missing MSVCRT10.dll

Hi.
I had a portable photoshop CS3 that was working quite fine. then one day, I got greedy (and lost my freaking mind) and download & added some extra filters and brushes.

after that I havent been able to start the application!
and it shows the error message saying the MSVCRT10.dll file is missing. try reinstalling ...blah blah blah.

- it wasnt in the recycle bin.

- did a virus, malware and spyware scan and nothing was found.

- I did a system restore and it still doesnt start!

- I removed my old photoshop and installed a new one. and the same problem still exists!

- I tried another photoshop (CS4) and the problem remains!

- I did a little research on this forum and found a related thread (for CS2). but the solutions didnt help (hence the new thread here).


now, I'm literally climbing walls as I really depend on photoshop for many of my jobs! I'm also not very computer literate like many of you experts, so I appreciate a dumbed-down solution from the gurus here.

thanks

 

^ Got a new windows 7

and the portable cs3 was borrowed from a friend and I dont have the CD!
But I have access to a couple of other new CS4 portable apps. tried them and still didnt work!

in adobe website they suggest removing the plug-in folder in case we've added new 3rd party filters .
I removed the whole app with all its folders, then reinstalled a new one and still didnt work!!


ps: is it possible and more importantly, SAFE to download the .dll file ?

 

I lost my nerve and finally downloaded the .dll file ( since the adobe people did suggest it too).
But it didnt help !!!

so I restored my comp to last week's.
Now, I can open my OLD CS3, but it says many of the default brushes and filters are lost or missing!!!!!


Now, I'm scared to download any new filters & brushes to replace the lost ones because .... well, you get my drift.

I'm stuck!