humble3d

No worries, if microsoft wants to stiff you, check out your free options below: http://www.pclinuxos.com/

The website below can help you: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/default.mspx

Microsoft will sell you a good windows xp reasonably priced and it seems to be favored by business more than vista...

You can buy software to remove software you don't want... Uninstallers; You can many times find the unwise uninstaller in the program files folder for the program you want to remove Backup all your important files before doing anything... Back them up to cd or dvd... Somehow something has removed important registry settings causing your buttons not to show up... You can rebuild your installation or format and reinstall if it's really bothering you... The following page from Fred Langa may interest you: http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=185301251 For me, i usually perform a format and reinstall to have a fresh version of windows ready to go... Moderator Note Please do not use all bold characters in your posts! Please do not copy and paste a three page document of someone elses work into your post; the link was sufficient if not relevant.

NEW LINK: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/thankyo...;displayLang=en

I had a problem using win 98 freeware floppies in XP until i discoverd the Program Compatibility Wizard in XP...

Thank you so very much for all your hard but rewarding work... You are a very kind genius... Many, many thanks...

You do NOT need WGA for Windows 2000...lose it and reinstall... or, use autostreamer to integrate SP4 into your win2k, install and download autopatcher for win 2000...autopatcher has all the updates needed for win2k...The neowin.net site has download links for autopatcher and also see more info on this site...

Call me Crazy...'cause i am...However, one of your very kind msdn pros gave information some time ago here about this and, the fix is much simpler than all this other stuff you are trying to do> please inspect the "boot.ini" file below: [boot loader] timeout=30 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /NOEXECUTE=ALWAYSOFF /fastdetect Additionally, you can elevate install rights using gpedit.msc.... THis is all freeware from Microsoft... Einstein once said that...'everything should be made as simple as possible--not simpler...' Works for me...

It's out there because i've seen it but my head injury has affected and effected my memory...google will eventually lead you to it if no one here remembers either

After all is said, done and questioned, It IS much easier all round to simply purchase a valid os from a msft valid supplier...Keep it and if windows dies, simply format and reinstall...no mystery...we all are running out of time on the planet; accordingly, as Einstein once said... "Everything should be made as simple as possible--not simpler."

My Toshiba, not that different from yours, allows to fully reinstall your os... Insert your cd and explore; then, after reinstall, update your drivers at the new toshiba support site...make copies of the drivers, too --as you may need them later the next time you decide it's time to reinstall...

THIS REQUIRES WIN XP SP2 AND A VALID SN. THIS IS USED WITH INTERNET EXPLORER ONLY. DO THIS BEFORE GOING BACK TO WINDOWS UPDATE THE SECOND TIME AFTER YOU REBOOT FROM THE WGA INSTALL UPDATE. 1. Open IE 2. Click on Tools 3. Click on Internet options 4. Click to the Programs tab 5. Click on the Manage Add-ons button. 6. Select Windows Genuine Advantage 7. Click Disable 8. Done, now you can do Windows updates again. Genuine Windows validation is NOT required to use the Automatic Updates feature. Keep your computer up-to-date today.

This man know his stuff...Many thanks... In the boot.ini file edit line "optin" to "AlwaysOff": [boot loader] timeout=30 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=AlwaysOff /fastdetect http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875352#5

This is from newbie from outer space ignorance; however, just to test it, installed win xp retail with sp2...I used start >>>settings >>>control panel >>>system>>>Advanced >>> DATA EXECUTION PREVENTION...and, set it to ON but to ignore programs i choose... I chose windows explorer, installer, all the exe files in program files and any other exe files i thought i would need... rebooted and, so far, no problems with sfc or data execution prevention engaging...any one experience this??