Windows Corrupted by unknown source

[Guest]

The Windows Operating System has, for some unknown reason, become severely
corrupt by an unknown source. Most products and all documents have been
earased. Add/Remove Programs continues to list the components as if they were
never uninstalled, but cannot find the uninstall .exe's.

Also the 'Add/remove Additional Windows components' does not respond and
displays an error message as:

0x2 with the line 2088999411

All system restore points have been erased or destroyed by this phenomenon.
Attempts to re-install the components from XP CD fail also. Is there any
possiblity of recovering these components without having to completely
re-install?

Thanks - Snoopmuff

 

[Mike H]

If conditions are as bad as you portray, it is probably time to re-install
the whole system.. before you start, ensure that you have the following
items..

1. a full retail XP cd OR an upgrade XP cd AND a cd for the previous
operating system that was upgraded OR a recovery cd provided by the computer
vendor..

2. an SP2 cd which you can either obtain free of charge from this
website..

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx

OR from your favourite computer store e.g. Staples, Future Shop etc

3. a cd containing a new version of an Anti-virus program OR you can wait
till you first get back online and download a free one.. personally, I use
McAfee version 8.. many will disagree on my choice, but it works for me and
always has..

OK.. got them all?.. now disconnect ANY peripheral device other than your
keyboard, mouse and monitor..

Set the computer BIOS to boot from cd, that is to say that the CD drive must
be ahead of IDE1 in the boot list.. you may have to press the DEL key or
maybe F1 OR F2 to access your BIOS.. check with your computer manual for the
correct procedure..

Set up XP onto your computer.. after the install procedure, check that it
reboots and does all that it should.. now install SP2 from the cd that you
obtained.. now install the anti-virus program.. if you chose the option to
download a free anti-virus program, connect to the internet and ensure that
is the FIRST thing that you do.. the SECOND is to ensure that you get all
updates for the anti-virus program that you have chosen to install..

Now download a free software firewall.. Zonealarm, Sygate, Kerio are good
choices.. you may not have to do this if you bought an SECURITY suite such
as Norton Internet Security or the McAfee equivalent..

Do a search in Google for 'spyware'.. download Spybot 1.3 and Adaware SE
1.05.. keep them in your arsenal for use against the flotsam and jetsam that
is out there..

Now install software for your printer and any other devices that you may
have..

Happy computing..