System32 files missing!

[HANNA]

Hi everyone,

I am having a really big problem with my windows. Okay so here is what
happened I was having problems accessing websites telling me "error page
cannot be displayed etc.." so then I went here ..
"http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326155" and hoping it would resolve the
issue that I'm having. To my disappointmet it did not work...

So then I tried to talk to Comcast Customer Service about my issue and they
did some "ping" here and there, and when they told me to "ping" my system32,
cd, etc.. It wouldn't do it... A message will pop up saying .. "Not a valid
Win32 application". That's when they told me that System32 is required and
that I need to talk to Microsoft about it.

Yea... I think I accidentally deleted the System32 folder thinking that I
had a virus in it so decided to delete ALL files... I didn't know


So if anyone in here can help me I would GREAAATLY appreciate you for taking
your time and trying to help. PLEASE PLEASEEE !

 

[Malke]

Hi everyone,

I am having a really big problem with my windows. Okay so here is what
happened I was having problems accessing websites telling me "error page
cannot be displayed etc.." so then I went here ..
"http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326155" and hoping it would resolve the
issue that I'm having. To my disappointmet it did not work...

So then I tried to talk to Comcast Customer Service about my issue and
they did some "ping" here and there, and when they told me to "ping" my
system32, cd, etc.. It wouldn't do it... A message will pop up saying ..
"Not a valid
Win32 application". That's when they told me that System32 is required
and that I need to talk to Microsoft about it.

Yea... I think I accidentally deleted the System32 folder thinking that I
had a virus in it so decided to delete ALL files... I didn't know

You can't delete the System32 folder; Windows won't let you. Even knowing
how lame most first-tier tech support is, I very much doubt that Comcast
tech support told you to ping System32.

The first thing to do is make sure the computer is completely
virus/malware-free. My guess (and it is a guess because you haven't
provided much to go on) is that it is not.

Go through these general malware removal steps systematically -
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Include scanning with David Lipman's Multi_AV and follow instructions to do
all scans in Safe Mode.

When all else fails, run HijackThis and post your log in one of the
specialty forums listed at the first link above (not here, please).

Standard disclaimer: I can't see and test your computer myself, so these are
just suggestions based on many years of being a professional computer tech;
suggestions based on what you've written. You should not take my
suggestions as a definitive diagnosis. If you can't do the work yourself
(and there is no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea), take the
machine to a professional computer repair shop (not your local equivalent
of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). Please be aware that not all local shops
are skilled at removing malware and even if they are, your computer may be
so infested that Windows will need to be clean-installed. If possible, have
all your data backed up before you take the machine into a shop.

Malke

 

[mikeyhsd]

if you think you are missing system files, then you can run the SFC (system File Checker) to scan the computer and replace the missing ones.
here is a Microsoft Knowledge Base article on how to use it.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310747/en-us



(e-mail address removed)



Hi everyone,

I am having a really big problem with my windows. Okay so here is what
happened I was having problems accessing websites telling me "error page
cannot be displayed etc.." so then I went here ..
"http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326155" and hoping it would resolve the
issue that I'm having. To my disappointmet it did not work...

So then I tried to talk to Comcast Customer Service about my issue and they
did some "ping" here and there, and when they told me to "ping" my system32,
cd, etc.. It wouldn't do it... A message will pop up saying .. "Not a valid
Win32 application". That's when they told me that System32 is required and
that I need to talk to Microsoft about it.

Yea... I think I accidentally deleted the System32 folder thinking that I
had a virus in it so decided to delete ALL files... I didn't know


So if anyone in here can help me I would GREAAATLY appreciate you for taking
your time and trying to help. PLEASE PLEASEEE !

 

[HANNA]

HI MALKE!

I FIXED it! ahha and you're right you really can't delete windows folders
because it won't let you.... SO, what I did was to check on my "FOLDERS
OPTIONS" in control panel just to see if I have my system32 hidden... and to
my surprise IT WAS!!!! so now I can see it.

But I have another problem....

I can't seem to download the Windows Updates.. I checked the MB's and it is
like "0MB" shouldn't there be like 214MB for example??

So I don't know if that is the case on why I can't seem to update.

Can you help me? THANKS

 

[Malke]

HI MALKE!

I FIXED it! ahha and you're right you really can't delete windows folders
because it won't let you.... SO, what I did was to check on my "FOLDERS
OPTIONS" in control panel just to see if I have my system32 hidden... and
to my surprise IT WAS!!!! so now I can see it.

But I have another problem....

I can't seem to download the Windows Updates.. I checked the MB's and it
is
like "0MB" shouldn't there be like 214MB for example??

So I don't know if that is the case on why I can't seem to update.

Check the computer for viruses and malware per at least some of the
procedures I already gave you.

If after you've done this you still can't update, post in the newsgroup for
Windows Update where you'll get the WU experts' attention.

microsoft.public.windowsupdate

Malke

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Check the computer for viruses and malware per at least some of the
procedures I already gave you.

If after you've done this you still can't update, post in the newsgroup
for
Windows Update where you'll get the WU experts' attention.

microsoft.public.windowsupdate

Might not have to:

Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft
Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
installation:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144

NB: Also applies to clean installs, upgrade installs, and Recovery installs.