SFC/scannow - help please?

[Len Dolby]

WinXP,HE,SP2 plus latest updates - C:\partition is 24.9 Mb with 8Mb free
space. Virus, spy-adware free, defragged.

http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc (Learn how to use SFC/Scannow)

Have read this (along with "Help - DWORD in XP, to get
definition/clarification of what a Dword is).
Also gone into Regedit to view my own system settings.

PROBLEM The only relevant entries under Winlogon for SFC/Scannow in my
registry are -

SFCDisable (REG_DWORD) 0x00000000 (0)
Sfcquota (REG_DWORD) 0xffffffff (4294967295) which, if bytes, is a
larger number than my HDD actually has. Example shown in article indicates
this should read something like "(50MB)" - why is mine different?


PROBLEM - I want to "point" to the "i386" folder for drivers/dlls, rather
than XP CD, since my source CD is over 3 years old. If my understanding is
correct, "i386" directory on the HDD has latest drivers/dll's provided by XP
Automatic updates, and is therefore a more appropriate target.. (I did take
the precaution of moving the SP2 download to (2nd partition) Drive D on the
HDD, to a folder called SP2.)

However, "Search" for folder "i386" gives the following -
C:\Windows\Driver Cache - folder containing just 5 files (incl SP1.cab and
SP2.cab) - 109 Mb
C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles - folder containing 2192 files, 440Mb
C:\Windows|System32\ReinstallBackups\00**/Driver files - 19 folders.
The "00**" is a non-contiguous list from 0001 to 0023 (19 of them) AND -
TOTALLY CONFUSING - the file Folder dates are NOT in chronological order, as
one might expect in a numeric sequence (random dates vary between 2003 and
2005)

Just to confuse me even more - the SP2 directory on D; has an i386 directory
with 2900+ entries PLUS subdirectories.

I should perhaps mention that I have never deleted any "$ntuninstall$"
files - should I have done?

QUESTION - would it be sensible to copy ALL the i386 files/drivers from the
various directories into ONE directory - assume the System 32/i386 folder ?

Object of the exercise - to stabilise my system. SFC/Scannow is suggesting I
have problems, wants XP CD.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Have you considered using a 'slipstreamed' copy of XP?
You say you already have the XP CD (which is 3 years old) You also
presumably either have SP2 downloaded to your pc or on a CD. All you need do
is 'slipstream' SP2 onto XP which then creates a 'new' copy incorporating
both XP and SP2. Copy the resulting file to CD and you have a copy of XP
with all of the service pack 2 updates. It's a lot less trouble.
Obviously you need slipstream software which can be downloaded free. Before
deciding visit my website:
http://freespace.virgin.net/john.freelanceit/index.htm
Click on the Win XP Faq button and take a look at question 83 'how do i
create a slipstream cd of windows xp and service pack 2'
I always use this method when new service packs come out.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

You should keep the one under C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles, as well as
maintain the CD directory. These are the two locations that the system will
look in when you run the scan. It knows which versions it is looking for.

By the way, I hope that's "24.9 Gb with 8Gb free".

Unless you plan on uninstalling an update, you can delete the uninstall
directories to conserve space, they serve no other purpose.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Thorsten Matzner]

PROBLEM - I want to "point" to the "i386" folder for drivers/dlls, rather
than XP CD,

This is done automatically.

I should perhaps mention that I have never deleted any "$ntuninstall$"
files - should I have done?

There is no problem with this. This does not affect SFC.

Object of the exercise - to stabilise my system. SFC/Scannow is suggesting I
have problems, wants XP CD.

This may happen even if newer core files are stored on the HDD. This
does not indicate a problem.

 

[Len Dolby]

John, many thanks (to Rick and Thorsten, too). Well spotted - for hdd
capacity read Gb where Mb appeared! Dyslexia rules, KO?

I was visitor 5382 to your site - impressive !!

One prob - I inadvertently misled you (ambiguity). I never had an "original"
XP OS disk. XP came pre-installed. Which means that the answer to Q83
("how to slipstream" isn't straightforward. My PC is German - "Targa" - did
have recovery disk, used once over 2 years ago, now mislaid/disappeared
(have all supplied disks EXCEPT the most important - careless!). My Windows
XP product key is on a label on back of the PC, and though I've changed one
or two things, the essential hardware still holds true for verification
table.

Is it possible to use some-one else's XP disk, use those files to create
"slipstream" CD?
(It's possible that my friends also have XP pre-loaded, in which case,
another question - What files/folders are needed (assuming they exist in the
same name on "recovery" XP CD's ?

