Windows XP Home Ed SP3 2002

Hi.
I have Windows XP home edition and I did a dumb thing and can't figure out how to fix it. I went into add/remove programs and I was removing things I didn't recognize (stupid, I realize now) and I started to remove something I thought was called quickbuttons, which is no longer on my list, but it might have been the quick launch buttons, which is still on the list. Anyway, when I did this, I got a lot of error messages which said to insert the installation CD. I don't have the CD - don't think I ever did, but if I did, I lost it. This is a refurbished Compaq Presario laptop I bought 5 years ago which has been great all this time and I want to keep it going. I tried Defrag, I tried ScanDisk, I ran the complete scan with Super Anti SpyWare Professional. The computer works, but is slower, the hourglass is constantly twitching, and this flashlight search thing keeps appearing on screen for a few seconds and then disappears.
Any suggestions beyond taking it to a professional would be appreciated. I'm low on funds.
Thanks,
Molly

 

Molly all you probably need to do is run System Restore. It's on your Start > All Programs menu under Accessories > System Tools. Pick the last bold date before you did what you hadn't oughta and that should fix it. You can also reverse this afterwards if you aren't happy with the result, and/or pick a different date.

Best to take advice here before making changes you don't really understand.

 

Hi Earthling,
Thanks - I'd neglected to mention all the other things I had tried. System Restore was one - tried two previous dates - was unsuccessful. Tried that same day, Jan 11, and was successful on that date, but it changed nothing. I also went to M/Soft downloads and tried to download the SP3 Service Pack, but it failed to download. I don't have any more ideas .....
Believe me, I have learned my lesson!
Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Molly

 

Would love any ideas on this problem I'm having .... thanks!
Molly

 

You may have removed some programs that are in your startup autoruns. And your system is looking for these at startup.

Use startup cpl from Here to see what you have and then disable any references to these.

 

I think I was using good sense about deleting old programs until I got to that quick buttons or quick launch buttons item. I will try what you suggest, brandypeppy, when I get home tonight. I'm thinking I'm going to have to bite the bullet and see a pro to fix it.

 

That egg timer is a clue as to what may be going on, and brandypeppy may be on the right lines I believe - a program that is set to run automatically can't find its executable.

I would download Microsoft's Autoruns and try disabling any entries that say File not Found in the Image Path column. The program does not have to be installed - just download and run it.

http://majorgeeks.com/Autoruns_d4686.html

 

Brandypeppy and Earthling,
Just wanted to thank you again for your help. By now I have tried so many manuevers I can't say with any certainty which one seems to have helped the most ... I did do the autoruns suggestions ... and I tried run:config ... and I've downloaded a registry fix program .... plus repeating some of the things I'd tried before ...
Now the hourglass/egg timer seems to have calmed way down, I'm not seeing the searchlight/flashlight thing as much ... and my laptop certainly is working. So, all said, I think I got off relatively easily for having made a rookie dumba** move like erasing a needed program. Sheesh!
Thanks again for your help! It was nice to know I had a little company in my dilemma.
Molly

 

That's what makes this forum so great!

Now I would recommend you download and run cCleaner, both clean and registry clean, from Here

Then I would run a defrag on the hard drive. With all you have done, your HD probably needs it.

Then I would run through the steps in the malware forum, at least super-antispyware and malwarebytes.

If you follow these steps and your 'puter is running good and the scans turn up nothing, you're probably good to go!

Fair Winds!