Replacing system files in 2k w/NTFS.

[ToastGodSupreme]

Mods, I think you should make this a sticky, because as of yet, I know of NO other method that works. Seriously. And that stuff in the "modifying XP thread" in the XP area does NOTHING for 2k (and I'm not some moron who can't follow directions, it just doesn't work). Also, nobody has mentioned this yet.

Disclaimer: If you are too stupid to understand what I am saying, you don't need to be doing this. If you do something wrong, you can screw your installation very easily. Don't blame me if you **** something up. I didn't tell you to do it, I just told you how.

Editor's Note 1:You HAVE to have admin access to do this.

Editor's Note 2:This works for XP too. I had a friend test it for me cause he's my bitch and all. :)

How do you replace system files that are in use?

Easy, replace them while Windows is NOT using them.

"But Toast, how can this be done? We can't boot to DOS and do it because NTFS is ghey like that."

Ah, you're right, and you're wrong.

True, you can't boot into DOS on a system that has an NTFS partition (well, you can, but you either have to pay $400 for NTFSDOS or not be able to view the partition).

Now here's where it gets interesting...

Using the Win2k cd (we're assuming it's bootable, if not, well, go make yourself some bootdisks), jump into the Recovery Console.

What is the Recovery Console? Well, I'm too lazy to feel like explaining it to you. The dumbed down description is this:

It's Win2k's DOS. You can read/write your NTFS partition just like you could if you were running a FAT32 partition.

And in doing so, you can replace system files with your modified ones without any hassle. Hell, the rename, delete, copy, and other commands are readily available to you. Just type "Help".

So, any questions? If so, keep them SPECIFIC. I hate generalized questions that can cover a variety of areas.

I will also update this post if new, needed information is brought to my attention.

Good luck, and don't screw anything up.

[Toxikk Veteran]

i agree. make stickie

[Callaway]

have you tried booting to safe mode?

[ToastGodSupreme]

Originally posted by Callaway

have you tried booting to safe mode?

Boot into safe mode with command prompt, did that, still can't replace key files...

Anyone else?

Believe me when I say that I have tried EVERYTHING. Here:

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?s=...threadid=348462

[Winston]

im not so sure about win2k

but doesnt win2k have a dllcache folder in the system 32 root dir as well?..

if so theres your answer

[ToastGodSupreme]

Originally posted by Winston

im not so sure about win2k

but doesnt win2k have a dllcache folder in the system 32 root dir as well?..

if so theres your answer

Nope, didn't work for me.

Win2k, SP2 Slipstreamed, SRP1.

Trust me, I tried quite a few methods on ****ing with the files in dllcache and other areas. Nadda. (I'm well aware of how to use the command prompt and whatnot, I even made batch files to automate the replacement process.)

This method (recovery console) works. Hell, I just did it again last night to fix a bug in my msgina.dll file.

[Winston]

have u tried using the windows 98 boot dsk and access the command prompt and browse

[ToastGodSupreme]

Originally posted by Winston

have u tried using the windows 98 boot dsk and access the command prompt and browse

Can't use the Win98 command.exe. You'll get a NTLDR cannot be found error.

But I've used the Win95 one and DOS will NOT see the NTFS partition.

Now you can use NTFSDOS. But you still can only READ it. You can't make any changes.

Finally, you can purchase the full version of NTFSDOS for $400. Then you can read and write to the ntfs partition.

So yeah. I've covered all the bases. Believe me.

[Winston]

ahhh why not a better resoloution

grab partition magic

and convert ur hdd back to fat 32

with no data loss

besides ntfs isnt that good

unless ur a real firm believer in high encrypted data and high security

[Winston]

update here's ur resoloution

posted in the general forum

http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail.php3?...?fid=1013993806

[ToastGodSupreme]

Originally posted by Winston

ahhh why not a better resoloution

grab partition magic

and convert ur hdd back to fat 32

with no data loss

besides ntfs isnt that good

unless ur a real firm believer in high encrypted data and high security

Now I'm not going to get into a debate on the NTFS/FAT32 thing. This isn't the thread for that. This is just a way to swap system files on a NTFS based machine. One that works very easily.

