VISTA - corrupt file

Have a VISTA based PC with a corrupt file SHDOCVW.dll - showing as 0 bytes and as such impossible to run almost anything easily.

I have second HDD with a previous image - but out of date date on it and tried a copy across to c:\windows\system32\ but it will not allow me to - working at command prompt.

I have very limited time to access the machine - can anyone please give me some detailed instructions on how to change file protection ( through CMD window possibly) or how to launch File Manager and do it from there.

the corrupt/missing dll stops toolbars and icons being displayed.



Thanks

Use attrib to change file attributes

You can use CACLS to change access permissions from the command line. You may also need to change the attributes with ATTRIB.

Thx to both ...

Have made some efforts but first advisory was to use ICACLS ... but I tried CACLS and got no where, then with ICACLS it became access denied.

Assuming the user name that I am logged on with is Craig ... please could you construct the CLI instructions, I have the Command window open and can navigate to the directories.

Looks like System File Checker is the command to use http://pcsupport.about.com/od/termss/p/sfc-command-s...

On Vista (x64):

C:\Windows\System32

Attrib of shdocvw.dll shows 'A' (archive).

You probably need to login as admin or run as admin for dos prompt to get access to system32 files.

If the user you are logged on doesn't have authority to edit permissions (which may be the case even if your are an Administrator) that would possibly explain the "access denied". Try using the /setowner option of ICACLS to change ownership of the file to yourself (will only work if you are an Administrator) and then try to set the permissions.

Full syntax of ICACLS: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc753525(...

On the other hand, it may be that the "access denied" means that another program has a lock on the file.

How - from task manager, can I run as Admin?

No ICONS, no task bars or anything!

Boot off a live linux CD with writable NTFS support and bypass all this Vista security kerfuffle?

E.g. Trinity Rescue Kit is a special-purpose LiveLinux CD and may help in these circumstances:
http://trinityhome.org