Replacing a Missing DLL or Other System Files
If Windows is whining about a missing or damaged file, you don't need to reload the system. That's a rather drastic measure, since you'd have to re-install all your software, as well as apply all the Windows Update security fixes. Even on a fast system with a high-speed Internet connection, that would take hours.
Instead, try the System File Checker, also known as SFC. Sometimes a hardware or software glitch will cause an important system file to be damaged and unusable. If you get a message about a problem with a DLL file, if you see the dreaded Blue Screen of Death , or if Windows seems to behave erratically, the System File Checker may restore your computer to its former glory.
The SFC utility will scan your system for damaged DLL files, and replace them with the original version. The correct version of the file will be copied from a cache folder on your hard drive, if possible. If the file cannot be copied from the cache, SFC will prompt you for the Windows installation CD.
To run the System File Checker, click Start, then Run, then enter this command:
SFC /SCANNOW
SFC may run for quite a while, so don't be alarmed if it grinds away for 30 minutes or more. Unfortunately, it does not produce a report of problems that it found and fixed. Note that if you are running Windows 2000, you should install Service Pack 4 (SP4) before running SFC, or it may overwrite some existing Windows 2000 hotfixes or security updates. When SFC finishes, reboot your computer and see if the error message is gone.
Dude, You Gotta Get a DLL
If SFC doesn't do the trick, or if you know for sure that you need just one specific DLL file, you can try DLL-File.com. You can search for the desired file, then download a ZIP containing your file and a README with instructions for installation.
Got any tricks of your own for fixing annoying Windows problems? Post your comments below.