System file problem

[leobis]

Hi all,
a friend of mine has accidentally deleted some system files (I assume some files concerning the network service) on his computer running Windows Xp Pro, sp2 so that his modem now doesn't work at all; to fix this problem, is it worth running the SFC /scannow command for restoring the missing files? Or do you know a better solution? Thanks in advance
Leooardo
Ps If I use the SFC command do I have to reinstall the service pack the most recent hotfixes?

 

[itfellow]

Just out of curiosity, are the files still in the recycle bin? Can they be restored from there?

 

[leobis]

Hi itfellow,
this problem happened more than 1 month ago so the recycle bin the defrag tool have "cleaned" those files.
Leonardo

 

[linney]

If they were truly system files I would have thought the Windows File Protection would have replaced them immediately.

222193 - Description of the Windows File Protection Feature

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;222193&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

You can try SFC /scannow from the Start Run box and it will check your system files from both stored SP2 files on your hard drive and your XP CD which you installed from.

Maybe you could uninstall the modem from Device Manager and reboot to allow XP to rediscover it. You may require the driver files (or updated versions)that originally came with the modem if they have been deleted.

You could try System Restore if you have a point that far back but going that far back will also undo any more recent changes.

If they don't work you could try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

It is also worth considering malware as an underlying cause.

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

Microsoft (GIANT Antispyware) Beta available
Thread779-979113

And fixing your Winsock files.

WinXP Connectivity Issues
faq779-4625

 

[bcastner]

What brand/model # modem?
There are sometimes issues with Service Pack 2:

http://www.modemsite.com/56k/smartlink.asp

 

[leobis]

Hi Linney,
grazie 1000 (many thanks!!!!) .. you hit the bull's eye.
I followed your advice and the problem was fixed in a flash ... actually the winsocks file was corrupted by one those malware; norton had spotted those files and removed all of them but the corrupted winsocks so that it was sufficient to launch the "netsh" command to reset and restore the correct one.
Thanks again
Leonardo