On a few of the startup listings listed by Autoruns, the Image Path column says "file not found" or "file not found: \windows\system32\drivers\(specific file name)"

I am assuming if the file cannot be found that is is ok to uncheck the box because it should not be running on start up (since it probably can't run at all). But we all know what happens when you assume. . . so is it ok to disable on start up these "missing" files??

Can you give me an example of some of the files that cant be found?

Ok. . . when I run "Autoruns" these are the files missing. (I've copied and pasted them from the first screen you see after running the program - the 'everything' tab).

PrinTray File not found: C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\printray.exe

Display Panning CPL Extension File not found: deskpan.dll

HyperTerminal Icon Ext File not found: C:\WINDOWS\System32\hticons.dll

Previous Versions File not found: C:\WINDOWS\System32\twext.dll

Previous Versions Property Page File not found: C:\WINDOWS\System32\twext.dll

@shdoclc.dll,-864 File not found: C:\WINDOWS\web\related.htm

intelppm File not found: System32\DRIVERS\intelppm.sys

ip6fwProvides intrusion prevention service for a home or small office network. File not found: system32\drivers\ip6fw.sys

LXARScan File not found: System32\Drivers\Lxarscan.sys

wanatw File not found: System32\DRIVERS\wanatw4.sys

Incidentally, I can't get Service Pack 2 to install or get Windows Media Player 10 to install on my computer (I've posted in the Windows XP forum looking for help =).
Could any of this be responsible??

Thank you so much for any help you can give me.

Many of these are legitimate system files. Strange that they are gone. Have you actually looked for the files and could not find them?

No, I didn't search the files. I didn't have a chance. . .it makes sense that they were missing. . . now

my problem with installing SP2 came to a head two days ago. I was in contact with Dell Support. They said my Windows XP needed to be repaired and had me try to install a 'repair' to XP from my original disc. It was a complete disaster. When I would turn on my computer it would hang up and I couldn't even get on to Windows at all. The service tech thought my hard drive may have had a bad sector. I ended up doing a complete reformat (losing lots of stuff I was too lazy to have backed up!!) about 2 hours ago.

The good news is that my computer is functioning again.
The bad news is that all the neat stuff I had on my computer that I learned about on bleepingcomputer (like WinPatrol, PC-cillin, spy-bot, etc.) is all gone.

If I had Autoruns installed I'd run it and check those files. But I'd bet they're there now. I have a lot of work to do getting my SP2 downloaded and installed (hopefully).

Ok this makes sense then. Good luck with the rebuilding ... i know its a pita, but in the end your machine will run that much better with a reformat here and there