• $29.95 Works

Disk utilities provide a 'write zeros to the drive' which
scrubs all data off the disk.

Would the store-bought reinstall guarantee to fix your problem
and save your data and provide you with new software (XP) ?

One caution with dealing with shops: only get work done by the
job, not by the hour. Installing a windows operating system
takes about an hour. $80/hr is good wages for someone or money
saved by doing it yourself.

That's my tips as a former employeee of a computer store.

Met you @ Sprman's house. Any way, I drive by Manfield all the time. I do alot of work in the Cleveland area. I would be happy to help with a windows reinstall. Save the $80.

Joe

I've used a program called StartUp Cop with some success in getting
out strange startup progs. Startup Cop allows you to put progs
'on hold' before final removal to make sure everything else still
works. The link shows a newer version. My version is freeware.

Avoid 'registry cleaners' for this reason: the cleaners may clean
stuff they don't recognize that you need.

• StartUp Cop (is free or shareware)

Bob

Startup Cop would be a good thing to try.

Also in Adware, delete anything it finds. Even if the threat level is low.

Next, I have used a registry cleaner called Registry First Aid for several years, and have never had it break one of my machines. Even the ones the kids use, and get all "gunked up" cleans up nicely. Registry firstaid is share ware. But the free v ersion will only delete a small portion of what it finds at a time. If you register and pay for it, it will delete every thing in one pass.

The $79.00 version of Win XP is an OEM version. They are required to sell you a piece of hardware (i.e. a cable) to legally sell you Windows at this price. No difference with the full price version. I've used this many times my self.

Lastly, AS for an office suite, down load Open Office 2.0. This version is fairly new. It does almost every thing that MS Ofice can do. It is very clean looking. And is FREE. I've been using it, and haven't found any serious bugs.

Why use the over priced stuff when there are now real alternatives that work.

Joe