Jees, talk about bad luck! I guess it just wasn’t your day, dude! ;-)
However, if you used Panda’s online scanner, it would only identify a virus and automatically disinfect it. That is rather odd, to say the least!
As far as the IP/TCP is concerned, if the fix by Miz does not work, you ‘should’ be able to reinstall IP/TCP by doing the following: -
Try this first. You never know, it may even work - Type “sfc /scannow” into Start – Run, without the quotes, noting that there is a space between c and / and hit OK. Just have your XP CP handy.
Then, try the following: -
Start – Settings – Network Connections – right click your Internet connection – select Properties – click on IP/TCP and click Install. After checking the usual suspects afterwards, Username, Password, correct number, etcetera, that should do the trick. Don’t forget to activate your Symantec Firewall, AV, etcetera, prior to going online again.
Regarding the PC repair shop, I would not bother wasting money, however, that is your call, as all they would be able to do is either ‘System Restore’, if you use it, or perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP. Try System Restore first. Seeing that you cannot access the Internet. Do the following: -
1. Backup all important data, movies, music, etcetera, prior to performing the reinstallation.
2. NOTE: You May Lose Data or Program Settings After Reinstalling Windows XP
Method 1: Reinstall Windows XP from Within Windows XP
To reinstall Windows XP from within Windows XP, follow these steps:
1. Start your computer.
2. Insert the Windows XP CD in your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
3. On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP page that appears, click Install Windows XP.
4. On the Welcome to Windows Setup page, click Upgrade (Recommended) in the Installation Type box (if it is not already selected), and then click Next.
5. On the License Agreement page, click I accept this agreement, and then click Next.
6. On the Your Product Key page, type the 25-character product key in the appropriate Product key boxes, and then click Next.
7. On the Get Updated Setup Files page, select the option that you want, and then click Next.
8. Follow the instructions on the remaining pages of the Windows XP Setup Wizard to reinstall Windows XP.
Method 2: Reinstall Windows XP by Starting Your Computer from the Windows XP CD
To reinstall Windows XP by starting your computer from the Windows XP CD, follow these steps:
1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer. When the "Press any key to boot from CD" message appears on the screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.
NOTE: Your computer must be configured to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. For more information about how to configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, see your computer's documentation or contact your computer manufacturer.
2. You receive the following message on the Welcome to Setup screen that appears:
This portion of the Setup program prepares Microsoft
Windows XP to run on your computer:
To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R.
To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.
Press ENTER to set up Windows XP.
3. On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement screen, press F8 to agree to the license agreement.
4. Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press R to repair Windows XP.
5. Follow the instructions on the remaining screens to reinstall Windows XP. After you repair Windows XP, you may be required to reactivate your copy of Windows XP.
For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
310064 HOW TO: Troubleshoot Windows XP Setup Problems When You Upgrade from Windows 98 or Windows Me
After You Perform an In-Place Upgrade
After you perform an in-place upgrade or repair installation, you must reinstall all updates to Windows. To reinstall Windows updates, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
For additional information about how to troubleshoot specific Windows XP Setup issues, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
312369 You May Lose Data or Program Settings After Reinstalling, Repairing, or Upgrading Windows XP
312368 Data Loss May Occur After Reinstalling, Repairing, or Upgrading Windows XP
For additional information about Windows XP Setup, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
286463 Release Notes for Windows XP Setup Contained in the Pro.txt File
306824 Release Notes for Windows XP Setup Contained in the Home.txt File
286647 Windows XP Read1st.txt File Contents
Post back with the results and good luck with the job interview as well!