Thank you so much for this prompt reply FortMax - I can see that it's more than a quick-fix so I'll do it when I've got time for a bit of space to devote to it - I'm a little bit into 'scary territory' here! Some more 'homework' to do I fear. Regards
EDIT (after more homework!):
Thanks to the tip-off from FortMax I have solved the problem of the System Restore points not showing up in Ccleaner AND of course my System Information Utility now works! Here's the link:
WMI Solution Link
For the benefit of others, based on my problem, I can confirm, for my XP computer:
It is indeed a WMI problem and, as FortMax says (thanks Buddy), this is confirmed when you get an error when trying to see the contents of 'System Information Utility'. It all makes sense (well to me at least): if the System Information Utility isn't working then it won't 'report' System Restore points to Ccleaner.
There are lots of solutions floating around on the web but this one worked 100% for me:
a. Stop the WMI service (go to services.msc from the 'run' command)
b. Type this exactly in the run command "rundll32 wbemupgd, UpgradeRepository" (without the ""). It takes a few seconds to carry this out.
c. Start the WMI service
d. er...there is no 'd.' - That's it!
Everything is solved and I'm a Happy Chappy