Is there a way to restore a corrupt kernel32.dll without a reformat? 3

[denzilla]

Title pretty much covers my question. I have a machine that spits out kernel32.dll errors like nothing I've ever seen. Everything seems to trigger it. Its always "blah blah blah has caused an error in kernel32.dll. blah blah will now close". I removed 1 virus from the machine and ran ad-aware to make sure its not a malware issue.

 

[edfair]

Suspect that an "over the top" reload would be easier than a format and reinstall. But it may not help.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[mattjurado]

You can try to extract it using the sfc, but it may not help. Are there any patterns to the errors, or do they happen in random applications? You can also boot to dos and use the extract command, if the sfc does not work. Let me know.

Matt J.

Please always take the time to backup any and all data before performing any actions suggested for ANY problem, regardless of how minor a change it might seem. Also test the backup to make sure it is intact.

 

[micker377]

When it is running correctly (or on another computer), run a "process viewer" and see how many programs depend on kernal32. Any one of these other programs may be causing your problem.

 

[denzilla]

I appreciate the help guys. I ended up erasing/reloading the whole computer. Micker377, it was definitely a random thing. If I installed winzip, then winzip.exe caused an error in kernel32.dll. If I didn't install anything, it was just whatever program kernel32 felt like being p*ssed off with at the time. I had reached a point where I was sick of dealing with it and wanted to get it off the bench. The computer had so much garbage installed on it that I would've never got it cleaned off completely anyway.

Many thanks to everyone