As System Restore is known to be not reliable.
You can check amount of HD allocated by pressing Windows+Break(pause) keys together , System Restore tab , Settings button which shows the amount of "Disk space to use".
Also I just tried to use System Restore & although it showed Restore & started Restore it didn't replace any files.
So I checked C:\"System Volume Information" Folder which holds Restore Points & usually shows "Empty" unless you have allowed Folders contents to be seen by using;
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;309531&Product=winxp
Show Hidden & protected System files.
Use Command Prompt > & type
>CD\
>cacls  "C:\System Volume Information"  /E  /G  user:F
where  user is account username.
(include Quotes)
----------------
This will allow Folder contents to be seen & placing cursor on it now shows the size used , when I opened Folder it showed another sub-Folder:
_restore{987E0331-0F01-427C-A58A-7A2E4AABF84D}
& double click on it shows the RPxx  Folders then double click on a RPxx Folders should show contents including & Snapshot Folder.
I found the Restore Point I was trying to use didn't contain a Snapshot sub-Folder.
Then I used "Disk Cleanup" > "More Options" tab , "System Restore" , "Clean up" to delete all but the last (by date) Restore Points.
This left the RPxx Folders which I couldn't delete so I created a Manual Restore Point & was then able to Delete the corrupt RPxx Folder.
---------------------
The sites you showed worked OK for me.

Message Edited by gryjhnhpe on 03-13-2004 08:09 AM

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, it wasn't a lot of help as I couldn't find the "system volume information" folder you mentioned. This is driving me to distraction as I just visited a motorcycle helmet website and I got nothing when I tried to anlerge the pictures of helmets!!!. I have been getting a debug notice pop up, but when I have tried to do this, it still doesn't work. This has become so frustrating, that I am close to the "FORMAT C:\" command and ejoying the subsequent cooling of my feet by the computer's fan.

Message Edited by Drexyl on 03-13-2004 08:05 PM

Sorry "System Volume Information" is a Hidden System Folder so you 1st have to use say "My Computer" > Tools > Folder Options , View tab & tick "Display the contents of system Folder"
check "Show Hidden files & Folders"
& remove tick from "Hide protected operating system files"
-----------------------
You can check the installation your Macromedia Flash & Shockwave Players by using their sites Test if working OK.
if not install & FREE download of installation will start.
http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/welcome/

If already installed OK the two Logos will show.
I had Flash installed but it auto downloaded the Shockwave Player then both Logos displayed.

Ok, that worked. Thanks. I managed to display the folder, but when I try to open it "access is denied". I went into the command prompt window (aahhh, whatever happened to DOS? why can't things be that simple again?) and typed in the line you suggested. After some fiddling with the specifics, I got the response from it I wanted. However, I still can't get access to that folder. I used the help link from your previous post, but that told me pretty much what you already had. I feel I am making progress, but if I could beg your indulgence a little longer...

Incidently, will this resolve the fact that I can't turn my restore calendar back? will I be able to move it back to say, Dec 2003?

And............. I've just noticed that all my restore points before March 12th have disappeared.

I just tried it again & got when I use Copy/Paste to Command Prompt > right click & Paste after cd\

C:\windows\system32>cd\

C:\>cacls  "C:\System Volume Information"  /E  /G  user:F
No mapping between account names and security IDs was done.   (as it is only "user" , instead of my "username")
Then press up Arrow key to duplicate the last command.
Use Backspace to Delete "user" & typed in my username of  GJH  , then pressed "Enter" key

C:\>cacls  "C:\System Volume Information"  /E  /G GJH:F
processed dir: C:\System Volume Information       (correct message)

If you got the above message , it should be working.

As I remember it didn't work when my username Folder was stored as Owner instead of  GJH.
I had to use Owner instead of GJH at it worked , gave above message.
(I later change the Folder name to GJH)

To check if your username is being used right click on Start button & select "Open" , you might then have to click "Folders" button to show list of Folders.
It will Open will the Start Menu sub-Folder Highlighted for the current user.
The main Folder will show the current username
---------------------------
Did the Macromedia Flash test work OK.?

Message Edited by gryjhnhpe on 03-15-2004 07:41 AM

That worked. I managed to get into the folder and view the RP subfolders. There was only three! for some reason, my computer is making a new restore point each day and automatically deleting any prior to two rolling days ago. All three folders had a snapshot folder inside. When I went into System Restore afterward, I found I still can't move the calendar back before this month.

There is a notepad file inside the Restore folder which lists System restores back to last August, so the record here has been maintained, just not the RPxx folders.

The Macromedia tests both worked fine without any need to download. I have been trying to email a cousin with some amusing video clips that are downloadable from www.punchbaby.com, I never used to have a problem accessing this site. Now, if I try to open any of the clips, nothing happens and a message appears saying "error on page" at the bottom of the screen. Recently, I have also had a box pop up asking if I'd like to debug, which then doesn't work! I found yesterday, that if I don't use Internet explorer, but I use MSN explorer instead, I don't get any problems opening smaller display windows. And I can connect to, and download from anything I want.

I'd just like to say how much I appreciate the time and effort you've given to helping me sort this out. I used to think that I could find my way around my PC and any problems it throws at me, pretty well. But this has proved that I'm not as clever as I thought I was (ha ha). Thank you so much for your help.

If you want to re-install IE or OE
You can get Doug Knox fix vbs file & info to re-install IE & or OE using
his Auto VBS script , removes installed markings & runs command line.
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_ie_reinstall.htm
Just authorize Script. (Installs from XP CD , if CD contains XP+Sp1 then should also have IE6+Sp1)

or manually remove installed markings using Doug Knox site link to Microsoft info & download IE+SP1 from Microsoft link
(IE+SP1 contains OE as it is part of IE)
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/critical/ie6sp1/default.asp

If system restore is only keeping the last 3 restore points, maybe you have set the allocated disk space too small.  To change the disk space allocated, open system restore, click on system restore settings and adjust the slider. If you have spare disk space, move the slider over to the right (12% of disk size)With enough space it keeps them for about 90 days. Each time a restore point is removed, a line is added to the fifo.log, so that will have the record of all previous restore points that have been removed. The calendar won't go back to earlier than the first remaing restore point, so if your three restore points are all in March, it won't let you go back to February (nothing there).

PS if your disk is nearly full, system restore will drop restore points also to make room for new ones, usually one a day (system check point).

Message Edited by JRosenfeld on 03-15-2004 09:01 PM

Of everything that I've tried here, the only thing I've been able to do successfully is get into the System Volume Information and delete the resore points that are there. I have tried each and every sugestion and visited all the links to try and get some headway into my problem and none of it has worked. I can't thank you enough for the guidance you have given me, but I think it's time to stock up on blank cd/rs, copy all my 'important' files and format my harddrive. I hate doing this, because there is always something you forget to back up and end up losing (normally emails or addresses!). still, if it sorts out what has now become an infuriating nuisance, then I think it's a necessay evil.

If I could ask one more question though. When I log onto the net, a little box appears above the notification area on the task bar saying "my isp is now connected". Now, I know this is informative, but its really getting up my nose, having to close it manaully each time I log on. Is there anyway to permenantly stop it appearing? Some other information boxes have a check box and state "don't show me this message again". But this one obviously doesn't. So if you know of anyway to get rid of it, I'd be grateful.

Thanks again for all your help.