system restore icon has disappeared from start menu

sorry about the long post - i no longer have an icon to click on to open system restore. here's a history of how the prob came to be. re-formatted HD and when i broght system up for the first time i noticed the new setup wizard: "to begin, click your user name" I wanted the system to completely boot without having to click so it would finish the boot process. When i couldn't resolve the issue I to a forum online and was given the instructions: go to start/run/and type: control userpasswords2 and uncheck the box about users needing a password and then enter my info into the popup. I unchecked the box but did not enter PW info as i didn't want a pw requirement. after doing this and rebooting: ah Lah, the problem is gone. I then noticed the speaker icon that was on my taskbar was no longer there. I know of two ways to make this appear - neither worked. since i'm heavy into music (recording studio), this icon i could not live without as it was the only access to my soundcard mixer control. i decided having to put up with the setup wizard (delaying my boot process) easier than i could live w/o the speaker icon. So, i decide to system restore - only prob, no icon to access that program. it normally resides on the start menu: accessories /system tools and sits right next to system info. it's simply not there any more. i'm beginning to wonder if i didn't remove my administrator priviledges when i followed the instructions given me.
to all of you who've stuck with me reading this i say thanks. ANY help would be app.
signed
at wits end

 

Try copy/paste c:\windows\system32\restore\rstrui.exe in the Run box and see if it starts the program.

 

Many thanks guys - got the issue resolved . Had to start XP in safe mode , go to DOS command prompt - it's a long story. Maybe someone else on this forum is having this prob.
Here's the link i was directed to: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/ht/systemrestorecp.htm. Sorry, i'm not computer savy enough to make this print as a link you could just click on (and not have to copy) If anyone knows how to do this i'd app your reply
As Always, thanks
5string

 

Glad you got it fixed.

If you are feeling brave you can give control userpasswords2 another shot. http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=57079

I've always done it and never had a problem. I wonder if in the pop up you made sure it was your name showing? Maybe somehow you were logging into a different account since both System Restore and Audio was missing? I can't understand how removing the Welcome screen would effect those two programs. :confused

 

THANKS THANKS THANKS - don't know if anyone wll read this reply as it's been so long since i originally began the thread. i was able to get the system restore back thanks to a helpful reply by kathleen on another forum, however i still had the .net login screen which i thought i was just going to have to live with. I came back to major geeks was browsing the forums and noticed the 2nd reply from sach2 with a link to Major Attitude's 3/7/o5 reply regarding the login screen issue. i tried it - it worked - no more login screen and i still have system restore AND my audio icons. thanks to sach2, Major Attitude and all the other folks trying to help.

gratefully
5string