Replacement DLLs

Ok, this problem was caused cause of my own stupidness..
I was playing with custom themes to make my windows XP look more like Windows 7. And one of the custom themes required me to replace a lot of core DLL files... thinking that wouldnt hurt my computer... i start getting this little error whenever i try to update/install anything for IE/Firefox/Chrome
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k33/disk00/booooo.png

Is there a way i can replace the DLL(s) without reinstalling the whole OS?

 

If you have an install disc, you can run 'sfc scannow' from the repair option. Add a forward slash just before scannow.

 

3rd party themes for WinXP (and probably other Windows versions) are not natively supported by Windows. You must use a 'patched' theme file. I have no idea if you've already patched the uxtheme.dll file, I think you can use this file (for WinXP SP1/2) or maybe this file (WinXP SP3). I have NOT personally used these files and CANNOT and WILL NOT vouch for their validity. However, I got these links a few months ago while trying to find out how to change my XP to look more like Win7 (sound familiar? ). It ended up looking like it was too much trouble and I simply installed the real deal (Win7x64 Home Premium). Anyway- I hope this helps. Good luck.

BTW- the shell32.dll is one of the core components of the WinXP visual/functional structure; if messed with, you might have to perform a repair install at the very least.

 

-looking for install disc now-

How do you do the scannow thing..( not so good with some stuff like that)

also... i know about the uxtheme patching. What I did was i guess patch those other DLLs to make other things look like Windows 7 ( like settings...background setting, resolution. that sort of thing)


edit-
Repair install...isnt that like deleting the OS and reinstalling it? or overwriting it?

 

I tried a 'theme' once and it was a total disaster, never again man! At least for me.

 

Yeah- I'll never mess around with themes either. I've heard nothing but bad news from attempts at installing/changing themes.

Kind of. I won't get into the technical specifics, but if you have your WinXP install disc, simply read through this guide and it will explain it all with a full step-by-step 'how-to' complete with screen shots. As long as the user profile isn't corrupt (and a corrupt user profile is somewhat rare), when it's done, you'll still have all your programs, data, shortcuts, desktop, etc. Out of 100+ repair installs I've done, only about 6 or 7 have ended up with all the shortcuts gone, and non-functioning programs, but all the pics, docs, music, etc, were still there and functional.

(there's a paragraph in that how-to guide that says you probably won't need your product key - this is FALSE! Like I said, I have performed well over 100 repair installs, and as far as I can remember, I have needed the product key EACH TIME)

 

this isnt a bump..

How do i run that sfc_scannow thing? there is no repair option btw on my install disk. Atleast, not when im in windows and i click on setup, theres no repair option

 

Click START, then RUN, then type in:

sfc /scannow (press enter)

 

Wow, didn't think of that..

Anyways thanks a lot for the quick help my comp is now back to "normal" or as normal as it ever will be

never again will I replace core DLLs.

 

nvm..it didn't fix it. im still getting the error. Do i need to be in safe mode when i run it? I still have the "windows 7 rippoff" look too. But i thought things turned normal cause my mouse went back to normal, and my other Windows 7 theme reverted to windows classic

the sfc /scannow thing didnt seem to do anything. other than what i stated above. If its suposed to replace the modded DLL files, doesnt it tell you it was succesful in the end or something? mine just goes away when the scanner loading bar thing reaches the end.

Would it be bad, or stupid to request someone to give me a CLEAN un-modded shell32 dll? or..the one thats causing my problem. That isnt against the rules is it?

 

did you try a simple system restore yet?,you may have to try several restore points before it reverts back

 

Ah.. i have that turned off. Because a while back. i guess i had a critical computer error, and it set my computer back almost a whole year. so i didn't want that to happen again...probly a really stupid thing to do.

One last question.... i have a "replacer" the one i used to put those DLL's in there in the first place. My question is, if those files are on dll-files.com Could i fix it like that? or would i still have problems.

Things that were screwed with ( i checked)
Explorer.exe
MyDocs.dll
Shell32.dll
themeui.dll
Msgina.dll
netshell.dll
xpsp1res.dll
xpsp2res.dll
wscui
wuaucpl
sysdm

edit-
Actualy..would it work if i grabbed those files from my guest computer? it has the exact same OS as this one, and is up to SP3 like this one is too.

 

this would probably be the best solution for your situation ,not that difficult to do,just follow the above advice as well as the linked instruction provided,
then all you'll have to do is reinstall the windows updates