I am the only user and adminstrator on this computer. Since May I have been
plagued with problems which all seem to relate to 'you don't have sufficient
privileges ' or some variation of that.

I cannot get Windows update to work and have read all knowledge base and
other internet threads and tried many things an nothing resolves this. I have
manually downloaded and installed each update individually.

Same for Windows Installer! Cannot install any program that requires Windows
Installer.

I have a local area connection to my home network and cannot access
properites to change any communications with same message. ( I just have a
router and my notebook on the network) Same problem is present even is I go
off network work and run this computer standalone.

I have been through all my Admin Tools areas and set access to Administrator
and Everyone. I have a notebook with XP Pro also, and have compared the
settting in all tools area and they are identica, as far as I can determine.

I created a slipstream CD and did a reinstall. No change!!!!!!!!!!

Booting in Safe mode does not help.

I am stumped. I have too many programs to do a reformat and reinstall so I
am roughing it out fo now. Maybe when XP is replaced in 2006 that will
correct the problem, although I am not sure.

ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATED!

You could try to use the secedit command to reset security settings back to
default defined levels as described in the KB article below. Beware however
that often a cause of such problems is malware that has reconfigured system
security in an attempt to prevent administrators from accessing needed tools
to detect or remove it. So be sure to also do a full malware scan on your
computer with an antivirus program that is current with virus definitions as
of today which can be downloaded form the vendors website. --- Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;313222
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...2/Default.mspx
--- Protect Your PC tips.

"Bob Zambenini" <BobZambenini@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6C57EC5B-FBB5-45B8-91B8-A63C3BD298B2@microsoft.com...
>I am the only user and adminstrator on this computer. Since May I have been
> plagued with problems which all seem to relate to 'you don't have
> sufficient
> privileges ' or some variation of that.
>
> I cannot get Windows update to work and have read all knowledge base and
> other internet threads and tried many things an nothing resolves this. I
> have
> manually downloaded and installed each update individually.
>
> Same for Windows Installer! Cannot install any program that requires
> Windows
> Installer.
>
> I have a local area connection to my home network and cannot access
> properites to change any communications with same message. ( I just have
> a
> router and my notebook on the network) Same problem is present even is I
> go
> off network work and run this computer standalone.
>
> I have been through all my Admin Tools areas and set access to
> Administrator
> and Everyone. I have a notebook with XP Pro also, and have compared the
> settting in all tools area and they are identica, as far as I can
> determine.
>
> I created a slipstream CD and did a reinstall. No change!!!!!!!!!!
>
> Booting in Safe mode does not help.
>
> I am stumped. I have too many programs to do a reformat and reinstall so I
> am roughing it out fo now. Maybe when XP is replaced in 2006 that will
> correct the problem, although I am not sure.
>
> ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATED!
>
>
>
>

In my orginal post, I should have indicated that I have run every malware,
sypware and viruse scanner several times. That seemed to be the logical cause
back in May, that a bug had taken control of my system. I have also use
Registery Cleaner continually.

"Steven L Umbach" wrote:

> You could try to use the secedit command to reset security settings back to
> default defined levels as described in the KB article below. Beware however
> that often a cause of such problems is malware that has reconfigured system
> security in an attempt to prevent administrators from accessing needed tools
> to detect or remove it. So be sure to also do a full malware scan on your
> computer with an antivirus program that is current with virus definitions as
> of today which can be downloaded form the vendors website. --- Steve
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;313222
> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...2/Default.mspx
> --- Protect Your PC tips.
>
> "Bob Zambenini" <BobZambenini@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:6C57EC5B-FBB5-45B8-91B8-A63C3BD298B2@microsoft.com...
> >I am the only user and adminstrator on this computer. Since May I have been
> > plagued with problems which all seem to relate to 'you don't have
> > sufficient
> > privileges ' or some variation of that.
> >
> > I cannot get Windows update to work and have read all knowledge base and
> > other internet threads and tried many things an nothing resolves this. I
> > have
> > manually downloaded and installed each update individually.
> >
> > Same for Windows Installer! Cannot install any program that requires
> > Windows
> > Installer.
> >
> > I have a local area connection to my home network and cannot access
> > properites to change any communications with same message. ( I just have
> > a
> > router and my notebook on the network) Same problem is present even is I
> > go
> > off network work and run this computer standalone.
> >
> > I have been through all my Admin Tools areas and set access to
> > Administrator
> > and Everyone. I have a notebook with XP Pro also, and have compared the
> > settting in all tools area and they are identica, as far as I can
> > determine.
> >
> > I created a slipstream CD and did a reinstall. No change!!!!!!!!!!
> >
> > Booting in Safe mode does not help.
> >
> > I am stumped. I have too many programs to do a reformat and reinstall so I
> > am roughing it out fo now. Maybe when XP is replaced in 2006 that will
> > correct the problem, although I am not sure.
> >
> > ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATED!
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>

Could be a corrupt profile. Can you log on as the "Administrator"? I do
not mean as "Adminitrator" equivalent, but as the user "Administrator". Or,
can you create another user that has Administrator group rights, then log on
as that user? I have seen corrupt profiles do VERY strange things. It
could be that sompe place in your local users portion of the profile, there
are keys that are royally screwed up.

Randy Reimers

"Bob Zambenini" <BobZambenini@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:CB2030B0-B8A1-4FD4-B5F6-6B0C0FDAF04F@microsoft.com...
> In my orginal post, I should have indicated that I have run every malware,
> sypware and viruse scanner several times. That seemed to be the logical
> cause
> back in May, that a bug had taken control of my system. I have also use
> Registery Cleaner continually.
>
> "Steven L Umbach" wrote:
>
>> You could try to use the secedit command to reset security settings back
>> to
>> default defined levels as described in the KB article below. Beware
>> however
>> that often a cause of such problems is malware that has reconfigured
>> system
>> security in an attempt to prevent administrators from accessing needed
>> tools
>> to detect or remove it. So be sure to also do a full malware scan on your
>> computer with an antivirus program that is current with virus definitions
>> as
>> of today which can be downloaded form the vendors website. --- Steve
>>
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;313222
>> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...2/Default.mspx
>> --- Protect Your PC tips.
>>
>> "Bob Zambenini" <BobZambenini@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:6C57EC5B-FBB5-45B8-91B8-A63C3BD298B2@microsoft.com...
>> >I am the only user and adminstrator on this computer. Since May I have
>> >been
>> > plagued with problems which all seem to relate to 'you don't have
>> > sufficient
>> > privileges ' or some variation of that.
>> >
>> > I cannot get Windows update to work and have read all knowledge base
>> > and
>> > other internet threads and tried many things an nothing resolves this.
>> > I
>> > have
>> > manually downloaded and installed each update individually.
>> >
>> > Same for Windows Installer! Cannot install any program that requires
>> > Windows
>> > Installer.
>> >
>> > I have a local area connection to my home network and cannot access
>> > properites to change any communications with same message. ( I just
>> > have
>> > a
>> > router and my notebook on the network) Same problem is present even is
>> > I
>> > go
>> > off network work and run this computer standalone.
>> >
>> > I have been through all my Admin Tools areas and set access to
>> > Administrator
>> > and Everyone. I have a notebook with XP Pro also, and have compared the
>> > settting in all tools area and they are identica, as far as I can
>> > determine.
>> >
>> > I created a slipstream CD and did a reinstall. No change!!!!!!!!!!
>> >
>> > Booting in Safe mode does not help.
>> >
>> > I am stumped. I have too many programs to do a reformat and reinstall
>> > so I
>> > am roughing it out fo now. Maybe when XP is replaced in 2006 that will
>> > correct the problem, although I am not sure.
>> >
>> > ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATED!
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>

Since you seem to have an ongoing problem that appears can not be resolved
after reasonable efforts if it was my computer I would do a clean install of
the operating system and start over after being sure to backup your data
files first to offline media such as cdroms/DVD. I just got done cleaning
my nephew's computer that had some malware and spyware. From what I could
tell it was clean after my efforts but still sluggish. So I did a clean
install of the operating system and everything runs great now. I know it
can be a pain but sometimes it really is the way to go. --- Steve


