Thanks for your help - but how do I do a "Windows Refresh" is it by using the installation disk that came with the computer? If so, I have done this but it didn't fix, however, I have noticed that I can get the control panel files off the start menu - settings - control panel - then there is another menu with the items listed! Perhaps this is how Windows ME is set up - I don't know. If all else fails I can at least access the settings this way.
P.S. when you say 'explorer' - do you mean 'windows explorer'?
Cheers.