Hi Curio: I had tried the sfc from the command prompt (no success)

Hi Big Booger: I've tried the reinstall and repair (no success)

Thanks everyone and that includes: Reverend - with me on the get go for this problem.

I've just purchased Acronis imaging software and believe that I will be
backing up my drive and reformating & reinstalling and then doing an image right away.... never to be caught with this problem again....but I'm sure there are many more around the corner.

Thanks again....you can close this thread if you wish.