Registry Problem.

Hello I Recently went through my Registry and Deleted some stuff, figuring I would be Clearing up Memory... But, however, not pretty much nothing works, all of my Programs are now Unknown File Types, everything I Download is like an Unknown File Type. And when I go to "Start>>Run" and try to do a Format, it doesn't work because Run itself seems to be ******* up as well!!!

I do not have Knoppix or anything of that sort, and I am currently on a Dell Dimension 2350, Windows XP Home Edition.

What I need to do is have one of the Following:

-A way to Restore all of the Files (System Restore does not work). Or something of that sort, or at least something to Fix System Restore (Note: I can't download hardly any Files, so maybe I will have to Download something to let me download Files?)

-A way to Format this Computer and Start off Fresh. (Remember, Run does not work, and I do not have Knoppix or anything like that.)

The First Option is the one I would Really like to do.

Also, I can still use the Internet on this Computer. I also can Download stuff, but, however, they are Unknown Files (well I suppose that Picture Files etc. are not Unknown.)

If anyone could Help me I would Greatly Appriciate it.

-Thank you, Max.

 

Hello Max,

A way to Restore all of the Files (System Restore does not work). Or something of that sort, or at least something to Fix System Restore (Note: I can't download hardly any Files, so maybe I will have to Download something to let me download Files?)
In the absence of SR or drive imaging or using regedit or reg backup software to backup the registry, nothing like that AFAIK.

A way to Format this Computer and Start off Fresh. (Remember, Run does not work, and I do not have Knoppix or anything like that.)
Less than a complete install - a repair install: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Clean install: http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

Your data should be backed up before.

System Restore does not work
What are symptoms? Does it go thru the motions?

You can try the first option below, if it is a corrupt restore point then get your system working first:

One reason for not working - the space allocated to System Volume Information is filled to the maximum which is 12% of Drive space. Neither XP or WinME handle this situation well.

To make room: right click on My Computer > Properties > System Restore tab and for the Monitored drive > settings. Move the slider left to 6% and reboot, reset the slider back to 12%.

Try the above first and you can test it, see below.

Another reason - You may have a corrupt restore point somewhere in the chain of Restore Points, the integrity of each restore point is dependent on the previous one.

Shut SR off: My Computer > Properties > System Retore tab > Check "Turn off System Restore on all drives ".

Reboot.

Go back and re-enable SR - will create an initial restore point.

After re-establishing SR, a way to test the Restore function:
Take any executable file ( extention .exe) , and burn it out and/or move it to the My Documents folder and delete it from it's original location. SR does not monitor files in My Documents folder regardless of file type.

Then restore to the initial restore point created by the system; the deleted executable should be back in it's original location. Afterwards, you can delete the copy in My Documents.

Regards - Charles