Hi. I'm running Windows 98 SE. I recently decided to
defragment my hard drive using the Windows Disk
Defragmenter tool. After about six hours, the whole job
was complete. I defragged once more, just for good
measure; then shut my comupter down for the night.

The next day, I noticed that my Palm Handheld wouldn't
sync with my computer. So I go to the Windows Add/Remove
Programs tool, figuring that the Palm software needs to be
reinstalled. I was shocked to find that there wasn't a
single program listed in this tool! As if I had NO apps at
all!

I also found that my speakers weren't working either. I
checked every single connection to my computer, and
everything was in place. Later, I had to use Microsoft
Word, and a message pops up saying "This application must
be installed to run. Please run setup from the location
where you originally installed the application." Because
the program is mising from Add/Remove, Windows thinks it's
missing from my computer, which it isn't. This problem
exists for all the Office 2000 apps on my computer.
Unfortunately, my PC guru, has moved very far away, along
with my Office 2000 CD!

So far I've been trying to fix this disaster, but can't
find a way. Do I really have to reinstall everything?! How
can I get my speakers working again?

I need help BIG TIME.