Sorry for this being incomplete but it is a long distance problem. Cousin trying to get several SIM's (games) installed and then uninstalled some and reinstalled (had to be done in proper order? Anyway that is how it started I guess). Now no cursor in normal mode, cursor in Safe Mode. Told them to try system restore to (about 3 weeks ago)but ME said it could not do it. This is a 2 tr old Compaq desktop with DSL (won't connect online now either). What things should we try to recover with this thing now? Please suggest away. She has a recovery disk CD but does Compaq disk auto-format and all that (lose everything)? Please make suggestions on what to try (long distance - ahhhh!!) Thanks so much.

hello in safe mode goto c:windows/options/cabs/setup.exe you will need your m.e serial number. dubble click the setup.exe file this will reinstall windows ontop of its self. the other you could do befor trying this is goto device manager remove mouse and reboot. ••• Resistance is invigorating! •••kill spyware

OK thanks for the response Dave. When you say ME serial #...what number exactly are you talking about? and where do I tell them to find this? before they do this "over the top" reinstall. Thanks again very much...

The serial number should be somewhere on the case, it is in two places on my Compaq pc's case also on my recovery CD. There is a label with it on the inside of the CD holder built into the front of my case and on a much smaller label on the back of the case.

Wow, OK, so you don't mean a product key but some OEM serial # that Windows ME will ask for. OK thanks a lot. I will try to get them up & going (long distance). Thanks again folks. I'll let you know if it brings joy.

Well by the time I was back in contact with her, they had put in a local shop and were told hdd was dead $99, + whatever to reload o/s and programs, etc. Data gone though???? Oh well, we'll never really know.