"Bob Zambenini" <BobZambenini@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:CB2030B0-B8A1-4FD4-B5F6-6B0C0FDAF04F@microsoft.com...
> In my orginal post, I should have indicated that I have run every malware,
> sypware and viruse scanner several times. That seemed to be the logical
> cause
> back in May, that a bug had taken control of my system. I have also use
> Registery Cleaner continually.
>
> "Steven L Umbach" wrote:
>
>> You could try to use the secedit command to reset security settings back
>> to
>> default defined levels as described in the KB article below. Beware
>> however
>> that often a cause of such problems is malware that has reconfigured
>> system
>> security in an attempt to prevent administrators from accessing needed
>> tools
>> to detect or remove it. So be sure to also do a full malware scan on your
>> computer with an antivirus program that is current with virus definitions
>> as
>> of today which can be downloaded form the vendors website. --- Steve
>>
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;313222
>> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...2/Default.mspx
>> --- Protect Your PC tips.
>>
>> "Bob Zambenini" <BobZambenini@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:6C57EC5B-FBB5-45B8-91B8-A63C3BD298B2@microsoft.com...
>> >I am the only user and adminstrator on this computer. Since May I have
>> >been
>> > plagued with problems which all seem to relate to 'you don't have
>> > sufficient
>> > privileges ' or some variation of that.
>> >
>> > I cannot get Windows update to work and have read all knowledge base
>> > and
>> > other internet threads and tried many things an nothing resolves this.
>> > I
>> > have
>> > manually downloaded and installed each update individually.
>> >
>> > Same for Windows Installer! Cannot install any program that requires
>> > Windows
>> > Installer.
>> >
>> > I have a local area connection to my home network and cannot access
>> > properites to change any communications with same message. ( I just
>> > have
>> > a
>> > router and my notebook on the network) Same problem is present even is
>> > I
>> > go
>> > off network work and run this computer standalone.
>> >
>> > I have been through all my Admin Tools areas and set access to
>> > Administrator
>> > and Everyone. I have a notebook with XP Pro also, and have compared the
>> > settting in all tools area and they are identica, as far as I can
>> > determine.
>> >
>> > I created a slipstream CD and did a reinstall. No change!!!!!!!!!!
>> >
>> > Booting in Safe mode does not help.
>> >
>> > I am stumped. I have too many programs to do a reformat and reinstall
>> > so I
>> > am roughing it out fo now. Maybe when XP is replaced in 2006 that will
>> > correct the problem, although I am not sure.
>> >
>> > ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATED!
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>

We have the same problerm! Even as administrator it's not possible to delete
or change software. This because of windows installer problems. We already
format one pc and installed XP Professional & Office XP again. The pc worked
fine for a couple of days but after updates of Windows the installer problem
came back.

Steven: do you keep your XP software updated?
We think this is the problem because an other pc of us which didn't update
automatticaly doesn't have the problem!


"Steven L Umbach" wrote:

