Hi,
Thank you for your suggestion Bob.
I was all set to go ahead. My only concern was whether or not I could choose which files were replaced. But I ran into an unexpected snag.
When SCANNOW said that files required for Windows to run properly needed to be copied to the DLL Cache and would I insert my Windows XP CD-ROM I obligingly popped in the CD that came with my computer.
To those who would attempt to run a SCANNOW without knowing difference between the Windows XP Professional CD and a Restore CD -- it doesn't work.
Here's why, for those with Restore CD's should be in the know. Restore CD's are the resourceful brainchildren of the standard computer manufacturer. Included in pre-packaged computer systems they contain everything from your OS (which you need) to superfluous bothers like AOL online (which you don't need).
I have an E-Machine. I purchased it second hand and hadn't yet had cause to use the so-called Restore CD. I say so-called because the Restore CD doesn't so much restore in the sense of touch up or repair. No, the Restore CD is more like a nuke and pave which completely reformats the entire hard disk before installing everything again according to precise manufacturer specifications, i.e. no customization. Fortunately, it warns the user of its intent and impending disaster may be avoided by the literate if not computer-literate.
So I went looking for a work around. SCANNOW prompts for the XP CD if the DLL cache folder, or part of it, is corrupted for some reason. It is also possible to import the entire I386 file to the hard drive and then modify the registry to tell SCANNOW to use this source path for the files instead of going straight to the CD.
Seems plausible, but my attempt was foiled again. My I386 file is concealed along with the rest of the installation files inside of a .GHO file: a disk image file from Symantec’s Ghost.
If I were to purchase Ghost, will it let me read the .GHO and extract the I386 file? Or am I looking in the wrong place for a solution?
Regards,
Piers