Yesterday, I shut down my computer before going to work. It said it was
installing Updates first. I left it and went off. When I returned, and
restarted the computer, my start bar had reverted to the old windows (not XP)
style, most of my programs don't work, and my broadband connection was
knocked out. Should I re-install windows? What's happened?

Please help!

ka-os wrote:

> Yesterday, I shut down my computer before going to work. It said it was
> installing Updates first. I left it and went off. When I returned, and
> restarted the computer, my start bar had reverted to the old windows (not
> XP) style, most of my programs don't work, and my broadband connection was
> knocked out. Should I re-install windows? What's happened?

Since you can get into Windows, do a System Restore to when things worked.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

I tried that - System Restore, like most other things, doesn't work/won't start

"Malke" wrote:

> ka-os wrote:
>
> > Yesterday, I shut down my computer before going to work. It said it was
> > installing Updates first. I left it and went off. When I returned, and
> > restarted the computer, my start bar had reverted to the old windows (not
> > XP) style, most of my programs don't work, and my broadband connection was
> > knocked out. Should I re-install windows? What's happened?
>
> Since you can get into Windows, do a System Restore to when things worked.
>
> Malke
> --
> MS-MVP
> Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
> FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ
>
>

ka-os wrote:
> I tried that - System Restore, like most other things, doesn't work/won't start

Did you try using "last known working configuration" after hitting F8
when booting up as I suggested? You could also try System Restore in
Safe Mode. While you're in Safe Mode, it might be a good idea to back up
your data if it isn't already backed up.

Alias
>
> "Malke" wrote:
>
>> ka-os wrote:
>>
>>> Yesterday, I shut down my computer before going to work. It said it was
>>> installing Updates first. I left it and went off. When I returned, and
>>> restarted the computer, my start bar had reverted to the old windows (not
>>> XP) style, most of my programs don't work, and my broadband connection was
>>> knocked out. Should I re-install windows? What's happened?
>> Since you can get into Windows, do a System Restore to when things worked.
>>
>> Malke
>> --
>> MS-MVP
>> Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
>> FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ
>>
>>

LOL errrr... no I didn't make any preparations, but I haven't lost any data,
it's just nothing is working.

System Restore doesn't work/start. I'll try F8 when I get home, I can't use
the internet as that was knocked out too.

"Alias" wrote:

> ka-os wrote:
> > Yesterday, I shut down my computer before going to work. It said it was
> > installing Updates first. I left it and went off. When I returned, and
> > restarted the computer, my start bar had reverted to the old windows (not XP)
> > style, most of my programs don't work, and my broadband connection was
> > knocked out. Should I re-install windows? What's happened?
> >
> > Please help!
>
> LOL! And the preparations you made for Windows Updates were? None? I
> trust you have backed up everything.
>
> Try using System Restore or hit F8 when you boot up and use the "last
> know working configuration".
>
> Lies that MS tells users:
>
> 1. That you can continue working when you're updating Windows.
>
> 2. That you can let your computer do Windows Updates automatically
> without preparation or user input.
>
> What I do:
>
> 1. Use Crap Cleaner to clean out temp files.
>
> 2. Set Auto Update to inform but not download or install.
>
> 3. When informed of Updates, I look at each one to make sure that MS
> isn't lying again and saying that Windows General Disadvantage is a
> "critical" update. If it's offered, I tick to never show its ugly face
> again.
>
> 4. Download the updates I want.
>
> 5. When it says they are ready to install, I disable my anti virus real
> time scanner and install them and I don't let it install them by
> clicking on Turn Off and having them install on shut down. I like to
> watch ;-)
>
> Alias
>

ka-os wrote:
> LOL errrr... no I didn't make any preparations, but I haven't lost any data,
> it's just nothing is working.
>
> System Restore doesn't work/start. I'll try F8 when I get home, I can't use
> the internet as that was knocked out too.

I would first try to get into Safe Mode using F8 if I hadn't backed up
everything to an external hard drive or other media. If neither System
Restore works in Safe Mode or "last known working configuration", at
least you have everything backed up before you do the reinstall of XP.