> Since you seem to have an ongoing problem that appears can not be resolved
> after reasonable efforts if it was my computer I would do a clean install of
> the operating system and start over after being sure to backup your data
> files first to offline media such as cdroms/DVD. I just got done cleaning
> my nephew's computer that had some malware and spyware. From what I could
> tell it was clean after my efforts but still sluggish. So I did a clean
> install of the operating system and everything runs great now. I know it
> can be a pain but sometimes it really is the way to go. --- Steve
>
>
> "Bob Zambenini" <BobZambenini@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:CB2030B0-B8A1-4FD4-B5F6-6B0C0FDAF04F@microsoft.com...
> > In my orginal post, I should have indicated that I have run every malware,
> > sypware and viruse scanner several times. That seemed to be the logical
> > cause
> > back in May, that a bug had taken control of my system. I have also use
> > Registery Cleaner continually.
> >
> > "Steven L Umbach" wrote:
> >
> >> You could try to use the secedit command to reset security settings back
> >> to
> >> default defined levels as described in the KB article below. Beware
> >> however
> >> that often a cause of such problems is malware that has reconfigured
> >> system
> >> security in an attempt to prevent administrators from accessing needed
> >> tools
> >> to detect or remove it. So be sure to also do a full malware scan on your
> >> computer with an antivirus program that is current with virus definitions
> >> as
> >> of today which can be downloaded form the vendors website. --- Steve
> >>
> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;313222
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...2/Default.mspx
> >> --- Protect Your PC tips.
> >>
> >> "Bob Zambenini" <BobZambenini@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:6C57EC5B-FBB5-45B8-91B8-A63C3BD298B2@microsoft.com...
> >> >I am the only user and adminstrator on this computer. Since May I have
> >> >been
> >> > plagued with problems which all seem to relate to 'you don't have
> >> > sufficient
> >> > privileges ' or some variation of that.
> >> >
> >> > I cannot get Windows update to work and have read all knowledge base
> >> > and
> >> > other internet threads and tried many things an nothing resolves this.
> >> > I
> >> > have
> >> > manually downloaded and installed each update individually.
> >> >
> >> > Same for Windows Installer! Cannot install any program that requires
> >> > Windows
> >> > Installer.
> >> >
> >> > I have a local area connection to my home network and cannot access
> >> > properites to change any communications with same message. ( I just
> >> > have
> >> > a
> >> > router and my notebook on the network) Same problem is present even is
> >> > I
> >> > go
> >> > off network work and run this computer standalone.
> >> >
> >> > I have been through all my Admin Tools areas and set access to
> >> > Administrator
> >> > and Everyone. I have a notebook with XP Pro also, and have compared the
> >> > settting in all tools area and they are identica, as far as I can
> >> > determine.
> >> >
> >> > I created a slipstream CD and did a reinstall. No change!!!!!!!!!!
> >> >
> >> > Booting in Safe mode does not help.
> >> >
> >> > I am stumped. I have too many programs to do a reformat and reinstall
> >> > so I
> >> > am roughing it out fo now. Maybe when XP is replaced in 2006 that will
> >> > correct the problem, although I am not sure.
> >> >
> >> > ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATED!
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

I am not the one having the problem here and yes I keep my computer updated
with patches though I don't usually rush out and do it. Did you try to
remove the updates via Add & Remove programs to see if that restored
computer functionality?? You may also want to post in the Microsoft updates
newsgroup particularly if you are pretty sure that it is related to a
specific update to see if anyone there has any words of wisdom. For
organizations that have a lot of computers it is best practice to apply
patches on a few like configured test computers first to see if everything
goes well or not. It also could be a coincidence that another problem arises
at the same time. --- Steve


