HELP! Things have gone hay wire

[crg]

I downloaded win security update from automatic updater and think that might have coused my comp to go nuts.Firstly whenever i minimise a window it doesn't go to the taskbar at the botom but completely dissapears,i can't visit certain websites like hotmail like i use to i just get a blank screen which says done at the bottom corner even though nothing is on it.i can't get into system restore,the window doesnt open.i tried restarting my comp in safe mode but the taskbar completely dissapears so i cant system restore that way.The only thing i can think of doing is re installing windows xp.Does anyone have any beter ideas?please help

[gitreel]

Go into safe mode

After a short time, the start menu will come up as well as your icons.

You can do system restore from there.

Or you could select last known working configuration.

You also need to update your profile and list your computer specs.

I would have not known what os you were running, if you had not specified.

[crg]

Hi thanks for the reply,i've updated my profile from what i know.I tried going into safe mode but the taskbar still isn't showing,as a result i can't get into the start menu to get to system restore.

[gitreel]

Try last known working config instead of safe mode.

[ViRaL1]

Even though you can't SEE the taskbar, it may still be there. Try hitting CTRL+ESC and seeing if anything comes up. Hopefully you have a Win95 compatible keyboard (something with a Window$ logo key). Hold that key and hit E to get into Window$ explorer. You should be able to get to Control Panel from there to do a System Restore.

[crg]

Thanks for the reply,i hit the win logo and E on my keyboard and managed to get to control panel but which icon do i click to get to system restore?Usually i click on performance and maintenance icon and then on the left hand side it says also see system restore which i usually click on but when i get into the control panel by hitting the win logo ane E keys there isn't any icon for performance and maintenance or anything on the left side saying see also system restore.How do i get to last know config ?Do you think this has something to do with win security update i downloaded?i've been hearing how sp2 is cuasing problems for some programs.thanks for your time

[Ripper2860]

System Retore 's not under CONTROL PANEL -- it's under PROGRAMS / ACCESSORIES / SYSTEM TOOLS.

[crg]

I know that's how you get onto system restore under the normal conditions but i can't get to programs accesories etc... because it's not showing the taskbar which is why i press the win logo key and E but where do i go from there?

[crg]

just to add,i selected last known working config and nothing's changed.

[gitreel]

Time to reinstall.

Have fun

[Ripper2860]

If you can get to the RUN or Command prompt -- try entering: %SystemRoot%\System32\restore\rstrui.exe

[crg]

I went to the microsoft help website and tried typing in the systemroot etc.. in safe mode with dos prompt but all i got was a window which said system restore at the blue bar in the top but nothing in the actually window.It was totally blank.

[gitreel]

Sounds like a reinstall is in order.

[crg]

alright i guess i'll have to do that.DAMMIT i hate computors.I'm positive this has got to do with that sp2 security update.freaking microsoft.