Help with Registry Problem

[Pabster]

Windows 7 Professional
My CD/DVD drive has suddenly stopped working.
The error message in Device Manager is: Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. (Code 19)
Just before this happened, I uninstalled iTunes and got a prompt from a program called Advanced Uninstaller Pro (the first and last words in the program's name ought to have warned me off, because I'm by no means either 'advanced' or 'pro'!) that the program hadn't completely uninstalled; in response to this, I pressed 'yes' to allow it to search and 'yes' to allow it to delete entries, without having any idea of whether it was the right thing to do.
What I have tried subsequently, but which hasn't solved the problem, includes:
System Restore: I received an error message warning me that SR was unable to complete (I can redo this and let you have the exact message, if this would help);
Disable/enable CD/DVD drive in Device Manager;
Uninstall and then reinstall driver for device in Device Manager.

Might there be a simple way to identify the problem and, ideally, fix it?

Apologies for what's almost certainly a stupid thing to have brought upon myself.

 

[richc46]

Fix it easily with System Restore. Try using it in safe mode
After it is fixed stop using software that assist with simple tasks such as an uninstall or help to maintain the computer.
Download Macrium Reflect and make a weekly image of your hard drive. You can correct any problem that you encounter by reinstalling with a good image.

 

[Pabster]

richc46: Many thanks for such a prompt reply.
Sadly, however, System Restore didn't work: it threw up an error saying that the system could not be exactly restored (see my 6th para above.)
Incidentally, I entirely agree with you about getting rid of software that does things you don't need it to: lesson learned.

 

[richc46]

As I wrote lets try system restore in safe mode.

 

[Pabster]

Apologies: I didn't read carefully enough.
Have now tried SR in Safe Mode, but get the same error message (see screenshot attached.)
I am very grateful to you for taking time over this.

 

[richc46]

Hopefully, you have a system image. Give this a try
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html

 

[Pabster]

I'm afraid not, Richard.
I'm really ignorant as far as computing is concerned and suspect that my only recourse is to take it into a repairer and pay for my own carelessness.
I am very grateful for the time you've taken to help me, though.
Thanks.

 

[richc46]

Lets not give up yet. You probably will not have to pay for repairs. I still have a few ideas.
Can you do step 5
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html
It would be a lot easier if your cd drive worked.

 

[Pabster]

When I validate the Product Key for Windows, I am warned that it is an unsupported produced - one pre-installed by the manufacturer and that I should contact them for recovery options (which, of course, I can do.) Naturally, the disc I have is no good, as the drive is the problem!
As I am about to start a month of marking examination papers online and it would be a disaster if anything else went wrong (i.e. if I do any more damage!), I think I might just have to leave it for that time, especially as it seems as though the DC-ROM drive is the only problem I have.
Once again, I am really grateful to you for your help and tolerance and may come back to you to repeat the query in a month or so, if that's OK>.
I have certainly learned to steer clear of these PC cleaning/tweaking products, which are clearly dangerous in inexpert hands.
Thanks very much, Richard.

 

[richc46]

You can come back at any time. If you post in this thread, I will be notified and will offer help. Unless I am very surprised, I know that we can fix this thing.
Good luck on your exams.

 

[Pabster]

That's very kind and very reassuring. I suppose the upside is that I won't be distracted by CDs - on my Pc, anyway - for the next month or so of marking!
Grateful thanks again and will be back in a moth or so.