Agggh!
Just got in --- long hrs-----
Reformatted!? We weren't yet out of possibilities . . .
Safe Mode, Selective Startup, remove IE (that's where the primary issue was I think?), and on, and on . . .
C'est La Vie, were you able to retrieve your data at least?

-Power cycle your 'Net modem so that it receives a new IP addr from the provider . . .
-Image the newly formatted drive -as soon as you get everything installed- with http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm. Save the image and the app to cd as insurance. . .
Hopefully that will go a long way toward avoiding the nightmare you just went through, or at least provide a faster recovery!

Gotta run... not abandoning, but its time to make the donuts....
I'll check back later . . .

One more shot at it . . .
Can you install Mozilla, dl IE 7 with it, repair 6, then install 7?

thought there was an ActiveX option -v- Java- w/Trend (?)

Try this:
***You may need you Windows Install CD***

Method 1: Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.x Repair for Windows XP

From the Start menu, select Run.
In the Open field, type sfc /scannow (Note: There is a space between sfc and /scannow)
Select the OK button.
Follow the prompts throughout the System File Checker process.
Reboot the computer when System File Checker completes.


Method 2: Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.x Repair for Windows XP
From the Start menu, select Search, select All Files and Folders.
Select More Advanced Options and place a checkmark beside Search Hidden Files and Folders option.
Ensure that Search System Folders and Search Subfolders are also checked.
In the All or Part of the File Name box, type ie.inf
In the Look In drop-down menu, select C: or the letter of the hard drive that contains the Windows folder.
Click the Search button.
In the search results pane, find the ie.inf file located in Windows\Inf folder.
Right click the ie.inf file and click Install on the context menu.
Reboot the computer when the file copy process is complete.
-from http://www.theeldergeek.com/repair_ie6.htm . . .

IE 6 or 7??
-If 6 can you update to 7?
-In Tools\Internet options . . . Settings\View Objects, are any ActiveX 'damaged'? Can you delete them??
- Can you manage Add-Ons, turning them all off?
- Have you tried Safe Mode? Might be time to run an AV/Malware scan there.
- Can you browse? Try to scan online with http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ . . .
Q: if you disconnect from the Internet - same problem(s)... If not scan then

Is you Windows user (still) an Admin??
Have you checked your IE settings??
Try logging in as a different Windows user, or create a new one. If you don't have the same issues, move your docs there and delete the current one . . .
I'm going for the quick solutions here, not knowing details . . .

'til you get a new one, turning off unused apps - in the forground and background, reducing resource use - turn down the brightness, turn off Indexing, etc, goes a long way toward extending battery life. . .

Can you get to System Restore? Knowing when things started going haywire gives you a headstart. Set things back to the first Restore Point before Monday.

The cycle of keeping them happy and in return being rejuvenated by their smiles and giddiness when picking them up from school.
-my daughter running across the classroom, jumping from 3 feet out into my arms for our daily spinaround!

watching them make sense of the world based on what you taught and they saw . . .
-my son came to me one day because he heard a noise. "where?" I asked giving him my full undivided attention. He thought about it . . .
"at the bye-bye door"

the day off!

He's got unfinished business to take care of in the GrandScheme!

www.funformobile.co
tones, vids, wallpapers, etc

Ditto - three excellent apps. . .
You might also want to run an online scan
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
it won't be influenced by whatever may be on the system

3 hrs is likely an overstatement, or you're looking at the dl with all the language packs. . .
Vista does need (IMHO)at least 1.5, preferably a min of 2G of memory. If your system does AND your Internet speed is decent - 1.5 or better - it shouldn't take 3 hrs.

The first thing you want to do is consider the last chages to your system (new installs, updates, or device - printers, USB, etc). If the error doesn't return after rebooting, you've found the prob. Check for a compatible version.

Or . . .
See if one of these MS KB articles fit your situ:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824572
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/285910/
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/285910/
or, this forum :
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/217729-46-application-failed-initialize-properly-0xc0000142

You might also want to scan your system with your installed Virus, Malware app and/or an online scan like http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Just re-read:
If your Bios setup is coming up it likely needs you to correct an invalid entry there . . . If it's not specific as to what, look for something like Basic settings, Auto Setup, or something similar

ditto . ..
go to control panel\mouse

ditto - AVG
tested plenty for clients, AVG stood out in ease of use and understanding. Even the free version does a very good job.

The latest version does seem to need help connecting for updates on Vista if your Internet connection is'n ready when it executes. It is obvious though, and a simple two-click gets it running.

Trial version - http://www.grisoft.com/ww.download-trial
Free version - http://free.grisoft.com/

'zakly . . .

Brava . . .
It all depends on which one or two they get . . .

Like Pilate, he simply had a role to play in the grand scheme.