Update (to which this took a long time because I wasn't always in the mood to repeatedly check my game trying in vain for this): I've depleted myself of anything I can think of at this point. I tried CCleaner including Wipe Free Space and tons of other options. The game isn't fixed and I guess my only option is a new computer at this point? I have a friend giving me a laptop later this month, though I do genuinely want this to be fixed on my desktop. But again, I'm totally wiped out of ideas and it's still not playing right.