Here is where I think I am... There are no more updates except for a few programs relating to internet explorer which I am not using. There is one suggestion that I update to a newer version of xp. I will put this on hold for now. I went back to the microsoft website to check on the removal tool capabilities. The worm blaster is an alias of msblast. So I do not have a virus at least as far as microsoft is telling me. One solution posted on a link from the win32 host process link that was suggested earlier was that the problem was simply a driver problem. So I have my driver installation disk in hand. I could reinstall it... question is do I have to change the boot up procedure to do it or just stick it in and let it fly. I don't see that this would hurt in any way unless other vendors modify drivers already on the system. I have no printer or scanner and only 4 or 5 outside vendor packages. The other approach would be to determine the state of my drivers currently on the system. I am not sure how I do that. One factor I rechecked today. When I connect to the internet my selection on control panel/internet connections/ is changed to ... never dial a connection. When I disconnect from the internet I can sign back on but cannot connect to any web page. I have to bring up the control panel... and change the choice to... always use my default number. The funny thing is that I checked my wife's computer (same as mine only newer with identical software)and her choice always is... never dial a connection yet she never has a problem reconnecting to the internet. I currently am using a dial up connection. Thanks

I don't have any experience with embarq and dont run firefox but it looks like embarg is a normal aDSL connection - which would not be using a proxy server for the connection. You probably need to disable any proxy connection and use automatic network connections in the configurations which you may have been using a proxy connectio for some kind of isp speed booster which is popular on dial up isp's and some third party software.

Hmm, I had not read the whole MS page but basically you only need to follow the first 2 instructions. I have never had to use those other instructions myself. Remember that if you get flustered just click the Cancel button to get out of where you are. There is nothing to be afraid of when using System File Checker. You It simply goes through your computer checking all the operating system files and replaces those which are corrupt or missing. The need for the CD is so it can get the needed files to install for you. The slight downside is that it takes the computer back to when your particular CD was created which means you will be behind on security updates and possibly a service pack. No big deal there either, you simply go to the windows update site and the computer grabs whatever it needs. You are doing nothing wrong. Who knows why those files went missing. Perhaps/probably it was due to the power outage. You can of course extract and install each of those files if you wish to avoid using SFC. Follow the instructions here to do that for each file. You do not have to do them all at one time. Try one, see how it goes then do others as you feel up to the task.

There is that very old trick I mention occasionally. If all else fails, sometimes before attempting anything else, shut it down and power the entire thing off. I don't mean depress the power on/off button, I mean shut it down and unplug it for 15-20 minutes. Long ago, in a previous incarnation, I managed service for a million dollar computer. No way would it do what you hand held will do today, powering it off was SOP. I still do that occasionally. I lose my date and time in the lower right occasionally and the most sure way to get it back is the power down procedure. (I've an old TV that must be powered off every time it quites on its own. Then it will work for several more months. )