I'm having a problem with windows or system restore me thinks. The system restore disks (symantec) work normally and then it comes up with a blue screen with 'please wait while windows xp prepares to load'. Iv ended up leaving this screen on for about an hour and a half before giving up and trying the process again, to no avail.

A few days ago I downloaded alot of windows update options and the new Antispyware facilty Microsoft are now offering. When I came on later that night I could log in but then it came up with backgound Emachines screen and then a pop up announced 'Windows explorer has encountered a problem and must close'. I was then left with the background screen, no startup menu and no desktop options.

I then had a technician come round to save my files from the hard disk as I hadn't backed them up like a plonker before running the restore CD. Unfortunately the techie had left by then as it looked like it was running fine.

If I turn the computer off and back on, without the restore disks in I get a screen pop up saying 'windows cannot load the users profile but has logged you in with default'. Then I have a few basic desktop options (outlook, internet explorer,recycle bin) and no start menu, no word, and no shutdown option.

If I restart with 2nd restore disk in i have few error screens pop up.

1. Cannot Open R;/160.GHO
2. Cannot Open GHOSTERR.TXT
3. Invalid Dump File (Application error 11000)

Any help on this would be much appreciated.

System:

emachine 160
intel celeron
130 ghz
40 gb hard drive ultra dma
128 mb sdram

alternative graphics card is installed. gainward geforce 4.