Ok. I have to re-install xp home but can't really go trough what to backup or not (which is one of the reasons I need to reinstall) so I guess my question is simple, just that will all my files disappear from partition D:\ when I do a complete, fresh install of xp ? You see, the problem was originally a corrupt .exe association on every account other than my own (I even made non-limited "test" accounts for this) and whenever I tried to open anything (except firefox from start menu, which worked), even display properties,different error messages but mostly this one said something like "cannot find rundll32.exe" or "cannot open rundll32.exe" I have spent days and hours trying to figure this out, I've checked for sircam virus, tried different reg fixes and patches, used safe mode, changed extensions to .com, even done a repair-installation of xp, and nothing has had any result. (But I realized that I couldn't access hkey_classes_root/.exe key at all, I couldn't even touch it, let alone import another one) System restore's not much help, my first restore point is only days old since I turn it off when scanning for viruses/malware (and hey, I didn't know I had a corrupt registry, because my own account worked great) Of course, if anyone has a solution to this missing .exe problem, it's def appreciated, but not even repair-install worked, so, while cursing at microsoft, all I need to know is do I really have to buy tens and tens of cd's for backup or not. Blah. Thanks and sorry about the long post^ ------- It takes a second to like somebody, a minute to love somebody but a lifetime to get rid of that bstard The faulty interface lies between the chair and the keyboard.

"just that will all my files disappear from partition D:\ when I do a complete, fresh install of xp ?" That depends on what partition your operating system is located on. You listed as an OEM computer and you have tried a system repair so I have to conclude that your system is C: windows and D: files and storage. A reformat and reinstall will only happen on the partition that you direct the installation to. Normally which is C partition as XP demands that it be placed on C ( can be forced changed). When you do the installation it will ask what partition that you wish ti have the installation installed on...just read the options very carefully and you should be ok on the D partition. In The Matters Of Style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, Stand Like A Rock "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid."

assuming you don't repartition your drive you will be ok with the data on D: When you get to the XP setup section where it asks you what partition to install on, make sure you don't delete the D: partition. this also means no fdisk usage...

Try #12, left side in the problematic account. http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_...

Ok thanks all of you, I tried that exe fix before among others but nothing worked so I did the clean install. My files on D stayed put, I read everything very carefully during it, thanks again ------- It takes a second to like somebody, a minute to love somebody but a lifetime to get rid of that bstard The faulty interface lies between the chair and the keyboard.