Startup / Restore Issues

[JodyWood]

I am working on a PC that is having startup issues. Restores have been attempted, but no luck. Here are items that have been experienced along the way:
1. System would NOT boot, so used "Last known good configuration."
2. On reboot, it took a very long time to load, but eventually did.
3. Upon loading, it showed a desktop image with the following message:
"To access web site or email, you must have an Internet Service Provider. To setup Internet access, open: {an image that appeared like a status bar}"

Also appearing was the following message box:
Title Bar - "Docs"
Message - "An installation support file could not be installed. Access denied."
Button(s) - "OK"

Also another message box:
"C:\Documents And Settings\Owner\Destop is not accessible. Access is denied."

It did not show a login screen. Thus, I'm assuming only one user was setup to use the machine, which windows knew as "Owner" when booting in safe mode. I will need to verify this with the actual owner of the PC.

4. Since I was continually having the same results, I attempted a system restore. I had to do so through the admin account via safe mode. It had only a restore point from a point after the "Last known configuration" was run. So, I gave it a try. The results were pretty much as listed above. Still getting access denied messages, etc.


As a result, I turn to this great forum for additional guidance. How can I correct this situation so the computer boots and works in a normal manner? Here is some information regarding the PC:
1. HP Pavilion 512n
2. XP Home
3. Intel Celeron 1.4 Ghz
4. Maxtor 60 GB Hard Drive
5. 128 MB RAM
6. DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
7. Integrated Video/Sound/LAN

The owner did not believe the computer came with XP Home nor a recovery CD. I have heard the HP does not give out recovery CDs at times, but stores that information on the hard drive some where. Is this true? I also understand that using this typically wipes everything out including data in the process. How does one access this so-called hidden recovery information? And how does one use it in a manner to not wipe out the entire system and data? How does one use it to restart the PC in a brand new fresh state?

I greatly appreciate any help you can provide to resolve my issues.
Thanks in advance,
Jody Wood