desktop pc problems

Ok lately on my desktop pc i have been having a ton of problem. Number one i cant download the virus scan stuff from mcafee because it wont load in the browser. I also cant click on things i should be able to click on, it just sits and does nothing. It wont load the quick restore function so i cant "roll back" to the most recent save or whatever. Taskbar wont come up unless i have a toolbar on it, but even then when i minimize stuff it doesnt goto the taskbar.

Can someone please help me. I want to get the damn thing up and running again but it just doesnt want to work with me.

Oh, just thought i would add. The desktop pc is networked with 2 laptops in the house, both work fine cause im on the one right next to it. I have mcafee on both of the laptops buy i cant get it on the desktop....and from what i see i cant use the laptop to scan the other pc over the network....arg.

For Mcafee if you want to Dl updates and whatever from them make sure you are using IE because for some stupid reason they use activex controls. Also if you have service pack2 installed make sure when to click on the yellow bar at the top to allow it to use the activex controls.


Also you can use mcafee to scan from the other computers as long as you can acess the deskstop's HD from them. Just right click and sellect scan. Just be careful since in theory a virus can jump from one computer to another.

It also seems that you might have some corrupted system files. I can think of two possible ways to fix them beside reinstalling:

1. Use one of the other computers to DL the full file for service pack 2. When installed it will replace many of the system files so it might fix the corrupted ones.

2. Boot from the winxp cd and run the repair or fix(whatever they call it) option.

Just make sure first to scan for viruses.

yeah thats what im using, but like it doesnt allow me to click on things. Not just on mcafee, all over the place.

I want to just format it and start new, how can i do that on windows xp?

yeah thats what im using, but like it doesnt allow me to click on things. Not just on mcafee, all over the place.

I want to just format it and start new, how can i do that on windows xp?


we'll you nedd the win xp instalation Cd. Then go into the bios and select first boot from CD-ROM.


Just don't forget that formating will make you lose all the data and make sure you know what you are doing during the install. Also make sure that you know what drivers you need and where to get them from. Also make sure you have the win xp cd key.

how do i enter the bios? I have the windows xp cd and all the disks that came with the PC. The cd key, is that the same key that is on the side of the tower?

how do i enter the bios? I have the windows xp cd and all the disks that came with the PC. The cd key, is that the same key that is on the side of the tower?


well the industry standard is press the DEL key on startup however many brand name computers use either F2 or F10

in there look for something that will alow you to select the boot sequence. Just be very careful not to touch anything else.

However your system might already have the CDROM as 1st in the boot order. In this case all you have to do is put the CD in the drive.

If you have a brand name computer it should have a recovery CD. Use that if you have since it will reinstall windows very fast and with all the drivers.

If on the side of the tower is a microsoft sticker then yeah that should ahve the key. After installation you might still need to activate it though.

ok i re-installed windows on the desktop. I dont have some of the things i did but atleast the stuff i do have works. I got the virus scan and spyware stuff installed so hopefully whatever happened before wont happen again.

thanks for the help