, then why not follow
the create new account procedure instead of renaming? I do not understand how
simply renaming an account changes anything but its name. And, in fact, when
I did that, that is exactly all that happened. I had the same problems and
symptoms in an account under a new name.

Further on you say to "copy over
the items you need from the renamed profile." Again, I'm sorry, but this
doesn't make sense to me. Fundamentally, if I'm copying "from the renamed
profile," what am I copying things *to* or putting the copies *in*?

Also,
just what is it am I supposed to copy ("the items you need")? All my programs
and files? Let me give another example. When I use the Computer Management
dialogue box and click on "Properties" nothing comes up or happens. Then,
when I try to close the Computer Management dialogue box I get an on-screen
message that I must close all dialogue boxes before the Computer Management
program can be ended. Yet there are no dialogue boxes to close! What is it
that I would copy that would solve that problem?

And regarding any copying,
not only do I not understand what or where I am supposed to copy, but the
method you suggested. I am vaguely aware that there is an import/export
function in a mail program (I have Outlook Express) and think I used one once
eons ago to set up a mail account. But I have never heard of regular programs
or files being transfered using an email program. I don't understand this or
know how to do it.

The "don't overwrite ntuser.dat" therefore has no meaning
to me because I don't understand how it relates to what preceeds it.

I think
the things you're recommending are administrative tasks, things that
run-of-the-mill users like me rarely do. This computer was given to me for my
home and I am its sole user. I believe I have administrative capabilities on
it. Under "User Profiles" in the System Properties dialogue box, the only
accounts shown are Administrator and Guest. When I start my computer,
"Administrator" quickly is visible in an inaccessible dialogue box as part of
the multiple screens that flash up and disappear. I am not prompted to log
on. When I renamed Administrator, the only difference I could notice was that
I was prompted to log on with the new name. Upon logging on with correct name
of the renamed account all my original problems remained in place. Nothing
was changed.

Finally, I accessed the Event Viewer hoping to see when the
problems started, what part of the computer they were in, and perhaps gain
some insight into how to fix them. But when I click, double-click, or
right-click on an Error message in the Event Viewer I get no Event Properties
box. I get nothing. Nothing whatsoever.

It's almost as if this problem is
trying to deny me access to information or interrupt programs that could help
me understand or correct it. The problem seems systemic, not related to
malfunctions in an individual user profile or account. It seems like what a
virus would do to me.

Whether my hunch is right or wrong, I think it's
important to know the cause of all this, as well, to prevent it from
happening again.

Perhaps I should contact Microsoft or take the computer to
a repair shop, although I badly need to avoid expense at this time. I don't
know which would be the cheaper option.

At any rate, thank you for your
attempt to help. It is undoubtedly my lack of knowledge of computers that
prevents me from understanding the concept or technique of what you are
suggesting. It is important for me to understand a concept, in plain
language, before I can fix something. While I understand that one might have
and use different "profiles" on a computer to suit different users or
hardware setups, I cannot understand how a profile of my settings, programs,
etc that became corrupt could prevent me from seeing a dialogue box that
should appear or empty the content of text boxes and folders that would be
common to all users or profiles. If they are common, then I don't see how
switching to another profile or simply renaming the original would change or
eliminate the problem.

I want to fix this problem without loss of files,
programs or settings. Would use of an Emergency Repair Disc and procedure or
reinstallation of Windows 2000 allow me to do that?

Again, thank you very
much for the help you've already attempted to render and anything else you
might suggest.

Sounds like the profile may be

corrupt. You may see something like;

C:\Documents and Settings\user000
C:\Documents and Settings\user

If the profile is corrupt, you can rename the profile(while logged on as
local admin), then when the user logs on

again a new profile will be created

from the image in \default user. You

can then copy over the items you need

from the renamed profile. Copy the

folder contents not the folders

themselves. When your sure you have all

you need, you can delete the renamed

profile(s). Use the import function

of your e-mail software. Don't overwrite

ntuser.dat

--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| Home,

stand-alone Dell Dimension 4100 with ~700 Mhz processor & 40 Gig

hard
|

drive, 52 dial-up modem to MSN ISP. Spybot-cleaned & Windows Updates fully| up-to-date. Early warning signs? About 10 days ago my desktop icons,

1-click
| icons & tray icons began occassionally blinking & winking w/o apparent
cause.
| Couple days later Opera browser (latest non-Beta version) wouldn't
bookmark
| from menu bar, only shortcut menu. Last shut down prior to incident
produced
| "program not responding" -- had

to use power button to shut down.

|
| Upon next
| start up my complete

Network & Dial Up folder contents were missing.

| Unable
| to access Internet now.
|
| Other symptoms:
| --Internet Connection Wizard
|

