Invalid page fault in module Explorer.exe at 0197:00401f31

After trying to remove some random search engine tool that
I unintentionally accumulated from the internet using the
Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs, I now receive an
error message when I try to start up my computer in
regular mode or safe mode and the desktop icons never come
up.

The error states:
Explorer performed an invalid page fault in module
Explorer.exe at 0197:00401f31

it goes on to specify Register and Stack dump information.

The first time I restarted my computer after trying to
remove the program, Windows took me through the setup,
where I had to enter my product ID and accept the Window's
agreement before starting up and then I login as usual but
receive this error message soon after and icons for the
desktop never come up.

Based on one of the knowledge base entries, I tried
extracting some files from the Windows Setup CD using the
following commands in DOS:
extract /a /y /e /l c:\windows\system base4.cab
Shdocvw.dll Mshtml.dll Comctl32.dll Shlwapi.dll Shell32.dll
extract /a /y /e /l c:\windows base4.cab explorer.exe

However, I still get the same prompt. The knowledge base
entry that this advice came from was in response to a
similar but not identical error prompt, Explorer.exe
caused an invalid page fault in explorer.exe at 0157F:
00401F3.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Desparately,
Phillip