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Hi

Since yesterday I have been having problems with my computer. It has Windows XP 2002 Home Edition SP2. Since my computer has a lot of programs and stuff that I won't use I wanted to erase it with my original CD from WinXP 2002 Home Edition but what happens is that I got this computer to a repair center and apparently they instaled a WinXP with a CD that is not the one I have and when I try to use mine it tells me that the computer WinXP is more advanced than the one that my CD has. The CD says that if I still want to do so all I have to do is boot from the CD. I did this but it did not work and now my computer is giving me problems. My start menu appears in blank, my desktop icons are gone, when I enter the Display Properties the theme that apparently is working is the Modified Theme, I cannot see images in my desktop, all I can see is a plain blue background, and everytime that I make changes and I restart my computer everything goes back to the blue background again.

I am starting to think that something happened with the windows policies and locked up my computer or something. What or How can I do so I could unlock it? Do I have to look up for or buy another WinXP Home Edition CD from another year (2003 or up) so I could install it? Is there something I can do so I could fix this?

All the help you can give me will be appreciated! Thank You!

Jan579

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Dani AI

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Two realistic recovery routes apply to the situation discussed here: perform a repair install with the exact installation media that matches the installed Windows build, or perform a full malware cleanup and system repair if infection is suspected. The media-route suggested by is appropriate when core system files are damaged and a repair install is required; when choosing that route, make sure the disc matches edition (Home vs Pro) and the service-pack level or use manufacturer recovery media tied to the PC’s OEM license.

Recommended immediate actions and checks:

  • Create a full backup of personal data (user folders, browser bookmarks, e-mail stores) to removable media or a separate drive before touching the system.
  • If malware is possible, scan from a clean environment (bootable rescue CD/USB) with well-known tools, then run repeated full scans from within Windows with a second malware scanner.
  • After cleaning, run system repair tools: chkdsk /f to fix disk errors and sfc /scannow to restore protected system files. Use msconfig to inspect startup items and test with a new local administrator account to rule out a corrupted user profile.
  • If desktop or Explorer settings still revert, consider restoring from a known good System Restore point or export user data and perform a clean install using correct media.

Final notes and cautions: Windows XP is no longer supported and remains highly vulnerable if connected to the Internet. For long-term safety, migrate to a supported OS or isolate the XP machine behind a firewall and keep tight backups and recovery media. If there is any uncertainty about persistent infection or licensing/media matching, having a reputable technician prepare recovery media or perform a clean install is a practical next step.

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Member Avatar for gerbil

Go back to that repair store, tell them that they loaded your pc from an XP CD that is more up-to-date than yours, and reasonably demand that they burn you a copy of the CD they used. For no charge, or pretty much just the cost of a CD blank. Then you can use it to do a Windows Repair [via Setup, not Recovery console]

Member Avatar for Member #200069

I got a profesional to work with my computer and what it had was a virus.. Apparently this was obtructing the vision to some programs and the desktop. Anyways thank you gerbil for your help.

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