I accidentally deleted important files

[tatortot]

A couple months ago I tried to free up some space and clean up my computer.  I deleted all the temp files etc., but I also went through and deleted a lot of programs that I didn't need, want, or use.  Soon after i realized I could not play DVDs (I didn't even have a DVD icon in the my computer folder), I had no sound controlls or speaker button on the taskbar, I had no calculator, and I can't find any sound recorder.  There may be other issues, but that is all I know of so far.  A buddy took me through regedit and my DVD now works.  I downloaded a new calculator, it works fine. 

Should I just download a sound recorder?  And what should I do about the sound controlls that are missing?  Is this a case for system restore? 

I have a Dell Insperon E1505 with window XP.  Thank you for any input on how to resolve this issue.

Tator

[joevh09]

Did u check in the recycle bin? they might be in there still if u didn't empty it.

[ChrisXPPro]

deleted a lot of programs

Just wondering what ''delete'' means - did you use ''add/remove'' thru control panel - or just delete stuff from Win explorer?  Are you saying "volume control" is missing?  That should not be affected normally by removing non Windows software or temp files.

Just MHO but if doing a mass clean up - space freeing ... it is wise to do one at a time and reboot after each change.  Then it is easier to spot if something is missing that shouldn't be.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

I hope you didn't go into C:\Program Files and delete anything....

[patio]

Borrow a Windows CD of the same version and Service Packs you have installed...in other words if this is XP Pro with SP2 installed you need an XP Pro CD w/SP2.
Go to Start/Run and type in sfc /scannow and hit Enter...
Have the CD handy it will ask for it.
When finished remove the CD and re-boot.

NOTE: This will not work with your Dell CD...

[nalee]

Try going through Device manager, right-clicking on your computer name and scanning for hardware changes.  Sometimes the stuff may pop up and you should be able to try and re-install it, you may have to go download the drivers for some equipment.  If that doesn't work, try restoring your system to an earlier time.  It shoud break it down by time and what you did meaning when you started deleting things.  Hopefully this shed a little bit of light on the situation.  Good luck

[pantherman]

I don't doubt Patio's idea is the best. But it might be worth trying one of the free programs on the link below?
http://www.snapfiles.com/Freeware/system/fwdatarecovery.html

[tatortot]

Sorry I have been away from the computer.  I still haven't had a chance to do anything.  But to answer a couple Q's I did go to control panel and use the add/remove programs feature. 

Another Q if I use system restore what, if anything, do I need to save or backup?  Will this delete all the files I have saved since the restore point date?

One of the threads spoke of- (Try going through Device manager, right-clicking on your computer name and scanning for hardware changes.  Sometimes the stuff may pop up and you should be able to try and re-install it, you may have to go download the drivers for some equipment. )  If I do this and can find deleted material should I just reinstall everything?

Thank you for the input. 

Tator

[tatortot]

ps

When you say go through the device manager...  How do I find the device manager.  and do I need to do this if I didn't change any hardware?  I only cleaned out software.

Tator

[patio]

You've deleted system files needed for Windows to operate correctly. If you follow the steps i outlined it will repair/replace those files.
Until then i predict you will continue to have issues...

P.S. Control Panel/System/Hardware/Device Manager.

[BC_Programmer]

if Add/remove programs was used- the sound driver may have been uninstalled from that location. How the DVD drive dissapeared... who knows.