Very sorry..14.04 05 entries incorrect.

==================================================
Extension Name :
Disabled : No
Type : Column Handler
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {0D2E74C4-3C34-11d2-A27E-00C04FC30871}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions : Folder
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name :
Disabled : No
Type : Column Handler
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {24F14F01-7B1C-11d1-838f-0000F80461CF}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions : Folder
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name :
Disabled : No
Type : Column Handler
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {24F14F02-7B1C-11d1-838f-0000F80461CF}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions : Folder
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : .exe drop target
Disabled : No
Type : Drop Handler
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {86C86720-42A0-1069-A2E8-08002B30309D}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions : .bat, .cmd, .com, .exe, .pif, .scf, .scr, batfile, cmdfile, comfile, exefile, piffile, scrfile, SHCmdFile
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : ActiveDesktop
Disabled : No
Type : System
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {75048700-EF1F-11D0-9888-006097DEACF9}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Add encryption item to context menus in explorer
Disabled : No
Type : Context Menu
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {A470F8CF-A1E8-4f65-8335-227475AA5C46}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions : *, Directory
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Briefcase Folder
Disabled : No
Type : System
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {86747AC0-42A0-1069-A2E6-08002B30309D}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : CmdFileIcon
Disabled : No
Type : Icon Handler
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {57651662-CE3E-11D0-8D77-00C04FC99D61}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions : .scf, SHCmdFile
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Control Panel
Disabled : No
Type : Shell Folder
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : Yes
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Display Control Panel HTML Extensions
Disabled : No
Type : System
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {3FC0B520-68A9-11D0-8D77-00C04FD70822}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : File and Folders Search ActiveX Control
Disabled : No
Type : Explorer Bar
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {C4EE31F3-4768-11D2-BE5C-00A0C9A83DA1}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : File Property Page Extension
Disabled : No
Type : System
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {21B22460-3AEA-1069-A2DC-08002B30309D}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : File Types Page
Disabled : No
Type : System
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {B091E540-83E3-11CF-A713-0020AFD79762}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Folder Options Property Page Extension
Disabled : No
Type : System
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {6D5313C0-8C62-11D1-B2CD-006097DF8C11}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Folder Shortcut
Disabled : No
Type : Shell Folder
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {0AFACED1-E828-11D1-9187-B532F1E9575D}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Microsoft CopyTo Service
Disabled : No
Type : System
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {C2FBB630-2971-11d1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Microsoft MoveTo Service
Disabled : No
Type : System
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {C2FBB631-2971-11d1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Microsoft New Object Service
Disabled : No
Type : System
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {D969A300-E7FF-11d0-A93B-00A0C90F2719}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Microsoft SendTo Service
Disabled : No
Type : Context Menu
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {7BA4C740-9E81-11CF-99D3-00AA004AE837}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions : AllFilesystemObjects
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : MIME File Types Hook
Disabled : No
Type : System
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {FBF23B41-E3F0-101B-8488-00AA003E56F8}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Mounted Volume
Disabled : No
Type : System
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {12518493-00B2-11d2-9FA5-9E3420524153}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : My Computer
Disabled : No
Type : Shell Folder
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:23:01 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : My Network Places
Disabled : No
Type : Shell Folder
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:23:01 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Open With Context Menu Handler
Disabled : No
Type : Context Menu
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {09799AFB-AD67-11d1-ABCD-00C04FC30936}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions : *
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Printers
Disabled : No
Type : Shell Folder
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : Yes
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Recycle Bin
Disabled : No
Type : Shell Folder
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : Yes
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:23:01 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Search Results
Disabled : No
Type : Shell Folder
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : Yes
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {e17d4fc0-5564-11d1-83f2-00a0c90dc849}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Search Results - Computers
Disabled : No
Type : Shell Folder
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : Yes
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {1f4de370-d627-11d1-ba4f-00a0c91eedba}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Shell Automation Folder View
Disabled : No
Type : System
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {62112AA1-EBE4-11cf-A5FB-0020AFE7292D}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Shell Automation Service
Disabled : No
Type : System
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {13709620-C279-11CE-A49E-444553540000}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Shell Copy Hook
Disabled : No
Type : Copy Hook Handler
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {217FC9C0-3AEA-1069-A2DB-08002B30309D}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:45:12 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions : Directory
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Shell Drag and Drop helper
Disabled : No
Type : System
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {4657278A-411B-11d2-839A-00C04FD918D0}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Shell Favorite Folder
Disabled : No
Type : Shell Folder
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {1A9BA3A0-143A-11CF-8350-444553540000}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Shortcut
Disabled : No
Type : Drop Handler
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:45:12 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions : .lnk, .pif, lnkfile, piffile
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : Start Menu
Disabled : No
Type : System
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {4622AD11-FF23-11d0-8D34-00A0C90F2719}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:47 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

