what to do if the pc says cannot find svhost.exe

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Run a file check on the O/S.

Click START, RUN, type in

sfc /purgecache

This ensures that system files are copied from your Windows installation media, and files which may be infected with malware or corrupted are not copied from your drive.

Then type in

sfc /scannow

Have your XP CD handy as you will need it.