[Broni]

Well, your system files seems to be OK.
How do you start IE? From a shortcut?
What version of IE is it?

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I usually start IE from a shortcut on the tool bar. I suspected that might be the problem and tried to start it from the Start/All Programs/IE but I still get the same message that IE encountered a problem and needs to close. I just upgraded to the latest IE version because I got a message saying the version I was using won't be supported much longer.

[highland403]

I usually start IE from a shortcut on the tool bar. I suspected that might be the problem and tried to start it from the Start/All Programs/IE but I still get the same message that IE encountered a problem and needs to close. I just upgraded to the latest IE version because I got a message saying the version I was using won't be supported much longer.

[Broni]

Close IE.
Go Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools, and click on Internet Explorer (no add-ons). Same thing?

[highland403]

Not exactly. I didn't get the message IE encountered a problem and needs to close.

The IE window opened this time but I got the message Cannot find server.

[highland403]

Broni,

I went to favorites and started looking up websites and I'm able to access them. This IE (no-add ons) does work. It just doesn't open a web page when opened.

[Broni]

In IE, go Tools>Internet Options>Advanced tab, click on "Reset" button.
Restart computer.

[highland403]

In IE, I went to Tools>Internet Options>Advanced tab, but the only button available is "Restore Defaults". I clicked it anyway and restarted but no change.

When I open IE, a bar at the bottom of the page says, "Finding site: xtoff" in the lower left hand corner.

Also, IE (no add-ons) is version 6.0.2900........

[Broni]

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[highland403]

Well, the version of IE on my computer at the Tools>Internet Options>Advanced tab, doesn't have a reset button. It only has one button and it is called "Restore Defaults".

FYI, I realized that after I reinstalled XP I hadn't updated. So, I updated XP this morning. One of the updates was SP3 if that makes any difference. But now, I can't even open IE (no add-ons).

[highland403]

System Information says that iecont.dll and iecontlc.dll are missing and ieunit.inf is not available. Could this be causing the problem?

[Broni]

I'd say, your best option is to back up your data and go for clean install.
It looks like repair install won't cure your problems.

I'd also advice you to check your hard drive before going into reinstall process...

Run hard drive diagnostics: http://www.tacktech....ay.cfm?ttid=287
Make sure, you select tool, which is appropriate for the brand of your hard drive.
Depending on the program, it'll create bootable floppy, or bootable CD.
If downloaded file is of .iso type, use ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/ to burn .iso file to a CD (select "Write image file to disc" option), and make the CD bootable.

NOTE. If your hard drive is made by Toshiba, unfortunately, you're out of luck, because Toshiba doesn't provide any diagnostic tool.

[highland403]

Can I find out the brand of hard drive I have without opening the case?

My data is backed up offsite, although I have never had to restore it. Is a clean install (I'm told it wipes everything off your hard drive) as much of a pain as I've heard?

I've heard that it is best to partition the hard drive and install XP on the partition and install the other programs and data on the rest of the hard drive so that the next time you can reinstall XP on the partition and not have to reinstall all of your other programs again. Is this true?

Can you point me to somewhere on Geeks to Go that can walk me through the reinstall process?

[Broni]

Can I find out the brand of hard drive I have without opening the case?

You should be able to see it in Device Manager.

My data is backed up offsite, although I have never had to restore it. Is a clean install (I'm told it wipes everything off your hard drive) as much of a pain as I've heard?

Surely, clean reinstall is a pain since you have to reinstall all programs and re-transfer all backed up data.
For the future, I recommend not backing up just data, but creating an image of a whole drive.
That way, if something goes wrong, it takes you about an hour to restore your whole computer to last good state.
I suggest...
Acronis True Image: http://www.acronis.com/ - not free, but the best

Free alternatives:
- Macrium Reflect: http://www.macrium.com/ReflectFree.asp (highly recommended)
- DriveImage XML: http://www.runtime.o...veimage-xml.htm
- SelfImage: http://www.excelcia....N...icle&sid=21
- Paragon Drive Backup: http://www.paragon-s...ome/db-express/

On a top of it, you can always back up some more important data as an extra precaution.

If you use the above method, there is no need for creating separate partitions.

Clean install: http://www.michaelst...nxpinstall.html

[highland403]

Broni,

I really appreciate your willingness to help me.

Thanks for all of your assistance.

[Broni]

You're very welcome