Vista - No gamepads working, no game controller aplet

I can't figure this one out at all:

Running Vista Ultimate 64 with Sp2 beta. e6850 3ghz, 2x8800, 8gb and the controllers are: Logitech Dual Action, Logitech Rumblepad 2 and 360 controller.

Everything worked fine until, I went and used a 360 controller emulator (don't bother telling me i shouldn't have - I have that covered). I backed up all the original drivers and installed the emulator. it didn't work, so like an idiot I tried putting them in the sys directories to replace the system drivers thinking that might work.... ok bad move it didn't work, so I replaced everything back to the way it was and continued life without a 360 controller.
I plugged in the Rumblepad 2 and it IS recognized by the logitech software, but the microsoft game controller control panel wouldnt start. Also the pad doesn't work in ANY game.
I tried reinstalling microsoft common controller 64bit but it gives me an error message "not enough storage available to process this command." - I've tried every work around i could find with no luck. (note: it's not the "not enough server storage..." error). Back to the joystick problem - I've also replaced the joy.cpl and direct x drivers, ran dxdiag with no errors, nothing seems to fix the joystick problem, and I can't install the common controller 64 bit without the error. ARGH!

update: now the game controller control panel is missing (and no it's not hidden)..

So to sum it up, I THINK I need to:
1)reinstall dinput drivers?
2) reinstall the game controllers aplet?

ANY CLUES WWELCOME!!!!

system restore to when you tried to mess about with them.

i would, except it wasn't on - i know i know... usually she's a ship shape pc with now hassle, just got caught with my pants down.

looks like you might need to repair the installation, you can find out how to do that here > Repair Install For Vista

i guess no help with resolving the errors then? I was hoping to avoid such a drastic measure. I'm still wondering about why this is being so difficult when the root of the problem is so simple (seemigly).
I would still like to know how to resolve the "not enough storage..."error as well as the other one if someone would care to shed some light on them?

its not a problem, both will be fixed when you repair your installation, without sounding to critisizing, you messed up your install due to curiosity, solution to these problems is not to mess with them, leave them alone until you know what you are doing.
your vista is also a beta form right now, so effectively you are using untested software in your installation, unfortunately theres not much you can do apart from default.

Problem resolved. Slipstream install of Vista. Still doesn't make sense why replacing a few .dll's caused such a major breakdown, esp since I replaced the backups. Anywho Curiosity killed the cat....

indeed, many an install ive messed up from fliddling, trial and error and a few messed up OS'es and here i am.