System Restore, Downloading Software

[azfred]

I installed a new 250 G Maxtor hard drive some time ago. Since then System Restore doesn't work. Also (I don't know if this is related) I can't install downloaded software. It downloads OK, but then when I go to install it, it stops about 3/4 of the way through and won't continue. I've tried turning off Personal Firewall and Anti-Virus (Norton Utilities) but then I get a pop-up warning from Norton that will not go away no matter what I do. I've tried re-installing the sr.inf file from my DELL Windows XP Pro CD but it says I have a newer operating system than that on the CD so it won't work. I assume this is because I've added all of the Windows XP updates, including SP2. When I installed SP2 my Search function wouldn't work. This was solved by going to services.msc, locating the Indexing Services, choosing Manual and clicking Stop. I wonder if SP2 is causing the other problems I'm having?

Can anyone help or recommend a place where I can find help?

azfred