Internet Explorer Major Malfunction Please Help

Ok..here goes.

My IE is seriously messed up.

I am Using Windows 2000
IE version 6.0.2800.1106
PC: PII 733MHz, 256MB, 80GB blah blah

I am using a DSL wireless router (which should be of little or no consequence)

This is what happened chronologically to a tee.

1. Downloaded this garbage program: "ADVANCED SYSTEM OPTIMIZER"

2. Ran it Once

3. Everytime I closed said program (adv. sys. optimizer) Internet Explorer would not access the internet, yet AIM, KAZAA etc etc would all acces internet just fine.

4. I was like "screw this" and deleted the program (Adv. Sys. Optimizer) removed it completely (add/remove programs)...etc etc.

5. Internet Explorer Still does not work.

6. Get a file transfer of Mozilla FireFox from a friend through AIM, intstall mozilla, download Ad-Aware, Spybot, HIJACKthis...run all three and remove all spyware.

7. Internet Explorer Still does not access internet and just gives me the blank page saying "cannot find Server" etc.

8. I start playing with registry keys and resetting them to their original values.

9. Reset all Internet options to default in IE

10. Download some program that resets some intenet connection values to their original defaults in windows.

11. NOTHING WORKS

I feel like I need to back my hard drives up and re-install windows on a clean slate all because this one stupid program added something to my registry that wont allow IE to work with "ADVANCED SYSTEM OPTIMIZER" to work without it.

IF ANYONE CAN HELP...PLEASEEEEEE

JARRODRANDEL@YAHOO.COM

or just post threads here...I have done everything I can think of, including what all my other computer geek friends could think of to fix this.

thanks guys,
I really appreciate it.

-Jarrod

 

I am taking the proper actions right now in the link you guys provide....sorry, that was my first post...I should have researched more prior to posting.

I am retardededed...

I will get back to you when I go through all the steps (I have done a lot of these already though).

 

Moderator Please Delete, Thanks!

PLEASE DELETE THIS THREAD.
I have fixed my IE problem, many kudos to everyone here who took part in that thread with all those grueling steps...but hey, it worked!
-Jarrod