How to replace a system file without XP interfering ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter wylbur37
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wylbur37

A friend has a computer with Windows XP Pro.
We suspect that one of the system files/drivers might have gotten
replaced by a new (and corrupted) copy either during one of the
updates or because of some malware.
We have an old backup copy of the driver and we tried
to copy it back in, but apparently XP has some scheme where it
doesn't allow anything it considers a system file to be altered or
replaced, and any attempt will be blocked (and the existing file
will stay in place).

Is there any way to override this mechanism ?
 
wylbur37 said:
A friend has a computer with Windows XP Pro.
We suspect that one of the system files/drivers might have gotten
replaced by a new (and corrupted) copy either during one of the
updates or because of some malware.
We have an old backup copy of the driver and we tried
to copy it back in, but apparently XP has some scheme where it
doesn't allow anything it considers a system file to be altered or
replaced, and any attempt will be blocked (and the existing file
will stay in place).

Is there any way to override this mechanism ?
Click to expand...

Replace the file with the same name in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DLLCACHE at
first.
 
Have you tried to use "Roll back driver"?
It's under Device manager -> Properties of the device -> Driver
 
uninstall is an exaggeration, It uninstalls it a fraction, perhaps
making it unusable. Apps can be reinstalled easily without problem. So
sys restore is a good option.

but the other options mentioned should be tried first.

To reinstall a driver don't replace files manually. There is an option
to reinstall a driver in win xp.

If u had to replace a file manually and found that winxp 'wont let you'
i.e. it buts in and replaces it with a file of the same name in
c:\windows\system32\dllcache, then replace the one in dllcache.

also, it masy make a diff if you unhide the file you want to override,
take off the read only attribute
 
< Cross posting reduced >

Yes, system restore will remove all monitored files installed or
changed after the date of restore. As long as you have the software,
just reinstall it. If you don't have the software it would be best to
uninstall it before doing the restore.

If you knew for a fact it was a driver issue you could use the steps
in these articles.

How To Use the Roll Back Driver Feature in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;283657

HOW TO: Use the Driver Roll Back Feature to Restore a Previous Version
of a Device Driver in WinXP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;306546

System Restore will cover both file and driver issues.
 
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