??? Time to reformat?

Have recently been getting error messages on bootup. Primary one is relating to Generic Host Services for WinSys.

The error signature:
szAppName: svchost.exe szAppVer:5.1.2600.2180
szModName: msi.dll szModVer:3.1.4000.2435 offset: 00012780
svchost.exe - Application Error
The instruction at "0x745f2780" referenced memory at "0x00000000".
The memory could not be "read".

Am using a Intel P4, 3.06 gH, gigabyte motherboard, with 2GB DDRSDRam, 80gig hard disk, WinXPHome, SP2, NVidia GeForce6600 256 MB vid card, Dell 24" monitor, MX-700 Logitech cordless mouse.

When I do the error=reporting thing to Microsoft, it does it then I close the program, and it says the program (generichostsvcs) needs to close. When I do, my system either locks up, or won't move. Then it started not functioning for a restart or downboot. At all.
The only way I could turn off the computer was (is) to reset or cut the power.

Also, I recently downloaded an update to Firefox 2.0.3 or the like and now have lost all my bookmarks. Everytime I close my firefox browser, when I try to reopen it, all my bookmarks and home page, etc. are gone??? wtf?


Anyone got a clue?
Any help appreciated.
========================================

I have the WinXPHomeSP-2 installation disk. Am I looking at having to reinstall WinXP???
I have never reformatted a computer or partitioned a HDD. Scares me.
Am afraid I will bollox it up and royally mess up my desktop. Am on my laptop now.
+++++++++++++++++
Or, am I looking at a new 'puter?

Thanks for any help, in advance.

 

http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=822909&SiteID=1
This is your solution. GOOD LUCK!!!

 

I have a similar problem here, two of my pc are currupted, i tried everything, svchost.exe start at every application that i lauch. one of the pc won't even show the " turn off computer " just take about 5 minutes to show, then same for the next step if i want to shut it down. Not sure what to do, perhaps I should just re-install XP and start from fresh!!!

 

Give a look and a try to the link above ---- I looked it over, but haven't had a chance to go in and do the changes suggested. But the reply I got was SPOT on target.

Before you reformat, try it.

 

The link to the fixes completely solved my issues. Hooray.

Thank YOU, Goran.P

Big help.

 

It's nothing .We are here to help each other!!!!!

 

When I had this problem I turned off auto updates and Rebooted. Went to
Windows Updates and updated manually,Rebooted. Turned auto updates back on. sounds so somple but worked.

 

Hi Jyt123,

It's always best to start your own thread because the path you need to follow to recovery may be different to someone else's even if you're both getting the exact same problem.

So if you follow that link and it doesn't work for you, start a new thread and explain the problem again and include the link to show what you've already tried, along with anything else you've tried. Then you can get the specific help you need.

And welcome to Major Geeks!