Problems with installing older sfc

Hey all,

I am having some big problem with old Sound Blaster Live! drivers conflicting with my current sound. I've tried to remove them with Driver Cleaner Pro, but alas:

File replacement was attempted on the protected system file c:\windows\system32\a3d.dll. This file was restored to the original version to maintain system stability. The file version of the system file is 80.0.0.3.

I've gone through the process of trying to get sfc 5.1.2600.1106 installed rather than 5.1.2600.2180 using the instructions at http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=510 but the new version is still there under sfc.dll in the system32 and dllcache folder(though SFC_OS.DLL is there at version 1106). It is however listed as sfc.dll version 1106 in the system folder.

Can anyone please help me figure this out? It is crashing many of my games I suspect at random intervals, and those that see the creative card(it is no longer there) crash almost immediately. I've gone through most everything else and this is one of the last things I am trying to fix, and even if it isn't the problem I want those drivers out. Is there a way to make windows run the SFC_OS.DLL rather than the sfc.dll? I've tried in recovery mode, safe, etc, but it always says that sfc.dll is being used by another process when I "Copy SFC_OS.DLL SFC.DLL /Y ".

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

EDIT: I did replace the file in dllcache first.
EDIT2: typo

 

Welcome to the board.

The instructions you quote are srraight-foreward and should have worked if that file was the cause of your problem. Crashing has many causes, and maybe more details about the events leading to your conclusion would be of help. The fact that another file with a different name exists has no bearing.

Why do you believe the sound drivers are at fault? The usual way to change drivers is just to remove the sound card in controll panel and reboot, when windows then sees the card and asks for the drivers to install.

 

Messing with System Files (trying to uninstall System File Checker) is going to create more problems than an old audio driver. Download the latest driver from Creative and see if you have better luck. Leaving those old drivers on your system should only be a problem if they are installed.

B