Can't access System Information

[Ken]

Hi guys. I've XP Home. Apologies for cross-posting the following
problem, but here's how things are, currently ...

When I go to Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System
Information, a message tells me: 'Can't collect information. Failed
connection to this computer. Check to see that the Winmgmt service is
running.'

Well, I used Start/Run/services.msc to bring up the Services (Local)
screen, and it shows that the Windows Management Instrument is started
(Startup Type: Automatic).

I can't use System Restore to restore Windows to an earlier time (in the
hope that doing so would solve the problem) as my computer recently had
Windows re-installed and is virtually starting over. Besides, I've just
spent a lot of time putting back data on the D: drive, and a
computers-savvy friend has likewise spent a lot of time on, for example,
restoring my Mozilla folder on the C: drive.

A couple of scripts (for tweaking related Registry settings) that I
downloaded off the Web haven't worked.

What to do, please? Can I re-install something? (If so, I'll probably
have to get it from my hard drive, as my Acer Aspire 3620 laptop didn't
come with a separate Windows disc.)

Thanks - Ken

 

[Ken]

And apologies for posting to the same group when I thought it was a
different group!

A result of my computers-savvy friend having put back some newsgroups
twice in my Mail & Newsgroups box!

Humbly - Ken