System Restore Popup is blank

[Sunny33990]

I removed several programs and installed SP3 on my XP computer at the same time. Now the System Restore pop-up is blank so I can’t restore my system to an earlier time This happens when in a normal Windows session or when working in ‘Safe Mode’.

Also my ‘help’ doesn't work and ‘search’ window opens but doesn’t have any text. A few of my emails have graphics, but no text.

When I went through the ‘Microsoft’s System Restore Troubleshooting steps’ to check free space ‘run diskmgmt.msc’ the error message ‘Microsoft Management Console has encountered a problem and needs to close’ appeared.

I have reinserted ‘Hypertext Markup Language component (.htc) files to the registry from Microsoft’s Help.

I would just reload my system and be done with it but I am a couple thousand miles from home and my computer only allows me to make one copy of Recovery Disks. I have a legal copy of Windows and Microsoft updates it automatically.

My computer is a HP Pavilion DV8210us with XP home SP3. It has 512MB RAM and 80GB hard drive. I use Windows Defender and PC Tools AnitVirus which are used often.

[Broni]

Do you have Windows CD with you?

[Sunny33990]

No. It is at my home. I am a couple thousand miles away for the next few months.

[Broni]

Try to uninstall SP3, and see, if it helps.

[Sunny33990]

Uninstalled SP3. Popup is still blank.

However before uninstall, I noticed text in Outlook Express cannot be selected and Internet Explorer opens but doesn't work. 'Firefox' and 'Opera' work fine.

Later: Microsoft Works won't start (cannot access files needed to run). Reinstalled 'Works' and it still has the same error.

Is there a text generator(?) or program that is common to these Microsoft programs that could have been removed from the Registry?

[Broni]

I suspect some serious system file corruption. Can you borrow Windows CD from someone?

Also...
Download HijackThis:
http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/security_tools/hijackthis/download
Click on Download HijackThis Installer
Post HijackTHis log.

[Sunny33990]

OK. Dowloaded and ran HijackThis. The log is attached.

Everyone I know here has Windows Vista, but I'll see if anyone knows anyone who has an XP disk.

I was kind of hoping it was something that was missing and could be added to the registry. Oh, well.

[Saving space - attachment deleted by admin]

[Broni]

I see nothing dangerous there.
Try looking for that XP CD.

[Sunny33990]

I can purchase 'Windows XP Boot Disks' on EBay. Will they do the trick? The funny part is a few months ago I gave the Goodwill several computers with Windows XP and their Recovery Disks. One had XP Professional Boot Disks with it.

[Broni]

You have to have Windows CD, not boot disks.

[patio]

XP bootdisks by the way are free...but they will not re-install XP...

[Sunny33990]

Can't find Windows CD from the few people I know in this small community. Plenty of Installation Disks for specific computers and one Windows XP Pro Installation Disk with the key.

The Boot Disk I was referring to, is supposed to install Windows XP (he says). 

I guess the simplest thing to do is reinstall Windows and retain the other files on my computer. Is there any way I can use the Windows Update files I have on my computer

[spunky]

you could try running a chkdsk /r command from the run line..... if thats no good, i would try to get hold of a xp disc and do a repair via the installation... after pressing f8 i think

[Broni]

XP bootdisks by the way are free...but they will not re-install XP...