Ive got a missing file

Hi all, hope you can help me. I am quite a beginner with computers When windows is loading an error message come up ' file windows\004.dll is missing. any ideas what i can do?? I thought of loading xp disc again but i have lost 'volume license product key' numbers. Help guys.

 

Hello coyote wild,

windows\004.dll - is the exact name of the file? File names in Windows aren't named like this. It may not be in the Windows folder and looks a like a System Restore file - no slash and no "windows ".

You can try sfc - description below - doesn't need any validation to use the cd.

Start > Run > cmd sfc /scannow and have your XP install disc handy. There is a space between sfc and /
sfc - system file checker, retrieves the correct version of the file from %Systemroot%\System32\Dllcache or the Windows installation source files, and then replaces the incorrect file.

If you want to see what was replaced, right click My Computer > manage, expand event viewer > system.

Excerpt from MS KBA 310747:
System File Checker gives an administrator the ability to scan all protected files to verify their versions. If System File Checker discovers that a protected file has been overwritten, it retrieves the correct version of the file from the cache folder (%Systemroot%\System32\Dllcache) or the Windows installation source files, and then replaces the incorrect file. System File Checker also checks and repopulates the cache folder. You must be logged on as an administrator or as a member of the Administrators group to run System File Checker. If the cache folder becomes damaged or unusable, you can use the sfc /scannow, the sfc /scanonce, or the sfc /scanboot commands to repair its contents.

Regards - Charles

 

To find the product key, download and run Magic Jelly Bean Key Finder. Then write the key down somewhere you won't lose it. On the XP CD label with a felt pen works.