searched mine- shows framedyn.dll in 4 places

windows\service pack files\ i386
windows\system32\wbem
windows\softwaredistribution\download ect
windows\nt service pach uninstall ect

I just logged in now to check when you were online last.
I thought we might need to send out a search party.
I see you are online now, so I'm very pleased to see that.
I had hoped you were not without computer.

Ok, I may be a bit late to the party but I have to chip in here.

The reason you are not being allowed by your computer to reinstall Windows is because the disk you have is old. Stating what you already know, I know, but there is a reason.

Microsoft stopped supporting older versions of Windows XP. The version you have on disk is one of the older, unsupported versions.

In order to get security and critical updates, you must have a minimum of what's called, 'Service Pack 2' usually abbreviated to SP2 - this is one a range of updates rolled out by Microsoft since the development of Windows XP.

Your computer, over time, will have gradually been updated - the first major update to Windows XP was Service Pack 1 (SP1). For a long time, a person could update their computer from a very early version of XP, then Microsoft would only allow critical updates for users who had SP1 installed. This went on for a time until we get to the current stage where only SP2 is supported.

This all works fine if you have kept your computer updated and do not have the early version of XP.

If unfortunately, you try to install from a very early version, your computer will not get updates. So, it is not a good idea to format the HD or remove Windows XP from your system.

To your original problem with the dialup ... often, when you phone up these helplines they tell you any old nonsense just to get you off the phone; 'reinstall the ISP software' reinstall Windows, reinstall the chair you're sitting on, whatever. Don't fall for it.

They have a limited time to deal with customers and they MUST deal with them within that time. If they fail to do so it means their performance is slipping, ergo, they want you off the phone so they will tell you any old rubbish about reinstalling whatever because they know it will take hours to do it and they will probably be finished their shift by the time you get back on the phone.

You can install any legal version of XP, with or WITHOUT SP2 even now (I have a copy provided BY Microsoft for partners that does NOT have any SP at all and just reinstalled it on the 10th of Nov.

However to get updates, you do have to run the validation tool and you really do need sp2 to avoid LOTS of extra updates. I always run sp2 after I've finished the installation of xp so I have a working firewall and then add a/v and a real firewall. Then I go for the other updates.

But bottom line, unless the cd has a scratch in it or something, any version of xp can be installed with or without sp2.

Microsoft just discontinued updates on the version without sp2 installed. Liz