dont ask, but i deleted root certificates in my xp, results were chaotic. i was unable to run msn (well it ran, but as good as not running, cuz it wasnt functioning at all), zonealarm fucked up, IE didnt work and many other things.
including if you go to "control panel" > "add or remove programs" > "add/remove windows components" and it gives error that cant find this and that.
- in IE you are unable to visit SSL sites (https).
- file validation failed, cannot verifiy the digital signature
- msn messenger does not keep anything in memory and does not login (post error code cuz i forgot it)
- "control panel" > "add or remove programs" > "add/remove windows components" is not accessable (gives error messages)
- not able to run most of microsoft softwares
there's probably a lot more symptoms. in my case, i was not able to use zonealarm (installed one and new installer did not work), msn did not work, add/remove windows components was giving errors
there can be several causes, deleting by accident, virus, trojan, corrupted and unmaintained system..etc.
= FIX =
no specific fix, it has to be done part by part, file by file. here are only steps you want to try, in order to get everything back running.
remember that reinstalling OS will fix all of those issues, but you will lose settings and programs (programs will stay, but you cant run them without reinstalling). so if you have lot of settings and programs you dont want to lose (like me) you will definetly want to go for other steps.
1. Exporting / Importing
- open IE (internet explorer) of if you do not have, open windows explorer (open ANY folder in your pc)
- now in the URL/PATH bar put an internet link > http://sethioz.com
- this will open my site and windows explorer turns into ie
- in IE, go to "tools" > "internet options" > "content" > "certificates"
- here you can view all your certificates, to make sure you have all, do the same in another computer running same OS (version should not be important)
- export all the certificates from other PC/laptop (to select more than one at once, either hold down CTRL and select or select FIRST one, then hold down shift and select last one, this will select ALL in list, then export).
- make sure to export all certificates from under all tabs, like trusted ..etc
- now in your broken pc, import them back, by using that import button.
- reboot, just to make sure everything takes effect
2. Replacing / Adding .inf and .dll files
- use another computer that has working .inf files and go into /WINDOWS/inf/ directory, copy all files into your broken computer
- use another computer with same working OS, go into WINDOWS/system32/setup/ directory and copy all files into your broken system
- to make sure you are still not missing files, do this:
- go to "control panel" > "add or remove programs" > "add/remove windows components"
- if you are able to open it and see the list, then you are probably not missing any .inf and/or .dll files
- if you get an error, follow the filename in error.
- do a google search for "missingfile.inf" and/or "missingfile.dll" and download them, put them into right directory.
- where missingfile is the filename of the file that you see in the error.
- .dll files go into > /WINDOWS/system32/setup
- .inf files go into > /WINDOWS/inf
3. Registering some .dll files
- the following lines have to be entered into command prompt one by one and pressing enter after each one
- or it is easier to use a .bat (batch) file
- make new file (any, but .txt is best)
- rename it to yourfile.bat
- open yourfile.txt with notepad++ or any other text editor
- paste the following lines into yourfile.bat and save, then exit and then double-click yourfile.bat
Code: Select all
regsvr32 wuapi.dll
regsvr32 wuaueng.dll
regsvr32 wucltui.dll
regsvr32 wups.dll
regsvr32 wuweb.dll
regsvr32 atl.dll
regsvr32 Softpub.dll
regsvr32 Wintrust.dll
regsvr32 Initpki.dll
regsvr32 Mssip32.dll
- if you get no errors, good, you are done.
- if you get missing or somethign like that, do the google search for missingfile.dll again and download them all.
- those missing .dll files will go into "/WINDOWS/system32/" directory.
4. Removing / Renaming "CatRoot2" and restarting "crypthographic services"
- this is SSL specific usually, if you cant operate with SSL connections, but if first 3 did not help, try it.
- control panel
- administrative tools
- services
- find "cryptographic services"
- if its started, stop it (right click for options)
- go into /WINDOWS/system32 and find "CatRoot2"
- rename it to something else (like CatRoot2_bak)
- start cryptographic service again
- if its not started, do same with CatRoot2, then right click "cryptographic services" and "properties"
- startup type should be "automatic"
- now start the service
- you may want to reboot after this or between steps (like when stopping), there is no golden rule, whatever works best for you. sometimes it might work without rebooting, sometimes it might not work at all, its microsoft after all :(
NOTE- if this service is not on automatic or not started, then you have some serious issues.
If you are unable to fix errors, reply here and i will try to find more solutions.
I was able to fix all of my problems, by following those steps.
steps 1 - 3 fixed my issues for good.
DO NOT belive those "experts" who tell you to format or reinstall, everything can be fixed by Sethioz :)