1.
Start Over. Normally, I wouldn't say this; but my advice is to "start over" with a clean installation of Windows XP Pro.
a. Is this a brand name computer or custom build?
b. Is there a recovery/restore partition (possibly hidden) on the hard drive or do you have a set of recovery/restore discs from which to restore the operating system?
c. Do you have a Windows XP Pro Install CD and a valid "product key" for that media type?
d. Are there system restore points available that predate the troubles?
2.
Malware Removal. My second choice would be to submit the computer for malware removal. For that you would post to the "
Computer Hope Forums >> Software >> Computer viruses and spyware" subforum. See
here.
3.
Say what? I'm not sure why your computer is displaying the behavior you've described.
a. What issue(s) led you to send computer to shop for Windows reinstall?
(1) Potential malware infestation?
(2) System hangs, freezes, shutdowns, restarts, and/or blue screens?
(3) Unable to startup and/or boot the system?
(4) Motherboard, CPU, and/or hard disk drive replaced?
b. Did the shop actually "reinstall" Windows? If yes, what evidence do you have to support that?
c. Why do you think "Group Policy" lies behind the problems?
(1) Did you request the shop to customize your group policy settings?
(2) Did the IT tech or shop owner admit to customizing your settings?
(3) Did you notice the problems immediately after getting computer back from shop?
(4) Normally a shop doesn't drive customers away by locking access to critical computer functions...
(5) What error messages do you get, if any?
4.
What works? a. Have you tried all the logon "user" accounts of the system?
b. Have you tried a "Safe Mode" or "Safe Mode with Networking" boot?
c. Can you access the Internet and download software successfully?
d. Can you install programs successfully?
e. Can you successfully run antivirus and anti-malware scans?
