Windows XP Pro Problems (Many)

[JaredA]

Alright, where to begin. I recently received Windows
XP Pro from my college(where I will need to do some coding
at home, with Visual Studio .NET 2003) and I installed
yesterday. I selecte to use the "Upgrade" option, which
was recomended, thinking it would work better than the
Advanced aproach.
The software installs fine, restarts a few times,
then the WinXP movie starts. I close the movie and am
taken to a logon screen where I create a user and password
for the computer (I don't want this, can you get rid of
it?) After logging in, I am taken to the desktop.
Now, here is one of the problems. All of my icons
apear normally, the taskbar is snugled at the bottom of
the screen, but I can not do anything. The mouse is an
arrow while on the desktop, but a timer while I hover it
over the Taskbar. The computer remains in this "can't do
anything" mode for at the very least 3 minutes. Windows ME
(which i upgraded from) took less than 5 seconds to load
programs i would be using, WinXP is taking forever.
After I checked online to see what I could do about
slow boot ups, a site recomended I use the Windows Update
feature in the taskbar. I promptly go to the site, where
I am asked to "scan for updates". After clicking
the "scan" button, IE locks up, and it remains frozen for
around 15 seconds. After this time, the site tells me it
can't be accessed. I figure I can try it later.
In the mean time, an icon next to my clock tells me i
should activate WinXP, for piracy issues, I click OK to
activate, and it asks if i want to do it online. Hey why
not, I'm on cable so I'm always connected. I attempt to
connect to activate WinXP but I can not reach the site to
activate it, something must be wrong with Microsofts sites
I thought.
I try to update windows to no avail, again, and
again. So I go to the WinXP homepage and download Service
Pack 1. After installing, the PC needs to reboot. I
click OK to reboot, but it does nothing. I figure it
crashed *again* so I go to manually(in the task bar)
reboot the pc, but alas, that doesn't do anything either.
I try the shut down button, nothing. I am forced to push
the power button.
After minutes waiting for Xp to load, my virus scan
informs me of a virus known as Welchia, AKA Blaster (the
one in the news). I quickly rid my system of the virus,
and download a firewall to be sure I am safe. After
installing the firewall, every 2 seconds someone would try
to ping me. Whats going on? I soon learn that because I
tried to update WinXP I received the virus everyone has
heard of. I quickly say forget this, and go to uninstall
WinXP.
Back to WinME now, arg, it's unstable sure, but it's
acting better than XP was last night. Now, after classes
today, learning that there is indeed MUCH more work I will
be needing to do at home, I am going to need XP. I would
like XP, but I need it to work right. How can I get XP on
my computer, update it, and NOT get the blaster virus?
Can I make it run faster? Would formating THEN installing
be of any help?

My computer specs
933 mhz
256 ram
40 gb hd
Cable connection

My computer can handle XP, but why hasn't it been working?

Thanks for reading my long and boring post, I really need
assistance, and Microsoft won't give it to me(for free
anyways), so I beg of you all to give me a hand and let me
get XP up and running so I can be a success in college.
Thank you

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Jared;
Perform a Clean Installation this way to avoid being exposed to any
virus or worm.
Disconnect all peripherals (camera, printer, scanner, etc)
Disconnect network/modem cable.
Go to BIOS and set CDROM as boot device before hard drive.
Insert Windows XP CD and reboot.
At "Press any key to boot to CDROM" quickly press a key and follow the
prompts for a Clean installation:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
Delete all partitions in step 5 if you desire to erase all data on the
hard drive.
Partitioning and formatting will be done automatically.
All data will be destroyed, back-up important data first.

Enable or install firewall BEFORE connecting network cable.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283673

Install ALL Critical Windows Updates:
Start/All Programs/Windows Update

After you are finished, you will need to load the appropriate drivers.

If your computer was shipped with Windows XP, these procedures may or
may not apply.
Check your manual or contact the computer manufacturer for more
details.

 

[SunSpot]

As and aside to what Jupiter said, you did not get the virus from
trying to update XP.
You got the blaster simply by connecting to the internet, that is all it
takes.
Enabling the firewall first will prevent it.

 

[SunSpot]

Once you have the firewall in place, you can connect to the internet and get
any updates you wish.
The antivirus software is NOT going to stop you from getting infected, it
will only "partially"
clean up after the infection. The patch and the firewall will stop you from
getting infected.

How to Enable Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) on Windows XP
1.. On the taskbar at the bottom of your screen, click Start, and then
click Control Panel.
2.. Click the Network and Internet Connections category.
(If the Network and Internet Connectionsis not visible, click Switch to
Category View under Control Panel on the left side of the Control Panel
window.)
3.. Click Network Connections.
4.. Right-click the Dial-up, LAN, or High-Speed Internet connection that
you use to connect to the Internet, and then click Properties from the
context menu.
5.. On the Advanced tab, under Internet Connection Firewall, select
Protect my computer or network, and then click OK.
The Windows XP firewall is now enabled.

 

[JaredA]

Thanks for all the help, I'll try this tomorrow and post
my results!