WinXP repair problem

[ken]

I have recently developed a problem with WinXP Pro SP3+ (all
updates)--it has become incredibly slow, and it gives error messages
that programs are not recognized as being 32-bit programs, memory error
messages, statements about quotas--all kinds of issues.

I decided to do a repair and to test my theory, I loaded an backup image
of the disk from Nov 30 on to a clean disk, then did the repair
(including update of all the Security updates, beginning by using the
SP3 file, then using Windows Update). It works fairly well, except for
the registration of one program, easily fixed.

OK. Now I was ready for the bigtime. I created an image of the C:
drive, as I wanted to have all of the email up-to-date, as well as other
files that I have created since the November 28th backup (I actually
have nightly incremental backups, if I need to). OK, now I was ready to
roll. So... I loaded my WinXP SP2 disk, same as before, now ready to
do a repair, same as before. I chose Enter at the first screen when the
disk loaded, agreed to the the rules and regs, then waited for the next
screen, which would invite me to make a repair to the install or to do a
new install. To my surprise, the next screen said that on Windows was
seen on my computer and asked for a prior version to see if it qualified
for an upgrade!! I rebooted and loaded into my defective version of
Windows again. I don't get it. But does it give any clues to anyone?
I have the option of using the repaired install "clone" from a week ago,
but I am confused about 1, why the original install became corrupt, and
2, why it may be that it is not recognized by install disk.

Thanks
Ken K

 

[ken]

I have recently developed a problem with WinXP Pro SP3+ (all
updates)--it has become incredibly slow, and it gives error messages
that programs are not recognized as being 32-bit programs, memory error
messages, statements about quotas--all kinds of issues.

I decided to do a repair and to test my theory, I loaded an backup image
of the disk from Nov 30 on to a clean disk, then did the repair
(including update of all the Security updates, beginning by using the
SP3 file, then using Windows Update). It works fairly well, except for
the registration of one program, easily fixed.

OK. Now I was ready for the bigtime. I created an image of the C:
drive, as I wanted to have all of the email up-to-date, as well as other
files that I have created since the November 28th backup (I actually
have nightly incremental backups, if I need to). OK, now I was ready to
roll. So... I loaded my WinXP SP2 disk, same as before, now ready to
do a repair, same as before. I chose Enter at the first screen when the
disk loaded, agreed to the the rules and regs, then waited for the next
screen, which would invite me to make a repair to the install or to do a
new install. To my surprise, the next screen said that on Windows was
seen on my computer and asked for a prior version to see if it qualified
for an upgrade!! I rebooted and loaded into my defective version of
Windows again. I don't get it. But does it give any clues to anyone? I
have the option of using the repaired install "clone" from a week ago,
but I am confused about 1, why the original install became corrupt, and
2, why it may be that it is not recognized by install disk.

Thanks
Ken K

Now that I think of it, this confirms that something happened to my
install between the Nov 30 and Dec 7th, which is when I stopped using
that computer because of the problems. If anyone has any suggestions
about any particular corrupt file which may cause the above problems, I
would appreciate it.

Thanks
Ken K