Re-installing XP Issues

[Esparko]

Since I got all these problems, I decided on re-installing Windows XP.

But then an error pops up during the beginning of the installation about incompatibilities with my system, one was with WinFax PRO, though I fixed that and uninstalled it.

The second one just says something about a third-party kernel.

What is this?

I'm reinstalling Service Pack 1.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

Okay, this doesn't sound like a clean re-install. This sounds like you're doing a repair install. A repair install wipes the device manager and re-detects all devices and installs GENERIC drivers. You need to re-install ALL your drivers afterwards.

Some apps also need to be re-installed. I'm just guessing that WinFax may need to be re-installed because it creates a fake printer device for faxing, and the repair install broke the driver.

The third-party kernel error is something similar probably.

If you had Service Pack 2 installed previously you'll need to re-install it or you'll have some problems. Also remember that you'll need to re-install ALL the latest security updates.

Since it sounds like you did a repair install with a pre-SP1 CD, MAKE SURE you have your firewall on!!!!! Pre-SP1 is vulnerable to the Sasser and MSBlast worms.

I don't know what your problems were originally but be aware that a repair install is not always the cure-all, While it does reset the device manager and restore the Windows core files, it still inherits your old registry. A corrupt registry or spyware/virus infection (for instance) is not likely to be fixed by a repair install.

Hope this helps...