have u tried manually replacing the file? or you can prolly fix it by using the windows xp cd and check if it asks "repair the following OS" or something like that....it should be right b4 u do a clean install..
Microsoft finally decides to create a spyware remover called Windows AntiSpyware, you can dl the beta version here http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/s...re/default.mspx