Windows XP Registry Problem?

Somehow the permissions have been changed in registry for the following key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
therefore, everytime I set a program to start when windows starts, it fails to start, and is not listed in above key. In fact, above key is always blank, here lately, since this happened. I have been having to use other programs e.g. WinPatrol to set programs to autostart. Is there a way to repair this key so that it will start programs like I want it to?
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Windows Current Version RUN

I have scanned it with trend micro, microsoft’s housecall, and others. Will I have to wipe out my computer and take it back to factory?

i could not find the default option for microsoft word so i tried clicking Help > Detect and Repair.

after that, an automatic windows installer always popping up when i open any microsoft software.

it automatically searches for a new software to install and i always have to click cancel to open the softwares i have now.
the softwares are working perfectly but the pop up is slowing my computer down.

how can i get rid of it?

hope you can help me. thank you.

Computer not turning on?

Ok i press on and it does exactly this: Its vista new laptop compaq presario

Black screen
takes longer than usual on the windows loader
black screen for like 15 seconds
black screen forever

RESTART PC AGAIN THIS HAPPENS

black screen
"windows error recovery"
"windows failed to start. a recent hardware or software change might be the cause. if windows files have been damaged or configured incorrectly, startup repair can help diagnose and fix the problem. if power was interrupted during startup, choose start windows normally
(use the arrow keys to highlight your choice.)

Launch startup repair (reccomended)
Start windows normally"

i click launch start up repair
black screen
Windows is loading files… (white bar under text)
black screen
windows loader microsoft corp
goes to a really old windows style computer with the blue background
stat up repair cannot repair the computer automatically.

iclick view advanced options for system recovery and support
i try all the things in there to help recover computer, none work. all fail, i go back and click view diagnostic and repair details

just shows basic info of my pc like 10 pages worth i click finish, comp turns off.
WTF DO I DO. its been like this like a week.

Windows XP and Windows Me?

For those of you who knows computers, I know this is going to sound like a stupid question, but is there a big difference?

The reason I am asking is because I need a reinstallation CD for Windows XP but only found the reinstallation CD for WMe, and my question is, can I use the WMe reinstallation CD instead on the Windows XP laptop? It’s my mom’s Dell laptop. If I cannot, can I get a copy of it from Dell or Microsoft if I tell them the ID that is on the laptop?

I utilized some registry cleaner softwares because my mom had some viruses in her laptop, and it probably erased something it shouldn’t have, it takes 20 minutes for the browser homepage to open, so I figured it would be easiest to use the reinstall CD. I would do the "undo" feature except there are no records for me to undo.

Thanks so much in advance to everyone!