Personally, before going to NTFS about a month ago, I had been running FAT32 since Win95C. When I converted over to NTFS though, I did notice a very nice speed improvement (loading textures, etc). Now I don't know if this can be attributed to NTFS or the 4kb clusters instead of 8kb. Still, I will now be recommending it over FAT32 from now on.

Like I said, do not debate this here. That's just my opinion.

Originally posted by Winston

update here's ur resoloution

posted in the general forum

http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail.php3?...?fid=1013993806

That's good and all, but Windows File Protection isn't the problem here. Files can NOT be replaced while Windows is using them.

But a good find none the less.

[Robin]

can you not just del the dllcache backup then end explorer.exe in task manager with reshacker open then save and open up explorer.exe again?

thats what ive allways done

[ToastGodSupreme]

Originally posted by Robin

can you not just del the dllcache backup then end explorer.exe in task manager with reshacker open then save and open up explorer.exe again?

thats what ive allways done

Tried that.

I would delete the file in dllcache, but it would come back.

I'd also try to replace the file in dllcache with my own but the original would just come back.

The method I've found to work best is the one in my original post in this thread.

I've yet to encounter any problems using it and also, SFC doesn't bug me about a thing. (I leave it on.)

[Chris123NT]

All u gotta do is go into safe mode with command prompt and go to lets say c:winnt to replace explorer.exe

type ren explorer.exe explorer.bak

then go to folder where new file is and type:

copy explorer.exe C:WINNT

Do that with all the files u want to change. works like a charm ;)

[BeanDude]

have you tryed sticking the hard drive into another computer, and doing it from there? seems you missed SOMETHING.:D

[ToastGodSupreme]

Originally posted by Chris123NT

All u gotta do is go into safe mode with command prompt and go to lets say c:winnt to replace explorer.exe

type ren explorer.exe explorer.bak

then go to folder where new file is and type:

copy explorer.exe C:WINNT

Do that with all the files u want to change. works like a charm ;)

Tried that. You can only replace certain files. Even though you're just running the command prompt, other system files are in use. Which means you can't replace them.

Originally posted by BeanDude

have you tryed sticking the hard drive into another computer, and doing it from there? seems you missed SOMETHING.:D

Haha, no.

1. Not everone has a second computer (although I have 3 in my bedroom alone.)

2. IF the other systems aren't NT/2k/XP, then it's a no go because 9x will not read NTFS partitions.

3. I'd rather do this without swaping out hard drives and whatnot.

[BeanDude]

NTFSDOS pro works just fine for me:D and most of us know our ways around paying the "400$$" (if thats how much it really costs)

[ToastGodSupreme]

Originally posted by BeanDude

NTFSDOS pro works just fine for me:D and most of us know our ways around paying the "400$$" (if thats how much it really costs)

Well, I just wanted to give people a nice, legit and easy way to go about it. ;)

[Chris123NT]

LOL. I will hack my files and do it the way i do it :p always works :) I'm going to install 2k on my main comp now (XP is a bitch) cyas

[Nichotin]

Inuse, a tool that will enable you to replace in-use files. More simple, and you dont need to shutdown the system.

Inuse.zip

[cptmorgan]

so what files would we have to replace in order to use a msstyle or make the desktop look like yours ?

[PipoDeClown]

maybe u can replace files on ntfs in dos with http://www.cgsecurity.org/ntfs.html

[ToastGodSupreme]

Haha, wow, this has been stickied for quite some time. :)

Well, just to give you guys an idea (also, you may want to drop by Saint Dark's thread, he seems to be the one lately helping the rest of you all with this), here is one shot:

[ToastGodSupreme]

And in this shot, you can see all the files I've mod'ed. Though you can NOT see a few things:

1. You can't see my control panel. Oh well, believe me, it's pretty.

2. You can not see the login screen nor my locked screen, if you could, you'd probably have to go put on new boxers, then you'd be frantically asking me how I did it. So maybe it's a good thing I didn't show you. ;)

[Timan Veteran]

damn dude that desktop i hotter than hot, you using a 3rd party app to make hte windows and taskbar whistler like?