ok after much searching, the file scavenger looks like the best bet at this point, several post i read seemed unresolved most programs require you buy the program (no trial) found some forum post by me from a couple of years ago(9x systems), lol they really need to dump some of that stuff after a while. for anyone who reads this post and uses windows, back up things you must have often, cdr disk are cheap. burners are cheap now. back up your registry often, before software installs, system changes configurations. if you want a really easy way to back up your reg, download a registry cleaner that makes a backup.
http://www.winnetmag.com/Article/Art...329/15329.html
that link has a download for microsofts regclean, win2k ,98,me, nt4.
now even if you are on xp download the file it is a self extractor. once extracted go to
C:\Program Files\Regclean
in the folder double click the regclean icon that looks like a rubics cube let it run ok it to finnish. now in the same folder another file appeared, right click it, select copy, go to my documents and right click a open area and select paste.can save anywhere you like. xp users can double click the file now to undo the changes it made. now you have a backup of the reg, just double click it when you need to. make a new one anytime you install software, updates, drivers, any changes at all. will save having to repair/reinstall xp for many problems.