Replacing damaged system files

[anlaoch]

Hi.

We've all seen that after a machine has been infected by a virus or whatever, that even after removing it, XP might not behave as it used to or as it should. So my question is: Once the infection has been removed, is it advisable to run sfc.exe or just reload windows over itself? Also, if windows is reloaded over itself, will all your other programs be removed, and will you have to reinstall them as well (which I suppose is what I would be trying to avoid).

I've seen a recent post which deals with a similar issue (at the front of this forum) but it loses me fairly quickly.

All help appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[jaclaz]

The best option is usually doing a REPAIR install.

You will need a slipstreamed CD to the same (or later) "level" of SP.

See here:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

jaclaz

[Tarun]

I'd start with:

sfc /scannow

[sternkanz]

I did a repair install of Windows XP once and I was amazed at how well it worked, it remembered all of my installed programs and everything worked just the way it did before (only slightly snappier and less cluttered).

Then I did it again about half a year later and it broke my system. So not really sure why I'm telling you this but I guess the main point is, backup important stuff before you try anything!