bad image

when loading xp Im getting a couple of bad image (Errors)
Explorer.exe - bad image
The application or DLL C:\Windows\WINMM.dll is not a valid windows image.please check this against your instalation diskette. this happens before any Icons load on the screen after clicking ok sscreen icons start loadin antivirus firewall ect... start loading and then I get
AGRSMMSG.exe-bad image
aplication or dll c\windows ect....same as above what can I do to alleviate this problem no disks xp was preloaded all I have ar recovery discs(7) that I made when pc was purchased
thanks in advance
Korvorka

 

First of all, check your system files with sfc. You'll need your windows CD.
Click start > run and type 'cmd' (without quotes), press enter. The command prompt appears. Now type 'sfc /scannow', again without quotes. Press enter and insert your windows CD when asked.

 

thats a problem I don't have a disc this pc came preloaded (walmarts)
its a compaq presario sr1303wm the only disc I have are recovery disc's there are seven of them I hope I never have to use them I made those when the pc was bought

 

First, try this.
If you cannot find the files this article refers to, you'll need those recovery discs. I haven't got a clue on how to use those though... Maybe check your manual.

 

I'm willing to guess that most of those disks are drivers and various other offers made by other companies.

Look through the disks and see if you can find one with SYSTEM RECOVERY on it and then your version of windows such as XP RECOVERY or whatever. This disk will have the files you need to run the 'sfc /scannow' option.

 

I found the I386 file refered to by erickske Its on my c drive in Windows which are hidden files I run the sfc/scanow never asked for a disc it verifed file integrity can't remember what it said excatly,took about 45 mins. I was going to try pointing to I386 file wasn't quite sure how to input I'm not quite sure what a full file path is or how to get it or write it.Anyways like I said it never asked for anything

 

Easiest method: download a fresh winm.dll and replace the broken one (back it up first in case this breaks your system).
Instructions

 

hey Erikske
I may have found the problem but wanted to check with you first after I got your last post I run a search for the winmm.dll file it came up with two references one I believe the original because of the modified date is prior to purchase 8/4/2004 172Kb in c:\WINDOWS\system32
the other file is listed as just c:\WINDOWS Kb 0 modifed date 4/2/2006 Can I just delete the 0 kb file?

 

also wanted to ask about backing up these files if I had to replace that file do I back-up the one file, the whole registry or the folder and how do I go about that and If I have problems, reverting to the old file
Thanks

 

I don't know for sure where the file has to be. Try by deleting the 0kb file first. If windows complains about missing files afterwards, just copy the file from system32.

Only backing up the replaced files should be enough. The best method is to rename the old file to winmm.dll.old or something like that. I think winmm.dll is a non-critical file, so you can probably easily restore it from explorer when something goes wrong. If you feel uncomfortable about this, you can always create a restore point before changing anything.
The reason you should not zip backups of replaced dlls is that when windows refuses to start afterwards, you have to restore the file from the recovery console, which can't handle zip files.

 

Thanks for the help erikske deleting the o byte file fixed the problem appreciate the tips on backing up files enjoy:cool