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As far as the patches went, you were right in regards the .NET updates; they messed with all my XP machines. I found that I could simply use ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS to remove all the .NETs save for v1.1 and then went onto Windows Update. The first one offered was the 704; it was downloaded and started the install AFTER turning off antimalware/antivirus products (in this case, Threatfire and Avast {these play well with one another} but Threatfire messes with updates the worst). It installed properly, the a couple more times with Windows Update in Custom mode to select the .NET updates only and I’m back in business. An hour to hour and a half on two netbooks, a laptop (an old Sony at least 6 yr old) and two desktops. I went through this before when a .NET kept reinstalling itself. I read the column, went to the .NET removal site, then crossed my fingers and tried the add/remove which indeed worked.

I use Perfect Image 11 to back up my netbook which is dual-booted XP and Ubuntu Linux on the same drive plus the Vista boot loader partition. It has no problems with the different file systems. :^_^:

I was afraid of that. This seems to mean I would have to re-install the drivers for the machine and quite probably SP3 inasmuch as the disc that I have is an SP2 version. At least I did download SP3 and burned it to a disc.