"joe" <joe@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:4BF837C4-B8B8-4C9E-8428-9F554AD91D93@microsoft.com...
> We have the same problerm! Even as administrator it's not possible to
> delete
> or change software. This because of windows installer problems. We
> already
> format one pc and installed XP Professional & Office XP again. The pc
> worked
> fine for a couple of days but after updates of Windows the installer
> problem
> came back.
>
> Steven: do you keep your XP software updated?
> We think this is the problem because an other pc of us which didn't update
> automatticaly doesn't have the problem!
>
>
> "Steven L Umbach" wrote:
>
>> Since you seem to have an ongoing problem that appears can not be
>> resolved
>> after reasonable efforts if it was my computer I would do a clean install
>> of
>> the operating system and start over after being sure to backup your data
>> files first to offline media such as cdroms/DVD. I just got done
>> cleaning
>> my nephew's computer that had some malware and spyware. From what I could
>> tell it was clean after my efforts but still sluggish. So I did a clean
>> install of the operating system and everything runs great now. I know it
>> can be a pain but sometimes it really is the way to go. --- Steve
>>
>>
>> "Bob Zambenini" <BobZambenini@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:CB2030B0-B8A1-4FD4-B5F6-6B0C0FDAF04F@microsoft.com...
>> > In my orginal post, I should have indicated that I have run every
>> > malware,
>> > sypware and viruse scanner several times. That seemed to be the logical
>> > cause
>> > back in May, that a bug had taken control of my system. I have also use
>> > Registery Cleaner continually.
>> >
>> > "Steven L Umbach" wrote:
>> >
>> >> You could try to use the secedit command to reset security settings
>> >> back
>> >> to
>> >> default defined levels as described in the KB article below. Beware
>> >> however
>> >> that often a cause of such problems is malware that has reconfigured
>> >> system
>> >> security in an attempt to prevent administrators from accessing needed
>> >> tools
>> >> to detect or remove it. So be sure to also do a full malware scan on
>> >> your
>> >> computer with an antivirus program that is current with virus
>> >> definitions
>> >> as
>> >> of today which can be downloaded form the vendors website. --- Steve
>> >>
>> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;313222
>> >> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...2/Default.mspx
>> >> --- Protect Your PC tips.
>> >>
>> >> "Bob Zambenini" <BobZambenini@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> >> message
>> >> news:6C57EC5B-FBB5-45B8-91B8-A63C3BD298B2@microsoft.com...
>> >> >I am the only user and adminstrator on this computer. Since May I
>> >> >have
>> >> >been
>> >> > plagued with problems which all seem to relate to 'you don't have
>> >> > sufficient
>> >> > privileges ' or some variation of that.
>> >> >
>> >> > I cannot get Windows update to work and have read all knowledge
>> >> > base
>> >> > and
>> >> > other internet threads and tried many things an nothing resolves
>> >> > this.
>> >> > I
>> >> > have
>> >> > manually downloaded and installed each update individually.
>> >> >
>> >> > Same for Windows Installer! Cannot install any program that requires
>> >> > Windows
>> >> > Installer.
>> >> >
>> >> > I have a local area connection to my home network and cannot access
>> >> > properites to change any communications with same message. ( I just
>> >> > have
>> >> > a
>> >> > router and my notebook on the network) Same problem is present even
>> >> > is
>> >> > I
>> >> > go
>> >> > off network work and run this computer standalone.
>> >> >
>> >> > I have been through all my Admin Tools areas and set access to
>> >> > Administrator
>> >> > and Everyone. I have a notebook with XP Pro also, and have compared
>> >> > the
>> >> > settting in all tools area and they are identica, as far as I can
>> >> > determine.
>> >> >
>> >> > I created a slipstream CD and did a reinstall. No change!!!!!!!!!!
>> >> >
>> >> > Booting in Safe mode does not help.
>> >> >
>> >> > I am stumped. I have too many programs to do a reformat and
>> >> > reinstall
>> >> > so I
>> >> > am roughing it out fo now. Maybe when XP is replaced in 2006 that
>> >> > will
>> >> > correct the problem, although I am not sure.
>> >> >
>> >> > ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATED!
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>

I need some help with my options for clean install. Exactly what is clean
install.

I have my XP CD and I have also created a slipstream CD with SP2.

I did what I believe was a repair intstall and this did nothing to solve the
problem, except at that time I had 23 updates and I had to go through the
process of installing each one manually.

I have a disk image back up.

So if I do a clean install guess that means that I will have to reinstall
all my apps, which are many! Is this correct? Or after I do a clean install
can I load from this disk image and recover most of my apps?

I am trying to figure out if I can rough it out for a few more months until
the new MS operating system comes out. But that may be an overinstall or
upgrade type install and I might have the same problem!

Right now I don't have either Windows Update or Windows Installer because of
lack of Administrator privilidges.

Thanks for your help.



"Steven L Umbach" wrote:

> Since you seem to have an ongoing problem that appears can not be resolved
> after reasonable efforts if it was my computer I would do a clean install of
> the operating system and start over after being sure to backup your data
> files first to offline media such as cdroms/DVD. I just got done cleaning
> my nephew's computer that had some malware and spyware. From what I could
> tell it was clean after my efforts but still sluggish. So I did a clean
> install of the operating system and everything runs great now. I know it
> can be a pain but sometimes it really is the way to go. --- Steve

Hi Bob.

Are you using XP Home or XP Pro. If you are using XP Pro did you try using
secedit to restore security settings to default defined levels as I
described earlier?? Can you access the command prompt, registry editor
[regedit], or Local Security Policy and gpedit.msc if using XP Pro at least
in Safe Mode? Have you run your malware/spyware programs in Safe Mode. What
does your disk image contain - just data or the whole operating system from
a point in time when everything worked better??

