I don't want to sound harsh, but seeing as you have the ability to still backup any files, would formatting the Laptop and reinstalling the operating system not be a good idea. It just seems you've got a cluster of problems, that are going to take more than the rebuild time to fix.
With that in mind, I might advise perhaps the following, but I would back up all your data, whilst the thing still boots.
- Make sure you have free space on the C:\ drive, a lack of room can ocasionally cause programs not to function, but as you experienced, may still open. You need a nice 700mb free.
- Why not uninstall IE. This and other stuff supplied with XP can be rid through the Add/Remove Programs, "Add/Remove Windows Components".
- Make sure if your using shortcuts the path is correct
- Rename problematic programs, with .exe on the end
- Do usual virus spyware scans.
- Make sure you use the check box, always use this program for files of this type, when selecting "open with"
If I can think of anything else, will post, just make sure you check your room in C:\
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