Comments for What is the System File Checker, and how do I run it?

Comment from RB on 2008-12-11

2008-12-11T13:18:53Z

I am responding to my own post. I did more searching and found that the files that SFC wasn't able to find and asked for CD2 don't exist for Windows XP Media Center 2005. Here is a Microsoft article that says what should be done. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/909059

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Comment from RB on 2008-12-10

2008-12-11T02:49:28Z

I have my Windows XP Professional on a DVD. The SFC runs close to the end and then asks for Windows XP Professional CD2. I don't have a second CD since it is on a DVD. I click Retry and it doesn't accept the CD. How do I get around this?

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Comment from Rick on 2008-12-10

2008-12-10T18:41:01Z

I ran SFC and it initially found a missing dll file and states to "Insert your Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 CD now." I downloaded the Windows XP Servied Pack 3 CD image and burnt it to a CD. But I get a message "The CD you provided is the wrong CD." Where do I get the Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 CD?

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Comment from IDAYAT on 2008-11-27

2008-11-27T12:29:16Z

hey Leo,your article is interesting and straightforward for beginners to assimilate.that's very thoughtful of you and i really appreciate it.Can u please publish an article on "how to do some minor things on the computer system" so it'll be an added advantage .i'll be glad if u can do that.

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Comment from william on 2008-11-26

2008-11-26T23:10:16Z

need help lost my start up progams and can only
start up in safe mode

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Comment from Bruce Boepple on 2008-11-18

2008-11-18T12:28:29Z

2 problems;

First, I STILL get the red x's and send/receive grey boxes for pics.
Second, I have HPPhotomsmartessentials STUCK, after deleting the program from all files I know of.

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Comment from Mike Creel on 2008-10-28

2008-10-28T22:38:49Z

I just successfully ran System File Checker on my custom built PC using my Windows XP Home Edition master disk. Interestingly, the disk would not run in my CD drive, but ran perfectly in my combination Benq DVD writing drive. After the System File Checker ran, I saw no error messages. I have been trying to solve a problem, trying to determine why my front USB ports have stopped recognizing my Digital Concepts card reader/writer.

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Comment from Duane Foster on 2008-10-18

2008-10-18T18:08:15Z

When running system file checker use:sfc /scannow.
Be sure you leave a space between the c and slash.
As sfc /scannow.

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Comment from Keith Morton on 2008-10-03

2008-10-03T21:53:17Z

I can't run SFC from the start/run or even if I us the start/run/cmd, with the start/SFC it will flash for just a splic second and the go away, I even tried to run it in safe mode with no luck,
but with the start/CMD/SFC I get this
"Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Keith>sfc
'sfc' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

C:\Documents and Settings\Keith>
I ran chkdsk and that works fine, any help would be nice.

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Comment from Ray Brumbaugh on 2008-09-23

2008-09-23T18:54:49Z

Is there a potential problem when using SFC and you have updated your system with various service packs. It seems like some of those critical system files would have changed, and there you are putting in your ORIGINAL install disk with "old" system files on it.

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Comment from Buckshot on 2008-09-19

2008-09-19T21:01:22Z

Thank you for this info! I found it most helpful. I ran a SFC with my start up disk and now my computer is running better. Thank you! I find your tips as always, useful!

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Comment from Greg Fiore on 2008-09-10

2008-09-11T02:12:52Z

Leo,
All of a sudden an XP PRO computer boots, but
stops with the error message that the windows\system32\config\system file is either missing or corrupted. The file exists and is about 5 meg, so it must be corrupted.
I read your article about using sfc /scannow,
however when I use the original OS CD to boot and get to a command prompt with the "r" recovery option, the sfc.exe is not an available file to run.
Is it on the OS CD?
If not then trying to fix a damaged system file
that is keeping the OS from loading using the sfc
command is useless. No START RUN available !!
What am I missing? If it can't be run from the Recovery Console, then you should tell your readers that for 95% of the time they can not fix a computer that is stuck because of a corrupted file.
Greg Fiore

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Comment from CAL on 2008-08-26

2008-08-26T16:47:15Z

Hey leo I had to get rid of antivirus xp2008 and i dunno if i corrputed some things in the process
Now add or remove programmes will not work:(
Nothing happens at all when i click it
I tried sfc but when i pressed enter it flashed up for a brief moment and then dissapeared
Any help:s

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Comment from RIck on 2008-08-03

2008-08-03T13:05:17Z

I have read your article very intresting. I got a virus in my computer and it changed the desktop settings and then wouldnt let me change them back i eventual got the desktop settings back after reading a few articles and now thew internet explore i find won't show as ie 7 but it is when i log onto hotmail live it say something like to get the best out of this service you need to upgrade or be running ie 5 or later which i am but for some reason it wont recongnise this.

any help greatly appricated

richard

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Comment from Ren on 2008-07-30

2008-07-30T18:18:37Z

NTLDR missing or boot.ini has been changed:

Use Window XP CD-ROM, run the Recovery Console
and run the Bootcfg/rebuild.

