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Unknown has altered windows system files

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by paul681 1 view

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I had a computer that was locking up on me and I used drwatson to help trouble shoot.
I noticed many times when I boot up and run drwatson I get a message that says
Unknown has altered windows system files.
I ended up reloading the OS because thelockups got to the point of not being able to use it and this user needed it back fast.
After I reloaded it and run dr watson i get the same message sometimes.
Sometimes it tells me norton anti virus has altered files but there is no error.
Is this a cosmetic error?
Should I be concerned about it?
Right now there are no visable errors

7 replies

by thechas

If you have been re-installing Windows on-top of itself, it is now time for a clean install.

Back up all important data, passwords, settings, etc.
Have a copy of all device drivers and software handy.
Create a boot/startup floppy.

Boot from the floppy.
Use the formatc: /u command from the command line to wipe everything off of your hard drive.
Insert the windows CD.
Type setup press enter, and re-install windows.

When you reach the drivers stage:
Install the chipset / motherboard drivers,
DirectX,
Then your other device drivers.

Windows is a self modifying program. As such, after several months to 2 years, the registry and files just get so full of bad links and code that your only recourse is to wipe the drive and start over again.

You may get some relief from a registry fixer such as Norton WinDoctor, or OnTrack Fix-It.

Chas

by paul681

It was a clean install
I wrote zeros to the drive
formatted it and loaded the os

by paul681

We have NAV 7.6 with the latest def.
I have scanned this computer a feww times.

I dont see the purpose in going to a site that does "Free Scan"

by dcosgrove

i don't have much experience with Dr Watson, but many things can alter system files. Run sfc from the start menu and see if it finds any altered files. I usually get setupx and user have been altered, maybe because I use roaming profiles, but it causes no trouble. It depends on how the list of files to be checked is generated and updated by DR Watson. It is likely not cause for concern and not related to the errors you were previously receiving. If however, you were allowing it to repair these files in the past, you may have replaced legit files with older ones. Twain technology is very sensitive to this type of "maitainance".

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