SFC tells me wrong CD?

[Kenny]

Using XP Pro with SP1.
Trying to run "sfc /scannow" it tells me I am using the wrong CD or it's for
a different version of Windows. The CD is an SP1 slipstreamed disc, tried
with original XP Pro CD and the same. The original installation was from
the XP Pro CD with SP1 added later, not from the slipstreamed disc.
Also I cannot get back out of these SFC dialogue boxes and have to Restart
to get rid of them!
If I want to make a new copy to slipstream SP2 should I use the original XP
CD or the one with SP1 already on it. I have Autostreamer but not tried to
use it yet, is it a good program?

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Well i use autostreamer and i've found it very good. As for slipstreaming
sp2 i suggest you use your original windows xp cd (without any service
pack). I gather there are problems slipstreaming sp2 onto a cd that includes
sp1. I assume this is because sp2 also contains all the updates of sp1.
Details for slipstreaming are available on my website:
http://freespace.virgin.net/john.freelanceit/index.htm
Click the Win XP Faq button and take a look at question 83.

 

[Kenny]

Thanks for the reply, some very useful stuff on your site and have saved the
slipstreaming SP2 page.
I had originally wanted to run SFC to hopefully fix a problem with IE but it
has made things worse! Now my 2 optical drives don't show in Explorer.
They are OK in Device Manager and I have tried uninstalling them from there
and re-booting. Again they show in Device Manager but not Explorer.
I am hoping that the PC will boot from CD, I intend trying a Repair XP, is
this the right thing to do?
I have run up to date AdAware, Spybot, Norton AV and also have Norton
Firewall active.
Have also run Norton Disk Doctor and Win Doctor, the latter apparently
fixing some errors.

 

[Harry Ohrn]

If you run a Repair Install it will remove your current Critical Updates and
Service Pack so you will need to update again after.

BTW have you tried running System Restore to revert back to a date prior to
the problems occurring and see if you can fix your issues that way?

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Kenny, as Harry has suggested you might like to try system restore first as
you will loose your updates etc if you do a repair. However, the repair
option is the next stage anyway.
On a more personal note you do seem to be keeping Norton's in business. I
have reviewed and used many Norton products in the past and, although they
are 'good' i have found them, in a number of cases, to cause more problems
than they solve. That is just my personal opinion. Although i have access to
some of the best software available my machine is 'protected' by the Free
versions of AVG anti-virus and Zone Alarm firewall. Defragmentation is
catered for by Perfect disk and spy ware is covered by the freeware
Ad-Aware, spybot, and the not free software Quick Fix Pro (this monitors and
protects agains trojans etc and other vulnerabilities. The system is updated
as soon as a vulnerablity is notified to the manufacturer, Pivx. Yiur pc is
then protected even before microsoft have time to produce a patch.

 

[Kenny]

Thanks for all the replies. Because the problems were getting worse decided
to do a full format & re-install of XP. I included SP2 this time and so far
no problems.
Also have decided not to install any Norton products, my AV subscription was
due to expire soon anyway. Instead have installed the free versions of AVG
& Zone Alarm. Also installed Mailwasher, Window Washer, AdAware & Spybot.
Have been considering Iolo's System Mechanic since I have found it useful in
the past and Acronis True Image, (as opposed to Drive Image or Ghost), any
opinions on these two welcome.

Kenny