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Comment from mostafa on 2008-07-24

2008-07-24T14:44:08Z

hi
I have an installation CD but not a SP3 CD which I am asked to use when running SFC /scannow. What to do?
tanx

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Comment from ankit on 2008-07-19

2008-07-19T13:20:25Z

I m sitting in an Webworld and here i m surfing but the problem is that here acess is denied for everything just u have to do is just surf and go so i want acess to everything for installation,usb,etc...

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Comment from Aaron Racimora on 2008-07-10

2008-07-11T03:15:36Z

Hey I just wanted to let you know that I too had this black screen and figured I was toast. I thought I had a bug or something and was going to take my comp to a local shop to get it fixed but you helped me out. Who knew that "explorer" did so much and the system scan helped a bunch to figure out why my computer wasn't running the computer at start up. Thanks Leo!

Aaro

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Comment from Jeff Anderson on 2008-07-08

2008-07-09T05:36:45Z

Leo, I suddenly started being unable to use the photo album on my photoshop elements. It stops while trying to open the program and gives an error message of DirectX installed but can't be initialized please reboot computer and try again. I rebooted without resolution, I ran adware/spyware, virus scans, I tried to redownload DirectX 9.0c, I took off my photoshop and put it back on my drive, I got software that was supposed to help with directory file problems without help. I tried the SFC /scannow but as someone else noted above it requested my CD which is SP1 but then said it wouldn't work because I have SP3 running. Sorry this is so long. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Jeff

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Comment from Leo on 2008-06-23

2008-06-24T03:29:54Z

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Well, to start with there's not enough information here to
help you with your USB problem.

But if you want people to take your requests for help, I
*strongly* recommend learning to spell and write English
better, OK?

Leo

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Comment from mazdapan on 2008-06-22

2008-06-22T19:53:43Z

i have toalt rewind my comp itts hard cause i cant get my usb deivice working and im 12 and
i like fixed loads of computers cause like
i am 12 and female i no how computers work but i need help because i may be very intelagent buh
i just cant get my usb working can eny one help me

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Comment from DR DICK DAVIES on 2008-06-19

2008-06-19T21:51:44Z

Hi Leo--some good tips above -but still stuck.
OE will not open properly as it says it is already running. Then on trying to close windows it says it IS running but programme not responding so "close programm" required to shut down.

Thus far I have --closed -rebooted--gone back to restore point- started using Thunderbirds fine --but left with the inability to get rid of OE running -cant uninstall either as access denied.
Have installed IE 7 too-hoping it would re-intall OE properly. NOPE -as you inferred .

Bother--

Tried SFC /scannow too-

Any ideas?
Thanks Dick

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Comment from Leo on 2008-06-03

2008-06-03T17:25:30Z

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I'm not totally sure I understand your question, but:

- you can run SFC /SCANNOW from the Start->Run menu item

- you can run SFC /SCANNOW from within a command prompt

You might try safemode, and you might try the recovery
console as well, if things aren't working for you.

ALSO, I'm not 100% convinced that SFC will restore NTLDR. I
could be wrong.

Leo

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Comment from Marty Pawlukanis on 2008-06-03

2008-06-03T12:18:13Z

Okay, I have been trying to use SFC for a while now, one time successfully. My question is : Can you run SFC without getting to the "Run" command? I have a problem with a PC not booting, giving me the "Missing NTLDR" error message and I want to use SFC to replace the missing NTLDR files and boot normally again. I notice that you can't really run SFC from a command line prompt, or if you can, I am doing it wrong. Any help would be great, thanks.....Marty

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Comment from James Frank A. Olaño on 2008-06-01

2008-06-01T13:55:49Z

You are a hero!!! Being able to solve my problem regarding the missing taskbar took me more than 3 hours in finding the solution, but in you, a matter of seconds was enough!

