Ok, this is definitely one for the ages... the program "HP Software Updates" for my HP laptop (HP Notebook ZD7000) was updating my drivers when in the middle of installation, the system shut down. When the system rebooted, the drivers were all gone. The display, modem, sound... it was like being in safe mode only worse. Oddly enough my wireless card still worked even though the dial up was not. I went to HP.com and downloaded & installed all the drivers for my system. The video drivers worked and my colors were restored, but the OS is unable to use the modem or play any sounds except the "BEEP!" system sound. The system is unable to detect any sound device under "sounds and audio devices" and when querying the modem, it says "This device is working properly". Same thing can be said for the sound controller. The device manager says the Conexant AC-Link Audio working, but no sound. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the AC-Link Conexant audio and AC-Link modem hardware several times while on the phone with different HP support techs (although my Farsi was a little rusty) and the OS detects the new hardware is connected and ready for use, but they still don't work. HP has sent me Driver Recovery and Application recovery discs, but they also don't help. Anyhow, I have been able to backup all necessary files and am preparing to reinstall the OS... my product key is all used up so a REACTIVATION is impossible. However, I read the following on the Microsoft website at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302878 "The Product Key information, which the Product ID contains, is sent with a "hardware hash" (a number that the computer's hardware configuration generates) to the Microsoft activation system during activation. In Windows XP SP1, the Product Key is also sent. Activation is completed either directly by using the Internet or by making a telephone call to a customer service representative. If you install Windows XP on the same computer by using the same Product Key, the number of activations is not limited. MPA discourages piracy by limiting the number of times that a Product Key can be activated on different computers." I inserted the OEM OS Disc one into the drive and I got the error message: "Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is newer than the version on the CD. Warning: If you decide to delete the newer version of Windows that is currently installed on your computer, the files and settings cannot be recovered." Since the OS discs don't have the Service Packs as part of them, I can assume this is why I am getting this error. Apart from a reformatting and fresh install (which would screw me since my product key is all used up), what can I do? The following page looks like it kind offers some help, but the info is not as specific to my plight as I would like: http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/RecoveringXP.htm It mentions finding 2 WPA files, but I can only locate one and not the wpa.bak file... so I am afraid to proceed. This problem is definitely a challenge worthy of the uberelite experts on this board. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

" If you install Windows XP on the same computer by using the same Product Key, the number of activations is not limited. MPA discourages piracy by limiting the number of times that a Product Key can be activated on different computers." Yours is all used up because you installed it on another machine? If so, buy another. Bryan

Thank you Bryan, for your rather useless and lofty reply. I can't believe you took the time to read my entire post and that's all you had to say. What I was hoping for from someone who knows Windows a little BETTER is if there is someway to uninstall Service Packs 1 & 2 so that the "version of Windows" on my computer once again matches the one on the disc... Does anyone ELSE have some advice I can actually use?