Help Need Windows OS Advice

[Grrilla]

During the process of doing a reg cleaning and a defrag, something got screwed up on my Windows XP os. All system related text is coming up as code/symbols. I get text on programs and online (albeit as I type, everything is in a bold font). I used Syst Mech to clean reg, and restored reg settings, but w/ no effect. I believe I am getting a Rundll missing file or error message. I don't use Windows system restore, because I have other methods of reg backup, but because I am having trouble reading all text in windows files, am not sure what I am getting.

Anyone know where I should be looking to fix prob? GUI? The system is all there, it's just that most everything is reading out as hyroglyphics.

 

[McDope]

I have found the "missing, corrupt" files in my newly installed Windows, so they are there- just not being read.

It could be that, as you say, the files are there but Windows is not looking for them in the right place.

This is an interesting link that comments on the missing HAL.dll file problem.

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm

I've been there a gazillion times and I'd not hesitate. Try to save up as much info as possible and backup the whole stuff in a separate drive, then format and make a clean install. I apologize cos I haven't read the above posts thoroughly, so I guess you have a good reason for not doing this, but in the end it will be more convenient. Otherwise you'll never know when XP will decide to break on you again.

Just my two cents...

 

[Caveman]

From microsoft.com

To start System File Checker, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, click System Information, and then click System File Checker on the Tools menu.

2. Click one of the following options:
a) Scan For Altered Files
b) Extract One File From Installation Disk

NOTE: If you click Extract One File From Installation Disk, you can specify the file you want to extract.

3. Click Settings, choose the configuration you want to use in System File Checker Settings, click OK, and then click Start.

 

[PolurNET]

Did you get infected by a virus or something? Have you tried running some anti-virus/anti-trojan progs?

 

[Grrilla]

Did you get infected by a virus or something? Have you tried running some anti-virus/anti-trojan progs?

No, the problem occured after a third party defrag app, (System Mechanic), crashed during operation. But during the process of isolating the problem, I did one of my deepest scans ever for spy/malware/trojans and unearthed some well hidden buggers that AdAware Pro and Spybot had failed to pick up. I used SpySweep which was very thorough and also provided some clues that helped lead me to some files that I could only remove manually. However, these were not the root of the problem.

McDope- thankyou for the Kellys-Korner direct hal.dll link. I have been at that site several times in the past, but have been sailing so smoothly for past couple of years, that I forgot about it.

Caveman- TX for laying out the procedure. That's a new one for me and will give it a go.

Will get back and, again, thank you all for taking the time to help out.