I have re-installed WindowsXP Pro several times when my system develops problems and have always managed to get it working again; however, this time, I seem to have problems I have never seen before:....I tried to download recommended UPDATES as automatically demanded by Taskbar Icon and found 41 suggested downloads. I started downloading them and it took over 3 hours for them to complete, only to produce a message telling me that they all failed to install. I don't know why they didn't but I just discovered that I cannot open and/or run SYSTEM RESTORE nor can I find any way to remove icons from Taskbar even after using ADD/REMOVE: if I use SEARCH to find icon names I usually have as many as 10 listings of that name and I can't delete most of them due to their READ ONLY status.>>>>>>>>also: I cannot make my WEBCAM work in MESSENGER even though it will work and appear in a screen on window and I can save the Picture or Video into my folder....PLEASE! can anyone help me? I'm only dumb!
202942
well sounds to me like you need a new pc.. Try ebay or something. and if you cant afford one then buy a new hard drive and make sure you format your hard drive properly.. If you cant do that then maybe you should ask someone to help you (Computer repair shop).. IF that fails then steal one...
54574
for xp\n\npress-ctrl-alt-del\n\nchoose 'task manager' if need be.\n\nonce task manager is open, \n\nclick on the 'processes' tab. locate one listed as:\nexplorer.exe\nright-click it, choose 'end process'. If listed more than once, then 'end' each one of them.\n\n\nyour entire desktop will disapear now.\n\n\nnow, click 'file', 'new task (run)', then type 'explorer.exe' no quotes \n\nand it should come back as new. \n\nIf problem remains, then a group policy may be in force.\n\nHOPE THIS HELPS !\n\n-------------------------\nadditional info:\n\nIf your desktop is closing after only a few seconds, and there is NO error displayed, then it was killed on purpose...\nand I'm sorry to say you've been infected with a virus of some kind.  Take it to a professional for cleaning.\n\n:(
54751
for some questions this form of question and answer is unsuitable, a dialog would be more useful. ok anyway -\ntry the following (if not already done): right click on a free area on the desktop and select "arrange symbols" and then click "arrange automatically". this will place your desktop icons on a fix location. then try again to click on a icon - does it still disappear ?
115773
ok when it pops up right click on it and go to properties --> in the properties there should be a check box that makes it automatically hide ( It will be self explantory as it will say something along the lines of automatically hide the task bar ) basically un check that checkbox and also make sure that the task bar isnt locked.\n\nThen you should be able to make your cursour go into a split cursor which will look like 2 arrows, one facing up and one facing down. you have to get the cursour half way over the desktop and half way over the task bar ( if you move the cursor slow enough before it goes fully on to the desktop you will see it change between the two types of cursor ) Then drag it back down to how you want it :)\n\nLook here :\n\nhttp://www.coolnerds.com/XP/Taskbar/xpTaskbar.htm\n\nHope this helps, if not email me and I will get back to you, just make sure to let me know who you are and what it was you need help with so I dont get confused\n\nThanks
29479
Normally the only updates you really need are "Critical Updates". So update manually and only choose Critical Updates to download.\n\nLook for "AutoPatcher". It is a collection of all patches for XP, 2000, or 2003. And gives you the option to do install or not whatever you like.\n\nI have two Win XPs installed on my PC. One with full patches and an antivirus installed, which obviously is slow, and I use for normal works including web browsing. Another one without any of these junks, which is so fast, and I use for my serious off-line tasks (it is a MiniXP installation).
395944
go to run and type winword if it appears word wasn't really uninstalled just the icons deleted. Because restoring your computer should fix anything that was uninstalled or installed but does not delete any files or emails you have. then use the search box to try to look for a icon that you could put in your start menu or desktop. hope this helps. WHat about your files what format are they on? If they are still in word, it's not uninstalled. But if he did uninstall word, make him buy you word.
324812
Your Windows OS(ur using that right?) has an inbuilt msn messenger service which you cant delete on any way.If you check your taskbar on the bottom right, you might see two msn mesenger icons.The problem is that the new msn mesenger does not get installed upon the older one but separately.Does it show that you are logged on a separate computer? If it is something like that, then first check whether the facility to get automatically logged on the older msn mesenger is enabled.If you are then disable it.You will still find the older msn mesenger shortcut on the start menu if you havent personally removed it.Once that is done ie automatically logging on that msn mesenger is disabled, you can log in in the newer version. If you stil have problems, try uninstalling the newer msn mesenger and reinstalling it again.If it isnt the problem like I stated before,the newer msn mesenger usually gives you a chance to repair.If it doesnt, then it isnt installed properly.Another thing, make sure your antivirus allows msn mesenger to run.