A clean or pristine install would be booting from the install cdrom for XP
[slipstreamed disk would be fine if bootable] and selecting the option to
install a new operating system and formatting [not quick] to system
drive/partition where the operating system lives which will destroy
everything on that drive/partition. Yes you would have to reinstall all of
your applications and I know that can be a bear which is why most want to
avoid a clean install except as a last resort. I don't know if you have dial
up or not but you do not have to download/install updates one at a time.
When I repaired my nephew's computer I downloaded and installed then all in
one batch though I have a cable modem. If you do get a new version of the
operating system you surely do not want to do an upgrade install with the
state of your computer. --- Steve


"Bob Zambenini" <BobZambenini@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C0CA3B56-4F9F-41D0-9500-B8D9C80ABC78@microsoft.com...
>I need some help with my options for clean install. Exactly what is clean
> install.
>
> I have my XP CD and I have also created a slipstream CD with SP2.
>
> I did what I believe was a repair intstall and this did nothing to solve
> the
> problem, except at that time I had 23 updates and I had to go through the
> process of installing each one manually.
>
> I have a disk image back up.
>
> So if I do a clean install guess that means that I will have to reinstall
> all my apps, which are many! Is this correct? Or after I do a clean
> install
> can I load from this disk image and recover most of my apps?
>
> I am trying to figure out if I can rough it out for a few more months
> until
> the new MS operating system comes out. But that may be an overinstall or
> upgrade type install and I might have the same problem!
>
> Right now I don't have either Windows Update or Windows Installer because
> of
> lack of Administrator privilidges.
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
>
>
> "Steven L Umbach" wrote:
>
>> Since you seem to have an ongoing problem that appears can not be
>> resolved
>> after reasonable efforts if it was my computer I would do a clean install
>> of
>> the operating system and start over after being sure to backup your data
>> files first to offline media such as cdroms/DVD. I just got done
>> cleaning
>> my nephew's computer that had some malware and spyware. From what I could
>> tell it was clean after my efforts but still sluggish. So I did a clean
>> install of the operating system and everything runs great now. I know it
>> can be a pain but sometimes it really is the way to go. --- Steve
>

I have XP Pro. I tried the secedit again and here is the part of log file
that showed errors:
--------
Error enumerating info for machine\system\currentcontrolset\services\scarddrv .
Configure machine\system\currentcontrolset\services\scardsvr \security.
Configure machine\system\currentcontrolset\services\stisvc\s ecurity.
Configure machine\system\currentcontrolset\services\sysmonlo g\log queries.
Error 234: More data is available.
Error enumerating info for
machine\system\currentcontrolset\services\sysmonlo g\log queries.

Configuration of Registry Keys was completed with one or more errors.


----Configure File Security...
Configure c:\.

File Security configuration was completed with one or more errors.
----------

My back up is a disk image but don't believe I have one back to where this
started occuring. I will look some more on an external hdd.

Does these log file errors above play into the problem?


"Steven L Umbach" wrote:

> Hi Bob.
>
> Are you using XP Home or XP Pro. If you are using XP Pro did you try using
> secedit to restore security settings to default defined levels as I
> described earlier?? Can you access the command prompt, registry editor
> [regedit], or Local Security Policy and gpedit.msc if using XP Pro at least
> in Safe Mode? Have you run your malware/spyware programs in Safe Mode. What
> does your disk image contain - just data or the whole operating system from
> a point in time when everything worked better??
>
> A clean or pristine install would be booting from the install cdrom for XP
> [slipstreamed disk would be fine if bootable] and selecting the option to
> install a new operating system and formatting [not quick] to system
> drive/partition where the operating system lives which will destroy
> everything on that drive/partition. Yes you would have to reinstall all of
> your applications and I know that can be a bear which is why most want to
> avoid a clean install except as a last resort. I don't know if you have dial
> up or not but you do not have to download/install updates one at a time.
> When I repaired my nephew's computer I downloaded and installed then all in
> one batch though I have a cable modem. If you do get a new version of the
> operating system you surely do not want to do an upgrade install with the
> state of your computer. --- Steve
>
>