Lost Usability of all programs in windows reinstall..Help

[Matt p]

I reinstalled windows 2000 over windows 2000 on the same
PC due to a virus killing my ability to log onto my PC.
In this process all of my programs are now inacessible.
The programs and previous files are still there i'm just
not able to open any of them. I've gotten errors
like "This application must be installed to run...." Is
there any way that I can get these applications back? If
i cannot is there at least a way to delete the programs
and every file that is associated with them. I know that
I can delete them manually but I'm sure just deleting the
executable will still leave a lot behind. Thank you very
much.

 

[DL]

It would appear that you have installed a second install of win2k, rather
than repairing yr installation.
You cannot simply delete an 'exe', you will have files and reg entries left
all over yr sys. Use Add/Remove dialogue, or the installations uninstall
option, if there is one only.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=292175
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;268106
Its never a good idea to reinstall the o/s unless you know *specifically*
that it will cure the problem. You should cure the problem first.
You can try a repair on yr origonal installation, I would advise backing up
yr data files prior to any other actions

 

[Matt P.]

That is correct I did an install over the existing instead
of repairing. When my pc crashed there was no way for me
to access any files, explore, c-prompt etc. So I could
not backup anything. The fact is that the install was
completed quite awhile ago and I was wondering how to
either change the registers to work with this copy of
windows or how to delete the programs entirely. Thank you
very much for your response.

 

[DL]

In explorer does it show a single Winnt folder? no similar named folder or
Windows eg
What does the boot.ini file show?
Installing over the existing is a repair installation, it should have left
yr Apps intact