XP update has hosed me - ready to run to hills - help please?

[tywallick]

Ignorantly, I installed the Service Pack 2 update and when finished, my pc would just cycle through the XP startup just like a virus. Was completely stuck and could not access the internet to find a cure, so just reinstalled XP (and backed up my files/settings). Had to reinstall ALL my other software, evenb though it all was supposedly backed up. Here are my issues:

1) I archive all of my emails in folders within Outlook XP. I cannot find them to save my life - are they gone or are they backed up somewhere?

2) I have these annoying clicking sounds when going to web pages and opening programs. I previously was able to turn the sounds off via control panel sounds, but they all say no sounds are there anyway! Tried resetting them - no dice.

3) Any ideas what caused the whole mess to start with? Could I have avoided this by doing something else to get XP to load? Tried safe mode (all 3 options), previous setting, and normal load - all failed.

Thanks to any and all for your help!

Go Bucks!

[bbeard67]

Check the below link for the clicking noise

http://www.allscoop.com/tools/IE_No_Click/index.php

[bbeard67]

The default location for archived mail in outlook is
c:\Windows\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\archive.pst

Select File | Import and Export... from the menu in Outlook.
Select Import from another program or file.
Click Next.
Highlight Personal Folder File (PST).
Click Next again.
Now use the Browse button to select the backup copy of the PST file you want to recover from your backup location.
Make sure Replace duplicates with items imported is selected.
Click Next.
Finish the import process with Finish.