Hello allI know this is not the right forum, but need help here so bare with.Today I. Managed by tinkering (trying to solve dpc lateny problems) to mess up my windows xp (32 bit home edition) I can start up the pc fine and windows also starts, but here is a description of the problems I am now having.1. Can't log onto the internet. Network connections folder is empty .2. IF I open device manager /hardware ,the usual list of items ie keyboards ,disc drives, usb devices is no longer there. The page is blank the same as my network connections page.I cannot create a new connection windows keeps saying I am already configured.Any ideas chaps.I can't rein xp it came ready installed on the pc My local pc shop can rein for me, but I think the owner could spot desperation on my face as he now wants 45. Quid plus vat (was only thirty quid a few months ago. Just to rein for me.If anybody has any ideas I would greatly appreciate it.Wrong forum I know ,but this is a simmer in pain.Andy

Usually, if not mandatorily, a new PC comes with the OS installed and the original CD, so there is no reason why you cannot reinstall Windows, if you do not have the Windows CD, you should demand them from your retailer. In your case, I would definitely reinstall because what you explain is what I had a few months ago on my laptop and a reinstall did solve everything. On instructions on how to make a reinstall, Google it and you will have all details, that's what I did.Good luck.

Perhaps you could solve these issues by restoring ... going back to a 'restore point' date prior to the commencement of these glitches.

Perhaps you could solve these issues by restoring ... going back to a 'restore point' date prior to the commencement of these glitches.

This would be my suggestion too. As long as you have Windows up and running, this should fix it...Good luck.

Sorry guys a no on both your suggestions I am afraid. System restore points have all gone to as well.My PC did not come with an of XP disc ( it was pre installed on pc as bought) there were emergency discs but they don't work either .I am making some progress by having started my PC from my second drive(with an older xp instalation on it) and at least getting on-line again.But Its all guess work and very unsatifactory .BL**DY ANNOYING.ApologiesAndy

Sorry guys a no on both your suggestions I am afraid. System restore points have all gone to as well.My PC did not come with an of XP disc ( it was pre installed on pc as bought) there were emergency discs but they don't work either .I am making some progress by having started my PC from my second drive(with an older xp instalation on it) and at least getting on-line again.But Its all guess work and very unsatifactory .BL**DY ANNOYING.ApologiesAndy

UPDATEDevice manager window is at least showing all the hardware on my PC now (that had previously gone blank) so something is happening all though i don't really know what I am doing ,just shear persistence.Brains hurting like bu**erA.

A Warning to othersThis is how I caused this mess so be advised.rWas having DPC latency problems. Ran a prog called process explorer (downloaded from Msoft)Amongs't the long drop down list is this.... 'Interrupts'I foolishly right clicked and selected the 'Debug' optionA message warned me not to ,but like a steaming KING SIZED BUFFOON I DID.So if you fellow simmer want to avoid possible cardiac arrest and PC rage DO NOT DO THIS ,unless you know what you are doing. I didn'tcheers I have had enoughbeer Tea just wont do.sleep perchance to dreamI dammed doubt it.A,

You could tryhttp://www.theeldergeek.com/forum/index.php?showforum=2There is a lot of help given on all types of problems and answers are pretty quick.Colin B

Hello Mr H. Wondersocks (aka Andy),Have to say I am slightly surprised PE has damaged your Windows, not sure what you've done. PE's really just a glorified task manager. On the other hand if you don't understand Windows, best keep away. Hey, but you know that anyway now.Debugging Interrupts should not be necessary unless there's a hardware interrupt conflict. At a guess it reassigned your IRQ (CPU Interrupt request) numbers, which may be why you couldn't see the network connections or hardware. That should not have necessarily damaged Windows itself though. I would have thought XP should be able to sort itself out maybe after an initial hiccup, as long as the hardware is OK, depends what's wrong though. You could try reinstalling your hardware drivers if they don't come back.Of course if you don't have a disk you should be able to download KBD, mouse netwrk drivers etc - if your Internet is working that is.Your situation should normally at worst be a Windows repair and yes some vendors do not provide CD ROMS/DVDs to keep costs down, which is very unfair. Have a look at your windows directory to see if it has a load of .cab files. If so then you may be able to repair Windows without the disks or Internet.The fact you have posted this message suggests you can now get on the Internet, I would suggest best you get onto a pc tech forum like:www.techsupportforum.com/ forums.techguy.orgwww.geekstogo.com/forum/Hope this is of some help. Look on the bright side, its a great learning curve. :-[Good luck,Ray

