Weird Problem - Any Windows XP Experts Here?

[urb]

There's a few things you could do before considering re-installing Windows... like a System Restore back to December 12th.

[Ann Omness]

Originally Posted by urb

There's a few things you could do before considering re-installing Windows... like a System Restore back to December 12th.

How do I do that, and what does that do in regard to programs I've installed since then, or email messages in my mail program, stuff like that?

[MeatPounder]

Originally Posted by Ann Omness

How do I do that, and what does that do in regard to programs I've installed since then, or email messages in my mail program, stuff like that?

Well you can go the long way...navigate to start menu>all programs>accesories>system tools>system restore

Or you cand simply click run oon the start menu and paste in this %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe in the box that pops up.

Either way in the window that pops up you select restore my computer to an earlier time...then click next
then go back one month on the calendar...and look at december.
You can only restore to a time that a restore point was saved, and those dates will show in bold. Select the closest one before the 13th you can restore to.

Remember the restore will not delete any saved files, but it will change your computer to the way it was on that date.
Any thing you INSTALLED after that date probably won't work...and you may end up with files and settings you thought you had gotten rid of returning...but that will usually get rid of any baddies that happened to your box as long as it didn't infect your restore files.

[urb]

Originally Posted by Ann Omness

How do I do that, and what does that do in regard to programs I've installed since then, or email messages in my mail program, stuff like that?

Basically what MeatPounder said.

It's worth a try before you start re-formatting hard drives.

Saved files and emails will still be there, but any programs installed or downloaded updates will be removed.