Tom,
      It sounds like what you are wanting is System Restore.  That is
usually run in the GUI of windows but you can run it from Command
Prompt.  The information from Microsoft is here.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449

Directions below:
Start the System Restore tool at a command prompt
1.	Restart your computer, and then press F8 during the initial startup
to start your computer in Safe Mode with a command prompt.

For additional information about the Safe mode with a command prompt,
click the following article number to view the article in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base:
315222 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/) A description of the
Safe mode boot options in Windows XP
2.	Log on to your computer with an administrator account or with an
account that has administrator credentials.
3.	Type the following command at a command prompt, and then press ENTER:
%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
4.	Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to restore your
computer to an earlier state.

good luck,
Derek

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