I'm trying to get back in the saddle. However, I downloaded everything, and trying to open up WinMPQ or TblPad, I just found the fix for dll files that I needed, but apparently when I open them an error message comes up saying they cant load or register certain ocx files.

http://sfsrealm.hopto.org/dwnload.html#WinMPQ

Make sure you have the required installations and that you did NOT simply go to a random DLL file website.

Especially the Visual Basic 4 runtime files.

I got the files right. And dont worry, I didn't go to random DLL file sites. I checked microsoft site and the appropriate Visual Basic downloads.
Everything works so far now.

And now another issue: I'm trying to use TblPad, and while it can open txt, it's not opening tbl files that I extract from Broodat and Stardat

I personally recommend using PyMS for most of your modding needs (GRPs, TBLs, etc.) and MPQ Editor for modifying MPQ files. They work with Windows Vista / 7 with no problem and do not require additional runtimes (if you use PyMSWinEXE) to run.

still doesn't work with PyMS. At least the TBL files. It's coming up with some strange error, that it can't find "font8.fnt".

Never mind, I realized what I was doing wrong with TblPad. I got it now.