"Country/region" selection box in 3rd step blank. Clicking on it ends

Wizard
| set-up w/message box "icwconn1.exe has generated errors and will be closed
by
| Windows. You will need to restart the program. An error log is being
| created." Impossible to re-create an Internet Connection using Wizard
| (selecting manual/LAN).
| --Clicking on Search/Files & Folders from Start menu
| produces nothing -- no response.
| --Clicking

on Add/Remove Programs from Start

| Menu produces only blank/empty box. May be unable to add/remove
| programs.
| --Got an "Error 711: Remote Access Dialer will not start" notice
| when trying to do something (forget what). When I looked up error 711 in
help
| manual, it wouldn't show page!
|

--Dial Up/Download program/page on one of my

| applications appears completely wiped out
| --Missing programs are not in
| Recycle Bin or

anywhere else on drive (C), desktop, My Computer, etc.

|
| I had
| just

run an up-to-date Spybot and installed the latest security pack from

|

MSN/Windows Update on the 12th. All was operating well and normally. And

then
| had the trouble shutting down and, upon later powering up found all these
| problems.
|
| I tried a few soft & hard reboots to no effect. Re-ran Spybot,
| which found no problems. I ran a disk scan/check from Windows Explorer,
both
| automatic and thorough, and it did not find any problems or restore the
Dial
| Up contents or fix other symptoms above.
|
| I am totally perplexed. Am I victim
| of a voltage spike

from t-storms over the last 10 days (I do have/use a

spike
| protector

strip.)? Virus that snuck past Spybot/Windows Update? I haven't

| opened

any unscanned email attachments or downloaded any questionable

| software.
|
| I'm a bit afraid to try an emergency repair (disc) or a reload of
| Windows 2000 for fear of losing files, folders, and favorites.
|
| Any
| suggestions/ideas/fixes would be greatly

appreciated Oh Gods of the Ether.

 

[Dave Patrick]

:
| Mr. Patrick,
|
| First thank you for being the only person to respond to my
| query. I greatly appreciate you taking the time.
|
| However, I'm afraid your
| reply assumed a level of sophistication on my part that I do not possess.
| Understanding and implementing your suggestion has proven impossible for
| me.
|
| Also, from my limited understanding of profiles, I cannot understand how
| a corrupted profile can produce all the symptoms I mentioned. For example,
I
| am using the book "Windows 2000 Pro: The Missing Manual" by Sharon Pogue,
8th
| printing, 2004 edition to help guide me. Page 169 defines a user profile
as
| "individual accounts, each with its own desktop, Start menu, and other
| settings." While one might infer that blinking icons on the desktop or
quick
| launch bar could result from a corrupted profile that stores them, it does
| not seem to me to follow that a symptom like dialogue boxes failing to
| appear, text box choices going blank, my Add/Remove Progam box being
blank,
| or bookmarks failing to work from the menu bar but working from the
| right-button short menu could be the result of the computer somehow
storing
| my Start menu choices or quick launch choices incorrectly.
|
| More specifically
| addressing your kind reply, which I stress I am thankful for, I have
| fundamental questions. At the start you said I might be seeing
C:\Documents
| and Settings\user000... But you didn't say *where* or *when* I might be
| seeing this. So I can't verify it.
* 1.) You'll see this in the C:\Documents | and Settings\ folder
2.) It won't come and go if that's what you mean.


| My sense of what you suggesting I do was
| to somehow create a new account, move things over from the corrupt
account,
| then eliminate the corrupt account. If that is the case, then why not
follow
| the create new account procedure instead of renaming? I do not understand
how
| simply renaming an account changes anything but its name. And, in fact,
when
| I did that, that is exactly all that happened. I had the same problems and
| symptoms in an account under a new name.
* Largely a WAG on my part. Just clears the way for the new profile. You
don't need to create a new user, just clear the corruption (if it exists)
It's appears moot since that wasn't the problem.



| Further on you say to "copy over
| the items you need from the renamed profile." Again, I'm sorry, but this
| doesn't make sense to me. Fundamentally, if I'm copying "from the renamed
| profile," what am I copying things *to* or putting the copies *in*?
| Also,
| just what is it am I supposed to copy ("the items you need")?
* Just data files from 'My Documents' and or shortcuts, etc.