May I have another shot?
When I try to edit my website [Url Removed], it'll took a lot of time (around 15 to 20 mins) to open the members page, and without icons nor pictures. I believe it has to do with an email i received (from a jealous 'hacker' perhaps who does'nt know how to animate), when this things started.
Please do help me.
I really badly need this so I can update my site for my prospective employers.
Thanks, regards family and God bless!

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Comment from Josef Bergdahl on 2008-05-28

2008-05-29T05:06:11Z

Hi Leo,

I have an installation CD but not a SP3 CD which I am asked to use when running SFC /scannow. What to do?

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Comment from Leo on 2008-05-27

2008-05-27T17:09:41Z

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There should be a space between SFC and /scannow

Leo

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Comment from Ben on 2008-05-26

2008-05-27T05:33:26Z

I tried to run SFC/scannow but was given an error in return saying Windows could not find...I have been trying to get my task bar/start menu and other options back up that disappeared after a disc scan...

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Comment from ryan on 2008-04-22

2008-04-22T15:35:22Z

hi, i cannot get up a start bar or the taskbar at the bottom of the screen whenever i turn on my pc. The pc starts to load, then tells me explorer cannot start properly and then nothing on my screen loads, not even icons. i tried another guide on this website where it told me to use the task manager and run explorer but when i do this, it tells me the same thing about explorer as when i turn on my pc. Can anyone tell me how to fix this please :(

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Comment from Rafa on 2008-04-21

2008-04-21T21:35:23Z

Hello, i'm runing scf /scannow in my laptop because i think has a virus in the file system, but is taking a long time to finish, 3 days and only 75% of the progress bar is filled. any suggestions?

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Comment from Cecelia on 2008-04-17

2008-04-18T05:21:07Z

My computer tech told me Mozilla Thunderbird was better than Outlook Express so I let him install that for my mail box. Big mistake. I miss Outlook Express so much. So how can I get it back? Sorry this is not a comment, but a plea for help.

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Comment from Tim on 2008-04-07

2008-04-07T19:58:14Z

If you run the system file checker (sfc /scannow) and you get: "windows resource protection could not perform the requested
operation" try this:

-Reboot your PC, and after the BIOS screen keep pressing F8 to get to the advanced boot menu.

-Choose Repair your computer

-Login as Administrator or the equivalent

-Open the command prompt, and type CHKDSK C: /F /R

This will scan your hard drive for errors in the FAT (File Allocation Table). It will perform a physical scan of your hard drive and attempt to repair any errors it finds. The logic behind this step is that the SFC /SCANNOW won't run properly b/c it cannot actually access the files on the hard drive.

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Comment from ZedaH on 2008-03-26

2008-03-27T03:17:03Z

Hey im having trouble updating Direct X 9.0c, this is the MSG i get.
A cabinet file necessary for isntallation cannot be trusted, Please verify the
cryptograpgic services are enabled and the cabinet file certificate is valid.

Ive made sure cryptograpgic services are enabled and completed the SFC scannow and i set it to allow ALL certificates, yet i still get this error, apart from a reformatt, what else can i possibly try?

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Comment from Gary on 2008-02-22

2008-02-22T20:00:00Z

Have the installation CD for Windows XP professional. On IE 7.
Tried to run sfc / scannow with no response. Am trying to get Outlook Express running again. There is an error about a missing MSOERES.DLL file when I try to open the program.
Any help is appreciated.

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Comment from Maryann on 2008-02-20

2008-02-20T19:52:41Z

I ran the SFC /scannow, because my outlook express will not open. It will however, open immediately after I restart my computer. Anyway, the SFC ran, then the box disappeared when complete. Now what? I suppose it didn't find anything wrong? then why won't outlook open?

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Comment from David Meowie on 2008-02-19

2008-02-19T17:03:10Z

Hi Dr Phil,
why does SFC take so long to run when all it does is check a few files - is this because it's Window$ bloatware?

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Comment from Ray Bergeron on 2008-02-13

2008-02-14T02:02:02Z

Am on broadband but use OE to bring in our email. Since I installed IE7, almost every time we go for mail, the msn sign-in comes up and it takes from one to ten tries to get it to disappear. Have tried many things, but cannot get rid of the sign in. Suggestions???

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Comment from Ricardo Rambally on 2008-02-06

2008-02-06T21:47:41Z

Leo,

I did use the sfc and my system is not giving me the hard time it was giving before.

i now also use Firefox as my browser. since then, no worries.

Thanks

Ricardo

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Comment from Eugene on 2008-01-18

2008-01-19T00:05:02Z

I ran sfc /scannow cause I suspected iexplore to be damaged. Ittook a very long time to finish. DOes it also store a log somewhere what it did or did not do? - sometimes windows can cause you to really hold your breath..

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Comment from Leo A. Notenboom on 2008-01-11

2008-01-11T17:39:54Z

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I'd point you at this article:
http://ask-leo.com/iexploreexe_has_generated_an_error_now_what.html

And sending error reports will not solve the problem
quickly:
http://ask-leo.com/should_i_send_error_reports_to_microsoft.html

Thanks,

Leo

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Comment from Ricardo Rambally on 2008-01-10

2008-01-10T21:31:50Z

I keep getting the same error report " IE has encountered an error and needs to close..."
Then, my windows explorer is giving me a really hard time. It now does not work. So, I cannot access the " My Computer " Folder. What do i Do? does the SFC thig resolve these issues?
Help!

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Comment from Terri on 2008-01-09

2008-01-10T04:28:50Z

when I want to close a web site I get and error box saying "Internet Explorer has encounterd a problem and needs to close"
then it gives me the option of
'send error report' 'don't send'
It seem's even if I send error report nothing happens. How can I stop this from happening every time I close a site and have to start all over again?
Please help

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Comment from Hector Pearson on 2008-01-09

2008-01-10T00:48:00Z

The download speed of data from the Internet to my PC will go slow (1/15th of normal) for no apparent reason. When I run "sfc /scannow" the problem is fixed, but only for a short time. After a few hours the slow data transfer rate problem again happens. Is there any way to know what files sfc is finding to be corrupt and fixing?

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Comment from CHRISTOPHER CLAYTON on 2007-12-30

2007-12-30T14:46:59Z

I tried to use SFC/scannow after reading your article. I just get an error message saying Windows cannot find SFC. Advise please.

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Comment from Leo A. Notenboom on 2007-12-06

2007-12-06T23:48:18Z

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I believe this article will help, it details what to change to tell Windows and
SFC where to find the CD image:
http://ask-leo.com/how_do_i_tell_windows_where_my_i386_folder_has_moved.html

Leo

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Comment from Marlene on 2007-12-05

2007-12-05T15:15:11Z

As several others above, I ran SFC, confident that I would be able to point to the proper directory when asked to insert my Windows CD. I was not given this option -- only 'retry; more info and cancel'. When 'cancel' was selected, I was not given an option to browse for the correct directory'. I tried burning a CD populated with the I386 directory, but this didn't work either! Any suggestions? Thanks, Marlene

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Comment from Donna on 2007-12-01

2007-12-01T18:47:33Z

Out of frustration with Internet Explorer 7 crashes, I searched all kinds of sites on how to revert back to IE6. One site said that IE would automatically revert if in Add and Remove Programs IE7 was removed. It didn't. I'm in big trouble with this. I tried running SCF, Windows did not recognize the file. Compaq Presario running Windows XP. Would appreciate any help you can give.

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Comment from terry on 2007-11-20

2007-11-20T13:19:35Z

The title of my explorer always displays "hackbox@gmail" how do I get it to display the web page title as it should?

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Comment from Norman Coyle on 2007-10-30

2007-10-30T22:38:53Z

Have tried all of your wording But get a black flash on the screen and a remark to say that SFC cannot be found. My problem is with the new Hotmail change, I can recieve mail but can't send. Thanks Norm

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Comment from Leo A. Notenboom on 2007-10-29

2007-10-29T16:27:27Z

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SFC is still the answer. What does "unable to" mean?

Leo

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Comment from Dianne Belford on 2007-10-26

2007-10-27T01:01:21Z

I tried running the sfc and was unable to. This is the error message I have received when opeing OE. Nothing I do seems to fix this.

This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
MSIMN caused an invalid page fault in
module SHLWAPI.DLL at 016f:70bd899f.
Registers:
EAX=00000006 CS=016f EIP=70bd899f EFLGS=00010206
EBX=00000000 SS=0177 ESP=0056d04c EBP=0056d058
ECX=0056ce44 DS=0177 ESI=00000000 FS=425f
EDX=0056ce44 ES=0177 EDI=5ec041b8 GS=0000
Bytes at CS:EIP:
8a 03 84 c0 74 52 8a c8 f7 d1 f6 c1 80 0f 84 ea
Stack dump:
00000003 00000000 00000000 0056d1b8 5ec237b7 00000000 5ec041b8 00000006 00000016 00000000 00000000 0056d0b8 00000010 819b0228 00000024 bff7a3a0

Hope you can help.

Regards
Dianne

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Comment from Leo A. Notenboom on 2007-10-15

2007-10-15T22:13:22Z

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Assuming you mean Chkdsk, not "check", it sounds like a bad sector on the disk,
offhand. I'd probably have you follow the recommendations in this article:
http://ask-leo.com/chkdsk_runs_on_every_boot_but_fails_and_my_system_is_unstable_what_can_i_do.html
(even though it's about a slightly different scenario, these are the steps I'd
have you do.)

Leo

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Comment from DENIS on 2007-10-13

2007-10-13T17:41:37Z

I am having a problem with my check. First when i secdule a task(the one that requires you to restart your comp) it stops at 2 percent and never continues.) however, when i do the one that doesnt require you to do that its works perfectly fine. IT did mention something about Found folder. Any suggestions?

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Comment from beans on 2007-10-05

2007-10-05T16:38:35Z

I have similar problem as Berumen, exept I do have the Win XP SP2 disk that I used to install Win XP.
I have some DLL files that need fixing and used SFC /SCANNOW but I constantly get a message that the CD in the Drive is the wrong CD and to insert the right one, I have no browes to but and wanted to know how to point the computer during SFC to the correct folder on my CD thanks.

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Comment from Berumen on 2007-09-29

2007-09-29T21:34:52Z

Hi Leo, I tried using SFC /scannow to resolve an issue with msiexec.exe, which is somehow corrupt and not even a re-installation helped to fix it. SFC runs fine, until it asks me for the Windows CD, I don't have any, and I modified the registry in order for windows to look for any installation files in the C:\windows\I386 folder. It still asks for the CD, and there's no "Browse..." button to be found... any clues? thanks! and keep up the good work! (I promised I already tried all your suggestions for solving msiexec.exe problems!!) ;)

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Comment from RKD on 2007-09-26

2007-09-26T07:50:02Z

When i double click on any drive for open then i show an error massage of "copy.exe" and drive not open.
How can i sortout this problem ?
How to replace corrupt files of win xp without installation.
How to use SFC command ?

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Comment from Marc on 2007-09-23

2007-09-24T04:23:40Z

Thanks Leo!

I had a problem witht he svchost file and it kept having a win32 error that wouldn't allow me to go on the internet. After running the system file checker everything works perfectly. Thanks again!

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Comment from Debbie Crenshaw on 2007-09-13

2007-09-13T18:58:40Z

I ran the system file checker because the Search Companion would not open. It took about 40 minutes to run. After it was finished running, I tried the search companion again, but it still would not open. I then shutdown and rebooted the computer and the problem was resolved.

Thanks Leo!

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Comment from TYRELL on 2007-08-31

2007-09-01T01:48:41Z

Have tried all of your wording But get a black flash on the screenand a remark to say that SFC cannot be found.

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Comment from randy on 2007-08-21

2007-08-22T02:01:18Z

i typed in sfc /scannow
and i recieved an error.
it was 0x000006ba.
(the error code.)

RPC server unavailible.

should i be connected to the internet?

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Comment from Leo A. Notenboom on 2007-08-17

2007-08-17T20:31:37Z

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Make sure there's a space between "sfc" and "/scannow"

Leo

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Comment from Lou Granata on 2007-08-16

2007-08-17T01:48:45Z

I tried at least ten times to enter sfc/scannow & sfc\scannow in the command line and it cannot be found. I guess that won't work for me......What will???

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Comment from Lester on 2007-08-01

2007-08-01T09:07:01Z

Correction no my comment Windows Installer. It's SFC /scannow and not SFC\scannow. Sorry for the mistake.

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Comment from Lester on 2007-08-01

2007-08-01T08:58:49Z

I had trouble running programs. My Windows Installer would'nt work. I used the SFC\scannow and followed directions, It corrected my problem. Thanks Leo.

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Comment from Amri on 2007-07-16

2007-07-17T03:06:50Z

i have problem with my pendrive when I put into computer, it will detect as two removable Disk. how to slove this. thank you very much. please reply to my e-mail: [Email Address Removed]

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Comment from paul on 2007-07-04

2007-07-04T19:13:42Z

can somebody please answer the question Travis asked . I'm having the same problem: "When booting up, my computer comes to a blue screen and it tells me i need to run chkdsk/f. It won't load any farther than this. From this screen how do i open the command prompt and run this check?"

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Comment from Kris on 2007-06-09

2007-06-09T08:41:34Z

Thanks for the tip w/ sfc. Another bit of info to add to this would be how to pull it up if the start bar is missing. I found by going into the command prompt and typing sfc/runnow i was able to scan withouth goingting through the 'run' option.

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Comment from Corey on 2007-05-25

2007-05-25T13:26:36Z

For people who run virus scans and find nothing, try ewido.net on left hand side is a button that says scan now, run that (trust me finds more things then Norton ever will) Also there is a way to change the path for the SFC to run correctly WITHOUT the CD... you have to edit the regisrty to point to your I386 folder.... forget which key, but give me a bit and I might be able to find out for y'all... I myself am having same problem running SFC going to try Leo's fix before I change anything else in the registry....

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Comment from Nickolas on 2007-05-21

2007-05-21T21:58:06Z

Alright i downloaded a file from the internet and now this crap keeps coming up saying that my computer is infected with a virus.... i know the file that is currupted but it will not be deleted its called "processes" and everytime i delete it, it reappears.... how do i stop this madness....
p.s. my anti- virus is uptodate and i ran it and anti sppy and it still doesnt fix the problem!

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Comment from genia on 2007-04-16

2007-04-17T02:29:40Z

i ran the SFC /scannow after it finished nothing happened not a report nothing is something wrong

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Comment from JP on 2007-04-15

2007-04-16T05:57:36Z

With what program do I open ".ask" files and where do I get them???

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Comment from Travis on 2007-03-06

2007-03-07T00:06:49Z

When booting up, my computer comes to a blue screen and it tells me i need to run chkdsk/f. It won't load any farther than this. From this screen how do i open the command prompt and run this check?

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Comment from Marjorie on 2007-02-26

2007-02-26T17:51:44Z

I get the message "missing dll" when starting up. I am going to try this to see if I can correct this problem. Also, today, I have had the BSOD (blue screen of death) twice. Am considering purchasing SpinRite. Hope I am computer savy enough to run it without making things worse. Thanks for your advice.

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Comment from vinnie the butcher on 2007-01-25

2007-01-25T09:38:53Z

Great i have file protection working hard for me. once it stops then i need to copy and then what.

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Comment from Marcie on 2007-01-02

2007-01-03T04:19:58Z

I had someone build me a computer, it has wondows xp sp2 home edition, but, when I run sfc it asks me to put in -windows xp 'pro' sp2 cd.-
I called the guy and asked him what to do, he siad to put the cd in and let it run through, did that and then nothing came up, and then re-booted, it is still asking the same thing when I do sfc??? He said then as long as I am able to operate windows then don't worry about it.

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Comment from Igor on 2006-12-30

2006-12-31T06:06:42Z

I had the same problem, i.e., SFC not running as it should have. In XP SP2 (and all XP should have SP2) there is a repair and maintain instruction on Microsoft info pages. Look for it under Windows Repairs. Run it according to their instructions. You will need your Windows disc and patience. Run that, then cut and paste Leo's coding for SFC in the Run box. Works like a charm.

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Comment from Alistair on 2006-12-29

2006-12-29T10:41:03Z

When I start up my computer I get the following message come up, 'C:/windows/system32/softreg/svchost.exe'.
I don't know what I have done, and would be very gratefull if you could help. Many thanks.

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Comment from cynic on 2006-12-20

2006-12-20T23:11:39Z

For those who are having the "RPC server is unavailable" problem with sfc, the following registry edit / path variable fix may help. This is designed to fix the windows help and support center if this has stopped working, but in my case, also solved the sfc issue.

> > At a command prompt, type SET
> > If the value for WINDIR=%systemroot% (and if you have all the above
> > mentioned problems, it WILL be :-) ) you need to apply the following
> > fix:
> >
> > Run REGEDIT
> >
> > Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session
> > Manager \Environment
> >
> > in the right-hand pane, find the value WINDIR. You'll notice it is of
> > type REG_SZ. This is incorrect since it's value (%systemroot%) needs to
> > be expanded to what windows will eventually use (in my case,
> > C:\WINDOWS).
> >
> > What is happening is window is attempting to load the help and support
> > module (and anything else that relies on the %windir% environment
> > variable) by calling it %systemroot%\pathtofile\file.dll instead of
> > c:\windows\pathtofile\file.dll.
> >
> > DELETE the existing windir value.
> > Make a new EXPANDABLE STRING VALUE, call it WINDIR and give it the
value
> > %systemroot%
> >
> > This procedure basically recreates the WINDIR value as an expandable
> > string.
> >
> > Reboot your system and watch your help and support center work for the
> > first time in recent memory.

Hope this helps

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