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Problem running sfc /scannow...

When I try to run "sfc /scannow" on my Windows XP Pro system it starts to run (I see the flood bar) but when it gets about an 1/8th of the way through it asks for the Windows XP install CD (which is already in the CD Drive, and I hear the CD drive whirling away for little awhile).

The error message is "Files that are required for Windows to run properly must be copied to the DLL cache." "Insert your Windows XP Professional CD-ROM now." I can select Retry, More Information, or Cancel. Retrying just brings me back to the same error dialog.

The XP install CD in the drive is the one I used to installed Windows XP and I know that the CD ROM and drive work fine. I should add that the install CD is an upgrade version and not a full version.

Anyone have this happen to them or can suggest why it isn't working?

Also, I have been unable to convince myself that running sfc /scannow will not overwrite newer systems files with old ones from the original install CD. I know in Windows 2000 it would overwrite the newer system files and often result in a unstable system. Can anyone shed some definitive light on this?

Just to be sure I have also reinstalled SP1 and it still doesn't work.

Thanks,

Fej

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Fatal_Exception

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ASKER

Ok,

I would like to try the "copy the I386 folder to C:\windows\I386" suggestion first (it seems the easiest). Although, how do I tell sfc to "look" in that folder when it expects to be looking for a CD. There is no option to browse for the directory. It is looking for a CD.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Fej

Fatal_Exception

I really do not think you can redirect the sfc command to look in a folder...??? I cannot think of any switches that allow for this. Maybe Gemarti might have an idea. If I find the answer, I will get back to you.

FE

This might give you some idea

Description of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 System File Checker (Sfc.exe)
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310747

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/proddocs/system_file_checker.asp

Sunray

ASKER

Great thanks! If you don't find anything I will try your plan. There must be some registry setting (or something) that tells Windows what drive it was installed from. sfc seems to know which CD ROM I installed from because I have 2 CD ROMs and it always want the same one. I appreciate your help.

Fej

I share your thanks with Gemarti and Fatal_exception

Sunray

Fatal_Exception

Ditto Sunray....

ASKER

Well I tried the security policy method from FE but it was already disabled. Any other ideas fellas?

Thanks much,

Fej

P.S. I am bumping up the points for this one.

Fatal_Exception

Let me sleep on it.. :)

Fatal_Exception

Have you tried the /scanonce or /scanboot switch? These will scan the system at the next boot. Good chance that you will have the same problem, but it may be worth trying.

FE

ASKER

I tried both and got the same error message. Well I will increase the points again. Thanks all for help thus far...

Fej

Fatal_Exception

Bummer... Let me sleep on it.

Night all.

FE

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Fatal_Exception

Sramesh2k... Very cool. Knew it was there in the registry someplace, but could not find it last night.

Gonna change the setting on my machine right now! :)

FE

ASKER

Thanks sramesh2k but I tried that too and no go, same problem.

Fej

Fej,

The article specified in the above link has an error.

Correct method:
If your source files are present in C:\Windows\i386, change the data value to C:\Windows.
If D:\i386, change the SourcePath value to D:\

ASKER

Well I have tried just about everything with no luck. I did notice this though, if I copy the I386 directory to my hard drive and have the registry key SourcePath point to it I get the same behavior. BUT if I set the SourcePath to some bogus directory the sfc program immediately asks for the CD, instead of running for about 1/8th of the way then giving up (Which it does when SourcePath is set to a CD or hardrive location.). So sfc must be "seeing" the correct Windows XP install CD but gives up at the same spot everytime. The install CD is a student upgrade version, I wonder if that makes a difference versus a store purchased or full CD (versus upgrade.) Any ideas? Otherwise I think I might just hang this one up. Thanks a lot for trying thus far.

Fej

>> install CD is a student upgrade version

Might be a reason. I would check the i386 folder properties and match it with a retail CD. Some files may be missing?

Fatal_Exception

Sounds like good reasoning to me sramesh.

Did not know it was not a retail version. Guess we should have asked.

I have read about some people having trouble with pirated versions. (They deserve it. Get what you pay for, eh?)

:o)

ASKER

First of all, it is NOT a pirated copy. I obtained while I was at college through I program sponsered by Microsoft. It is completely legal and I deserve nothing FE. But you are right it appears you get what you pay for.

Thanks for the idea sramesh2k I will see if I can find a non student addition and see if there are any missing files.

Thanks, Fej

I will keep this open in case sramesh2k is right or I or someone else solves the dilema.

Fatal_Exception

I did not mean to imply that it was pirated. Sorry if it sounded that way. Some of the techs who work for me are IS majors and they get the same school versions. I can ask them if they are having any trouble with theirs if you want.

I only was making an observation about pirated versions. Please do not read anything into my comment.

FE

ASKER

Thanks FE that would be great if you have the time. Thank for clearing that up and sorry for the misunderstanding. I guess I took the comment the wrong way.

Cheers,

Fej :-)

Fatal_Exception

That is a small problem when using this type of communication. In fact I emphasize this when training endusers on email usage protocols. I know and should be more careful. :)

In fact I will email an associate right now and ask if he is using his student version and will get back to you.

