For some reason and it has happened before, any time I have tried to restore it to a previous date, when it reboots it says something like Restore was unsuccessful.BB, as rxpharm mentioned, you could try system restore. Try to take the system back to a restore point before the problems developed.
http://windows.micro.../system-restore
Anyway I have done a bit more fiddling around, and I think now I am almost back to normal. Thanks again guys for all you suggestions, between a mix of them all I think this problem is sorted, mmmm touch wood (an LBs preferably).
Will continue the TR when I have a bit of time later today hopefully, lunch is calling and then it is time to search for the fabled LB salon in the bowels of Phnom Penh, near the Russian market.