Help a fool with his computer

[AtlantaJ]

I don't know where to start.

My device manager lists nothing anymore.  I get no sound, my wireless card doesn't work, etc,.  Also my desktop/windows reverted back to "Classic" style and I don't have the option to change it to the "new" style if that makes sense.  Not a huge deal I know but there has to be a reason I don't have the option anymore.

When I try to use the help feature on my system I get a pop up telling me that I don't have it selected or loaded.  Something like that.  It also won't let me use "System Restore".  

I've tried selective start up and that doesn't work.

I need some help here...

Thanks,
Josh

[Rob Pomeroy]

Er... what happened just prior to this?

Sounds suspiciously viral.

Have you tried a repair installation?

[GX1_Man]

And do you have a real Windows CD to reinstall if that is necessary?

[AtlantaJ]

I have so much junk on there it would probably be a good idea to wipe it clean I guess.  But there are some items I need to get off there first and my hardware won't work.

I do have a disk.  Not sure where it is but I have it somewhere.



Rob, it happened after an update and reboot.

[Rob Pomeroy]

You still have the option of running repair/recovery from an XP install CD.  And you're lucky enough to be able to boot to the operating system, so you can still copy files as needed.  If you have a second hard drive you can install as a slave, you're laughing.

Don't forget about the files hidden in obscure places, like Outlook personal folders.  Best to copy the whole of C:\Documents and Settings.

[AtlantaJ]

So I just need to put the install/recovery CD in and it will prompt me on what to do?

[Rob Pomeroy]

Yup.

Always backup important data first, to be on the safe side.

[AtlantaJ]

Another dumb question...

I have another computer at home that needs "fixing".  Can I just use the same Windows disk to reinstall everything on both computers?

[GX1_Man]

Microsoft licensing requireds one copy of Windows for each machine.  

Is this a real Windows CD, or some sort or restore CD provided by the manufacturer? What does it say on the disc?

[dl65]

Another dumb question...
 
I have another computer at home that needs "fixing".  Can I just use the same Windows disk to reinstall everything on both computers?

Perhaps you could outline what the issue with the other machine is ......... It may just require a good cleaning out .


dl65  

[AtlantaJ]

It's the real CD's that came with them.  Actually they haven't been opened yet from what I can remember.  I just moved and can't remember where they are but I have them somewhere...

The other computer has nothing on it worth keeping so I won't mind reinstalling anything on it.