FE

ASKER

Well I called Microsoft and forked over the $35 to see if they had an answer and of course they didn't. Athough they strongly suggested against using 'sfc' it unless the OS is completely hosed.

The only hypothesis the tech could come up with is that there are differences in the three version for each OS (academic, OEM, and retail) and maybe 'sfc' wasn't aware of the three different versions and was looking for files that don't exists on non retail version. But this would have to be tested.

Maybe I should just go buy a retail box and reinstall with that. So I never have to go through this again.

I really appreciate the attempted help folks.

Thanks, take care and be well.

-Fej

Welcome.

Fatal_Exception

Yes, we tried.

Oh, BTW: My associates who have received their XP Pro OS from school ran the file checker utility and it worked fine on their machines. LOL, eh? I then had them check the version and they found, much to our surprise, that the OS was the full retail version. Almost makes my want to go back to college and work on my masters. :)

Happy Holidays to all.

FE

ASKER

That just figures. I bought mine about 3 years ago or so. Can't remember exactly but I know I waited at least two years before they installed it Is there academic version newer I wonder? I bought it for $25. Retail is like a couple of hundred, ugh.

Thanks,

Fej

Try to locate Wsfc_os.dll and make sure that you have this version. If you don't then go to wwww.windowsupdate.com and download the latest hotfix for this problem.

24-Jul-2002 19:12 5.1.2600.50 132,608 Wsfc_os.dll

ASKER

Ok, well that file doesn't exist on my Windows XP Pro CD or any of my hard drives. Where is this hotfic exactly? I couldn't find it. Can you post the link?

Thanks,

Fej

Fatal_Exception

If you look real hard you will find retail versions for as little as $140. In fact I just picked up the parts for a new machine to build and the Pro OS ran exactly that. Am sure if you look hard you will find a good price.

Hey, just noticed. Check out Gemarti's post and let us know.

FE

ASKER

I have these sfc files on my PC...but not the one you mentioned.

sfc.dll
sfc_os.dll
sfcfiles.dll

The only fix I saw was to install service pack 1 for XP Pro which I have done.

Thanks,

Fej

I don't have a problem, but I think Fejimush owes us an explaination why.

Fejimush www.windowsupdate.com is the the link for finding hotfixes for XP.

Fatal_Exception

No objection here.

ASKER

The reasons I think this question should be deleted are as follows.

1) The question was not resolved. Although I appreciate the efforts by those who participated.
2) I feel that rewarding 285 points for a question that was not resolved is a hefty "price."
3) In the end I even called Microsoft and paid $35 dollars to try and get an answer. (I suggest against that in the future.)

If that does not suffice I will be willing to give a smaller portion of points to those that participated but at this point I think I am stuck at 285, which seems like a lot considering the circumstances. I don't think there is a method to reduce the amount of points.

Either way I do appreciate your efforts.

Kindly,

Fej

fejimush: I've no problem with you requesting a deletion...however I find it strange that you just suddenly decide to quit after 10 days of dialog. I didn't comment until the 9th day and on the 10th after my comment you decide to quit?

YensidMod...I guess I have no objection if you delete this question, but this does seem a bit suspect.

ASKER

Well gemarti, I certainly don't want to seem 'suspect' in any way, shape or form.

If you go back up to your original comment about the Wsfc_os.dll which I stated doesn't not exist on my computer's hard drive or the Windows XP CD. I asked if you could find a link ot the hotfix you suggested and I received no response from you. I did find a blurb on MS's website but it said to install SP1 which I have and tried again. The 'sfc' command still doesn't work.

If you can find the hotfix and the link where I can install it from, and the 'sfc /scannow' command works I will gladly award you all 285 points.

I have no problem trying for a few more days with you to resolve this issue. It is not my intention to deceive any of the experts. You can look at my record I and certaintly don't make a habit of deleting posts.

-Fej

ASKER

Thank you Netminder. That is quite kind of you.

-Fej

Fatal_Exception

Very nice.

Happy Holidays

FE

>>If you go back up to your original comment about the Wsfc_os.dll which I stated doesn't >>not exist on my computer's hard drive or the Windows XP CD

Sorry fejimush...I must have missed your email...I work from several different machines and only one of them actually POPS the mail to my local machine. It may have gotten deleted by accident.

Anyway...all hotfixes for XP can be downloaded from www.windowsupdate.com

I came across this while searching for the same problem I'm having. Exactly!! I could not X out of SFC, not even through task manager. So I thought I'd try something different and keep hitting retry and I found that each time it would either run for a few seconds or a few minutes. But each time it inched a little farther along. It didn't really quit or freeze although it looked that way. I must have hit retry 50 -75 times but it eventually finished. Maybe this will work for you

ASKER

Thanks for chiming in dcpinger. I did see that too while I was working on this but it didn't seem to help. I bet I hit that spacebar a few hundred times. Boy I could've used a well trained monkey. Well in this case it was me.

Have a great new year!

-Fej