sfc / scannow asks for Windows CD--I don't have one! What to do?

[Guest]

sfc is a great idea, but how about the millions of us who are now stuck
without a Windows CD because the manufacturer puts Windows recovery in a
non-accessible partition on our hard drive?? When the popup occurs, asking
for the CD what do I do? I tried to run sfc yesterday and it quit before
completion because it wants this non-existant disk. I had to cancl
everything.

Even more confusing, on my HP desktop, I run Windows XP Home--sfc asksed for
a CD with Windows XP Pro on it?

Help would be greatly appreciated. I need to run sfc because I'm pretty
certain that there is a .dll file screwed up, caused by an install/uninstall
of a poorly written program.

 

[Nepatsfan]

In (e-mail address removed)

sfc is a great idea, but how about the millions of us who
are now stuck without a Windows CD because the manufacturer
puts Windows recovery in a non-accessible partition on our
hard drive?? When the popup occurs, asking for the CD what
do I do? I tried to run sfc yesterday and it quit before
completion because it wants this non-existant disk. I had
to cancl everything.

Even more confusing, on my HP desktop, I run Windows XP
Home--sfc asksed for a CD with Windows XP Pro on it?

Help would be greatly appreciated. I need to run sfc
because I'm pretty certain that there is a .dll file screwed
up, caused by an install/uninstall of a poorly written
program. --
Thank you for your help,

Scholastica

Take a look at this article:

You may be prompted to insert a Windows XP Professional CD when
you run the System File Checker tool in Windows XP Home Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/897128/en-us

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[Ted Zieglar]

Without a Windows XP CD you may not be able to use the System File Checker.

"Description of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 System File Checker
(Sfc.exe)"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310747/en-us

Personally, I would not purchase a PC without a full version OS install CD.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

If you didn't get a CD then there might be an I386 folder. I.e. C:\I386

If there is, confirm these settings. This assumes C: is the hard drive.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup
Value Name: CDInstall Data Type: REG_DWORD Value Data: 0
Value Name: ServicePackSourcePath Data Type: REG_SZ Value Data: C:\
Value Name: SourcePath Data Type: REG_SZ Value Data: C:\


scannow sfc (sfc.exe)
http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

The folder is there in C:\Windows\I386 and the Registry Values are suitably
altered to reflect the path. So, now what? is sfc.exe not able to see that
folder? For me, an uninformed user, is that the folder with the "good" .dll
files?

I could sure use some more help and I thank you for your response.
--
Thank you for your help,

Scholastica

If you didn't get a CD then there might be an I386 folder. I.e. C:\I386

If there is, confirm these settings. This assumes C: is the hard drive.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup
Value Name: CDInstall Data Type: REG_DWORD Value Data: 0
Value Name: ServicePackSourcePath Data Type: REG_SZ Value Data: C:\
Value Name: SourcePath Data Type: REG_SZ Value Data: C:\


scannow sfc (sfc.exe)
http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

-- Thank you, I will try that. It looks exactly like what I need.

Thank you for your help,

Scholastica

 

[Guest]

-- Good luck. It is getting harder and harder, especially for those of us
on a limited budget who can't afford the whizbang machines that still offer
them. I don't think HP, Dell, Sony, Toshiba, any of them, offer CDs other
than System Recovery items which have no recognizable code.

Turns out that a nice guy named Nepatsfan pointed me to the solution.

Scholastica

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Is there a Browse option when it asks for the CD?

--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The folder is there in C:\Windows\I386 and the Registry Values are
suitably
altered to reflect the path. So, now what? is sfc.exe not able to see
that
folder? For me, an uninformed user, is that the folder with the "good"
.dll
files?

I could sure use some more help and I thank you for your response.

 

[Guest]

-- No, it just gives you three choices--Abort, Retry or Cancel.

Look up above in this thread and you'll see a solution from a nice guy named
Nepatsfan.

Thank you for your help,

Scholastica

 

[Guest]

-- See Nepatsfan's response in this thread. I think it will work.


