Cant get into desktop in me SHELL32 error???

[needhelp]

I have this problem with my computer, it just came about a few days ago for no apparant reason. When I go to "my computer" it opens okay and show all the files etc. but when I try to go up a level to "Desktop" the window comes up but I get this message "Explorer has caused an error in SHELL32DLL Explorer will close, if you continue to experience problems, try starting your computer"
When I click on this message to close it, Desktop window also closes so I cant get to any of the icons or files in that window. Same thing happens when I try to access it through Windows Explorer (not internet explorer) Everything else will expand in the pane on the left but when I try to expand Desktop, same thing, same message.
I have also tried to restore my me to an earlier date but the computer just goes into a trance when I do this and after about an hour, message comes up to tell me that it couldn't be restored to this date. I tried to go back to an earlier date but I cant get back past September even though I have created restore points regularly but I cant get to those restore points.
Can anyone help or have I got to reinstall everything. I hope not.

[reboot]

Does ME have "System File Checker"? If it does, run that, if not, just reinstall ME right over top of itself, no need to reinstall everything.

[needhelp]

Thanks reboot, no it doesn't have file checker. I tried to reinstall me over itself as you suggested but it froze at 80% (typical me) so I finally reformatted the hard drive and reinstalled from the CD ROM drive and it went okay. problem solved. Before I reformatted, I tried to use the me boot disk and typed c: sys but me doesn't support this command apparantly cos I got the message "bad command" etc. I even tried "format c: sys and it doesn't support that command either again "bad command" message. To format the had drive all that is necessary is "Format C:" (without the quotation marks of course) apparantly ME installs the system files automatically as it formats the drive.
Thanks Jim and good to see you back.

[reboot]

The correct command is: sys c:
All DOS commands are set up to do an action to a specific thing, in that order, so "sys" is what you want to do, and "C:" is where you want it done.
You may have been able to save a ton of work knowing that tiny little bit of info.

[needhelp]

Wow, do I feel an idiot. Thanks Jim I have made a note of that.