[Michael Goldsberry]

http://www.redhat.com/

[theFIRMbss]

[Bacon Man]

Microsoft: What do you want to @#$% up today?

Don't have a clue. I've run that stupid tool on three of my machines so far and haven't experienced that yet. Got two more to go though.

[MikefromOhio]

Ok...

which smart@$$ wrote "shiftkeystillworks" in the keywords?

LOL

I hate Windows, but I have to work with them.

Any chance you could convert to MAC?

[chapin2500]

Ctrl, Alt, Delete

[isthisnickcool]

What are you complaining about? Those are Microsoft OS features! Don't worry! Your problems will be solved with the next upgrade, or maybe the next one, or the next one.......

[big'ol_freeper]

Switch and you will never go back!

[Brainhose]

You can't have been using windows too long to not know that Windows Update performs more abortions per day than Planned-Parenthood.
Just a couple of tips:

1. First off. DO NOT download XP-SP2 unless you are a masochist.
2. Get driver updates from hardware mfg'r only if absolutely needed
3. Keep your OS on a different partition from your data.
4. Buy Norton Ghost so you can make an image of your OS so that you can restore it in case of a major problem such as this.
5. Next Time you run Windows Update follow these steps
   1. Push yourself away from the desk.
   2. Have plenty of lubricant handy
   3. Bend over and grab your ankles.
   4. Grit your teeth.
   5. Re-install Windows and all your applications.
   6. Have several Rum and Cokes and go to bed.
6. Repeat above steps until lesson is learned.

I only know this from 15 years of windows.
Norton Ghost is probably the best damned utility ever created. It has saved my a$$ several times.
Just my 2¢ worth. That and $14.98 will get you a Grande Latte at the local Starbucks.
Good Luck!

[Brainhose]

All kidding aside. When you say "Pages" do you mean web pages in IE?
I don't know if this will help but there is a Registry Tweak fom Win2K that addressed a similar problem. There is a link to it here: IE Registry Error
Either way it sounds like you may have to install windows from scratch or dig deep into the registry. As far as the mouse goes you'll probably have to reinstall the driver from the original disk.
Is it a M$ mouse or a Logitech?
If it is USB I'd unplug it then uninstall the driver thru the Device manager an turn off the computer plug the mouse in and let the "Hardware wizard" detect it. and point it to the original disk.
Good luck dude, my prayers are with you.

[backhoe]

Crosslinked to my general-tech interest, browser, OS, and malware post:

Browser Wars, take two

[A CA Guy]

F-Disk and reinstall Windows 3.1?

[JerseyHighlander]

From http://www.boingboing.net

Microsoft "Genuine Advantage" cracked in 24h: window.g_sDisableWGACheck='all'
AV sez, "This week, Microsoft started requiring users to verifiy their serial number before using Windows Update. This effort to force users to either buy XP or tell them where you got the illegal copy is called 'Genuine Advantage.' It was cracked within 24 hours."

Before pressing 'Custom' or 'Express' buttons paste this text to the address bar and press enter:

javascript:void(window.g_sDisableWGACheck='all')

It turns off the trigger for the key check.

---

As for your problem, stop using Internet Explorer, and download Firefox. For your mouse, d/l directly from manufacturer. I'm very afraid to d/l windows updates as of late, I lost two days of work last time registry reset my windows update key after a winxp crash recovery to automatic update and auto install.

And I second buying Norton Ghost.

[martin_fierro]

Thanks for the heads-up.

I'll avoid this update like the plague.

[Redcloak]

Upthread, someone made a suggestion involving a piece of nasty, half-eaten fruit. Assuming that you don't want to take out a second mortgage to pay for new hardware...

Slackware

...or you can take a little test drive here or here.

[Golden Eagle]

Yep, there's free tech support for any problems caused by Windows Update.

1-866-727-2338