So, now I've gone through and relearned a lot of basic stuff. There's a lot more to learn, but I'd like to gauge my progress so far.

Here's what I've relearned:
Variables, I/O, Conditional Statements, Loops, and Functions

And here is a little program I made that includes all of those things. I'm looking for critiques on everything from redundancy checks to nit picking style and technique. If you think I can learn from your comments, and they aren't phrased in a brutal way, then please post.

Code:
#include <iostream>
#include <sstream>
#include <string>

using namespace std;

int counter=1;

int instructions (char res1) 
{
    string res2;
    int inst_loop, inst=1;
    if (res1=='y')
      {
                 while (inst==1)
                 {
                       cout << "The instructions are simple:"
                            << endl << endl
                            << "When the program prompts you, follow its instructions..."
                            << endl 
                            << "Choosing up (u) will make the count increase."
                            << endl
                            << "Choosing down (d) will make the count decrease."
                            << endl 
                            << "When Counter reaches 0, it will terminate."
                            << endl << endl;
                       cout << "Type \"ready\" to continue\n";
                       cin >> res2;
                       if (res2=="ready")
                       {
                                         inst=0;
                                         cout << "Have fun!\n";
                       }
                       else
                       {
                           cout << "Let's try again...\n\n";
                       }
                 }
             inst_loop=0;
        }
        else if (res1=='n')
        {
           cout << "On with Counter then!\n\n";
           inst=0;
           inst_loop=0;
        }
        else
        {
         cout << "Not an acceptable response, try again.\n(y/n)";
         cin >> res1;
         inst_loop=1;
        }

return inst_loop;
}

int counters()
{
    int program=1;
    char res3;
    
     cout << "Counter is: "<< counter << endl
           << "Up or down? (u/d)" << endl;
      cin >> res3;
      if (res3=='u')
      {
           counter++;
      }
      else if (res3=='d')
      {
           counter--;
      }
      else
      {
          cout << "Incorrect response, try again...\n";
      }
      
      if (counter<=0)
      {
                     program=0;
                     cout << "Counter has reached 0, Thank you for playing!\n";
                     system ("PAUSE");
      }
      else
      {
          program=1;
      }

return program;
}

int main ()
{
    int program=1, inst_loop=1;
    char res1;
    string res2;
    
    cout << "Welcome to Counter!" 
         << endl
         << "Would you like to read the instructions?(y/n)\n";
    cin >> res1;
    while (inst_loop==1)
    {
      inst_loop = instructions(res1);
    }
    while (program==1)
    {
     program = counters();
    }
              
    return 0;
}