KSPROXY.AX is zero bytes

Running Vista SP1 on a Dell 1720 laptop.

Host processes crash, camera not working, network will eventually
disconnect, music player does not play.

OEM02MON.exe states that KSPROXY.ax is corrupt. It is zero bytes. Tried
sfc /scannow but it will not replace that file (says that backup is corrupt
as well). Since Dell support wants to re-image the drive and I do not want
to loose anything (and spend three days loading all the programs), I was
wondering if the KSPROXY.ax can be replaced manually. Tried the safe mode -
will not work as access is denied.

Thanks.