I installed directx 8.1 and when it restarted it got hung on the windows screen, I tried diagnostic start and got the message cannot upgrade configuration 1% from 2% so I used a dos startup disk, and renamed wininit and windows started up fine. But some of my programs weren't working right, for example musicmatch couldn't check for updates and I had to reinstall it. I want to run system restore, but it won't work. And for some reason the last restore point is a month old, it usually makes 2 a week or so, I selected a restore point and it went to the restore screen with the status bar and froze, I waited a while then did ctrl alt del, I tried many times but it did the same thing. I also tried creating a restore point, but it says it can't until I restart, so I restarted and got the same message repeatedly. I relize there is a patch of somesort for sys restore, but I believe I already have it since I have used restore many times since sept.2001. Any help is appreciated, keep in mind I need to go back to an already created restore point. Also I don't know too much technical this about computers so please keep it simple. Thanks

I sympathise with you, Reese. I have the same problem w. syst. restore. I'll refer you to the following link: http://computing.net/windowsme/wwwboard/forum/32590.html Unfortunately I still have the problem. I can't find the update that I need in order to run syst. restore. Hope someone can help us! I also had the same problem on startup, ie. ... 1% from 2%...and I had to press any key to continue loading windows. It finally went away (by fluke) after I used a statup disk, scan, uninstalling some programs, etc. I have no idea what actually did the job. gizmo

hello try restoreing from safe mode. if that dont work try from dos this link tells you how. you may allaso want to try scanreg /restore from dos allso m.e wont start http://computing.net/windowsme/wwwboard/forum/30687.html

Well I had already read those posts :( . And had already tried doing restore in safemode. Trying it in dos confuses me, I doubt it would work anyway, since I have no problem started windows or sysrestore now, it just won't go to a restore point. Plus I think I figured out the real reason why restore won't work. I checked the date of the last restore point made (Nov24, 2002) and noticed that's the same day I ran a program called "space odessy" to clean my hard drive. I think it may have deleted some files restore needed without my noticing. However I had used this program before with no problem. I think I'll just end up burning all the programs I need to cds and completely reinstalling windows.