Sincerely, Len.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Len you will find that a 'recovery disk' has been ghosted and without the
relevant application that was originally used to ghost the operating system
you will not have access to any of the files on the recovery cd.
As for using someone elses copy of xp i believe you would need to use their
licence number which would render the whole thing illegal (in breach of your
licence agreement). I have to admit i have around 4 copies of xp but i
always slipstream the one i intend using on my machine. I never slipstream
say my first disc of xp and then use the second disc licence to install. i'm
not even sure if it would work. But no doubt if it does someone will be kind
enough to correct me.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Yes. (The only hitch might be an OEM customized system file somewhere in
the mix, which is highly unlikely.) System File Checker has no need to ask
for the product key so I would use the appropriate Home or Pro cd from
another user and create the slipstreamed cd.

Gratuitous comment: This is one reason I have stopped buying systems with
Windows preinstalled. I much prefer to have a plain old Windows cd at hand.
I have used Microsoft PSS (phone help) enough times that the extra expense
has been worth it to me.

Having said that, your solution should work fine. Please post back with the
result.

 

[Len Dolby]

Colin, John - Interesting, this conflict of opinion between MVP's!
I'm currently trying to borrow XP disk (donor is a distance away) will keep
you posted on success - may be a while.

John's reservation seems to be primarily that of legality. My view is that I
have a paid-for legal operating system.All I'm doing is following advice
(and an already-established practice) to create what is essentially a
recovery disk for my system.
Since "slipstreaming" involves copying files from (copyright) system disk,
(and updates are also copyright) -what's the legal difference between
copying files from one disk and copying same files from another, to support
a legally purchased/installed operating system ? I'm not intending to run 2
pc's from the slipstream disk - that would be illegal (and I don't have 2
pc's anyway).

If copying from a system disk is illegal, then (logically) the entire
concept of slipstreaming is also illegal? If that is the case, will
Microsoft be taking action against MVP's who promote it ?
A new acronym - MDvP (Most DeValued Person) as punishment, perhaps ...
(British humour).

Suspect this could be an ENORMOUS can of worms!!! Will follow the dialogue
(if any) with interest.

Sincerely, Len.

Yes. (The only hitch might be an OEM customized system file somewhere in
the mix, which is highly unlikely.) System File Checker has no need to
ask for the product key so I would use the appropriate Home or Pro cd from
another user and create the slipstreamed cd.

Gratuitous comment: This is one reason I have stopped buying systems with
Windows preinstalled. I much prefer to have a plain old Windows cd at
hand. I have used Microsoft PSS (phone help) enough times that the extra
expense has been worth it to me.

Having said that, your solution should work fine. Please post back with
the result.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]

John, many thanks (to Rick and Thorsten, too). Well spotted - for hdd
capacity read Gb where Mb appeared! Dyslexia rules, KO?

I was visitor 5382 to your site - impressive !!

One prob - I inadvertently misled you (ambiguity). I never had an
"original" XP OS disk. XP came pre-installed. Which means that the
answer to Q83 ("how to slipstream" isn't straightforward. My PC is
German - "Targa" - did have recovery disk, used once over 2 years ago,
now mislaid/disappeared (have all supplied disks EXCEPT the most
important - careless!). My Windows XP product key is on a label on back
of the PC, and though I've changed one or two things, the essential
hardware still holds true for verification table.

Is it possible to use some-one else's XP disk, use those files to create
"slipstream" CD?
(It's possible that my friends also have XP pre-loaded, in which case,
another question - What files/folders are needed (assuming they exist in
the same name on "recovery" XP CD's ?

Sincerely, Len.

 

[Len Dolby]

Thorsten, have added comments as appropriate - appreciate your thoughts

This is done automatically.

DISAGREE - (full text of original post) If it were automatic, why then does
it ask for the XP CD?

This may happen even if newer core files are stored on the HDD. This
does not indicate a problem.

BUT it does mean that (since I don't have the CD any more - lost/misplaced)
SCANNOW cannot function, since it won't go beyond this point even when I ask
it to skip. Have to soft-boot down, since it will not close. I actually DO
have a problem, evident at boot - first, I get a black screen with a white
bar which runs something - I don't know what. Then it asks me which Profile
I want (I've only got one). After which, a normal start-up. So, something's
gone wrong in this last week - system file checker might just have corrected
it (but, as posted - it won't work!)

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Slipstreaming and using System File Checker are not violations of your
license since you are not installing the same cd to a second machine. Nor
are you using the license from a friend's cd to install Windows on your
machine. Windows is already installed on it. Using your friend's cd to do
a "repair install" would be a problem since you would have to enter the
product key during the repair. In this sense, a Windows cd is a Windows cd
is a Windows cd.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]

Colin, John - Interesting, this conflict of opinion between MVP's!
I'm currently trying to borrow XP disk (donor is a distance away) will
keep you posted on success - may be a while.

