(Resolved) system32 folder

[Valentine55]

I got the AVG antivirus program from the list of free internet programs on the tech forum, and when i finished downloading it this morning i did a scan. A few things came up, which it asked me to delete, which i did. The things it asked to delete where in my "my documents" folder. After i deleted them, most of my programs stopped opening or either keep bringing the "which program would you like to open this with" box up. I was checking my folders in c\windows and found that my whole system32 folder has been emptied after i had done the scan. Does anyone know how to get the contents of my system32 folder back?

[Beefynick]

Unless the files are quarantined in AVG (or AVG has a restore function which I do not remember)you will have to reinstall.

[Valentine55]

Ok, thanks. Now I have to go find the CD's.

[Hickabod]

What about a System Restore? Thats less drastic and saved my ass many a time

[Beefynick]

That is worth a try, but usually if you have damage that extensive, system restore will not work. The program for system restore is stored in the system32 folder I am pretty sure.

[Dauntasa]

Get PC Inspector. Install it, and run it. If you find your system32 folder with it, move the files back to their original spot. If you don't, System restore or format your hard drive.

EDIT: Make sure you don't turn off your computer if you're going to try PC inspector. And make sure to check the AVG quarantine folder before doing anything drastic.

[Hunnter]

Ooft, don't reinstall, just use the system repair tools in the Installation CD.
Can't remember exactly where it was, i think it is somewhere around the installation process, you can repair rather than reinstalling the whole thing.

Ah here we go, this is very good
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
Hope it doesn't need to get to this point though...
Also, pay close attention to the warnings as well, i don't want you to end up deleting your whole drive for a new install or something.

[Valentine55]

Thanks, i'll try those ideas. This is probably a stupid question, but what does the system32 folder actually do? Will my computer stop working after a short while without it?

[Spastic]

Your computer won't work at all. System32 is all critical system files.

[Valentine55]

Are you sure? It's working pretty okay at the moment.

[Beefynick]

If your system is running could it be that your system32 file folder was hidden. Check to see if you have hidden files and folder visible.

[notafan]

When that happened to me it ended up that the folder was hidden. I went to some folder and there was like 12 system32 folders.

[Blackflash]

in windows 64 bit is %system32% now %system64%?

[Spastic]

in windows 64 bit is %system32% now %system64%?

It's still system32.

[Valentine55]

I have hidden files turned on. I had a search around and found another system32 folder (or possibly the same one got moved). What should i do with this now? Or is it fine as it is?

[Beefynick]

If your computer runs I would just leave it.

[Valentine55]

Ok, it does seem to be running okay. Thanks for your help everyone.