ovingite

Hi, I have a persistent problem with Windows and every time I open a Windows application the Windows Installer launches and I have to wait 3-5 minutes before I can carry on. I have run Adaware, Reg Edit, Bug Doctor and dowloaded the Windows fix for WI - none of which have resolved the problem. I checked the hard drive and there doesn't appear to be any problem sectors, so I am about to give up and F-disk the drive and start again. I am running XP Home and have 2 x 80GB drives. I only want to reformat the C: drive (the f: drive contains only data - no programmes) but when I go into f-disk, it only sees the f:drive and not the c:drive. Can anyone tell me a way of formatting only the c: drive please? Also, is there anything I need to do before I nuke it? I have at least one programme running (MindJet) that I no longer have the original CD for. Is there any way I can copy all of its files onto the F: before I wipe c: ? (to avoid losing it) Thanks Ovingite

Hi, I am running a Dell Dimensions 3000 with XP Home. I have had a bunch of problems recently with slow running etc which I fixed by running ms.config and slimming down the startup programmes and running Bug Doctor and Registry Fix to cure the gremlins. Although it now loads up much quicker I still have a problem that each time I access an MS application (IE, My Computer, My Docs, Add Remove software etc) it launches Windows Installer, which takes about 3 minutes to run - frustrating. Also similar probs with Acrobat Pro 7.0.9 which will not open and I cannot disinstall it / reinstall (message: this patch package could not be opened. Verify that the patch package exists and that you can access it, or contact the application vendor to verify that this is a valid Windows Installer patch package). Unfortunately my system was not set up to create a restore point (yes - I know! It is now) so I cannot restore to an earlier point. I tried running XP repair and even a full replacement but it didn't work. Any ideas how I can fix it please? Thanks Ovingite