406015
It sounds like you might have some damaged or missing startup files.  You can try a system file check.  If that doesn't work, you can try a repair install. You won't lose any pesonal settings or programs but you'll need your XP install disk.\n\nClick start > run > type in "sfc /scannow" > OK (no quotes and note the space between sfc and /scannow.) If needed, you'll be prompted to insert your install disk to repair or replace system files. The scan could take an hour or more but when it's finished, reboot.\n\nIf this doesn't fix the problem, try a repair install. You'll simply overwrite the entire XP operating system with a fresh copy. You'll have to visit the Windows Update site to reinstall any updates, patches, etc. that came out after your install disk was made (including SP2 if it's not already on the disk.)  This link will give you instructions and actual screen shots of what you'll see during the repair install. The repair takes about an hour and it could take a couple of hours to download/install all the Windows Updates.\n\nhttp://www.windowsxphome.windowsreinstall.com/installxpcdrepair/indexfullpage.htm\n\nAnd if this doesn't fix the problem you'll  probably have to reformat your hard drive and reinstall XP from scratch.  Again, this link will give instructions and screen shots. Reformatting and reinstalling XP takes about  the same amount of time as the repair install, but it could take you all day to reinstall your personal programs and settings. Good idea to have all your program install disks handy and you make notes of your personal settings. Also make sure you back up everything because a reformat wipes your hard drive clean..It'll be a lot easier to reconfigure your computer if you do these things.\n\nhttp://www.windowsxphome.windowsreinstall.com/\n\nplrr
42605
Is it just one screen saver that you recently got or does it do the same for any screen saver ?\n\nIf it does the same for any screen saver and if you have system restore enabled then maybe try and go to a restore point before it started doing this, if not then if you have your xp disc handy go to start --> run and either copy and paste this command or type it out ( up to you )\n\nsfc /scannow\n\nThat should help you out some what, if not you can always attempt a repair install ( making sure to back up any  data that you want to keep just as a precaution --> yes i know a repair install doesnt delete data to a certain degree, unless its data in "my documents" or something like that but better safe then sorry so to speak )\n\nI hope this helps.\n\nP.S here is a site to walk you through a repair install :\n\nhttp://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
163632
Hi there,\n\nDO NOT follow the links that your taskbar is throwing up - it is a Trojan / Virus that is attempting to install yet more malware on your machine.  Sounds like one of Spyware.Spyfalcon, Spyware.Strike or Spyware.Quake.\n\nGo to the URL below which is a link to a product called Prevx1.  Download the 60 Day Free Trial and it will scan your machine and remove any viruses / adware / spyware & trojans.\n\nLink to Prevx1 60 Day Free Trial:\nhttp://info.prevx.com/downloadremove.asp
243361
It sounds as though WMP didn't install properly and the partial installation is interfering with normal system functions. \n\nTo know for sure, try starting your computer in Safe Mode to find out what is going on. You can do this by looking out for the key that will take you to the boot menu when you restart your computer. Most of the time, it will be the ESC key or the F8 key. Press the appropriate key when your computer is starting up and while the screen that is offering you those options is loading (you don't get much time - less than 4 seconds so watch out for it!). When you have successfully accessed the boot menu, select the option to start Windows in Safe Mode.\n\nSafe Mode will load minimal drivers, programs and audio/images so the screen will look different to normal. Don't worry about this.\n\nWhen you have accessed Windows and your desktop has loaded, could you access your Control Panel and go to Event Viewer to see what is happening when your computer restartS?\n\nThen go to your 'Add/Remove' programs list. Try to uninstall WMP while you are in safe mode. Control Panel should have 2 WMPs - version 10 and version 11. Select the last installation and see if you can uninstall it. Then come back here and let us know what happened by adding extra information to your question.\n\nThanks\n\nIncidentally, I don't know if you are an expert but I would not tinker with the Registry. This can lead to a lot of problems, especially if you are a relatively inexperienced user.\n\nEdit:\n\nThanks for updating your question. If it's any consolation, I posted my own problem with Genuine Advantage here. My version of XP Home is fine. MS Office has failed to pass the GA test but individual components (which were installed from the same CD) PASSED! No idea what to do, to be honest.  \n\nGoing back to your question, I suspect the other poster here may be right - there may be a virus or trojan at play. If an AV scan fails to sort it out, if I were you I would back up all your personal files to CD-R (if you can) and then go for a full system reinstallation. Drastic but it sounds as though your system has ground to a halt so you probably have no choice.\n\nIncidentally, given that WMP is completely integrated into the Windows platform, although deleting those entries seemed innocuous, it is possible that some of the WMP components are vital to the running of the Windows platform. It is possible that your version of XP Pro failed validation because you removed things from the registry - just a thought.
512926
If I understand you question correctly, when you try to access task manager by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del, it's taking you directly to the Processes tab within task manager and bypassing the dialog box with the usual Lock Computer, Log Off, Shut Down, Change Password, Task Manager and Cancel buttons. I'd try restarting your computer.  If the problem persists and you're using Windows XP, try doing a System Restore (start > help and support > system restore) to a date when the problem was not occuring.  If this doesn't work, and if you have your XP install disk, I'd try a system file check.\n\nClick start > run > type in "sfc / scannow" > OK (no quotes and note the space between sfc and /scannow.)  The scan will check for damaged or missing files. If any are found you'll be prompted to insert the install disk. It could take an hour or more so be patient. Hope this helps.\n\nplrr
29433
Win XP comes with windows Messenger already installed. what u can do is go to Administrative Tools and then services and then stop the Messenger service. If u have urself installed WIndows Messenger's latest version like 7.0 etc. u can use control panel-add remove programs to remove the messenger. -\nPlease exercise caution before taking this step.
307676
Are you sure it's completely gone and not just the icon? or maybe you just lost it off of the start menu? trying going to search and searchin "My Computer" plus all the hidden files and see if it pops up. If it does right click it and move it to your desktop.\n\nMy experience has been that the computer manufacturers don't give you a copy of XP with the computer, they install a backup version on the harddrive. Call the 800 number of your computer manufacturer and they will walk you through a system recovery that will re-install all the factory installed files that you got when you purchased it.
245852
Try using add or remove programs.\nIf it doesnt work then go to processes on task manager and end all the tasks u suspect are of aol - its trial and error and beware ending some processes make u reboot or something like so - then go and delete its instalation folder usually in the program files. If it doesnt work there is a final go of reinstaling xp or the extreme of formating and reinstalling.
96808
Not quite sure but format hard drive load xp pro.\nIf not try the link below.\nHope this helps.\n\nGood Luck.
138922
try this great tool: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm\nit worked for me, with a slightly different problem.\nhope it helps!