==================================================
Extension Name : URL Exec Hook
Disabled : No
Type : ShellExecute Hook
Description : Windows Shell Common Dll
Version : 5.00.3900.7032
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows ® 2000 Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\shell32.dll
CLSID : {AEB6717E-7E19-11d0-97EE-00C04FD91972}
File Created Time : 4/14/2005 6:44:04 PM
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:06:48 PM
Microsoft : Yes
File Extensions :
==================================================

Perhaps i'm getting a little tired...

I think they are OK.

one exception might be this, as I believe the photoshop is presently uninstalled?

ShellEx entries for 14.04.05
==================================================
Extension Name : Photoshop Icon Handler
Disabled : No
Type : Thumbnail
Description :
Version :
Product Name :
Company :
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Shell\PSICON.DLL
CLSID : {0B6DC6EE-C4FD-11d1-819A-00C04FB69B4D}
File Created Time : N / A
CLSID Modified Time: 10/12/2004 9:17:27 PM
Microsoft : No
File Extensions : .psd

and I don't know about this one:

Extension Name : Display Panning CPL Extension
Disabled : No
Type : System
Description :
Version :
Product Name :
Company :
My Computer : No
Desktop : No
Control Panel : No
Filename : C:\WINNT\system32\deskpan.dll
CLSID : {42071714-76d4-11d1-8b24-00a0c9068ff3}
File Created Time : N / A
CLSID Modified Time: 11/5/2002 9:45:12 PM
Microsoft : No
File Extensions :

but, then I too am tired, just awoke early.
I think I'll get a few more hours of sleep.

Madinzh,

Display Panning CPL Extension
C:WINNTsystem32deskpan.dll
CLSID : {42071714-76d4-11d1-8b24-00a0c9068ff3}
checks out with searching to be legitimate, I think.

Even though it is not authored by microsoft, it is packed
in with the system files when you load win2000 onto your PC.

The Adobe Photoshop shell extension is not likely the cause of your desktop malfunction, either.
If you uninstalled Photoshop and this remains,

Extension Name : Photoshop Icon Handler
Disabled : No
Filename : C:Program FilesCommon FilesAdobeShellPSICON.DLL
CLSID : {0B6DC6EE-C4FD-11d1-819A-00C04FB69B4D}
Microsoft : No
File Extensions : .psd

since it deals with the .psd file extensions, it doesn't seem it could exercise the
kind of action required to foul up your desktop & windows explorer functionality.

There are a few things that can be done in a situation such as this appears to be.

1. Methodically remove programs you have installed. (or)
2. Remove the operating system & all folders/files and reload it. (or)
3. Run HijackThis to determine if, after all has been done, there remains a malware influence.

Each of the options will consume time and require that you concentrate on "job at hand".

You understand the HJT Analysis technique, to the extent it has involved your work previously.
I personally don't think malware remains.

I feel that malware, in combination with inappropriate configurations & perhaps
unsuccessful installations and/or hardware arrangements has left it's mark on the OS & remaining software.

This accepted as the case, the two other options stand out, as viable ones.
Lets take a few minutes and explore them.

Using Add/Remove Programs to Troubleshoot.

Programs that could possibly have effects such as you experience should be targeted for removal.
It should be done one at a time.
While doing troubleshooting, your PC use will be limited.
Before removing any program, it would be good to know you can re-install it.
In all probability, freshly installing a program previously found to function well for you
will be enough. Sometimes it is the environment that the installation is present in that matters.

If, for instance Photoshop worked fine once, but doesn't now, it could be "environmental factors"
present at some time effected the present installation.
Factors being what other software/hardware (is or) was present on your hard drive.

That possibility is the root of what we call "conflicts" and it certainly can occur
anytime two or more programs are present and operational. On any OS version.

