Two other things I can offer as follows:
The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a restore CD or
restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.
Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press enter. Note, there
is a space between sfc and the forward slash. You will be asked for your XP
CD. Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen may appear, this is
not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked by autorun. Simply
minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.
If the above fails to resolve the issue, try a repair install as follows:
Be sure you are well backed up in case there is a problem from which you are
unable to recover. NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data
files intact, if something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be
forced to start over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your
data backed up, you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.
Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive, boot with the XP
CD in the drive. If it isn't or you are not sure, you need to enter the
system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter setup press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.
Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.
Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.
Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.
The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.
--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org:
http://www.dts-l.org/
"C. M. G." wrote in message
...
Michael,
I did get the upgrade advisor (version 6.0.2448.0) from the web site you
suggested. I get the same error message:
==============================================
Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is
newer than the version on the CD.
Warning: If you decide to delete the newer version of Windows that is
currently installed on your computer, the files and settings cannot be
recovered.
==============================================
Any idea why I keep getting this error message?
Thanks,
Clem.
"Michael Solomon (MS-MVP)" wrote in message
...
Obviously, something is corrupted in the old account but the information
you posted from event log is symptomatic as opposed to causal.
You might try downloading the compatibility checker from the following
site, it is known as the Upgrade Advisor:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...g/advisor.mspx
--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
"C. M. G." wrote in message
...
Michael,
since my prior response, I have made some other discoveries:
1, drivers are up to date.
2, I have created a new account, and that account does not have the
problem with the "my computer" system folder crashing.
Does this help in figuring out the problem? (I would prefer to continue
using the old account because of the many settings associated with
it...)
Thanks,
Clem.
"Michael Solomon (MS-MVP)" wrote in message
...
Yes, I would run the System Compatibility Check.
Also, check your device manufacturers websites for the latest drivers.
Also, you might try temporarily disabling or otherwise uninstalling
your antivirus as sometimes antivirus software can cause this type of
issue. Do this as a last resort if none of the above help. If it
proves to be the issue, you'll enact to contact Trend Micro for help
with this issue.
--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
"C. M. G." wrote in message
...
Michael,
Thank you for your response.
I use Trend Micro Internet Security, my pattern version is constantly
(sometimes several times daily) updated, and a system scan finds no
viruses.
Ad-Aware SE v. 6._ w/ the latest pattern file finds only a few
tracking
cookies (deleted).
I unchecked "Automatically Restart" as you suggested, but when I go
to
"My
Computer" and click "Change a Setting," the system freezes until I
close
the window, and no blue screen is displayed.
The event viewer shows the following info:
============================================
Event Type: Information
Event Source: Winlogon
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1002
Date: 10/26/2004
Time: 8:20:53 PM
User: N/A
Computer: DELL04
Description:
The shell stopped unexpectedly and Explorer.exe was restarted.
For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
================================================== ==========
I followed that link and get this information:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +
Details
Product: Windows Operating System
ID: 1002
Source: Winlogon
Version: 5.0
Component: Application Event Log
Symbolic Name: EVENT_SHELL_RESTARTED
Message: The shell stopped unexpectedly and %1 was
restarted.
Explanation
The shell was stopped and then restarted. By default, the
shell
is explorer.exe; however, you might have a customized shell.
User Action
No user action is required.
Version: 5.2
Symbolic Name: EVENT_SHELL_RESTARTED
Message: The shell stopped unexpectedly and %1 was
restarted.
Explanation
The shell was stopped and then restarted. By default, the
shell
is explorer.exe; however, you might have a customized shell.
User Action
No user action is required.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related Knowledge Base articles
You can find additional information on this topic in
the
following Microsoft Knowledge Base articles:
. A security policy does not process restricted
groups
correctly
If you configure a restricted group by using Group
Policy,
the membership list is incomplete when the group is processed by the
client.
This problem is indicated by events from the SceCle and Userenv
sources in
the application event log. For...
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++
I follow the link to
Article ID : 320099
but I do not, quite honestly, understand what that article is about.
I imagine that this might be related to installing SP2?
Any advice where to go from here? Should I use my XP CD and generate
the
"Check System Compatibility" report?
All help is appreciated!
Clem.
"Michael Solomon (MS-MVP)" wrote in message
...
First, be sure your antivirus software has the latest definitions
and
run
a
virus scan.
Second, download, install and run Ad Awa
www.lavasoftusa.com
Note: you should always be well backed up before running an
application of
this type.
If your system is clear of viruses, open Control Panel, open System,
go to
the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery, remove
the
check from "Automatically Restart" under System Failure. This will
cause
the system to blue screen instead of restarting on errors and the
information on the blue screen may give a clue as to the source of
the
issue.
Open Control Panel, open Administrative Tools, open Event Viewer,
look for
errors corresponding to the crash, double click the error, the
information
contained within may give a clue as to the
source of the problem. If you don't understand the information
inside,
the
third button down in that dialog box will copy the information,
you can then paste it into a message and post it here and maybe we
can
figure out what is going on.
Assuming you have an XP CD and not a recovery CD, place the XP CD in
the
drive, when the setup screen appears, select "Check System
Compatibility,"
the report it generates may point to problem hardware or software on
your
system. If you do not have an XP CD, you can download this
application
known as the Upgrade Advisor from the following site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...ng/advisor.asp
Note: If you have access to a broadband connection it might be best
to
download using that as this is a rather large download.
Check for the latest drivers for your hardware, especially your
graphics
card and soundcard and all peripherals connected to your system. Do
not
use
Windows Update for this, go to the device manufacturer's web sites
and if
you install updated drivers, ignore the message about drivers being
unsigned
by Microsoft. *Before installing any drivers, be sure you are well
backed
up and it's probably a good idea to manually create a restore point
in
System Restore in case you have problems as a result of the driver
update
and note, System Restore is not a substitute for a backup.
Start\All
Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System Restore
--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
"C. M. G." wrote in message
...
When I double-click "My Computer" on the desktop, the folder opens,
but
almost all commands (change a setting, my network places, my
documents,
control panel) cause the "My Computer" window to freeze, and I have
to
terminate it. I have no problem accessing the various system
folders
etc
from the "start" button.
Any idea what is going on?
Thanks,
Clem.