[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!

[big'ol_freeper]

I do not understand why people put up with that crap when there are alternatives to Windows.

[hattend]

1. Did it (not a masochist)
2. Do that
3. Don't Do that (no partitions)
4. Don't have it
5. Do it once a month
6. I must not be a power user because I have never had a problem so no lesson taken, never learned.

Yeah, I'll have to have a total failure on my desktop and laptop before I learn something, it just hasn't happened yet.