So, you will uninstall programs in an effort to determine if in the absence of one, another works properly.
If the OS after rebooting and determining that it no longer is dealing with "X Program", can function differently.

A few things should be kept in mind:
Uninstallation should begin with Add/Remove Programs first. Pay attention to the performance of the steps
as outlined for you in the message boxes the "wizard" displays. They may vary from one attempt to another.

Regardless of the prompts, it is a good idea to follow up with a reboot or more than one of these
"boot initialization procedures". Often the prompts will tell you you must. Sometimes they will
offer alternatives such as "complete" removal, or "repair" or "select components" to remove.
Sometimes the message will be "can't do it" or "to do this you need to be online" or "insert the installation CD".

Each of the steps you do are important clues to determining the troubleshooting results. Make note of them.

Uninstallations using Add/Remove Programs are to some extent relying on the program itself for "directions".
The "how to uninstall directions" are generally contained in files that come with the setup files.
Any installation CD or downloaded file/folder you use to install a program will have an executable file,
one that has a name that ends with .exe (a file extension) also known as the application file,
and likely many others that will be used by the software when it is installed. The supporting files
will likely include an uninstall file. Some applications do not have that included. Poorly written software,
for instance, or some designed to be available for you to use, but not from the start menu in the same way
an installed program would be. Updates to the OS and others are often not included in the start menu,
but appear in Add & Remove Programs. They often have uninstallation files "tucked away" somewhere.

So, the program removal utility called Add & Remove programs finds the files it identifies need to be
overwritten, or essentially removed, and in turn the registry entries that were set up to "point" these files
out to the variety of other files that relied on them for proper operation will be modified.

Well, all of that does not always occur exactly the way it was intended to.
The way we want it to. Completely. No compromise.

There are reasons. Adobe programs are a good example of those reasons.

One program may install with a reliance on the files of another for partial functionality.
Photoshop might need to share Adobe Reader files.
Files relating to the registration of the program might "overlap".
Photoshop installs files that "enhance" existing system files, for example
those that monitor the performance of color quality of your PC's monitor.
Those "enhancements" may be a matter of how you chose to configure the program,
both initially when you installed it, and later as you used it.
When you uninstall, you are not making all those setting choices.
The uninstallation is sorta expected to, and it doesn't always do what it "should".

Another example might be the files that were made using a program.
Photoshop does create files that have .psd as an extension.
That is now your data, but you'd need a program capable of "reading" that file extension to use that
part of the data files you own. So, be aware of that.

Log files are an important part of some programs, as are temporary files in folders.
While installed and in use, the program, and/or the OS typically created them to assist
you in whatever you were asking the OS/Program to do for you.

Now you are not requiring them.
They will not be automatically deleted for you.

Finally, the way Microsoft Windows treats any programs's files truly makes a mockery of what you and I
consider "good organization". It places the files in such a way that it can access them.
That depends on what else is installed, also.

Imagine if you will an Office set up to conduct business, or a Library to organize books, perhaps.
We expect to see the information stored in file cabinets, alphabetically arranged.
We open a cabinet, and find the folder that way.
Perhaps the walls are bookshelves, we scan the titles and find our book.
Perhaps some posters on the wall, directing our attention to related matters.
Other useful treatments of the interior decoration to make a friendly "human user" environment.

Walk in the same place(s), as if you are walking into your hard drive, and you can expect to see
folders scattered everywhere, pieces of files on the ceiling, posters on the floor,
slips of paper you'd expect in their appropriate locations strewn randomly throughout the room,
large wooden pallets leaning at angles atop loosely arranged sheets of paper, apparently
part of a book on the shelf, because that book is open and folded over the other side of the pallet.

The win2000 feels right at home, business as usual.
Win XP walks through with confidence and ease.

Win98 is blind, another version might stumble through the apparent disarray and recognize parts of it.

OK, the file system does what it does.

In the normal course of operation, files are placed on the hard drive in a method that involves
"clusters" and because of this, a file's contents might be spread over a space that is far greater than the contents
would have originally been contained in.

Defragmentation of the drive is required periodically so the OS can rearrange it's clusters to more efficiently
and more effectively access the files that it originally placed in positions that worked at the time, but perhaps
can work better done differently. Defragging, as it is called, will place the files determined to be accessed frequently
at the "front" of the drive. Those system related "non-moveable files" will be more tightly organized.