Hello Mr H. Wondersocks (aka Andy),Have to say I am slightly surprised PE has damaged your Windows, not sure what you've done. PE's really just a glorified task manager. On the other hand if you don't understand Windows, best keep away. Hey, but you know that anyway now.Debugging Interrupts should not be necessary unless there's a hardware interrupt conflict. At a guess it reassigned your IRQ (CPU Interrupt request) numbers, which may be why you couldn't see the network connections or hardware. That should not have necessarily damaged Windows itself though. I would have thought XP should be able to sort itself out maybe after an initial hiccup, as long as the hardware is OK, depends what's wrong though. You could try reinstalling your hardware drivers if they don't come back.Of course if you don't have a disk you should be able to download KBD, mouse netwrk drivers etc - if your Internet is working that is.Your situation should normally at worst be a Windows repair and yes some vendors do not provide CD ROMS/DVDs to keep costs down, which is very unfair. Have a look at your windows directory to see if it has a load of .cab files. If so then you may be able to repair Windows without the disks or Internet.The fact you have posted this message suggests you can now get on the Internet, I would suggest best you get onto a pc tech forum like:www.techsupportforum.com/forums.techguy.orgwww.geekstogo.com/forum/Hope this is of some help. Look on the bright side, its a great learning curve. :-[Good luck,Ray

Excellent Ray!Thanks fort taking the time to help.Don't ask me how ,but with my limited knowledge and shear persistence I seem to have fixed the problem. You describe XP as sorting itself out ,and that is exactly what seems to have happened.Network connections are now showing my various accounts (not blank anymore)The same with Device Manager its showing all the hardware IE Discs ,keyboards ,USB etc etc etcSystem restore now seems to be working again all though I have lost all my previous restore points (again because of my meddling) I have straight away made new S.Restore points as everything is now working again.As to debugging system interrupts ,I don't even know what they are ,but in P.M that just seemed the most active thingy when I am having latency problems ,and that is why i selected the option to debug (even though a message warned me there could ,and indeed were consequences.)Process manager in itself has caused no problems.I don't really understand what its showing to be perfectly honest.Anyway Its good to be back on-line again ,Trying to use a cheap Maplin's touch pad to post messages is truly horrible and slow.Cheers to you Ron and all who have tried to help.Thanks to MODS for letting me post in FS2004 forum ,I just know in these sort of cases its likely to be seen and responded to a little faster perhaps than in the other forums.ANdyPS Ron , you're right about the learning curve.Could be useful though in the future.

Hi AndyGlad it helped.Interrupts are simply a queue of requests, typically from your hardware or software drivers to the CPU waiting to be 'served', each one has a number and they make requests in turn, just like when you go to the hospital and they give you a ticket and you have to wait your turn to be seen. Difference is they request attention many times a second rather than keeping you waiting for over an hour (at least in UK hospitals)...:-)Ray

I'm glad you got your system back Andy!!! I just saw this so I'm a day late and a dollar short but in the future, if you run into issues like this you might try to run MSCONFIG from "Start Menu\Run" box.It will popup a little dialog that will show you what's being loaded when the system boots and give you the ability to both enable or disable stuff. It also gives you the ability to boot the system in "Safe Mode". It's a bit advanced so don't change anything right away, take your time and research the options but it's really, really, useful when Windows takes the proverbial dump :)Mark

Thanks MarkI do know about msconfig (I use it to create a clean boot for FS sessions) .I am still not sure how I got XP up and running correctly again it was I think a combination of a little knowledge ,luck ,and determination .What I did do to at least get on-line again was open BIOS set my old (now back) up original hard drive as the NO1 boot up disc, as that also has XP installed on it. I transferred a link from network connections on that drive to my main.........................................to cut a long story short It just sort of started to work and as Ray mentioned XP seemed to just fix itself .i switched drives back to default again in BIOS and since then everything has been fine.BUT!!! for one thing (which may be unrelated ,I am not sure) my PC wont shut down (couldn't get it to go ,now it won't stop ) if i select to 'turn of computer' from screen the pc says the usual 'windows is closing " but it doesn't until I push the power switch......HOWEVER!! i have found that if (in power settings) I elect the Sleep button on my keyboard to shut down the pc it DOES shut down then.Tell you what I reckon were a long long way from telling robo bot to 'make my tea, medium no sugar and don't forget the Dundee cake'cheers AndyPS its rather frightening how anxious ,depressed and deprived i feel when I can't get access to the internet.dear oh dear!Get a life or what.NAH!

PS MODS!!If you now want to shove this thread into some dark and dusty corner of AVSIMs bowels please feel free.A

LOL!!NAH!!Know what you mean.Without the net my pc is a metal box with wires coming out of it.Even harms my sim as i cant get realworld weather.