so i uninstalled a bunch of HP stuff and now Add/Remove Programs has about twenty apps listed, then a large black space, then black and white, then finally, way way down, more apps. What's up with that Microsoft crap?

By the looks of your post, it's the interface between the keyboard and chair that is at fault ,not Microsoft's software...

Hi robber2 If you have XP (Home or Pro) or Windows 2000 - put your Windows CD in the drive, and (with as few programs running as possible), Click Start / Run / Type: sfc /scannow This should fix any Windows files that are corrupt. Have a nice day. May the force be with you.

robber2, Go thru the thread at the link below. That problem is many times caused by a improper AutoCad entry in the registry. http://www.wilderssecurity.com/show... Many more links at the search link below. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&... One possible fix appears to be: 1. Click Start, click Run, and then type CMD. 2. At the prompt, type REGSVR32 APPWIZ.CPL There are also possible fixes under the letter "A" if you scroll down to "Add or Remove - White Space" at the link below. http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_... Tufenuf

Thanks for the HELPFUL advice, Tufenuf, Oldhobo. I'll work through the articles and try a few things. I'm still getting used to the new chair and keyboard I bought today. They haven't seemed to help much!

1. Click Start, click Run, and then type CMD. 2. At the prompt, type REGSVR32 APPWIZ.CPL That didn't work for me or for others experiencing the same problem. As it turns out, it was an app. that wasn't showing up in ARP, called EA Games Updater. I found it in the ARP list in ToniArts Easy Cleaner, uninstalled it, Now no more black and white (and blue and yellow) dead space between app.s in the ARP list. The funny thing is that the black space didn't show up when the game that included the updater got installed, FAIK, it showed up after I uninstalled the HP printer and related software. Hmmmm. I guess there's more than 1 way to confuse Windows (other than booting up, that is)!

robber2, Glad to see that you corrected the problem and Thanks for posting back with your solution as it may help others who experience the same problem in the future. Tufenuf