The long story made short is that when you uninstall, and install programs in a trouble-shooting method
(or just in the normal course of using your PC), you should defragment the drive. If you do not,
the effect of your hard work at trying to determine what (if anything) benefits have been found by doing
what you did might be unremarkable or go unnoticed.

To sum it up,
a program installed, used, and in "close company" with others, that required the basic operating system to adapt to it's presence,
is being removed. What happens, why, and how can you help make it happen correctly?

1.Carefully use Add & Remove programs to uninstall one at a time.
2. Pay attention and make appropriate decisions when prompted to.
3. Reboot, regardless of whether prompted to or not.
4. Open your C:Program Files (or equivalent) folder after rebooting to inspect it for the presence (or absence) of related folders/files.

5. Use the Search function to view any files that might have related to the program, and may remain.
Choosing either the common names or preferably, you have remembered the location(s) of some of them
from familiarity when the program was installed.

Start-->Search-->(advanced showing all files) and fill in the box with a keyword, and run.
If found, question why, and either leave it (or them) or delete them right then & there.

6. Do all of this in Safe Mode for an extra measure of caution, as deletions can be made more easily
since many other programs are not running in safe mode to interfere with your intentions.

7. Clean out other files/folders ....

Either use these built-in windows utilities:

Start-->Run--> type %temp% and delete the contents of that folder and the folders in it.
Start-->Run--> type cleanmgr and follow the prompts to cleanup your hard drive(s)
Start--> Internet Explorer-->Tools-->Internet Options-->(General Tab) and delete temporary internet files (including offline content)

If applicable:
Start-->Mozilla Firefox-->Tools-->Options-->Privacy and delete appropriate files.

You may also clean your Prefetch files. They are designed to assist the OS in meeting your demands when requesting
the programs that you use do one thing or another. They shave nano-seconds off the time needed to do most things.
Often files here are left-over from when you had a large program like Photoshop functioning, and it never got
cleaned out... leaving old unnecessary (often rather large) temporary files.

Start-->My Computer-->C: local hard drive-->Windows-->Prefetch folder-->highlight all and delete.

You may choose to benefit from the automated utilities designed to make the cleaning of those location's file easier.
I often do, using either of these (and there are many others like them, too)

http://cleanup.stevengould.org/

http://www.ccleaner.com/

It does get easier as you practice, and it is not something to be frightened about ... damaging your system or something.

Once that program is gone, and you are aware of the facts surrounding the uninstallation, by noting what you did and what "it" did,
you move along to the registry, as it is involved.

Either you are aware of the individual keys involved so you can inspect then for completeness,
or you (like myself and millions of others) will use a program you trust and have some familiarity with, to do this for you.

Basically, you scan the registry for changes.
Identified by the program, you choose to allow for a deletion or repair of selected registry entries.
It is part of doing business with the Windows OS.
You will be given an opportunity to backup the changes you make, and the program's help menu will
assist you if you care to restore what you did (possibly by mistake) back to where you started from.

I use either of these:
(there is a part of CCleaner that will also arrange for this detail)

http://www.macecraft.com/brief_rs/

http://www.iolo.com/

Once that chore is complete,
and remember it gets easier as you do it, since fewer changes are happening now that you are aware of what is going on stage by stage,
it is time to consider one more fact.

If you are reasonably certain you have no malware present, then you can chose to disable and then re-enable your system restore.
System restore will not do you any good if you ask it to restore the OS & all of the "attachments" if you have removed some of them.
So, it's only logical to clear out that (often huge) bunch of files. The new restore point will become the day you enabled it
and even if it does have a slight problem (the one you are trouble-shooting) you couldn't be sure of when
you did not have that problem or you would have already tried it. Besides, in it's default mode,
it will pile up dozens of gigabytes worth of unaccessible "system volume files" that will be overwritten (wiped out)
once it gets to it's maximum alloted space to do that. Your system restore points will never be good beyond say 90 days, anyway.
Start over, when you are in at least a pretty decent place.

