BleepingComputer.com: System Info Wont Open In Tools & Help/support

I did a clean install of WinMe on my Dell Dimension 4100 after replacing the hard drive and upgrading the ram to 512 thru Crucial. I did all the updates, loaded all additional software, scanner and printer. I now realize that when I go to start>Help all I get is a partial web page. Microsoft article 276995 addresses my problem. Sounded easy enough till I continued to article 265371 "extract and replace a protected file". It tells me to go to Start,Programs,Accessories,System Tools,System Information. When I click "system information" I get a split second of the hour glass and then nothing
If I type in run>msinfo32 I get nothing
I'm so confused and I sure miss Help and System Info.
I really can't do a clean install again because of a specific software program I have that has all the info for a bowling league (my husband is secretary) and it will get wiped out.
Can someone help me please.
thanks,
newbeee

Re-install WinME over itself. You will not lose any programs, settings, or data.

Isme, Thank you for replying.
Isn't that called a "dirty install" which can make a system unstable?
If I were to reinstall Me on top of itself, doesn't that mess up IE6, WMP9 and all my critical updates?
I really thought there was a simple way to fix this
I'll be watching to see if anyone knows a procedure
thanks,
newbeee