> I removed Netgear Storage Central Manager from my system.
> When I rebooted it just cycled around the "failed to start" screen.
> Choosing last good configuration or safe mode doesn't have any effect.
> Netgear support have been absolutely useless.
> Last I heard "one of their technical team would research the problem"
> That was weeks ago.
> Sony told me to use the recovery disk that came with the machine
> BUT.....

Typical of many support functions.

>
> Because the system is Sony it only comes with a recovery disk that
> will restore the machine to original setup - killing all my software,
> years of updates etc.
>
> 1. How can I find out what's crashing the machine?

Judicsious troubleshooting and analysis. What is your expertise level
and what tools do you have? If you're a neophyte, you may not be able
to do it. Are you certain the recovery disk doesn't have a "repair"
option in addition to installs?

> 2. If I buy a new XP disk will I be able to re-install windows and
> keep all my software & settings.

No. If the repair feature works, some might remain, but one should
never, ever mess with repairs and installs to the OS without first
having completed a full backup which apparently you haven't done. You
might have to kiss your data goodbye and all the XP updates will need to
be reapplied, along with the SP's. BTW SP3 is available now.

If you will post some useful information, such as
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q555375 you ae a lot more likely to get
responses that will be more helpful.

What have you done to TS the issue so far? What have been the results?
What are the exact error messages and numbers you get, if any? Exactly
where/how does the failure occur?


> 3. Will the fault still be there on a re-installation?

Possibly, with a repair; NO with a full, clean reinstall of XP.
Your fastest route depends on whether you can get your data backed up
off the disk or are willing to lose it. Once you get going again, make
your next move be to learn to backup and then do so often.

HTH

Twayne