reinstalling internet explorer windows xpIs there a way to completely remove internet explorer and windows media player from windows xp sp2?

I installed Spybot s&d recently and since then media player is not working at all. I cannot use windows update through the explorer and certain web pages that require java do not display properly. I tried to remove Spybot but nothing has changed. Please advise as i want to refrain from reinstalling windows xp on my laptop.
you can remove windows media player, but internet explorer is built into the operating system. There maybe a way to delete it, which would probably involves changing what's called the registry. (some viruses actually delete iexplore via editing the registry). Or, i think if you go into add/remove programs-add remove windows components you may reinstalling internet explorer windows xpbe able to delete internet explorer. Basically, your situation is a tough one since you don't want to reinstall windows. which is probably the feasible option. you got me
Go to Symantec.com or Panda.com and run free scans.

You will be asked to download Active x , do so, it is perfectly safe.

You mentioned Spybot which is kind of a spam firewall, it does not stop virus or hacks. You should have software and/or hardware firewalls. Antihack and Antivirus.
Use XPLite. Be warned though, a lot of Web-enabled programs depend of IE libraries.
Spybot contains viruses.
SpybotSD has been tested on Windows XP. What happened on your laptop is not something that alreinstalling internet explorer windows xpways happens with it. However, a lot of spyware and adware focuses on Internet Explorer and Windows Media player because they are 2 of the most commonly installed components. It is possible that they had already been affected by adware or spyware before the download. In any case, you should be able to update the windows xp installtion to reinstall Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player. Also, I believe Windows XP does let you uninstall both components. However, internet explorer is integrated into windows so it will only remove as web browser. (You would still be able to type a web address into your My Computer address window and get there.)