As for the system restore, I have no idea if it was on or off to be honest, I've never used that particular feature of XP.
Just started playing with it myself...with laptops and remote users...as a quick reset of the system....

Here is more info on it
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...w_03may19.mspx

Malware tends to hide in there too...so you shut it down and scan in safe mode.

Then you can re-enable once you feel the machine is clean...you can also create a restore point.

And I do know what ya mean! I break software for a living actually...
thats part of my job too.......
dll conflicts

Anyway...

welcome to AO

Good to hear your system is all fixed.........and ready to break again

MLF