Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

I'm not sure what happened but during the course of installing updates for  
various programs my Com apps in the mmc console was affected. I really am not  
familiar with this but I do know that now from console root there are no  
computers listed and I know mine used to be there. about 1/2 of my services  
cant' start and anything having to do with a server wont' work. It can't  
locate an internet connection, etc. Also- my system started with one service  
unchecke - apparently that deletes all restore points so that is not an  
option for me. I verified DCOM was enabled in Regedit, seems other tools  
aren't available for home edition. Any help would be greatly appreciated - I  
just want to be back where I started!