All my programs
| and files? Let me give another example. When I use the Computer Management
| dialogue box and click on "Properties" nothing comes up or happens. Then,
| when I try to close the Computer Management dialogue box I get an
on-screen
| message that I must close all dialogue boxes before the Computer
Management
| program can be ended. Yet there are no dialogue boxes to close! What is it
| that I would copy that would solve that problem?
|
| And regarding any copying,
| not only do I not understand what or where I am supposed to copy, but the
| method you suggested. I am vaguely aware that there is an import/export
| function in a mail program (I have Outlook Express) and think I used one
once
| eons ago to set up a mail account. But I have never heard of regular
programs
| or files being transfered using an email program. I don't understand this
or
| know how to do it.
|
| The "don't overwrite ntuser.dat" therefore has no meaning
| to me because I don't understand how it relates to what preceeds it.
|
| I think
| the things you're recommending are administrative tasks, things that
| run-of-the-mill users like me rarely do. This computer was given to me for
my
| home and I am its sole user. I believe I have administrative capabilities
on
| it. Under "User Profiles" in the System Properties dialogue box, the only
| accounts shown are Administrator and Guest. When I start my computer,
| "Administrator" quickly is visible in an inaccessible dialogue box as part
of
| the multiple screens that flash up and disappear. I am not prompted to log
| on. When I renamed Administrator, the only difference I could notice was
that
| I was prompted to log on with the new name. Upon logging on with correct
name
| of the renamed account all my original problems remained in place. Nothing
| was changed.
|
| Finally, I accessed the Event Viewer hoping to see when the
| problems started, what part of the computer they were in, and perhaps gain
| some insight into how to fix them. But when I click, double-click, or
| right-click on an Error message in the Event Viewer I get no Event
Properties
| box. I get nothing. Nothing whatsoever.
|
| It's almost as if this problem is
| trying to deny me access to information or interrupt programs that could
help
| me understand or correct it. The problem seems systemic, not related to
| malfunctions in an individual user profile or account. It seems like what
a
| virus would do to me.
|
| Whether my hunch is right or wrong, I think it's
| important to know the cause of all this, as well, to prevent it from
| happening again.
|
| Perhaps I should contact Microsoft or take the computer to
| a repair shop, although I badly need to avoid expense at this time. I
don't
| know which would be the cheaper option.
|
| At any rate, thank you for your
| attempt to help. It is undoubtedly my lack of knowledge of computers that
| prevents me from understanding the concept or technique of what you are
| suggesting. It is important for me to understand a concept, in plain
| language, before I can fix something. While I understand that one might
have
| and use different "profiles" on a computer to suit different users or
| hardware setups, I cannot understand how a profile of my settings,
programs,
| etc that became corrupt could prevent me from seeing a dialogue box that
| should appear or empty the content of text boxes and folders that would be
| common to all users or profiles. If they are common, then I don't see how
| switching to another profile or simply renaming the original would change
or
| eliminate the problem.
|
| I want to fix this problem without loss of files,
| programs or settings. Would use of an Emergency Repair Disc and procedure
or
| reinstallation of Windows 2000 allow me to do that?
* Possibly. These articles may help.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];292175

What an In-Place Windows 2000 Upgrade Changes and What It Does Not Change
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];306952

Be sure to apply SP4 and these two below to your repair install before
connecting to any network. Internet included. (sasser, msblast)
http://download.microsoft.com/download/E/6/A/E6A04295-D2A8-40D0-A0C5-241BFECD095E/W2KSP4_EN.EXE
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-043.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-049.mspx

Then

Rollup 1 for Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...CF-8850-4531-B52B-BF28B324C662&displaylang=en






--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

 

[Guest]

| Mr. Patrick

| First thank you for being the only person to respond to m
| query. I

greatly appreciate you taking the time

| However, I'm afraid you
|

reply assumed a level of sophistication on my part that I do not possess

|

Understanding and implementing your suggestion has proven impossible fo

| me

| Also, from my limited understanding of profiles, I cannot understand ho
| a corrupted profile can produce all the symptoms I mentioned. For example,

| am using the book "Windows 2000 Pro: The

Missing Manual" by Sharon Pogue,

8t
| printing, 2004 edition to help

guide me. Page 169 defines a user profile

a
| "individual accounts,

each with its own desktop, Start menu, and othe

| settings." While one

might infer that blinking icons on the desktop or

quic
| launch bar

could result from a corrupted profile that stores them, it doe

| not seem

to me to follow that a symptom like dialogue boxes failing t

| appear,

text box choices going blank, my Add/Remove Progam box being

blank
| or

bookmarks failing to work from the menu bar but working from th

|

right-button short menu could be the result of the computer somehow

storin
| my Start menu choices or quick launch choices incorrectly

| More specificall
| addressing your kind reply, which I stress I am thankful for, I hav
| fundamental questions. At the start you said I might be seeing
C:\Document
| and Settings\user000... But you didn't say *where* or *when* I might b
| seeing this. So I can't verify it
* 1.)

