Computer and Software Support


System File Checker (SFC)

Windows XP

Use System File Checker with the /scannow parameter (sfc /scannow) to immediately scan and verify the versions of all protected system files. If System File Checker discovers that a protected file was overwritten, it retrieves the correct version of the file from the cache folder (Systemroot\System32\Dllcache) or from the Windows installation source files, and then replaces the incorrect file. System File Checker also checks and repopulates the cache folder. You must be logged on as an administrator or as a member of the Administrators group to run System File Checker. To run System File Checker with the /scannow parameter:

 

Click on the hyperlink for instructions for that step or on for a picture of that step.

 

  1. Put in your Windows CD (if it autoruns, close the window after it opens)

  2. Access Run or Search window

  3. Type SFC /scannow (put a space between SFC and /)

  4. Press ENTER

    5.  

Note: If the Windows CD is a DVD disk and the DVD drive is the secondary drive, SFC will not work. Currently there is no way to choose the secondary drive when SFC runs. It will just continue to ask for the CD. The disk has to be in the primary drive. A CD-ROM, CD-R and a CD-RW drive will not read a DVD disk. Only a DVD drive will. To be able to run SFC you can try disabling the primary drive in the BIOS (Sometimes this works and sometimes it don't). The other option is to physically swap the drives so the DVD drive is the primary. This will involve opening the computer.