Thank you for your help,

Scholastica

The folder is there in C:\Windows\I386 and the Registry Values are suitably
altered to reflect the path. So, now what? is sfc.exe not able to see that
folder? For me, an uninformed user, is that the folder with the "good" .dll
files?

I could sure use some more help and I thank you for your response.

 

[Nepatsfan]

You're welcome.

Nepatsfan


message

-- Thank you, I will try that. It looks exactly like what I
need.

Thank you for your help,

Scholastica

 

[Guest]

-- It didn't work. I searched both of the suspect files for the word
"Professional" and edited them out as MS recommended. Still get the error
message looking for XP Professional CD. There is some other place where this
thing is lurking. If anyone reads this who has a clue, please give a holler'


Thank you for your help,

Scholastica

 

[Nepatsfan]

Go back and double check the two files. If you edited
them correctly and SFC still couldn't find the
right source it would be asking for the Home CD, not
Professional.

If that's not the problem, do the following:
Run the Registry Editor (Start -> Run -> regedit.exe) and
navigate to this key,

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup

In the right hand pane you should see a value for
ServicePackSourcePath.
Make sure the Data for this value is
C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles
Make sure the Data for SourcePath is C:\

If this doesn't solve your problem, do the following:
Go to Start -> Run and enter cmd.exe in the Open box.
Enter the following command at the prompt,

Reg Query HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup

C:\Source.txt

Note: There are spaces between Reg and Query, Query and HKLM,
Setup and >C:\Source.txt.

Next, open C:\Source.txt.
Copy the information under the Setup section and paste it into
a response to this message.

Finally, have you tried contacting HP and see if it's possible
to obtain an XP installation CD? Here's an article from their
support site which talks about a "Recovery kit". You might want
to find out if this kit includes a genuine XP installation CD.
If it only includes a "Restore" CD, don't bother. That would
not be helpful in this situation.

HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - Obtaining a Recovery CD or DVD set
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&docname=bph07143

FYI, the problem you're dealing with is just one of the reasons
I advise people who are looking for an affordable PC to order a
Dell. For an extra $10 you can order an actual XP installation
CD.

Nepatsfan


In (e-mail address removed)

 

[Guest]

-- Sorry, Peeter, I don't see a "pic" What did you modify to C:\ ? My I386
folder is located in C:\Windows\I386. Is that what you are talking about?
Thank you for your help,

Scholastica

 

[Guest]

-- The Source Path is C:\Windows\ And, when I try to enter Reg Query
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup

C:\Source.txt , the Command line box flashes open and then closes. I can't get to the Source.txt to see what it says.

I have all boxes checked in folder options so I can see hidden system files,
etc. I copied the Reg Query straight from the post and entered it into the
Run box.

Also, see the post from Peter below--he mentions setting something to C:\,
is that the Source Path value??

I am getting confused. All mentions of "Professional" are removed from the
two files yet I still get the Professional CD query. I checked it again.
But, even if I got it all fixed and its still looking for a CD, this time for
XP Home, I'm still stuck, right?

The HP reference is to a recovery disk, not an OS disk. So if this is the
case, and all else fails, tough luck, eh? sfc won't work in an environment
where the OS is locked in a recovery partition.

I know what HP will say--just run the recovery and fix it all and, tought
luck, that you lose all the work you've done configuring the machine and
loading the software you want!!

Grr.
Thank you for your help,

Scholastica

 

[Peter]

As per: http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html the entire i386 folder has
to be copied to c: for it to work. When Windows installs only the
necessary parts of i386 are transferred to c:\Windows\i386 - hence the
request for the disk to be inserted.In Regedit I had to alter both
"ServicePackSourcePath" and "SourcePath" to C:\

BUT, if, as you say, the HP PC doesn't have an installation disk then I
think you are stymied. Unless you can call them and persuade them to send
you a system disk.
You didn't see the pic at the very bottom of the post (scroll down) or via
the attachment? I'm using Outlook Express as my newreader and no problems
here...but I have it sey not to block images...that could be that particular
problem. (Tools/Options/Security)

 

[Nepatsfan]

Pasting that command into the Run box won't work. You've got to
copy and paste the it into a command prompt window. Here's how:

Go to Start and click on Run.
Enter cmd.exe next to Open.
Click OK.
This should open up a black command prompt window.
Notice the blinking cursor.
That's where you want to paste the following command:

REG QUERY HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup

C:\Source.txt

Nepatsfan


In (e-mail address removed)

 

[Guest]

-- I give up. There are no CDs of OS available from HP. I also cannot see
any picture in your post. Thanks for trying. Chalk this up to HP/MS
paranoia about having a disk with Windows out there that they cannot watch
24/7!!

