XP Pro SP2 - Problems in Paradise HELP! PLEASE!!! Someone!!!

Hello All!

I recently was gifted with several "Malware/Adware files and programs that somehow found their way into my OS. I have received help from a fine fellow named Chaslang at this helpful site. Only one major thing here - I thought my problems were related only to spyware/malware/adware, etc... However, it seems that I am now missing certain segments of my OS (Win XP Pro SP2). i.e. the add remove printer option from (Start/Printer Options) no longer functions - I recieve a rather nifty looking splash box with a sentence that reads as follows "operation could not be completed" it is accompanied by red circle with a white "x" through it as an icon within the splash box. Standard windows kind of alert. Prior to the spyware fiasco everything including my printer worked fine. Now it has been removed and I can not reload it. Yikes. Further less important things such as my selection of standard cursors from (Start/Control Panel/Mouse properties) no longer functions... it simply states that the files are missing or corrupted.. Additionally, things such as Solitaire, 3D-pinball, and who knows what else are also missing from my pc. I did NOT remove them so - I am at a loss to know what to do or how to repair these unauthorized changes.

1. Can malware/Adware/Spyware, etc. do this to a pc.?

2. How do I fix this problem?

3. Am I allowed to vandilze the vehicles of the persons responsible? just kidding.
...... well mostly.

4. How do I prevent this from happening again?

5. If I should reinstall the OS (XP Pro SP2) will I lose my existing data i.e. picture, Mpegs, word docs, etc..???

6. What is the best way to reinstall my OS (IF) I must... ????

I have been and still am using the following software to no avail:

* Norton Utilities 2003 - with up to date Antivirus.
* Lavasoft Adaware SE
* Spybot Search and Destroy
* Spyware Nuker 2005 - (newly installed for this problem).
* Ccleaner (newly installed for this problem).
* HighJackThis - (newly installed for this problem).

Norton does not detect any viruses, Win-Doctor does little but keep telling me there are registry keys that are invalid. It reomoves them and after reboot they are back.

Ccleaner, Spyware Nuker 2005, and Spybot - produce similar results.

Should I just kill myself now if wipeout my OS and start again or ???

Someone please give my some sound advice... this pc is for both work and play and $$$ is too tight to spend much more trying to fix this pain between my eyes.

Any advice is appreciated.

Sincerely,

Da_vinci1452 (Los Angeles, CA)

da_vinci1452@yahoo.com