You'll see this in the C:\Documents | and Settings\ folde

2.) It won't

come and go if that's what you mean

| My sense of what you suggesting I do wa
| to somehow create a new account, move things over from the corrupt
account
| then eliminate the corrupt account. If that is the case, then why not
follo
| the create new account procedure

instead of renaming? I do not understand

ho
| simply renaming an

account changes anything but its name. And, in fact,

whe
| I did that,

that is exactly all that happened. I had the same problems an

| symptoms in an account under a new name
* Largely a WAG on my part. Just clears the way for the new profile. You
don't need to create a new user, just clear the corruption (if it exists)
It's appears moot since that wasn't the problem



| Further on you say to "copy ove
| the items you need

from the renamed profile." Again, I'm sorry, but thi

| doesn't make sense

to me. Fundamentally, if I'm copying "from the rename

| profile," what am

I copying things *to* or putting the copies *in*

| Also
| just what is

it am I supposed to copy ("the items you need")

* Just data files from 'My

Documents' and or shortcuts, etc

All my program
| and files? Let

me give another example. When I use the Computer Managemen

| dialogue box

and click on "Properties" nothing comes up or happens. Then

| when I try

to close the Computer Management dialogue box I get an

on-scree
|

message that I must close all dialogue boxes before the Computer

Managemen
| program can be ended. Yet there are no dialogue boxes to close! What is i
| that I would copy that would solve that problem

| And regarding any copying
| not only do I not understand what or where I am supposed to copy, but th
| method you suggested. I am vaguely aware that there is an import/expor
| function in a mail program (I have Outlook Express) and think I used one
onc
| eons ago to set up a mail account.

But I have never heard of regular

program
| or files being transfered

using an email program. I don't understand this

o
| know how to do it

| The "don't overwrite ntuser.dat" therefore has no meanin
| to

me because I don't understand how it relates to what preceeds it

| I thin
| the things you're recommending are administrative tasks, things that
| run-of-the-mill users like me rarely do. This computer was given to me for
my
| home and I am its sole user. I believe I have administrative capabilities
on
| it. Under "User Profiles" in the System Properties dialogue box, the only
| accounts shown are Administrator and Guest. When I start my computer,
| "Administrator" quickly is visible in an inaccessible dialogue box as part
of
| the multiple screens that flash up and

disappear. I am not prompted to log

| on. When I renamed Administrator, the

only difference I could notice was

that
| I was prompted to log on with

the new name. Upon logging on with correct

name
| of the renamed account

all my original problems remained in place. Nothing

| was changed.
|
|

Finally, I accessed the Event Viewer hoping to see when the

| problems

started, what part of the computer they were in, and perhaps gain

| some

insight into how to fix them. But when I click, double-click, or

|

right-click on an Error message in the Event Viewer I get no Event

Properties
| box. I get nothing. Nothing whatsoever.
|
| It's almost as if this problem is
| trying to deny me access to information or interrupt programs that could
help
| me understand or correct it. The problem seems systemic, not related to
| malfunctions in an individual user profile or account. It seems like what
a
| virus would do to me.
|
| Whether

my hunch is right or wrong, I think it's

| important to know the cause of

all this, as well, to prevent it from

| happening again.
|
| Perhaps I

should contact Microsoft or take the computer to

| a repair shop, although

I badly need to avoid expense at this time. I

don't
| know which would be the cheaper option.
|
| At any rate, thank you for your
| attempt to

help. It is undoubtedly my lack of knowledge of computers that

| prevents

me from understanding the concept or technique of what you are

|

suggesting. It is important for me to understand a concept, in plain

|

language, before I can fix something. While I understand that one might

have
| and use different "profiles" on a computer to suit different users or
| hardware setups, I cannot understand how a profile of my settings,
programs,
| etc that became corrupt could prevent me from seeing a dialogue box that
| should appear or empty the content of text boxes and folders that would be
| common to all users or profiles. If they are common, then I don't see how
| switching to another profile or simply renaming the original would change
or
| eliminate the problem.
|
| I want to fix

this problem without loss of files,

| programs or settings. Would use of an

Emergency Repair Disc and procedure

or
| reinstallation of Windows 2000 allow me to do that?
* Possibly. These articles may help.

How to

Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows 2000

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];292175

What an

In-Place Windows 2000 Upgrade Changes and What It Does Not Change

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];306952

Be sure to

apply SP4 and these two below to your repair install before

connecting to

any network. Internet included. (sasser, msblast)

http://download.microsoft.com/downl...t.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-049.mspx

Then

Rollup 1 for Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...CF-8850-4531-B52B-BF28B324C662&displaylang=en





--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

Mr.
Patrick,

Thanks again very much for reading my lengthy reply and for
forwarding the articles.

 

[Dave Patrick]

You're welcome.

--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| Mr.
| Patrick,
|
| Thanks again very much for reading my lengthy reply and for
| forwarding the articles.