Thank you for your help,

Scholastica

 

[Guest]

-- Sorry. I don't do Command Line and didn't know all this. I did it the
way you suggested and get a whole bunch of stuff back--here it is:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator>REG QUERY
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Win
dows\CurrentVersion\Setup

! REG.EXE VERSION 3.0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup
DriverCachePath REG_EXPAND_SZ %SystemRoot%\Driver Cache
BootDir REG_SZ C:\
PrivateHash REG_BINARY D832719A269C4BC60C5CD68FE5EA3C44
Installation Sources REG_MULTI_SZ D:\0\0
SourcePath REG_SZ c:\windows\
ServicePackSourcePath REG_SZ c:\windows\
CDInstall REG_DWORD 0x0
LogLevel REG_DWORD 0x0
ServicePackCachePath REG_SZ
c:\windows\ServicePackFiles\ServicePackC
ache

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\AppLogLevels

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\BaseWinOption
s

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\ExceptionComp
onents

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\Migration
DLL
s

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\Oc Manager

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\OOBE

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\OptionalCompo
nents

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\WindowsFeatur
es

C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator>>C:\Source.txt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But even if I get it all cleaned up, without an OS disk am I not finished??
What's the use. I can't get to the I386 folder on the Recovery partition of
this computer.

Should I just forget all this??


Thank you for your help,

Scholastica

 

[Nepatsfan]

Unless you have a C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles folder, that
registry key looks OK. Both SourcePath and
ServicePackSourcePath are pointing to C:\Windows which is where
the I386 folder is located. Unfortunately, that means there's a
possibility that the I386 folder does not contain all of the
files that SFC needs.

Without an XP installation cd, it looks like you're not going
to be able to get SFC to work on your computer.

Sorry, but I'm out of ideas.

Nepatsfan


In (e-mail address removed)

-- Sorry. I don't do Command Line and didn't know all this.
I did it the way you suggested and get a whole bunch of
stuff back--here it is:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600] (C) Copyright
1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator>REG QUERY
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Win
dows\CurrentVersion\Setup

! REG.EXE VERSION 3.0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup
DriverCachePath REG_EXPAND_SZ %SystemRoot%\Driver
Cache BootDir REG_SZ C:\
PrivateHash REG_BINARY
D832719A269C4BC60C5CD68FE5EA3C44 Installation Sources
REG_MULTI_SZ D:\0\0 SourcePath REG_SZ c:\windows\
ServicePackSourcePath REG_SZ c:\windows\
CDInstall REG_DWORD 0x0
LogLevel REG_DWORD 0x0
ServicePackCachePath REG_SZ
c:\windows\ServicePackFiles\ServicePackC
ache

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\AppLogLevels

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\BaseWinOption
s

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\ExceptionComp
onents

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\Migration
DLL
s

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\Oc
Manager

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\OOBE

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\OptionalCompo
nents

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\WindowsFeatur
es

C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator>>C:\Source.txt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But even if I get it all cleaned up, without an OS disk am I
not finished?? What's the use. I can't get to the I386
folder on the Recovery partition of this computer.

Should I just forget all this??


Thank you for your help,

Scholastica

Pasting that command into the Run box won't work. You've
got to copy and paste the it into a command prompt window.
Here's how:

Go to Start and click on Run.
Enter cmd.exe next to Open.
Click OK.
This should open up a black command prompt window.
Notice the blinking cursor.
That's where you want to paste the following command:

REG QUERY
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup

Nepatsfan


In (e-mail address removed)