Can't remove DLL files from Syatem32

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After removing an ATI video board from my computer (XP sp3), I uninstalled all the ATI software. However, there were nine ATI .dll and .ax files (e.g. ati3duag.dll & ativmvxx.ax) which remained in the WindowsSystem32 folder which I have tried to remove without success.

I even created a BAT file to delete them from the dllcache folder and then from the System32 folder within about a half second, but they keep coming back about 10 seconds later. I checked the registry, and they are not registered. I have researched “removing dll files from system32” on Google and have not found anything useful.

I know I could just let them sit there, but I don’t like leaving trash around. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to permanently remove these files?

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You could try in safemode or from a boot disk dos like del command.
Using a boot disk with a dos delete command would do the job guaranteed.

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You may need to un-register them first.

cheers, Paul

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Thanks for the suggestions.

I already tried un-registering them by running ” regsvr32 /u ati3duag.dll ” from a DOS window and it said that the entry was not found.

As for deleting them from DOS, I don’t see the difference. When I delete the files with my BAT file, they are really gone. But about 10 seconds later some process decides to re-create them from some backup.

The files must be listed in some database as being important and protected; and some system process keeps bringing them back. I want to tell that process to forget about these nine files.

Zorkoff

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As for deleting them from DOS, I don’t see the difference. When I delete the files with my BAT file, they are really gone. But about 10 seconds later some process decides to re-create them from some backup

.
A batchfile run from within windows may not do it.

You have to get completely out of windows.
The only way to do that is from a dos boot disk.

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Hi Zorkoff,

Try checking the Program Files folder for an ATI folder with leftovers that may be calling the .dlls back. Also check the Common Files folder under Program Files for any reference to ATI, particulary in the System folder there.

Also the Documents and Settings folder All Users, Default User, and YourUserName in Application Data or Local Settings folders. Something is calling those .dlls back to existence.

Are you now using on board video rather than a discrete video card?

Another possibility is to install the ATI board back in the machine, reinstall the ATI driver package, then uninstall the ATI driver again using Revo Uninstaller or Absolute Uninstaller to get rid of all traces of the driver leftovers.

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Success! It was your suggestions that made the difference. Here is what I discovered and the fix:

I checked the C:Program Files and the C:Program FilesCommon Filessystem folders and there were no ATI files or folders.

I checked the C:Documents and Settings folders (User and All Users) and there were no ATI files or folders in “Application Data” or “Local FilesApplication Data” (or in the “Local FilesTemp folder” or the C:WindowsTemp folder).

As for my video card, I re-installed an MSI 7300LE Nvidia card (which is working fine).

I also noticed that I can delete the nine files from the C:WindowsSystem32dllcache folder and they will stay gone (even over a reboot). However, when I remove them from the System32 folder, all nine were restored to both the dllcache and System32 folders within 10 seconds.

When I listed all the running processes, there were none which were running any ATI programs. When I listed the installed drivers, there are no ATI drivers shown as being installed. So WINDOWS had to be restoring these files from some backup.

I do not have a DOS disk to boot from, so I tried F5 then “SAFE MODE WITH COMMAND PROMPT”. This was a bit scary, but after delays it let me logon and then put up a window with a command prompt. In this window I executed my BAT file to remove all the ATI files. Then I rebooted.

When Windows started up again, I checked System32 and dllcache and the files were gone and stayed gone. I was skeptical about removing the files this way, but you guys proved me wrong.

Thank you for help. I hope my experience makes this easier for someone else in the future.

Zorkoff

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