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Solve : System files deleted, not sure how many... what can I do?? |
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Answer» HI, I'm new to this place so I hope this is the right section to be posting. I have an annoying problem on my hands and I have no idea how serious it is. >< Basically, I was LOOKING around for some programs to optimize my computer today (I use Windows XP Home Edition - Service Pack 2 with the latest updates) and while visiting a site that listed a bunch I found to be useful, I downloaded something called EasyCleaner by ToniArts. The link is here: http://personal.inet.fi/business/toniarts/ecleane.htm Anyhoo, the program has various options involving cleaning up unwanted stuff on your computer LIKE temporary files you're no longer using, stuff like that. One option is to search for duplicate files that are taking up space and deleting them... well, I was uncertain at this point but thought it wouldn't harm anything to scan. So scan I did, and it listed all the duplicates it found and, having had a good experience with the rest of the programs the person on this site recommended I... did something stupid... and deleted these duplicates. well, instantly I got some messages popping up telling me this is a system file yadda yadda yadda, unwise to delete and so-forth, so I decide yeeeah... maybe I won't delete them after all. But it turns out these messages were telling me what I had done, not warning me against doing it. Damage done. So here's the results... I wasn't sure what to expect, so not noticing anything wonky or not working properly, I rebooted to see if any error messages would pop up so I could maybe see what needed fixing. Well, the first thing that seemed wrong, was everything was in the old style windows theme (no silver window frames or anything, and the option to have Windows XP Style stuff in Display Properties is not even there anymore - only the Windows Classic setting remains). Also, I couldn't create new shortcuts on the desktop anymore (although I fixed this problem by getting a new DLL file). Another thing, the System icon in Control Panel isn't even there any more and I dunno, I noticed these things as I ran into them and am wondering just how much stuff is missing and how or if I can GET it back. Honestly, I feel really dumb and hope I haven't damaged anything beyond repair. Is there at least any way I can check what was deleted or changed in the last little while? P.S. I tried a system restore to a point in the same day, just before doing the duplicate file deletion thing (cuz I had misgivings) but it did nothing and I no longer seem to have any restore points at all on my computer, not from today or any other day. P.P.S. I keep up to date on the latest anti-virus updates (AVG 8.0), spyware (Spybot - S&D 1.5.2.20), and scan daily. Thanks in advance to all those who offer any advice. Deleting duplicate files can be dangerous system wide as some files are located in more than one place by design... System Restore may not always work to fix this depending on how good/recent your restore points are so it's a false sense of security at best. One thing you can try: Go to Start/Run and type in sfc /scannow and hit Enter. Have your XP CD handy as it will ask for it. Let it run to completion and re-boot. Good Luck and you may want to check in next time before running any app that advertises better performance. Some work...some can cause havoc.Yeah, if I'd known about this site earlier I definitely woulda checked. In regards to your advice, the machine I'm using is made by e-machines and didn't come with a Windows XP disc. All it came with was an e-machines restore DVD, which the scan thingy you told me to do doesn't recognize (says it's the wrong disc). Any other suggestions? xP And thanks again for helping me with this problem.oh and one more thing i noticed... i seem to have no anymore sound on my compie o_oIf you know someone who has one i would borrow an XP Home SP2 CD.I'm on it, thanks! Also, I got the sounds working again... this is gonna be a long, arduous process, I can tell xDIt may take a Repair Install...let us know how it goes. |
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