Now you can (optionally) defrag your drive. All the file manipulation has come to a pause. Good time to do it.
It will tell you if you need to (in winXP, if not win2000) or not. I ignore it's recommendations. I always defrag if I open that utility.
You need not be patient with it.
You can stop it and exit before it's done.
That will mean it starts over, but it will be a little faster since partially finished already.

Ideally, you let it complete the entire operation.
Typically it is painfully slow if you haven't done it in a while (or ever).
I've seen it take all night, so I slept while it did it.

Usually, however it doesn't take nearly that long.
With smaller partitions on a large 100+ GB drive, it often is done in under 15 minutes,
once you do it with some frequency. I generally do it a couple times a month in my use situation.

Thats all.

If you proceed to uninstall programs in a timely sequence, you most certainly can take shortcuts.
Those time-saving shortcuts all effect the "ideal" uninstall and will perhaps interject some areas
of questions into your trouble-shooting, but then again, sometimes the results are positive
quicker than other times. You might "hit upon" the exact program that was effecting
their others and/or the OS right away. You never know.

Thats why you try to narrow it down to those that might likely have an effect on whatever it is that you are trying to correct.

Using Your Windows ____ CD to Start Over, Fresh

(note: there is a repair procedure in some windows versions, with some benefits, but let's just say, not in this case)

The other procedure, and final option, is to reformat/re-partition your hard drive and re-load your operating system.

Actually it takes about 2 hours to do that, even when unaccustomed to doing it.
Some foresight needs to be used.
You will lose all data and that means not only the programs you have operational at this time, but also any
files/folders and the method you used to create them.

So, that is no big thing, if (and only if) you made CD-R disks that are copies of that data.
Or, have a partition of a hard drive that will not be needed when you re-load the windows2000 or winXP.
Or a separate hard drive that is not being used for the OS & it's programs installed.
Or, best of all, DVD-R disks that are able to take large 4.6GBs of the data files that are yours.
Or, you used a "ghost image" of the hard drive, so you simply re-install that.
(it better be a good one, though, not effected in any way by problems.)

You will need your CD.
You will need your keycode.
You will need the System Drivers CD for the particular components in your PC, such as modems, video cards, sound cards, etc.

If you do not have such a CD, then you will need to make one.
It can be done using a floppy disk, sometimes.
It can be done by downloading the appropriate files from online websites of the manufacturers of the components.
Typically, you identify the motherboard and/or specific manufacturers of the known components.

You should have a Service Pack __ CD to immediately upgrade to the present, or as far as you can
before you visit Windows Update website.

You will need the Installation CDs for all peripheral devices, printers, scanners, digital camera devices, external drives, etc.
The mouse, sometimes, but the CD or DVD drives are often identified by the Windows OS and provided with
drivers from within the folder full of those available once you load the OS itself. Keyboards are like that, too.

You will need your Installation CD for all programs you bought and wish to install again.
You should have a CD that now has the initial setup folders/files for all programs you downloaded online.

You should have included copies of your browser bookmarks or favorites.
Copies of the system drivers themselves are a good thing to have, from your present hard drive
in case those updated ones from online sources are not as good, or something like that.

You should remember your passwords from online websites, etc.
You then should have a CD (or many) or DVD of all the data you want to include in your fresh OS installation.

You will have forgotten something that will occur to you a half hour after you wiped your existing hard drive clean.
To err is human.

The sequence of events that will transpire vary somewhat from version to version.

The particulars can be discussed in a following post if you'd like.

It will take a couple hours, and then as long as it takes
to load and test each of your peripherals.

Then, one at a time installation of your programs, pretty much in the reverse
order of how the trouble-shooting was done in the above section.

Bearing in mind the facts surrounding the way(s) the OS and software interact.
Basically, its best to try out each program to some extent as you add them.
Perhaps consider the sequence, also.
Start with any programs that require updates or provide security online.
You will first finish the OS updating online (after getting those modem drivers installed and it operational again)
From there you want the rest updated, so remember if you use Microsoft Office program(s)
they also have a website separate from the Windows Updates (click the Office Family while there).

Your Anti-virus program &
Anti-spyware programs need updates, so they logically come next.

Firewall program should be in place, or you need the built-in windows one working until (and if) you install one.

Figure it will take you a few days either way to get yourself where you want to be.

As I mentioned before, we are here to help you.

All questions have value.
All actions you take become experience for you to benefit from.
All experiences can be helpful to others as time goes by.