Alias
>
> "Alias" wrote:
>
>> ka-os wrote:
>>> Yesterday, I shut down my computer before going to work. It said it was
>>> installing Updates first. I left it and went off. When I returned, and
>>> restarted the computer, my start bar had reverted to the old windows (not XP)
>>> style, most of my programs don't work, and my broadband connection was
>>> knocked out. Should I re-install windows? What's happened?
>>>
>>> Please help!
>> LOL! And the preparations you made for Windows Updates were? None? I
>> trust you have backed up everything.
>>
>> Try using System Restore or hit F8 when you boot up and use the "last
>> know working configuration".
>>
>> Lies that MS tells users:
>>
>> 1. That you can continue working when you're updating Windows.
>>
>> 2. That you can let your computer do Windows Updates automatically
>> without preparation or user input.
>>
>> What I do:
>>
>> 1. Use Crap Cleaner to clean out temp files.
>>
>> 2. Set Auto Update to inform but not download or install.
>>
>> 3. When informed of Updates, I look at each one to make sure that MS
>> isn't lying again and saying that Windows General Disadvantage is a
>> "critical" update. If it's offered, I tick to never show its ugly face
>> again.
>>
>> 4. Download the updates I want.
>>
>> 5. When it says they are ready to install, I disable my anti virus real
>> time scanner and install them and I don't let it install them by
>> clicking on Turn Off and having them install on shut down. I like to
>> watch ;-)
>>
>> Alias
>>

This is a Service Pack 3 Issue you need to run stinger and other virus
removers use a another computer down load and burn a cd then in safe mode run
the program from the cd. I have the same issue and I cant even stay on long
enough to run anything in both Safe mode or normal boot up before the
window pops up stating PRC system error then 1min it shuts off.
I tried to use a program to remove SP-3 and no good. If you can get into the
dos comman prompt through safe mode and know how to move around in dos and
have a way of seeing a external drive you can do a xcopy and save the files
that way then wipe the C drive and start over. I maybe looking at that path
at this time my shelf or try the geek squad I also am looking into that as
well before I wipe the drive and start over.
"Alias" wrote:

> ka-os wrote:
> > LOL errrr... no I didn't make any preparations, but I haven't lost any data,
> > it's just nothing is working.
> >
> > System Restore doesn't work/start. I'll try F8 when I get home, I can't use
> > the internet as that was knocked out too.
>
> I would first try to get into Safe Mode using F8 if I hadn't backed up
> everything to an external hard drive or other media. If neither System
> Restore works in Safe Mode or "last known working configuration", at
> least you have everything backed up before you do the reinstall of XP.
>
> Alias
> >
> > "Alias" wrote:
> >
> >> ka-os wrote:
> >>> Yesterday, I shut down my computer before going to work. It said it was
> >>> installing Updates first. I left it and went off. When I returned, and
> >>> restarted the computer, my start bar had reverted to the old windows (not XP)
> >>> style, most of my programs don't work, and my broadband connection was
> >>> knocked out. Should I re-install windows? What's happened?
> >>>
> >>> Please help!
> >> LOL! And the preparations you made for Windows Updates were? None? I
> >> trust you have backed up everything.
> >>
> >> Try using System Restore or hit F8 when you boot up and use the "last
> >> know working configuration".
> >>
> >> Lies that MS tells users:
> >>
> >> 1. That you can continue working when you're updating Windows.
> >>
> >> 2. That you can let your computer do Windows Updates automatically
> >> without preparation or user input.
> >>
> >> What I do:
> >>
> >> 1. Use Crap Cleaner to clean out temp files.
> >>
> >> 2. Set Auto Update to inform but not download or install.
> >>
> >> 3. When informed of Updates, I look at each one to make sure that MS
> >> isn't lying again and saying that Windows General Disadvantage is a
> >> "critical" update. If it's offered, I tick to never show its ugly face
> >> again.
> >>
> >> 4. Download the updates I want.
> >>
> >> 5. When it says they are ready to install, I disable my anti virus real
> >> time scanner and install them and I don't let it install them by
> >> clicking on Turn Off and having them install on shut down. I like to
> >> watch ;-)
> >>
> >> Alias
> >>
>