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I’m not sure why you need to restore back to November 1^st, but let’s see what we can do to find System Restore for you.

System Restore

The easiest way to get to System Restore is through your All Programs. If this is how you are already doing it, bear with me just in case something is missing.

1. Go to Start, then click on All Programs.
2. Click on Accessories and choose System Tools.
3. Click on System Restore. You will see the Welcome screen. Click on ‘Restore my computer to an earlier time.’ Click Next.
4. You will see a Select a Restore Point page where you will select a date. Click Next.
5. You will confirm the date and click Next. The system will shut down and reboot where you should get a ‘Restoration Complete’ message.

This is the standard way to get into System Restore. If you can’t find System Restore using these steps, let us know which part is missing and we should be able to help you.

You can also get into System Restore by going to Start and then clicking on Run. At the prompt, type in: scanreg /restore (there is a space between scanreg and /). Click OK and then pick an earlier date.

One more way to find System Restore is to go to Start and then Run and typing in regedit at the prompt. Click Enter. Navigate to: HKEY LOCAL MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\System Restore. Look for Value DisableSR. If it is set to ‘1′, double click on it to set it to ‘0′.

Missing Restore Points

Can you find System Restore, but not your restore points? The Restore Point you want may be hidden. When in the Select a Restore Point page, make sure you have a check mark in the box that says, “Show restore points older than five days.”

Newer machines set restore points by default, but they will disappear if you run out of space on the system drive. It will delete all restore points in an attempt to free up space. You would have received a disk-space warning before the restore points were deleted. Once disk space is freed up, System Restore will start setting restore points again.

Likewise, depending on the storage limits set aside for specifically for restore points, once the space fills up, older restore points are deleted and replaced with new ones. You won’t receive a warning in this scenario.

Did you upgrade or install a new operating system? If you did, the restore points on the old system are automatically deleted and you can’t return to the old system to get them back.

If for some reason System Restore is completely missing on your computer, it is likely caused by a virus or .dll error. Are you getting any .dll error messages? That is another fix entirely, so let us know if you are.

After all of this, if your System Restore is still missing, you may need to manually adjust the problem, or if the problem is severe enough, reinstall your Windows operating system and start over.

Reasons behind Taskbar Problems

Three primary reasons exist that can account for problems with the taskbar. They include:

• An accidental action by someone using the computer.
• A purposeful action by someone using the computer.
• A malicious program has entered the computer.

Try to Repair the Taskbar by Scanning for Viruses and Spyware

It is possible that a virus or form of spyware has infected your computer and disturbed the normal, functioning taskbar. Scan your computer with an anti-virus/anti-spyware application to remove any potential threats. Hopefully, this action will return your taskbar back to its normal existence.

Try to Repair the Taskbar by Booting Up into Safe Mode

If you are able to get the taskbar to work properly when you boot up into safe mode, then you should be able to retain that functionality once you reboot in regular mode.

Download “Taskbar Repair Tool”

In my search for answers, I came across a nifty little tool that can be used to repair problems with the taskbar. It is called “Taskbar Repair Tool” and it was developed for Kelly’s Korner. You can download it here: Taskbar Repair Tool. I haven’t tried it myself, so I can’t vouch for it, but it is mentioned all over the Web.

Fix Corrupted Registry Files Using RegCure

It is possible that the taskbar is acting up due to a corrupted or missing file in the registry. You can repair the registry by using a product called RegCure. This application will repair all detected errors within the registry instantly. To learn more about this application, visit this link: RegCure.

Start Menu Displays Black Bar in Windows Me

Some users of Windows Me have experienced problems with the Start menu bar disappearing and being replaced with a black bar. This can happen when items have recently been deleted from the start up menu or the size allotted for the Start menu is too small. The suggestion here is to add items in the Start menu to see if that fixes the problem.

