Vista - Uninstalled applications left permanent blank spaces in start menu

I currently have 2-3 (seemingly) permanent blank spaces in the pin list section of the start menu. I suspect that uninstalling some applications that had pinned shortcuts is related to the problem.

Adding or removing pinned shortctus does not seem to overwrite or reset the blank spaces. I've also tried enabling the 'recently opened' options and altering the 'Start menu size...' number to no effect. Currently the number is at 0. If I increase the amount any higher, it will only add additional blank spaces to the 2-3 that are already there. Additionally, I've tried re-installing the applications I assumed were responsible (then re-pinning the shortcuts), but didn't have any luck.

Is there any way to reset the start menu back to normal, or an initial state? I literally just finished re-installing Vista from a fresh install and really do not want to have to go through that agian. Where are the pinned shortcuts stored? Are they in the registry? I feel like I've scoured the web for an answer and have come up with nothing.

Thanks for any help.

Edit: Well, I seem to have found a solution. The pinned shortcuts are stored in HEX in the following registry key:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage\Favorites]

Somehow, (probably from apps getting uninstalled) 2 entries at the end of the string were corrupted. After removing every visible shortcut from the pinned list, the re-viewing the key, the two bad sections were clearly isolated.

Simply modifying the key, deleting every value, and placing 'FF' at the end cleared the menu right up. I suppose one could just delete the offending parts, should you be able to discern them, but it seems safer to me to just clear the list and rebuild it.

If you have a lot of shortcuts to restore like I did, try printscreening the open start menu before removing the items, then saving the image for reference later.

*phew*