The system restore facility would not work. I discovered that I had inadvertently "fixed" 3 Windows Security Centre files using Spybot so I went to the Recovery Section, checked the files and pressed "recover". However, when I ran Spybot again the files did not appear as identified problems or in the recovery section. Where did they go and how can I get them back so that I can use System restore

Did you reboot?

Yes, rebooted and tried several restore points plus created a restore point after the files disappeared. All failed. bobevan

Open Spybot, click on Mode, tick Advanced mode. Click on Settings, click on > Ignore single entries. If that is where they are, that's Ok. This is from Spybot Customer Support: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/... I personally have all 3 of these boxes unticked. How to disable balloon pop up for XPSP2 security http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips... Click the balloon (Security Center) and go to the area where the Firewall set up is. That means open Security Center. Now look at the List under "Resources" on the Left hand side of the Security Center Window. Do you see the one option that says "Change the way Security Center alerts me" ? It's the last one in the list Now click it! You can uncheck the Balloon pop ups not only for your Firewall being off, But also if you have Automatic Updates turned off and Virus Protection alert having been set to off, too! If you uncheck all three boxes, no more "Balloon Thingy" each time you boot up.

Alas instead of recovering the files I think I inadvertently purged them and am now wondering how to get them back bobevan

If what I have said already, dos'nt cover what you want, I'm confused. Please upload screenshots, to a site of your choice, showing exactly the issues.

There is another complication in that the pc in question was taken to a shop for repair and for some reason they decided to uninstall Spybot!! Perhaps I should install Spybot again and work from there. bobevan