John's reservation seems to be primarily that of legality. My view is that
I have a paid-for legal operating system.All I'm doing is following advice
(and an already-established practice) to create what is essentially a
recovery disk for my system.
Since "slipstreaming" involves copying files from (copyright) system disk,
(and updates are also copyright) -what's the legal difference between
copying files from one disk and copying same files from another, to
support a legally purchased/installed operating system ? I'm not intending
to run 2 pc's from the slipstream disk - that would be illegal (and I
don't have 2 pc's anyway).

If copying from a system disk is illegal, then (logically) the entire
concept of slipstreaming is also illegal? If that is the case, will
Microsoft be taking action against MVP's who promote it ?
A new acronym - MDvP (Most DeValued Person) as punishment, perhaps ...
(British humour).

Suspect this could be an ENORMOUS can of worms!!! Will follow the dialogue
(if any) with interest.

Sincerely, Len.

Yes. (The only hitch might be an OEM customized system file somewhere in
the mix, which is highly unlikely.) System File Checker has no need to
ask for the product key so I would use the appropriate Home or Pro cd
from another user and create the slipstreamed cd.

Gratuitous comment: This is one reason I have stopped buying systems
with Windows preinstalled. I much prefer to have a plain old Windows cd
at hand. I have used Microsoft PSS (phone help) enough times that the
extra expense has been worth it to me.

Having said that, your solution should work fine. Please post back with
the result.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]

John, many thanks (to Rick and Thorsten, too). Well spotted - for hdd
capacity read Gb where Mb appeared! Dyslexia rules, KO?

I was visitor 5382 to your site - impressive !!

One prob - I inadvertently misled you (ambiguity). I never had an
"original" XP OS disk. XP came pre-installed. Which means that the
answer to Q83 ("how to slipstream" isn't straightforward. My PC is
German - "Targa" - did have recovery disk, used once over 2 years ago,
now mislaid/disappeared (have all supplied disks EXCEPT the most
important - careless!). My Windows XP product key is on a label on back
of the PC, and though I've changed one or two things, the essential
hardware still holds true for verification table.

Is it possible to use some-one else's XP disk, use those files to create
"slipstream" CD?
(It's possible that my friends also have XP pre-loaded, in which case,
another question - What files/folders are needed (assuming they exist in
the same name on "recovery" XP CD's ?

Sincerely, Len.

Have you considered using a 'slipstreamed' copy of XP?
You say you already have the XP CD (which is 3 years old) You also
presumably either have SP2 downloaded to your pc or on a CD. All you
need do is 'slipstream' SP2 onto XP which then creates a 'new' copy
incorporating both XP and SP2. Copy the resulting file to CD and you
have a copy of XP with all of the service pack 2 updates. It's a lot
less trouble.
Obviously you need slipstream software which can be downloaded free.
Before deciding visit my website:
http://freespace.virgin.net/john.freelanceit/index.htm
Click on the Win XP Faq button and take a look at question 83 'how do i
create a slipstream cd of windows xp and service pack 2'
I always use this method when new service packs come out.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
http://freespace.virgin.net/john.freelanceit/index.htm

WinXP,HE,SP2 plus latest updates - C:\partition is 24.9 Mb with 8Mb
free
space. Virus, spy-adware free, defragged.

http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc (Learn how to use SFC/Scannow)

Have read this (along with "Help - DWORD in XP, to get
definition/clarification of what a Dword is).
Also gone into Regedit to view my own system settings.

PROBLEM The only relevant entries under Winlogon for SFC/Scannow in
my
registry are -

SFCDisable (REG_DWORD) 0x00000000 (0)
Sfcquota (REG_DWORD) 0xffffffff (4294967295) which, if bytes, is
a
larger number than my HDD actually has. Example shown in article
indicates
this should read something like "(50MB)" - why is mine different?


PROBLEM - I want to "point" to the "i386" folder for drivers/dlls,
rather
than XP CD, since my source CD is over 3 years old. If my
understanding is
correct, "i386" directory on the HDD has latest drivers/dll's provided
by XP
Automatic updates, and is therefore a more appropriate target.. (I
did take
the precaution of moving the SP2 download to (2nd partition) Drive D
on the
HDD, to a folder called SP2.)

However, "Search" for folder "i386" gives the following -
C:\Windows\Driver Cache - folder containing just 5 files (incl SP1.cab
and
SP2.cab) - 109 Mb
C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles - folder containing 2192 files, 440Mb
C:\Windows|System32\ReinstallBackups\00**/Driver files - 19 folders.
The "00**" is a non-contiguous list from 0001 to 0023 (19 of them)
AND -
TOTALLY CONFUSING - the file Folder dates are NOT in chronological
order, as
one might expect in a numeric sequence (random dates vary between 2003
and
2005)

Just to confuse me even more - the SP2 directory on D; has an i386
directory
with 2900+ entries PLUS subdirectories.

I should perhaps mention that I have never deleted any "$ntuninstall$"
files - should I have done?

QUESTION - would it be sensible to copy ALL the i386 files/drivers
from the
various directories into ONE directory - assume the System 32/i386
folder ?

