If there are no restore points then there is not a lot
you can do other than reinstall or stay as you are.
Obviously we are only just into September. Try clicking
the arrow on the left of the calendar to see if the month
will change to August. You may have restore points there.
I too am having problems with System Restore .. it will
not be able to go back to any point I try to check.
Also, isn't XP supposed to put an automatic restoration
point in every day? My doesn;t. I have to enter one
each day.