major computer problem

[simon]

Like a fool, I let my computer update itself to xp service pack 2 last night.
Nw it's completly stuffed!
It's an old P2 350 mhz machine and has been running xp for a couple of years now fine.
when I start it, it stsrts normally going through the first couple of screens until theres a blue screen for an instant, and then it restarts, this time it goes to the "your comp started wrong" type screen and gives me the option of safe mode etc. I tried to start it using the "last known good configuration" but it wasn't having it. Starting in safe mode doesn't let me acess the menu anymore, just a black screen with 9 icons on it (acrobat, real player etc) but no way of accessing the system restore feature.

HELP !!!!!

[kenf]

ooh err missus!

Without seeing it in the flesh (so to speak) it's very hard to diagnose and offer advice or suggest remedies.

I've never uninstalled a service pack before; always gone for the complete rebuild option - drastic, but at least it gives you a nice clean system to start from again.

A good way of doing this is to install a new hard drive, make it the master and the existing one the slave, then install XP onto the new drive. Once it's done, the files on the other drive can be accessed through explorer so you can salvage any important files, piccies, emails, etc.

I'm sure others would suggest restores and repairs but these can be time consuming, frustrating and don't always work.

Whichever way you go, may God go with you!

Ken

[Grease Monkey]

If the system will actually boot in safe mode, you're one step up from the mire you could be in.

Are you running XP home or Pro ?

In safe mode can you get to the start menu / task bar to get to control panel? Seems odd if you can see the desktop, but not the taskbar.

If you're running Pro, can you get the Task Manager up (Pressing Alt Ctrl - Del and select task manager) Then you can run items from the Control Panel directly by clicking File - Run and selecting C:WINDOWSsystem32control.exe

or go to the add/remove program directly by running c:windowssystems32appwiz.cpl

[simon]

Running XP home. I can get the task manager up but what then?
Simon

[simon]

managed to start in safe mode with command prompt. went to the msn site to learn how to start sys restore in safe mode http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449/ but it still says system restore is unable to protect yout computer please restart and run system restore again" (which I've done several times)
Help, before I set fire to the bl**dy thing
Simon

[kenf]

Simon,

if 'It's an old P2 350 mhz machine' why haven't you set fire to it already? Seems to me that this upgrade to SP2 is God's way of telling you to buy a new PC.

If you want to persist with it and you don't know how, then take it to a reputable repair man (not PC World), there's plenty advertising in local rags. For someone to guide you through online or over the phone would be a nightmare.

Ken

[rich]

Can you get into "add and remove programs" if so then you can remove service pack 2 from there.

[stevee8]

Are these worth a look Simon?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875350

http://www.michna.com/kb/WxSP2.htm#B...2_installation

[kevchard]

A PII 350 is running in our cellar, 300Mb ram. File s######ng software and digital camera recording software is running all day and night. To boot it acts an internet portal and file sharing facility. It does all these jobs without quibbling :O).
Can you not the task manager at all? or can you get to the 'run' command?

[Robin427]

Install Linux