Happy Sunday morning! I attempted the Repair Install, at first, with the ISO file containing SP1, you sent. It stopped abruptly, telling me I had to use a non-SP1 CD. I found one at
http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/mvista/pub and loaded a CD with the file "X-15-65733.iso". It worked and installed 98 of 99 Security Updates, yesterday. This morning another large set of Updates was automatically downloaded and now, several hours later, the CPU clock and the HD access have settled down to normal activity. Whew! IT WORKS!!!
I had to run MS Fixit 50123.msi after a manual Update produced error code 8040016. I hope that'll do it. It took a long time to run the Fixit.
It says that I have 29 days to register the software with MS. I put in the Sticker ID number during the Repair Install. System Information still has the original OEM number listed as the license. I trust all is well and will register itself when it's ready to do so.
Shane, thank you for helping me through this quagmire. I'd have been lost without you!
Respectfully yours,
Bubba Euler
[email protected]