Windows 7 explorer.exe/frame error

[action]

Hey,

Recently I fucked up my computer by attempting to replace the explorerframe.dll using a System File Replacer application. The program bugged up half-way, thus corrupting both my explorer.exe and explorerframe.dll in the process.
I managed to fix the problem by replacing the files manually with some backups I had. But it seems that those two files may not have been the only files corrupted.
Mini-explorer (the one that pops up when saving, or opening, by default) isn't quite working. Unlike the full sized explorer window, the mini-explorer is not showing folders in the TreeView panel, like such:

I don't know what to do from here. I've tried using different explorer.exe/explorerframe.dll backups, but nothing works. I want to refrain from reinstalling Windows, or using the system files fixer on the Installation disc.

Does anyone know what to do?
-Chris/abreaction/cardMeister

 

[Lionel Tabris]

Use the system files fixer, you could have damaged more then explorer, maybe a .dll or a .sys file that was harmed...

 

[action]

To be frank, that wasn't helpful:

I want to refrain from reinstalling Windows, or using the system files fixer on the Installation disc.

 

[Alexander Morou]

Don't overwrite system files on a development machine. If you screw up you can cost yourself development time by having to fix the problem. If you used restore points, you could have rolled back to the restore point you would've made before you changed those files. From what I can tell about replacing system files for the purpose of theme replacement, the affected files are probably explorer.exe, oobefldr.dll, explorerframe.dll, and shell32.dll. Did you remember to take ownership of those system files (versus the System user owning them)? Could you explain why you'd rather refrain from using the features in windows to fix the problem? It might shed some light on your specific problem and assist someone in aiding you further.

 

[Drago del Fato]

For how to take ownership go to - http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows- ... -in-vista/

As for the dlls Alex mentioned either get them from some sites (check them for legitimate dlls cuz they can commonly contain viruses) or get them from someone who has a copy of your windows.

 

[action]

@Alex: I do already have the Take Ownership feature built into my explorer context menu.
The reasons I want to refrain from using the Windows recovery features are that I have many files in my Windows folder that have been manually modified (like Explorer and such) that would take alot of time to replace again. Also, I happen to be missing my Windows 7 installation disc. :P

@Drago: I already did consider that, and I probably will find someone to take their system files (that Alex mentioned) that are on their computer.