I had the same problem a while back, we tried calling Microsoft...they told us what to do...didn't work. SP2 is the big problem, if you own a laptop without it...loading updates just dosen't work. I finally gave up and purchased xp pro for almost what I paid for the computer -at a sweet clearance deal so I sucked it up! Haven't had a problem since. Tell her to check with her company to see if she qualifies for discounted purchases from Microsoft. Many large companies have an agreement that allows employees discouted purchase. Check yours! That way you get "full system" to load not just a crappy restore disc that will be outdated by the time you receive it.