I just installed windows xp pro (legit copy) over a pirated copy that was already on my comp. Everything worked fine. Installed Panda antivirus 2007...still worked fine. Then I tried to get into my online role playing game (Neverwinter Nights) and had SUPER bad lag...my ping was around 890-1141 when it should be somewhere around 125-ish. I logged off of there and plugged in my other monitor thinking that was the problem (I had just plugged in a Dell monitor that was a bit bigger)and then windows won't load at all. I plugged the Dell monitor back in and xp won't load on that one either. I manually turned the computer off and left it off for a few mintues and when I turned it back on.....it goes to the windows xp screen and then to a black screen. My boyfriend's computer (that is connected to the same internet line through the same router) is working flawlessly! Any ideas? Thanks so much in advance!!

--Jeeplette :-?So you installed OVER it rather than a format and install? I think I would start with a totally fresh install to remove any possible variables.I don't know how to get all the files and such onto my other hard drive before formatting the 1st hard drive. I have LOTS of files/info/pics on the hard drive with xp on it.  :-/If there are two functional hard drives in the machine you should be able to just copy them over. Perhaps some details about your computer system would be helpful.My system is home built....about 5 yrs old with minor upgrades here and there as needed/wanted. I will try to be as specific as I can....thanks for bearing with me!

xp pro (upgraded from a pirated copy)
main hd - 120 gig (Maxtor)
2nd hd - 250 gig ( i think it's a Seagate)
OLD Via motherboard (model P4X266A)
Pentium 4 (i forgot the details on it, but it's an older one as well)
HP cd writer/rom
generic dvd rom/writer
flat panel monitor (GEM 15")
just added Logitec wireless mouse & keyboard yesterday before the xp upgrade

I'm not sure what other info would be useful....please advise.  Okay...I got the computer to boot from cd, but I don't know how to repair it from there. It asked what I wanted to repair...I said #1 (C:\WINDOWS) then it asks for admin password. It doesn't have a password so I just pressed enter (thinking it might bypass it) and then it said C:\WINDOWS. I typed "HELP" to get a list and now I don't know what to do. Which option should I use? Is there a general admin password?

Thanks so much!I had to plug the keyboard in with a cord (it wouldn't SEE the cordless keyboard and that it why I wasn't able to get into safe mode). After I did that, I got to safe mode and chose to reload with last settings that worked. I am still have a bit of a problem with choppiness but at least I can log into windows again.  PS/2keyboards are always good to have. Not as "kewl" but impeccabble support.

How much free space is there on the D drive (the big one)? Can you not just open to Explorer Windows and copy and paste some files for a test?Sorry to take so long to reply....

There's about 74 gigs on the 2nd hd.

I am really having problems with ping now. It mostly seems to be when I open Neverwinter Nights game and the ping is so bad I can barely even log in. I'm not sure how to go about fixing this. Any ideas? Would trying a different ethernet cable help?

I would SUGGEST backing up all the data from both HDD's to DVD's wipe both drives and start from scratch.
Make sure to re-install all your  drivers including MBoard and also grab all the current XP updates.
Have your protection programs in place before going online and get everything running smooth.
Then create a clean image of that install using Acronis True Image or another imaging program and burn 2 copies to DVD.
Store them in different locations.
You are now prepared for just about anything.

patio.   8-)patio, she/he has 400 GB... Only 300 with data, but still, if he/she need to put on dvds...
patio wants to say to back-up important data, not only because of your actual problem but it is a general good idea, you shouldn't have all important things (pictures, movies, important DOCUMENTS etc) only on harddisk and only in one copy.

I suppose you tried some antispyware programs as well?This is why regular backups are important...if you wait til you have accumulated around 300G of data and that HDD takes a dump on you well what are you supposed to do then ? ?

p.s. We have seen this scenario here at CH many times...Waaaaay too many times.  

If it is that important, it should be important enough to back up to something other than a hard drive.

No one has 300 gig of data files. Pictures, movies etc. can be stored elsewhere. I hear that legal copies of movies actually come on DVD's.LOL at GX1_Man! All the movies on my computer are legit...lol. As soon as I bought my favorite hard to find dvd's I put them on my comp...just in case. I understand that I should back up more often, but I suppose I am not entirely sure how to go about doing that. CD's? DVD's? External HDD? I knew I had put it off way too long, but I suppose the ignorance and the fear of screwing something up got in the way.

My computer is just about hopeless at the moment. I can't play ANY of my games now....something about I can't update the driver for my video card. I DOWNLOADED the driver but when I try to install it, it gives me an error that says I need to try using the standard VGA setting for my monitor. That sounds about right since I just attached a Dell (EWE!) flat panel monitor that is bigger than the one I had before. The computer now doesn't recognize the monitor to install a driver....it all just says unavailable now under the adapter info. So....I suppose my question now is...how would I go about setting it to standard VGA mode for the monitor so I can install the updated videocard driver? Thanks in advance for all your help, patience and understanding!! :-/http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/display_change_screen_resolution.mspx?mfr=true