So U're Networking?

So, yesterday I've stumbled onto a problem. I got a call from a friend who has bought a used computer (some old IBM NetVista from Austria) and could not "do anything with it".

First lets set some data: The computer has a fresh Windows XP w/ service pack 3 installed - Which I haven't installed, so for who ever did so ... he/she did a crappy job. Computer specs don't matter, but its a 1.8 Ghz Pentium 4, 512MB SDRAM, 40GB HDD and Riva TNT2 GPU

As I sit down to the computer and try to figure out what does "can't do anything with it" mean, I try setting up some basic apps (like MS office) ... The installer fails, hmmm... What could it be?! My computer > Manage > Services - Ok, let's see ... Hmmm... What?! 95 % of services aren't even started, only a few remain started. But plenty of them are set to start automatically. But they just won't. The weird thing is, I don't get an error warning that the service won't start. It just doesn't. So, as well as the Windows Installer, neither does networking work, logging, system restore, automatic updates ... etc. Only a few services are still standing.

Starded searching the internet for a solution, there was none. Some suggested to look somewhere in the Registry, but nothing ... Same as in the Services.msc.

Now, one thing I've noticed is that there was TweakUI installed as well as some program named Unlocker ... ? Hmm, then i knew it. It was some buffed up (read: user created -full of bugs) version of Windows XP with SP3 slipstreamed inside.
Nothing is left but to reinstall the windows, with a clean Windows XP w/ SP2 (Pir4t3d). Well, that fixed everything.

I hate, when the final solution is c:\format c , and to reinstall windows ... But sometimes its the only way. Till' next time...