PC Not working right

Back in the middle of May my PC automatically downloaded the usual security updates for Windows XP SP 3. Then when I was done doing my online education and training, allowed Windows to do a reboot so that the new security updates will be fully loaded. The PC came back on with the usual screen displayed, but there was a hitch. When I click on the Start button the PC locked up tight. Then after doing a cold boot, the same screen would display. Tried to close a program the PC would lock up tight. Left it be thinking it would unlock on it's own 9which sometimes it does on it's own). Nope.

After spending a day messing with the PC, I later decided to pop in the restore discs. A generic screen came up asking if I want to do a standard restore or a complete restore. Scrolled down to see that a complete restore would wipe off everything on the hard drive as it would be reformatted, so I went to the standard as that will save all data into a special file.

Now the PC works, but everything else like Quicken 2010, Avast, Malwarebytes, Works spreadsheets, etc aren't working at all, or won't load up right or simply will not open up the current files I have. I now have IE5 back on my PC and cannot get the latest IE8 to load/install right. Avast loads up OK but it's services have stopped running. I cannot unlock it nor can I get it to sync with my online account. My Heavy Weather Pro software won't sync with the console display unit as the WV5 Communications Service has stopped running. The Heavy Weather Pro/Weather Underground uploader tool will not open up at all. It comes up as cannot generate the graphs. Can't download updates from Microsoft as it cannot verify my XP operating system is true.

Only Spybot S&D and Spyware Blaster are working fine. I removed Malwarebytes and Avast, then reinstall them and they still will not install correctly. Whenever I try to bring up the Windows Update to force and update, that either runs super slow by taking several hours to open up or it crashes. Whenever I try to check on my firewall, the entire PC crashes. It's almost like something is in my operating system that blocks my ability to install any other AV software or change/update the operating system.

I can work on the spreadsheets as I allowed the app to reconfigure the current files I have back to the old version of MS Works. I can print my photos, upload new photos from the digital camera, etc without any problems.

Operating system is MS Windows XP, Home Edition, Version 2002, Service Pack 3, Compaq Presario, Intel Celeron single 2.40 GHz CPU, 0.99 GB RAM, 40 GB HDD.

 

After you did the restore, did you connect to Microsoft Update and download the Service Packs, security, etc. updates? When you did the restore, you probably restored the operating system to the state it was in when the computer was manufactured, even though it kept files you had created. Many newer programs, like the new versions of Avast for example, need the latest service packs and some .Net framework files to be installed.

Brace yourself . . . there's a bunch! I have found it easier to download the stand-alone service pack 3 file (about 350mb) and install it first, then connect to MS update.

 

I had a guy in town work on my PC as I didn't have Google Chrome any more and IE5 is so old that nothing on the web will work right. He installed the SP3 as well as the latest Chrome. He also unlocked the file that contained all my music, photos and spreadsheet files.

Since I'm on dial-up it's difficult to download anything larger than 30 MB. I do have Orbit downloader, but even that takes a long time.

Sounds like I have allot of work on my hands to get it back.

What's your opinion on using another operating system? I've heard that Linux is simple and easy to use.

 

I don't have a lot of experience with Linux. I've used the Ubuntu version of Linux. It's quite a change from windows, but it does seem stable. I guess it depends on what you use your PC for.

If you have a lot of MS windows based programs that you can't get Linux-compatible versions of there might issues. I've only used Wine (lets you run some windows programs under Linux-based OS) but the compatible programs for it are limited. I have no doubt better ones exist.

 

I use my PC mostly for weather data recording and uploading via my PWS (personal weather station).

This machine is working 250% faster now that I removed Avast. Avast was overclocking the CPU so much that it takes a good 30 minutes to an hour to load up my browser or any other application. Now I click on something and it's on the screen in a second or two. Tried to install the original Norton AV that came with this PC but that too would not install correctly. Tried to install my Logitech optical mouse drivers from the CD, but it would not install completely. :confused