Dezz, Thanks so very much for the kind offer, it truly is appreciated. But alas, I know not the questions as the quest was for my brother-in-law, Bill. Apparently, this sort of thing happens in even the best of families (or so I am told).
The short version of what I think happened...
Bill (who knows essentially nothing about computers other than where the O-N switch is) decided to upgrade his operating system from Windows something to an XP. The results are as you would imagine. His system now works, but barely and only then if you don't look at it.
Ergo my search for a PC help site continues.
Harv