A few things might be happening. Are you being logged off of the computer and have to log back on, or do the downloads just hang? I’m assuming that your downloads are just hanging - if I’m wrong and your Internet access is being interrupted, search this site for articles (here’s one) on what to do if your computer is intermittently losing Internet connection. Here are some things to try:

Check Your Web Browser

You don’t say what browser you’re using, but trying a different one might help with your downloads hanging. If you’re not using it, try Firefox which has its own download manager.

Check Your Speed

It’s possible that your Internet connection is running too slowly and your downloads are being timed out before they are complete. There are many sites on the web that will run a quick diagnostic - try Speedtest.net or just Google ‘Internet speed test.’ This will tell you how fast your connection is and if you need to do something to speed it up. If you are using dial-up, you may need to switch to another connection method.

Wireless?

Are you using a wireless connection? Many things can interfere with a wireless connection at home. Check for distance issues as well as cordless phones or other devices that may be causing your Internet connection to hiccup.

Uninstall Network Devices

Sometimes uninstalling and reinstalling your Network Devices can cause downloads to run more smoothly. Find the Device Manager by following these steps:

1. Go to Start, then Control Panel.
2. Click on System.
3. Go to the Hardware tab and then to Device Manager. Uninstall the Network Devices (make a note of them so that you can easily reinstall them after you reboot).
4. Shut down the computer, and then power up again. Reinstall the drivers that you deleted and see if the hang ups have stopped.

Work Around

If you don’t download frequently, you can use a download manager to streamline the process if you can’t fix the source of the hangups. These don’t stop the computer from freezing, but they will allow you to resume the download right where you left off if you are having a problem. Most have a free trial so that you can see if they are working for you. Two to try are FlashGet and GetRight.

By optimizing your computer speed, connections and using a download manager, you should be able to download with minimal interruptions. If you are still experiencing computer freezing, let us know some more specifics, and we can help you further.

The natural tech reaction in this situation is to tell you to update your mouse and keyboard drivers - until we realize that you can’t do any of this without mouse function. I’m assuming that your keyboard is still working and that you can access the computer in safe mode using keyboard functions.

Check Mouse Issues

The first things to check are basic issues with the mouse. You don’t say whether the mouse is wireless or not, but this will apply in either case. Are all of the cables attached correctly? Have you tried a different USB port? Check to make sure that your mouse doesn’t need a new battery. Turn the power off on your computer, attach the mouse and then turn it on. Sometimes a system needs to have the power off when a mouse is attached before it will recognize it. Does your mouse have a reset button? A wireless mouse often has a reset button on the bottom - sometimes it says ‘connect’ on it. You may need to push it with a paperclip or pen. If you have a non-optical mouse, you may need to clean the ball. Often fuzz, dust, and lint accumulate, interfering with operations. Have you tried a different mouse - maybe one that isn’t wireless - to see if there is a problem with the unit itself? If a new mouse works, it may be easier to just replace the old one.

System Restore from Safe Mode

If none of these things work for you, the best thing to do is try a System Restore from Safe Mode. You can do this with just keyboard functions and bring your computer back to a time where the mouse was working.

1. Right after you turn the computer on, press F8 to get to Safe Mode.
2. Use the arrow keys to go to ‘Safe Mode with command prompt’.
3. You may need to select the operating system.
4. Log on as the administrator.
5. At the cmd prompt, type in: %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe. Press Enter.
6. Follow the instructions to roll your computer back to an earlier time where the mouse was working.
7. The mouse should start after your system reboots.

Once you have mouse function back, you may want to check your mouse driver by going to Start and then Control Panel > Mouse. This solution should get you up and running in no time.

What’s the Difference between Downloading and Uploading Files?

If you send a file to another computer, you are uploading the file. If you are moving the file from another computer onto your computer, you are downloading it.

User Permissions for Downloading and Uploading Files on Networked Computers

On networked computers, the user permissions are sometimes set up to prevent certain users from downloading anything from the Internet. If you believe this might be the case, then you need to contact the administrator of the network. Likewise, if you share a computer and do not have administrative rights, you may be restricted from downloading files.

