some xp functions do not work after use of "Perfect Optimizer"

Hello,

It all started after the mail options of yahoo mail didn't work anymore.
The cause seemed "error 17" and a registry fix would solve the problem.

I have regcure installed, ran it, but nothing changed.
I decided to try another registry fixer "perfect optimizer" but ran into more trouble. It also deleted junk files it shouldn't have maybe and did some modifications, I don't know exactly which ones.

Anyway, since the use of Perfect Optimizer, My search assistent is gone when I want to search something and system restore doesn't come up at all.
And I expect more problems.

The most easy thing to do I thought is to repair or/and add critical system files from my windows cd to the C-drive.
I tried to use "Advanced system Care" but my xp cd-rom is from 2001, and with all the added service pack updates the cd-rom is not usable.

I completely reinstalled xp a few weeks ago so that is something I would like to avoid if not very very necessary.

I reinstalled the srchasst.inf file (search assistent) which went ok but nothing changed, I still am not able to search windows.

Is there good software which can scan xp for missing or damaged critical files and replace them?
I hoped that "Ultimate troubleshooter" or "file recover" could do it but I couldn't find an xp repair option, so maybe they are unappropriate.

I also found a drastic xp-repair method which advices to copy the original files from C:\windows\repair to it's appropriate directories and how to do it.
But I wonder if this works with all the service packs installed.

What can I do?
Apart drom the search assistent and the recovery console, xp works fine so far so the damage until now seems minor.

 

Hello Halo,

Well, that's quite an extensive answer!
I will choose sp3 and see where it will lead.
thanks!

 

I forgot to mention:
I'm dutch and have have a dutch xp version.
The only dutch sp3 I could find is a .iso file with an autorun.exe as executable.
Can I get that to work or is it no problem to use an english pack on a dutch disc?

 

Ok, I found a dutch sp3.exe.

 

Halo,

You're the best!
What a perfect way to repair xp!

thanks very much!!

 

Halo,

Very well written and concise tutorial!