BleepingComputer.com: quick launch are not really buttons

didn't install a new hard drive, but i am having nearly the exact problem?
I went to the device manager; says everything is up and running fine, but i uninstalled two different drivers (not sure which ones really managed the buttons them selves?)

1)Human Interface Devices\HP Quick Launch buttons
2)Keyboards\HID keyboard device

rebooted (though it did not ask me too?)
still nothing - went to HP (as stated above) and Downloaded the SoftPaq.exe file to a directory on your hard drive. (c:\SWSetup\SP27082) - the first time, it got 3/4 through the install, and then "crashed" my computer/rebooted automatically, but to no avail.
tried it a second time, made it through the complete install, (no crash/reboot) but still doesn't work?

I have a HP Compaq 6715b - quick launch are not really buttons, rather touch sensitive, and they 'work' in that i touch them, and they light up, but thats it?

this started about 1 week ago, and the only thing i did prior to this failure was on the programmable buttons window i changed the settings from "presentation" to "Q menu"

Any suggestions?

Try using the System Restore, choose a date prior to the start of this problem.

Start> All Programs> Accessories> System Tools> System Restore.

When this opens make sure that "Restore my computer to an earlier time" is chosen, and click on Next>.
The dates appearing in bold are the dates that you can restore to, click on the date that you want and then click Next> to start the System Restore, you may get the message telling you that you will have to restart your computer to start, click ok. When the computer restarts and you have logged on as the administrator a Restoration Complete page will appear, click on OK to complete the process.

Yea, that didn't work, and for some reason i only had three days available for System Restore?
I restored it to the earliest available and now my entire computer is jacked up? i'm unable to open MS Word (had to re install/input key code)
Menus are missing text, the plug-n-play software seems to be missing (flash drives, and smart phones are not recognized?), and the most bizzare - IE will not open up?
Taskmanager shows IE working, but there is no window, and when i click on IE icon - i can actually see a new task appear for that process, but no visual window?

Its really buggerd up now?
i've never seen anything like this?
any suggestions/help?

Thanks

Try using the Last Known Good Configuration.

When the computer is starting, repeatedly tap the F8 key, this should take you to the Windows Advanced Options Menu, once this opens click on Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked).