sfc always has missing files, even after running sfc!, and hibernate crashes!

Make sure your drivers are all okay.

Could you check the log from sfc and find out exactly what files are missing then you could pop in your xp cd expand the right files and place them where they need to go if thats the issue.  Some times it is as tim said drivers going bad.  To expand a file from your xp cd goto start then run then type cmd from the prompt type expand "drive letter the cd is located""location of file" "where you want it to go".  So if your cd rom is drive letter d and your trying to place the file hal.dl_ in the system 32 folder as hal.dll the command is and it is located at d:\i386\hal.dl_ the command would be.  expand d:\i386\hal.dl_ c:\windows\system32\hal.dll and the file would show up hal.dll in the system32 folder.

All you need do is BURN the entire i386 directory to a CD -- and leave it as i386 directory, dont put the files at root level, on the CD, you have BLANK in root, then one 1386 directory and all files in it, and you need 8 directories under this, called -- ASMS, COMPDATA, DRW, LANG, SYSTEM32, WIN9XMIG, WIN9XUPD and WINNTUPG.

If these directories are missing under i386, you will never complete a valid install.  How to fix if you dont have them?  Sorry, you will HAVE TO GET VALID XP CD at least once to get all the contents of these DIRS and DIRS under them.  Once you have the entire install batch, exactly on distribution DC under i386, all will work as you want it to, but only then.

ERROR:
Using standby the error message: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

Aloha, I have had a copy of the entire i386 on my c drive all along and still I was being asked for my xp cd.  The soourcepath  was correct. I created a d drive and an e drive, and moved my c:\i386 to e:\e and now when I run sfc I am not prompted for the xp folder, but still standby and hibernate still don't work.
I was told to make sure that all drivers are up to date.  My windows update indicates that I have no hardware updates, and In system/device manager all devices are working coreectly.  How else would I check that all drivers are up date?
I have enabled and disabled   hibernat, scandisk, defrag, rebooted, rebooted, enabled hibernate, compaq tech suggested removing in device manager the entries power ( I forget exactly but he worked me through it) but still hibernate does not work.
So, the sfc is not the issue because now I am not prompted for missing files when running sfc, but still standby and hibernate don't work.  
Using standby the error message: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

Hmmm, this  is a mystery!  many thanks for the post, when I have time I will visit the links on hibernate given above.. aloha, manny

mauiman01  if you have system restore try setting your machine back a bit.
Do you own a LAptop or Desktop, Laptop running ac/dc
SYMPTOMS
When you change between AC power and DC power on your laptop computer, you may receive a "STOP 0x0000000A" error message on a blue screen. This is more likely to occur when you unplug or replug the power supply into the computer while it is in Standby mode, and then resuming.
RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows XP. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q316676

Did this problem start after ???
Can you access safemode and check the power options, some computers donot support certain power options in conjunction with hybernate.
Does your keyboard also have stand by installed as a special key?

If you can pin point what action you have taken or changed some program.
Added any hardware or new drivers ?
Changed a settings recently?

When Windows XP detects a problem from which it cannot recover, it displays Stop messages. These are text-mode error messages that report information about the condition.

Stop messages, sometimes referred to as blue screens (BSoD), contain specific information that can help you diagnose and possibly resolve the problem detected by the Windows kernel.

IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
http://www.updatexp.com/stop-messages.html

whoiee ! a lot of ram here :   5512 ram - i would test it.
use memtest86+ from :  http://www.memtest.org/      

lol could be a mis print nobus 5512 ram should say 512meg

mauiman01  please confirm how much ram you have.

Aloha to all,
I have a compaq laptop /w 512 mb.  As I mentioned before, I have fixed this problem 3 times before.  It will work a few months then it's crashing.  I moved i386 to d:\ and running sfc did not ask for a xp disk.  However, now I am being prompted for the xp again.  The sfc will finish running and if i run it immediately again, it will prompt for the xp disk.  Meanwhile, the source path in the registry points to d:\ and the full i386 was copied there, with a size of about 375 mb, wihich I modified in the registry from a default of 40 or 50 i forget.  I cannot find the sfc log.  I am about to give up, on less some one has some pearl.
Many thanks, Manny

registry values for the i386 is d:\i386,which is where I moved it to,  and the other is at c:\windows\ServicePackFiles.

mauiman01
If you want to see what was replaced by sfc , right click My Computer > manage, expand event viewer > system.
System File Checker gives an administrator the ability to scan all protected files to verify their versions. If System File Checker discovers that a protected file has been overwritten, it retrieves the correct version of the file from the cache folder (%Systemroot%\System32\Dllcache) or the Windows installation source files, and then replaces the incorrect file. System File Checker also checks and repopulates the cache folder. You must be logged on as an administrator or as a member of the Administrators group to run System File Checker. If the cache folder becomes damaged or unusable, you can use the sfc /scannow, the sfc /scanonce, or the sfc /scanboot commands to repair its contents.

System File Checker Tool Syntax
Sfc [/Scannow] [/Scanonce] [/Scanboot] [/Revert] [/Purgecache] [/Cachesize=x]

 also if you have installed xp sp2 and use the 1386 for xpsp1 sfc you will need to consider adding the extra needed files for sfc and sp2.
If this sfc runs and finds corrupted files for sp2 this is why it ask for cd.
However use the same system as your sfc but add this sp2 this xpsp1 and may solve this.
Also another cause relating to xpsp2 if you donot have it installed, most of your updates will be pushing your system towards the sp2.
Slipstream xpsp2
http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm

order free xpsp2 cd.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx
You could try getting one from your trusted teck shop as it is free.

>>   and the other is at c:\windows\ServicePackFiles  <<   must be also d:\i386

I don't understand:
">>   and the other is at c:\windows\ServicePackFiles  <<   must be also d:\i386"
I didn't move the service pack folder in the window's folder.  Are you suggesting that I should?

Did you read my post : "I found that I had to modify both the ServicePackSourcePath and the SourcePath
to C:\Windows where the I386 folder was."

Hi mauiman01  to help clarify we are all on the same track, using the>> D:\i386 << as a source path this helps you to run a sfc without using a xp cdrom.
By modifying the regestry  both the ServicePackSourcePath and the SourcePath to point to > D:\i386 < your sfc will now use this instead of asking for xpcd.
If you wish to  "replace "any corrupted files.
Windows must take them from a "new source path" and  "replace "the existing default in > C:\ Drive windows.
 Otherwise windows cannot replace any corrupted files if it is looking in the same place for the new to  replace the damaged or updated.
Cheers Merete

oops I think this is not your problem, sorry if you are feeling frustrated now :)
Using standby the error message: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
mauiman01 there are so many issues that can cause this error.
Here is a page dedicated to these stop errors.
http://kadaitcha.cx/stop_err.html#0a
In control panel administrative tools event viewer applications please let us know what the > event  number < of this error is to pin down which software/hardware it may be.
Thanks Merete

mauiman01 please come back and give us some feedback, you asked for our assistance and there were many that offered you their free time.
All we ask is to comeback close your post or provide some  feedback some ideas
Merete

aloha,  sorry for my absence, but I had a death in the family, and since I had to travel 6000 miles, I stayed for 31 days.
I still have not fixed the problem, but I need to refresh my memory and review the comments posted.  please give me time to follow up.
Many thanks for your patience!   mauiman01aloha,  sorry for my absence, but I had a death in the family, and since I had to travel 6000 miles, I stayed for 31 days.
I still have not fixed the problem, but I need to refresh my memory and review the comments posted.  please give me time to follow up.
Many thanks for your patience!   mauiman01

I am sorry to hear of sadness and loss of a loved one in your life  mauiman01.

Mark Lion's site is a good starting place for understanding the SFC, you can join with free membership and receive weekly updates and how to's.
Scannow sfc
Published By Marc Liron - Microsoft MVP In Digital Media
How to use the scannow sfc tool in Windows XP  
Download this page as a PDF file here: Scannow SFC

things can go wrong with SFC  and the following guide should help!

http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html

My condolences mauiman01.

respectfully,

Tim

Aloha to all,
 Now when running sfc  it prompts for windows xp sp2 cd, which I just bought and received from microsoft, but  the sfc  doesn't want to accept it.  message follows:---------------------------
Windows File Protection
---------------------------
---------------------------
The CD you provided is the wrong CD.
Please insert the Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 CD into your CD-ROM drive.
---------------------------now, I think I am to make a slip stream mentioned above, but  I am not clear on the steps.  Instructions state to copy xp cd, is that just the i386 or the entire cd?   When I ran sp2 it did not ask what folder to put it in, but did ask if I wanted to install sp2.

Confused, Manny---------------------------

yep I have seen that so many times and it is frustrating, but there is a solution a bit of work but the end results will be perminently being able to scan without the xpcd.
Please follow the guide here and you'll be all up and running.
This is such a stupid mistake on MS dont agree, unless you buy a slipstreamed xpsp2 the sfc will of course not function properly.
http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html
Cheers Merete

Actually I posted this same solution earlier apologies didnt realie you had not seen it.

Aloha, I think I am to make a slip stream of the sp2 cd to get sfc to accept the sp2 cd.
The link, http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm
Gives the instructions, but the steps are not clear.
1 it states to copy xp cd to xp folder.
Is that just the i386 folder or am I too copy the entire cd?
2. Told to extract sp2 to  c:xpsp2 folder but the only option I get is to install it.
3.  there is reference to a sp1 slipstream.  Am I to first make a sp1 slip stream than add the sp2.
Confused, Manny Obviously something is wrong here.  things should not be this difficult.  I paid for the shipping of sp2 cd to make it easier on my self.  But I am still trying to get a cd that will be accepted by sfc to fix system files.
Frustrated! Manny  P.S. but many thanks to all

Aloha Merete, I checked all of the entries which you so nicely outlined, and everything is correct, pointing to d:\xp\i386 (which now has been updated to xpsp2),  but when I run sfc, it stills asks for my sp2 cd.  I was successful in creating a xpsp2 slipstream and the sfc tells me that it is the wron  cd.  I am puzzled as what to do.  Can I reinstall the xpsp2?  Do I need to uninstall sp2  first?  
Note:  chkdsk gave the following:
CHKDSK discovered free space marked as allocated in the
master file table (MFT) bitmap.
Correcting errors in the Volume Bitmap.
Windows found problems with the file system.
Run CHKDSK with the /F (fix) option to correct these.

  10032560 KB total disk space.
   7851997 KB in 47932 files.
     16740 KB in 4427 indexes.
         5 KB in bad sectors.
    144003 KB in use by the system.
     23104 KB occupied by the log file.
   2019815 KB available on disk.

       512 bytes in each allocation unit.
  20065121 total allocation units on disk.
   4039630 allocation units available on disk.

Many thanks, Manny

Aloha Manny, you have been busy :)
well it is always a tricky situation with using the system file checker and creating a slipstreamed cd.
This error here>>master file table (MFT) bitmap.
could be the problem of the bitmap on the slipstreamed cd?
I cannot re-assure you that your slipstreamed xpcd is good?

I too have experienced this and have found the problem lies in the windowsupdates and patches changes the setup configuration in the regestry so when the sfc runs it attempts to restore everything to its original.
My solutionis to clean install about every 8 months.
I backup all my files to another HDD always for this reason.

Another solution is is to reformat and re-install using the xpsp1/sp2 this ensures the file system matches the cd.
Often times this update of xpsp2  stand alone upgrade causes problems using the sfc with sp1 cd.
So basically you can install windows xp using just this new slip streamed disc and it will install sp2 at the same time. When sfc asks for the disc, you can pop this one in and things will be fine.
solution to sfc when sp2 installed and xp cd
http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-10149-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=120306&messageID=1371374

If you installed xpsp2 as an add onto xpsp1 then yes you can uninstall it from add remove programs.

You could run a read only chkdsk go to start run type in CMD then in the black box type in chkdsk press enter.

You could also run sfc from here
go to start run type in CMD press enter
then in the black box type in sfc /scannow press enter

Using the System File Checker Tool
http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/howto-24.html

you should be able to boot from your XP slipstreamed cd and perform a repair installtion.
it should keep your present setup pretty much in place...
but you will need to reinstall all your windows updates

But I would definately backup everything just  incase the slipstreamed cd is not quite right you will lose nothing.
especailly your settings and emails address etc.
If you need assistance here let me know.

If you have done this and wish to try a repair find your xp key first write it down.
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

Configure your computer bios to start from the CD-ROM drive.
Then insert your Windows XP Setup CD, and restart your computer.

When the Press any key to boot from CD message is displayed on your screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.
 
Press ENTER when you see the message To setup Windows XP now, and then press ENTER displayed on the Welcome to Setup screen.
 
 Do not choose the option to press R to use the Recovery Console.
 
In the Windows XP Licensing Agreement, press F8 to agree to the license agreement.
 
 Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press R to repair Windows XP.
 
 Follow the instructions on the screen to complete Setup.
 
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm

Once again best wishes
Merete

aLoha,  I looked in the event viewer, and 130 entries were given for the sfc on 7/7 at pm, and interesting enough we have the same on 7/7 am, which means that sfc gets the files from xp cd and sp2 cd, but does not retains them and if you run sfc it will ask for the xp and sp2 for ever and ever.  puzzled, Manny

puzzeling indeed. Everytime it asks for the cd just eject the cdrom and close it again, the sfc continues and you donot touch naything then it is replacing the system files.
 study this information>> http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/Tweaking-XP-Windows-File-Protection-SP2.html

The best way to fix windows if it is having problems reformat/ but you know I recently did a full format bought a new xpsp2 cd new hdd, as I originally had xp pro then upgraded to xpsp2 using the single xpsp2 cd, my sfc never worked fully either, it had to do with the windows upadtes and the 2 separate sp.
Well once the clean install was finishes updated then out of curiosity ran a system file checker using my xpsp1/sp2 cd  and it asked me for my xpcd and stated mine was not the right one. Puzzeling indeed as it was all new.
What solved it for me was update everything I could, sound drivers video drivers modem/ network,/ usb,router/ office/java/macromedia/flash/directx/  windows updates.
Merete

Rehsashinf what we have doen and reading over all the setps..
what did you put in the C drive do you still have i386 folder in there?
And you changed the regestry to point to>>
Start the Registry Editor
 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Setup
in the right panel>
Double click the value " SourcePath" in the right pane, and enter the location  C:\
ok and close
for the source path to the  I386 folder that is.
The sevice pack source path E:\  for your rom drive.
 Close the registry editor, and log off from Windows, or restart your computer for the setting to take effect.

Windows will keep track of updated system files that are introduced through the "normal" channels, such as Windows Update, Windows Service Pack installation using Update.exe, Hotfixes installed using Hotfix.exe or Update.exe and Operating system upgrades using Winnt32.exe.

Aloha to all,  The problem still exist, but I just needed a break.  I do have my hibernate back, which is the good news.  However, I am still trying to fix the problem that sfc can't seem to save the files it retrieves from xp cd and xp sp2 cd, when errors found during sfc.  I.e., when I run sfc it finds files it needs from the cd.  If the correct cd is given it will run to completion, but once finish, if I eject the cd and run sfc as soon it has completed, it will tell  me that files needed are missing. And I am in a loop.  I just got system mechanic and I am running all of it's tools, once finished I will run sfc and post results.Thanks again for all the help,  Manny