System File Checker?

[D. W. K.]

I have been having a real problem getting my XP Pro system to respond to
Standby mode ever since I allowed MS to download and install a "critical
update" on or about 1-Feb-05. Tonight I thought I would defrag the C: drive
to see if that would help. I have tried everything else I can think of. A
message came up suggesting that I run chkdsk with the /f parameter first.
So, I did that and it indicated that it repaired the file system. I then
thought I should run System File Checker because this tool had always been
quite helpful in Windows 98SE in the past.

It turns out now that with Windows XP this particular tool works
differently. Instead of a dialog box with controllable options I now get a
simple progress bar and no options to set. The problem is that it asks me
several times to insert the Installation CD so it can replace files. I have
a concern with this because I have allowed MS to download and install
numerous "updates" since I got this Dell computer about a year ago,
including the infamous "SP2" update, and I don't know if it will over-write
these with older files from the XP Pro install CD.

Is there a danger of over-writing updated files on my C: drive with older
"original" files from the CD and therefore creating all manner of havoc on
my computer?

I would like to know from someone who has experience with this before I
launch out and let this thing start replacing critical files!

Thanks,

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

Some users are forced to press 'r' for 'retry' many times to run sfc. It's a result of the path used to do the updates, and other
reasons (unattended installs, etc)

SFC is aware of update paths for the most part, and 'retry' makes it try other alternatives. It functions correctly in spite of
added updates.

 

[Guest]

I have been having a real problem getting my XP Pro system to respond to
Standby mode ever since I allowed MS to download and install a "critical
update" on or about 1-Feb-05. Tonight I thought I would defrag the C: drive
to see if that would help. I have tried everything else I can think of. A
message came up suggesting that I run chkdsk with the /f parameter first.
So, I did that and it indicated that it repaired the file system. I then
thought I should run System File Checker because this tool had always been
quite helpful in Windows 98SE in the past.

It turns out now that with Windows XP this particular tool works
differently. Instead of a dialog box with controllable options I now get a
simple progress bar and no options to set. The problem is that it asks me
several times to insert the Installation CD so it can replace files. I have
a concern with this because I have allowed MS to download and install
numerous "updates" since I got this Dell computer about a year ago,
including the infamous "SP2" update, and I don't know if it will over-write
these with older files from the XP Pro install CD.

Is there a danger of over-writing updated files on my C: drive with older
"original" files from the CD and therefore creating all manner of havoc on
my computer?

I would like to know from someone who has experience with this before I
launch out and let this thing start replacing critical files!

Thanks,

--

DWK
Simi Valley, CA
USA

Hey DWK I grew up in Simi Valley, How goes it?
No, the System file checker will not replace any hotfixes with older
versions,these hotfixes have dates or version numbers attached to them and
the SFC will not replace a newer version with an older one.
However!!! since you installed SP2 the SFC will not work anymore,you need to
create a new XP CD that has SP2 incorparated with it,this is called
"slipstreaming" check out the link's below.

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp
http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/winxp-sp2-bootcd.html
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=188337&st=0&#entry2453585

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong here but I believe you can
also just use your i386 folder to run SFC as well,But you may still need the
"bootable" slippedstreamed CD sometime in the future so I would make one when
you have the time to do so.


How to direct the SFC to you your HD instead of a CD (I belive I got this
info from Rick Rogers website??)


I386 folder

A very common way for manufacturers to supply the system file set on
preinstalled (OEM) machines is to place them on the hard drive. This is done
because in general you cannot directly expand files from the image disks or
recovery partition that is provided with the system. The problem is that the
image used to install the system references the system file set (I386 folder)
as being on the installation CD - and most of the time the user does not have
one of these. When the system requires one of these files, the user is
prompted to insert the setup disk that they do not possess, and most times
there is no option to redirect the search to another location. Therefore,
what needs to be done is that the reference to the I386 folder needs to be
changed. This is done in the system registry, but first you need to locate it.
Open Windows Explorer and look for an I386 folder. Usually it is under
C:\Windows \I386 or simply C:\I386. If you cannot see the I386 folder on the
system, it may be because you are set to hide system folders. Go to the
Control Panel/Folder Options, and on the View tab, set the options so you can
see hidden and system files. Specifically:

Enable (check) "Display the contents of system folders"
Enable (check) "Show hidden files and folders"
Disable (uncheck): "Hide protected operating system files (recommended)"

I also recommend that you disable (uncheck) "hide extensions for known file
types". Now you should be able to easily locate the I386 folder in Windows
Explorer.

In order for the system to automatically expand the files from this
location, you need to change the sourcepath entry under this key in the
system registry to the parent folder housing the I386 folder, or you will
continually be prompted to insert the CD. Click start/run, type regedit and
click ok. Expand the plus (+) signs to reach this key and click on it:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup

Double-click the sourcepath string in the right pane and change it as
follows: If the folder is at C:\Windows\I386, then enter just C:\Windows. If
it rests on the root, C:\I386, enter only C:\. Click ok and then close the
registry editor once changed, you should not need to reboot for this to take
effect

Good Luck.

 

[D. W. K.]

I'll give that a try!

Thanks... DWK

Some users are forced to press 'r' for 'retry' many times to run sfc. It's
a result of the path used to do the updates, and other reasons (unattended
installs, etc)

SFC is aware of update paths for the most part, and 'retry' makes it try
other alternatives. It functions correctly in spite of added updates.


http://www.geocities.com/marfer_mvp/chatNotes.htm
.

 

[D. W. K.]

I'll check that out! Thanks! :O)

I don't know how long since you were here but I've been here for most of 42
years and it is really crowed now!

 

[D. W. K.]

Hi! I was reading the write-up on the second link below and it said that
this "slipstreaming" would not work on some OEM CD's such as those with
computers like Dell. Well, I have a Dell Dimension 8300 and the "still
shrink wrapped" Windows installation CD and it says on it "Including Service
Pack 1a". Am I to understand that I cannot solve my problem because of this?

Thank you,

Dave K.

 

[Guest]

I too have a Dell 8300 I believe it came with a full and complete version of
XP,give it a try.

We moved to Simi in 65 when it was nothing but orange groves I left in 83.

 

[D. W. K.]

Thanks! Will do! :O)

You came shortly after I did in '63. Since '83 it has gotten much more
crowded, and typical "nothing fancy" tract houses are selling for
$600,000+!!! That will make it hard for many if they want to come back!
Hope you like it where you are! :O)

 

[D. W. K.]

Mark:

I just wanted to update you on this problem I have had with XP Pro not going
into Standby Mode since a Feb 1 "Critical Update" from Microsoft. This was
the original reason I found myself needing to use SFC in the first place. I
have tried many things but the
"http://www.geocities.com/marfer_mvp/chatNotes.htm" link you provided below
led me to another link http://aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.htm which had buried
within it a single paragraph stating...

"On some hardware, power management features simply don’t work right. This
is exceedingly rare on Windows XP when compared to any earlier version of
Windows but, on some machines, especially if no BIOS upgrade is available,
there seems no conclusion to reach except, “Yes, you’re right, it doesn’t
work, so don’t use that feature.” Accordingly, several correspondents have
noted that their Win XP computers will not powerdown correctly unless they
have Turn Off Monitor, Turn Off Hard Disks, and System Standby all set to
“Never” in Control Panel | Power Options. (Tip from Dan Mitchell & others)"

I gave this a quick try and lo & behold the computer has gone into Standby
Mode every time I have tried it since, one right after another. I could
never get it to do that since before the notorious "Critical Update" in
question!

Just wanted to let you know and thank you for the lead!

Take care!

Dave K. :O)
Simi Valley, CA