IMPORTANT QUESTION: Can I reinstall XP without wiping out the drive and have all my documents still be there after I reinstall or am I in need of another hard drive or DVD RW drive to backup my stuff then reinstall? |
If the system is a Dell, and the OS was supplied by them, you may be limited here - depending on whether or not they gave you the OS on disc, or supplied you with a "Restore Partition". If the latter, then you would be trying to use the restore partition to fix the issue, which will wipe the drive and restore the OS and software to the factory settings.
Alternatively, you can contact Dell and request the OS disc, and then do a repair or clean install with that disc. The repair should leave the programs installed and your documents intact, but of course MS does not guarantee this - so "back-up" is the way to go.
Just for kicks, can you load "msconfig" and select "Diagnostic Startup" > Apply > Reboot > click OK a couple times, and then "Exit without restarting" to load diagnostic. After successfully loading into diagnostic, run "msconfig" again, and select "Normal Startup" > Apply > Reboot.
Then, "Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections > Network Connections > right-click the icon for the LAN you are using, and then select "Repair" > attempt to connect to the internet.
If the internet connection is good, go to Dell's site and download the current "Audio" drivers, and install to attempt to fix the sound issue.
If these work, then the top three issues are left.