Ok I have the Windows XP Media Center recovery disk on the way and was told that it will only contain service pack 2. Can I just boot up my Windows XP Media Center sp3 OS and run sfc/scannow inserting the disk when prompted or should I uninstall service pack 3 before running the sfc/scannow command? A virus damaged some C:/Windows files and did a little damage to my registry also making some Windows features not work. What are my options when I receive my recovery disk? One other question, what kind of preparations should I make besides uninstalling service pack 3?1 person needs an answerI do too

What is the problem that you think sfc /scannow will correct?I have never seen sfc /scannow fix anything and if it finds anything to do, you have another problem. It should never find anything to do if your system is behaving.Did someone suggest you "try to run sfc /scannow" to remedy some problem?What is the little damage to you registry and what Windows features do not work?Preparation for sfc /scannow: Prepare to wait a long time for it to run and find nothing to do, get frustrated with it when your non slipstreamed CD doesn't make it happy and then figure out the right way to solve your problem.Don't guess what the problem might be - figure it out and fix it. I need YOUR votes and points for helpful replies and Propose as Answers. I am saving up for a pony!

After I removed a screensaver/wallpaper program that I downloaded from a bogus .net source I found that I could not make certain Windows functions work.I am still not entirely sure where the damage occurred but after I removed CrystalXP.net's Bricopack Vista Inspirat and the above mentioned program I started receiving missing .dll file errors and missing .exe file. Here are the major symptoms of my infection---- Cannot right click the desktop and open the properties dialog box, cannot open any of the Control Panel sub folders (User Accounts, Security Center, Add/Remove Programs..) Under Appearance and Themes I can't open any of the display changing sub folders. One other thing is I cannot open desk.cpl, task manager, program access and defaults, or bring up My Computer properties by right clicking.That is all I have noticed so far and I have tried many remedies that do nothing to restore those functions. The next step in my mind is to install the recovery console once I get my disk or to go ahead and boot up my OS ( Windows XP Media Center sp3) run sfc/scannow to replace the missing system files and insert the recovery disk when prompted.Thanks for replying Joselbarra I have made this exact same post at a free tech forum after being directed there by a Dell Forum administartor and await a reply.

What are some examples of the .dll and .exe file error messages?Let's see about your Task Manager (that one is usually easy).Sounds like malicious software is afoot and it does not want you to use Task Manager to find and remove it. It knows what you are going to use and won't let those usual tools run. It wants you to reinstall your XP instead.You can fool the malicious software (then fix it).Using Explorer, navigate to the c:\windows\system32 folder and locate taskmgr.exe.Copy the taskmgr.exe file and rename the copy something that the malicious software will not recognize. I like to call the copy:c:\windows\system32\jose.exeDouble click jose.exe and see if the Windows Task Manager window will open.Perform some scans for malicious software, then fix any remaining issues:Download, install, update and do a full scan with these free malware detection programs:Malwarebytes (MBAM): http://malwarebytes.org/SUPERAntiSpyware: (SAS): http://www.superantispyware.com/They can be uninstalled later if desired.When the scans run clean, then troubleshoot any remaining issues.Don't guess what the problem might be - figure it out and fix it. I need YOUR votes and points for helpful replies and Propose as Answers. I am saving up for a pony!