Object of the exercise - to stabilise my system. SFC/Scannow is
suggesting I
have problems, wants XP CD.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

DISAGREE - (full text of original post) If it were automatic, why then
does it ask for the XP CD?

Common problem in OEM preinstalls, I wrote this regarding it:
http://rickrogers.org/fixes.htm#I386

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Len Dolby]

RICK - followed yr article's instructions to the letter (having first
carefully noted original key text, just in case ...)
Alas! It had no effect, still getting prompt for XP HE disk in SFC\ scannow.

There's 2 "i386" folders located as follows -

C:\Windows\Driver Cache\i386 - created 16 Apr 2002 (date of last
re-install - don't recall doing it after)
This is 106Mb, contains only 5 files, including 2 cab files (SP1cab and
SP2cab)

C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 - created 28 Jan 2003
This is 446Mb, contains 2192 files, 1 folder ("En")

Pondering as to which is the "active" i386 folder, on the basis of the "last
accessed" date/time of several of the files within the cab files, decided
that it was the first one, so as described in yr article, amended the
"sourcepath" from pre-existing E:\ to C:\Windows\Driver Cache (note the
space is correct path). As stated, made no difference, still prompt for XP
cd.

Found another entry in same key - "Installation Sources" - a multi key. One
source in this key is E:\WINXP_SP1. (E:\ is first of 2 optical drives) Tried
deleting this entry - no effect on SFC, still prompts for XP CD.
Have restored registry to original settings.

I'm certain I've followed your instructions exactly. I understood it to mean
that it would prevent prompt for XP CD, but, not for me. What am I missing?

Sincerely, Len.

 

[Thorsten Matzner]

DISAGREE - (full text of original post) If it were automatic, why then does
it ask for the XP CD?

Not all system files are updated with the service packs, I assume.
Also this could be for to verify your Windows license.

 

[Len Dolby]

Good thought, except SFC/ scannow is a pc selfchecker, not run on-line.
I am legal , just lost the disk. Microsoft Update Manager does a validity
check, if one were done, surely? (and I am fully up to date with updates,
ongoing).

 

[Thorsten Matzner]

Good thought, except SFC/ scannow is a pc selfchecker, not run on-line.
I am legal , just lost the disk.

See "How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or
Hardware" (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326246).

 

[Len Dolby]

Thanks Thorsten, already done.
No chance. 3 years old, out of warranty, OEM, built in Germany (I'm in UK)
.... it would be helpful if Rick responded to my earlier post 19th Jan, same
thread.
He gave his web-page and article, but re-directing the source from the sytem
disk to my i386 directory (Regedit the registry) didn't work (still demands
the CD). There must be another setting to change this, somewhere.
Appreciate your continued interest. Sincerely, Len.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Len,

Sorry, didn't see your response. Replied above.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Len,

See comments inline:

RICK - followed yr article's instructions to the letter (having first
carefully noted original key text, just in case ...)
Alas! It had no effect, still getting prompt for XP HE disk in SFC\
scannow.

Then it has not been properly redirected.

There's 2 "i386" folders located as follows -

C:\Windows\Driver Cache\i386 - created 16 Apr 2002 (date of last
re-install - don't recall doing it after)
This is 106Mb, contains only 5 files, including 2 cab files (SP1cab
and SP2cab)

This is not the one you want to point at, this is a driver cache.

C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 - created 28 Jan 2003
This is 446Mb, contains 2192 files, 1 folder ("En")

This one will have its own servicepacksourcepath string under the same
registry key as the sourcepath key. You must be careful not to confuse the
two.

Pondering as to which is the "active" i386 folder, on the basis of the
"last accessed" date/time of several of the files within the cab files,
decided that it was the first one, so as described in yr article, amended
the "sourcepath" from pre-existing E:\ to C:\Windows\Driver Cache (note
the space is correct path). As stated, made no difference, still prompt
for XP cd.

Niether of those you've listed so far is the proper one.

Found another entry in same key - "Installation Sources" - a multi key.
One source in this key is E:\WINXP_SP1. (E:\ is first of 2 optical drives)
Tried deleting this entry - no effect on SFC, still prompts for XP CD.
Have restored registry to original settings.

It had no effect as it is still the wrong one.

I'm certain I've followed your instructions exactly. I understood it to
mean that it would prevent prompt for XP CD, but, not for me. What am I
missing?

It is the "sourcepath" string, and it needs to point to the correct I386
folder. You've not listed that so far. Have you done as was suggested in the
article and unmasked the system and hidden folders? If you would like,
export a copy of that registry key and send it directly to me via email. Use
the subject line "per req" or it will not make it through my email filters.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

<snip>

 

[Len Dolby]

Hopefully done it right - private e_mail as requested. Plaese say if not
received.
Sincerely, Len