TigerCat: Right, here we go lol --- No safe mode needed as long as you can set the following:
1. make sure that anything you need saved is backed up to DVD or another means, if not a problem do not worry. 2. make sure your Boot sequence is set to go from DVD first 3. load your DVD Windows install disk into machine 4. reboot 5. first thing it should say is Hit Return to Boot from cd ??? (if i remember correctly) 6. then just follow instructions, as i said when it asks about formatting the drive, YES
I do not really want to go into partitioning etc... as hopefully once we have your PC up running it will be ok. Just post here and one of us will tell you the Main things to install to have a safe PC
I am pretty sure thats all you will need to get up running, if not Gordon Shumway or someone else will say something
Then of course you will have to reinstall any of your own software you use (internet connections etc...)
MadMonkey: and TigerCat, this time once you have your machine all nice and happy again, with all your own personal programs installed, internet settings etc i would suggest that buy a small portabale USB drive (20gb is sufficient) and use Norton GHOST to ghost an entire image of yur PC. That way if an error ever presents itself again you simply plug it in, select the GHOST option and bingo......in record time it will wipe your PC and GHOST it back to a nice working position....similar to the RESTORE in XP but much MUCH better