Well guys, I will try to bring you up to date. Before I resorted to "Vista Recovery" on my hard drive, I decided to download and install SP-1. However, it would not install.
Microsoft has a web site and a phone no.for SP-1 install problems, which i phoned. That connected me with a person in India who tried to help me out. I am 80 years old and my hearing is not as it was 40 years ago. I do not hear a lot of words correctly even when spoken in English with no accent. A conversation with an East Indian person is extremely difficult.
However, after 4 phone calls i finally got connected wiht a person who took over my "Desk top", manipulated the machine for a few minutes then told me I had "corrupted system files". He advised me to contact HP and demand an "In Place Upgrade DVD". So I called HP, got another person in India, and was informed that they did not give out those DVD's. It would cost me $150.00. I suppose I over reacted to that but I refused and hung up.
I will next try to use the "Vista Recovery" on the hard drive. I'm not sure how but eeeehhhh.
I am going up into the mountains for a couple of weeks so I will not be on line for a while. I want to thank you guys, especially you, BRONI for you continued efforts to help. No doubt, we will exchange notes again later, GOD BLESS, JIM