How to Re-install Deleted spoolsv.exe from HP Media Center - Windows XP sp2

Here's a great Challenge for you! I accidently deleted Spoolsv.exe by mistake when getting rid of a Trojan Virus, that took over the system with multiple copies, so I couldn’t print. This was done weeks ago and it is too late to use a system restore. No printers show up with the Control Panel and I cannot print or make PDF files that I see now use the printer driver or install a printer because there is "no printer service availableâ€.

The computer is a newer HP Media Center with very fast Duo-Core processors had the Media Center version of Windows XP installed (and Microsoft update installed sp2 when I was setting it up). However no XP installation disks , no software CD’s , and or software certificates were provided in the new unopened box that it came in (which I discovered a much later when I developed this problem), just lots of manuals, cords, tv remote, antenna, etc, etc ,etc.

I used services.msc from start > run (local) to try to start the print spooler and the print spooler status that said it was running! But when I try to install a printer I get the message: "Operation can not be completed. The print spooler service is not running." If I then try to either stop the print spooler OR try to start it again I get the message "undefined error" and this location: res://C:\WINDOWS\System32\mmcndmgr.dll/views.htm

I own the Home Edition of Windows XP too that I use on my older HP Pavillion Laptop, running XP Home Ed w/ sp2 but the system says it is incompatible when I try to install that XP on the Duo-Core Desktop (since I guess it’s not Media Center version). I tried dragging a spoolsv.exe from the Laptop that I also use successfully running XP Home Ed w/ sp2 into the right file location in my Duo-Core Processor computer, but the system does not find it.

You folks are very smart ... so what solves this? Thanks ahead of time for any help that you can give. --very frustrated and unproductive here in cyberland!--

 

Spoolsv.exe is a protected file on XP and normally the System File Protection will not allow it to be deleted. You will normally find several copies of it on your drive.

If you run sfc /scannow from a command line or from the Run window, it should replace the file. That may also replace any other files that got lost in the cleaning process. Try that and report back.

 

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WOW! Thx for speedy reply!! It's in the process of slowly checking. It's asked several times for the Windows Service Pack 3 (SP3) CD to be put into the drive, which I don't have (I updated with MS Update I think, if not I will try that later and do this again). I cancelled that request each time and it continues to check the system anway, saying I might need that disk later. When it finishes checking, I will report back.

 

I have to run so when SFC finishes and fails to fix your problem, which is likely, since if isn't that handy, do a drive search for spoolsv.exe and see if you have that file in the Windows\System32 folder. If not, copy it from any other location that the Search shows and paste it into the Windows\System32 folder. There should be usable copies at C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\dllcache\spoolsv.exe and C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386\spoolsv.exe. Then run Services.msc from a Run window and scroll down to the Print Spooler and start the service.

That should restore the printers to functionability. If not report back and I or someone else will take you further on this.

 

Pls Excuse the delay, took time to test then got buried with the day's work.

RUN: sfc /scannow didn't fix it

But Searching Afterwards: successfully found spoolsv.exe DOCs in both C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\spoolsv.exe & C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386\spoolsv.exe . [ BUT there is no C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\dllcache FILE! ]

I found the right Window Service Pack 3 (SP3) and installed it too.

RUN: Services.msc brought up the services and I started the spooler again.

STATUS: can not print, can not install HP 2600n printer driver from disk or from Control Panel Printer section (error message each time is that the "RPC Service is Unavailable ").

OK what logically is next to try (your help is MUCH appreciated).

 

did you reboot after you reinstalled the missing spoolsv.exe ?

 

Also check your running services to confirm or start the Remote Procedure Call service. It should be set to Automatic.

It's looking like your system may have extended damage due to the cleansing of the virus and may require you to do a Repair Reinstall.

 

Yes I did

 

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I checked and the RPC was set to Manual. I set to automatic, and started it and print spooler service and rebooted again. There's a LogOn tab in the service, it is set to Local. I put a new copy of spoolsv.exe back in system32, did all this above again and rebooted. RPC Service still not running (can't print or install a printer.

Repair Reinstall? If this is for Windows XP to be re-installed, note that this is a one year old HP Media Center with Duo-Core processors. Windows XP Media Center was installed at the factory, but no installation disks or ownership certificates were in the box. (This Trojan Backdoor virus that caused the problem is a tough one. AVG 8.5 (Commerical paid for Anti-Virus PGM) does not detect it. It's easy to cure by removing extra spoolsv.exe most the time, then this havoc!

Forgot to say that I did also deleted the system32/pre-fetch/spoolsv.exe variant when I removed the extra spoolsv.exe imposters. It seems to come back when reboot.

Ideas on what to do? THX Tons

 

If you didn't get any CD's for reinstalling the system then you should have a data partition on your hard drive that will allow you to reinstall from it. It may be a hidden partition that requires you to press certain keys on boot-up to allow for a system recovery. Unfortunately it doesn't usually provide for a repair install. It will normally put you back to factory delivered condition and you'll lose all of your personal files and newly installed software.

Consider borrowing a full install version for XP Media from a friend since that would allow for the repair reinstall.

I presume you don't have an image backup that could be used to restore the system to a time before the virus struck. Consider getting the software to do that for next time.

Consult any literature that you got with that machine and also check the manufacturer's web site to determine how you can affect a recovery, if it comes to that.