I installed a ad blocker program called ZeroAds from download.com, and it asked for a restart. Once I did that, it started lagging at the Welcome screen. Once I clicked on my name to log in, it takes a long time before I just see my desktop without any icons/start button/taskbar. The only thing I can get to is the Task Manager.

I've been able to open small programs like Notepad, and after about 5 minutes, the window for AIM came up when I tried to open that. I was able to locate the file for System Restore in the windows/system32/restore folder, but it doesn't open. I even located the 'uninstallfiles.exe' folder for the program in the windows directory, but it flashes very quick before closing. I've also tried to access the 'control.exe' file to try to uninstall the program through Add/Remove Programs. I've also tried deleting registry entries for the program, but the computer won't restart after I do that. I've since put the program folder for the program in the recycle bin, but can't really do anything else with that.

As you can see I've tried a lot of things. Will reinstalling Winxp fix the problem? I was trying to avoid that. Also, is there a way of emptying the recycle bin in DOS? Any help can be appreciated...sorry for being long-winded. DAMN ZEROADS!

The easiest thing to try is to start in safe mode by pressing F8 as the computer boots. Then do a restore to a time before you installed the program. Let us know if this works. I'm assuming you did not complicate things even more by damaging your registry when you were deleting registry entries.

safe mode isn't working either....it hangs there too. i can't do a restore either.

Try:
1. Start your computer in Safe Mode(F8) with Command Prompt

2. At the command prompt, type %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe, and press ENTER

3. Follow instructions to restore to a previous, functional state

If this doesn't work you have probably corrupted your registry and you have only one choice.

Do a reinstall by booting from your WinXP CD and choose set up, i.e., go past the repair option as if your were going to do a completely new installation. Windows will find an existing installation and give you the option of repairing. Choose this and follow directions. It may be that the remenants of your program will still cause problems. If this is successful you will not have lost any of your programs or data or at a minimum have to reinstall a program or two. You will also have to update your OS with SP2 and all the additional security fixes. If this doesn't work you will have to reformat and start from scratch.

DJD,

thanks for your replies. i've tried getting to the system restore as you described, but the program wouldn't open. I've also tried reinstalling XP the way you described, but for about 20 mins thru the reinstallation, the XP Setup always crashes, stating a 'Fatal Error'; that it couldn't copy the 'product catalogs'. So now I'm stuck in this loop of Windows Setup trying to install XP.

Another question: For a while now I've been planning on buying another hard drive for my computer. would it be possible to 'start from scratch' on the new HD (installing XP on that, etc) and then transferring all of my data from my messed up HD to the new one?

There is one last thing you might try. Boot from the WinXP CD and choose repair. Once you are into the repair console, run chkdsk /r. This may correct disk errors and allow you to reinstall so that you do not get the error message "cannot copy product catalogs". If this does not work, you can certainly install on a new HD and reactivate. You can then try to retrieve your data from your corrupted HD and reformat it. I would not advise having your current HD installed in the system while you are doing this. You can reconnect it after making sure you have the jumpers set properly.