I have a Dell Deminsion 8400 with Windows XP 5.0 and SP-2

My system restore does not work and I have a HP memories program that does not recognize my cd writer.

I have spent  a combine 9 hrs with Dell on the phone and their chat progrm without andy results.

Dell even sent a tech. to my house and installed a new cd writer and he claimed that he corrected my system restore which he did not.

Is there any  hope for me