Thanks gentlemen - I was given the registry option by HP by I have never been into that side of computers before and fear I may screw up thru misunderstanding the instructions or because of some unforseen glitch. After all, removing software and reinstalling is pretty basic and scanjet screwed up with that operation which is why I am in this pickle. I am leaning towards grabbing my essential stuff on USB removable media (my DVD writer is refusing to recognise my blank disc too (more IE7?)), then reinstalling the operating system - supposing no glitch occurs in that operation in which case it may be Russian roulette with a full clip for me.
Thanks again for the advice.