sfc /scannow

You have to use a proper "Microsoft XP CD", not a manufacturer's Recovery Disc, so may be that's why it doesn't work for you?
You can't use 'System File Checker' (SFC) with a Recovery Disc. If that is the cause of the error, it's quite legal to borrow a proper Microsoft XP CD from someone else in order to run SFC, just make sure the CD you borrow is the same XP version as the one installed on your PC (eg both must be XP Home or XP Pro, and the Service Pack status of the CD and your PC must also match).

Edited by pip22, 14 January 2008 - 07:42 AM.

here is my canned speech for sfc /scannow...
you could try step 2 in the work around part of it and point it to the right drive ...
or try pointing it at ...C:Windows\servicePackFiles\servicePackFiles



we are going to run System File Checker... to make sure all of your protected files are not corrupt. The scan will automatically replace any corrupt files that it finds.
but first make sure that you can view protected files...
click on...My Computer....Tools...Folder Options....View...
Uncheck...Hide protected operating system files...

Click Start...type in...Run
At the prompt type sfc /scannow
note that there is a single space between sfc and /scannow.

a box should appear telling you how much longer the process should take....

Sometimes the scan will prompt you for your Windows XP disc upon starting the scan. if this happens put the xp cd in the cd drive...

Then rerun the scan...
if you do not have the CD scroll down to HOW TO WORK AROUND THIS for instructions...

Once the scan is complete...Check for Windows Updates... After using the File Protection Service you will need to reapply some updates.....
reboot and let me know how its running
if everythings OK.. rehide the protected files...

click on...My Computer....Tools...Folder Options....View...
check...Hide protected operating system files...

==================
HOW TO WORK AROUND THIS
Windows Protection Files are usually stored in:C:WINDOWS/System32/Dllcache
C: in most cases is the root drive...yours may be different...

The dllcache folder is extremely important so Windows XP hides it from you...

click on... My Computer ... Tools .. Folder Options ... View ...
uncheck.... Hide protected operating system files....

There is normally no need for the original XP CD to be inserted as your computer has a copy it can get hold of in this cache.

if the Dllcache folder or part of it has become corrupted then you will be prompted for the XP CD ... so your computer can get a clean copy...

not ALL installations of Windows XP have ALL the system files cached into this folder... You may only have around 25-50MB of files in this folder under Windows XP depending on the settings in the registry.
note ...mine has 433MB in it

HOW TO WORK AROUND THIS
borrow a friend or coworkers retail copy of xp...it has to be the same version that you have installed... either home or pro ..or have them put a copy of the I386 folder on a cd for you ...then proceed to Step 1

As well as having a cache of all the system files on your PC, you should have the I386 folder from the XP CD installed on your hard drive. After doing this, it is quite simple to modify the registry to tell it the source path for these files.

This prevents 99% of requests for the the XP CD with Windows File Protection and the I386 folder also contains many other files that are sometimes needed by the operating system and this stops those requests for the XP CD...

HOW TO PUT I386 ON YOUR ROOT DRIVE:

Step 1

You will need to get your XP CD and locate the folder called: I386

This is a major folder and should be one of the first you see, now copy this onto your hard drive into the system root. For most of you that is going to be C: so you should end up with a folder that looks like: C:I386

Step 2

Your computer needs to know that you now have the necessary files on your PC. This is done by editing the registry. Here's how...type in regedit in the Run box on the start menu...

By navigating to:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE Microsoft /Windows/ CurrentVersion/ Setup

You will see various entries here on the right hand side.

The one we want is called: SourcePath

It probably has an entry pointing to your CD-ROM drive,(usually D:) and that is why it is asking for the XP CD. All we need to do is change it to: C: Now, double click the SourcePatch setting and a new box will pop up allowing you to make the change to the drive letter of your root drive, probably C:

Now restart your computer and try sfc /scannow again

Hi,

The cd I am using is the original retail Microsoft XP CD, not a setup disk, all original, paid for and registered with Microsoft.

I will try the work around as it cannot find the drive.

I shall let you know how I go.

Regards

Edited by Rickles, 15 January 2008 - 12:25 AM.

Hi,

I followed the instructions and the sfc /scannow did it's job without once asking for the XP cd.

Thank you for your time, the computer is now back on track!

Regards...

glad you got it working...

Hi,

The instructions I was given made it a foolproof fix.
Nice and easy to follow.

Regards

Hi
I thought of this but in my case im running windows xp home media edition
but i do have xp home cd and xp pro cd
do you think this will work for me

Edited by Mr Freeze, 16 January 2008 - 02:02 AM.

I think you might have to start a new topic to get a reply from one of the tech's.

Regards