Selecting Files to Download

Today, most websites have made it easy to download a file. You simply select the file that you want to download and either click on a live link. The link is usually the name of the file or the word “download.”  Usually, you also get a choice to either save the file or open it. In general, saving the file, scanning it for viruses, and then opening it is the best strategy. However, in order for this to work, a few things need to be in place.

Enabling Your Browser for Downloads: Security Settings

Microsoft Internet Explorer has security settings that disable the ability to download files. This could be the problem, so I think you should check whether downloads have been disabled by following these directions. Open Internet Explorer→ Click Tools→ Click Internet Options→ Click Security→ Select Internet zone and click Custom Level. At this point, a list of the available security settings for Internet appears. In IE 7, go to the Downloads section and make sure that File Download is marked enabled. In addition, go to “Launching applications and unsafe files.”

If these prompts are disabled, then you will not be able to download any files or launch the related .exe files once downloaded. Instead, enable file downloads and select “Prompt” for the launching applications and unsafe file settings. This setting prompt you with questions such as “Are you sure you want to download this file” or something to that effect. However, it also allows you to download and execute the files that you select.

Enabling Your Browser for Downloads: Enable ActiveX

In order to display and download files from the Web, it is important that ActiveX controls have been enabled. In order to do so, follow these directions: Open Internet Explorer→ Click Tools→ Click Internet Options→ Click Security→ Select Internet zone. Look for the slider bar and set it to the medium setting to enable downloads from the Web. Make sure that you click “OK” before exiting the window.

Enabling Your Browser for Downloads: PDF Files

In order to download Portable Document Files or PDFs, you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. This is a free download that you get simply by visiting the Adobe.com website.

Enabling Your Browser for Downloads: Java

If the files that you want to download offer a prompt that you need to have Java in order to complete the download, you must have Java installed and enabled on your browser. In order to find out how to enable Java with your browser, visit this link to Java’s website for specific instructions by browser: Java.

Although I can’t offer any suggestions for getting back your last system restore point, I can offer a suggestion for how to create system restore points once again. First, a bit of background and explanation for what has happened.

What is Windows XP Service Pack 3?

Windows XP Service Pack 3, also referred to as XP SP3, is one of the Windows updates. This update is designed to offer security enhancements along with some improvements in performance and stability of the system. Essentially, this service pack provides the updates for Microsoft Office XP.

What Download Issue Exists with the Windows XP Service Pack 3?

Since Windows XP Service Pack 3 also includes the Office XP Service Pack 1 (XP SP1) and Office XP Service Pack 2 (XP SP2), it necessarily takes up a lot of computer resources. In fact, this update takes up so much space, that it typically removes the last System Restore Point from the computer in order to enable the Windows XP Service Pack 3 update to complete its installation. This is why you no longer have a system restore point to go to. Since the update has usurped your computer’s resources, it no longer allows for the creation of new system restore points.

Is It Possible to Uninstall Windows XP Service Pack 3?

Unfortunately, once you have installed Windows XP Service Pack 3, you may not be able to uninstall it, especially if there were space issues to begin with and the uninstall files (backup files) were not applied. Therefore, any issues arising from the installation may not be resolved by uninstalling this update.

How to Resolve the System Restore Problem Resulting from the Installation of Windows XP Service Pack 3?

In order to enable the saving of system restore points on your computer, you need to increase the allotted restore space on your system. You can do this by accessing your system restore settings. Ideally, this step should be taken before installing Windows XP Service Pack 3.

How to Access System Restore and Increase its Allotted Restore Space

To use system restore, follow this path:

Start→ All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools→ System Restore. Next, in the dialog box that pops up, you should see a link on the left had side labeled “System Restore Settings.” Click on this. In the dialog box that pops up, you will see a slider bar allowing you to increase the allotted restore space. Increase this by sliding the bar to the right.