I've messed with the registry now my computer freezes. I want to remove old programs

[jckinnick]

You might want to consider using your Dell Windows Recovery/Reinstall disk to run an install in "R for Repair" mode... (Not R for Recovery).
If you can save all your data first, that is a wise move.

It is not perfect, but works perfectly better than 95% of the time... replacing your existing Windows install with the one that came with the machine. You loose Service Pack 3 and your updates, but this methods usually has you back up and running where you can then download them and install Service Pack 3, then using Windows Update (or if you prefer, Microsoft Update) you can replace all the updates.

Take a look online, as there are several good instructions sets by various advisory sites.

It doesn't destroy any of your data, unless it is already too badly damaged, and does a better job than others for most folk.s

Will i need to back up my files and programs just like i would if i were doing a reinstall?

I adding the Windows XP components back have fixed it, it hasn't froze up yet today. I would still like to try and download the rest of those components they looked pretty important. Some of the ones i need to add back were stuff like Management and Monitoring Tools and Networking Services.

Do you think when it froze up while i was trying to add the components back could have corrupted something?

 

[raybay]

For most of us, using the Windows disk in Repair Mode works better, and causes less damage, than doing your own repair and replacement. But if your good at it, get back to us with advisories we can learn from.

 

[jckinnick]

So there's no other way to add back Management and Monitoring Tools and Networking Services than to do a repair?

 

[LookinAround]

You really want to let Windows try to put the pieces back together. Not you trying to do not knowing what pieces are missing or how to find the right versions, etc.

1) The repair will only touch Windows software and settings. It won't touch your personal data or program installs.

2) Still there's no guarantees so you're best to backup all your stuff to begin with. At minimu a file/folder backup tho you might also want to create a backup clone image of the HD to always be able to return to where your at the moment

3) The catch is: What SP level is currently installed? And what SP level is your Dell installation CDs? Or if you need to get some, you want the same SP level as what you have installed.

 

[jckinnick]

You really want to let Windows try to put the pieces back together. Not you trying to do not knowing what pieces are missing or how to find the right versions, etc.

1) The repair will only touch Windows software and settings. It won't touch your personal data or program installs.

2) Still there's no guarantees so you're best to backup all your stuff to begin with. At minimu a file/folder backup tho you might also want to create a backup clone image of the HD to always be able to return to where your at the moment

3) The catch is: What SP level is currently installed? And what SP level is your Dell installation CDs? Or if you need to get some, you want the same SP level as what you have installed.

Clone image of HD? I do have some Windows setting like desktop background.

I currently have SP3 but i think the one on the cd is SP1.

 

[jckinnick]

Whats clone image of HD mean?

 

[LookinAround]

Rather then just backing up files/folders you backup a "snapshot" of your entire disk. Then you could have not just files/folders but you also have the option of restoring the entire disk image to get back to where you are now, if ever need be.

For freeware, checkout EASUS Todo Backup. For a $$ product that also provides incremental backups and other extras, i use Acronis True Image Home 2010

Also [post=791112]see this post[/post]