my universal remote doesn't work any more

I can't get it to do a thing, after I tried to program a used vcr and a used dvd player with it.  It doesn't control the vcr or dvd recorder either.  It has batteries, the lights go on and off, just no effect on anything else.  Did I mess up the tv  by trying to program the remote to work on the others?  I got a new one from Radio Shack and it doesn't work either so it isn't the remote.  Help!