Using sfc from command prompt in Dell/Vista CD

Hi,


I can't boot and suspect the system files.

I have a Dell/Vista installation disk that allows repairs.

At command prompt. I have typed sfc /scannow, which will not run because of Windows Resource Protection.

I then tried sfc /scanow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows, and received the same message.

Further, I can't active Services.msc (Windows Modules Installer) to set to manual.

It must be possible to use sfc.

Advice please.

Hello anon,

If you like, you could see if doing a system restore at boot using a restore point dated before this happened may be able undo and fix this for you.

I tried reverting to an earlier point, but without success.

Any idea how I might be able to use sfc /scannow from the Dell/Vista disk?

Thanks

You could boot from a retail Vista installation DVD/USB or Vista Recovery Disc, to boot to a command prompt at boot to be able to run SFC at boot. The tutorial below can help show you how to. It's for Windows 7, but basically the same in Vista.

SFC /SCANNOW : Run in Command Prompt at Boot - Windows 7 Help Forums

I can't run the fixes because I am accessing the Internet via a Linux pendrive. Thw Windows programmes will not run.

I have no difficulty in gaining access to the command prompt via the Dell/Vista disk, but when using sfc /scannow, or with the offdir switches I get Windows Protection messages that prevent the scan.

May be time to reinstall Windows.

Do you have backups of your files?

Brink said:

May be time to reinstall Windows.

Do you have backups of your files?

Click to expand...

I would still like to run sfc, somehow

I have backed up my files to the cloud. They would probably be downloaded as zips.

Other than personal files are there any other folders that should be backed up. For example, MS Updates, etc.

The re-iinsatallation is the last resort.

Ps. At present, I am running Linux from a pendrive, but I can't run Windows utilities under this environment.

You could create a Vista Recovery Disc on another computer to use on your computer, or use any retail Vista installation disc from a friend on your computer to run SFC with.

Brink said:

You could create a Vista Recovery Disc on another computer to use on your computer, or use any retail Vista installation disc from a friend on your computer to run SFC with.

Click to expand...

Thank you for responding.

I note that the System Recovery Disk would allow me to access the System Recovery Options.

But I can get this very same screen when using the Dell Vista CD and click on Repair Computer.

Here is a tutorial with a list of recovery options. http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/101393-repair-vista-options-preferred-sequence.html You have to realize though that at some point it might save more time just to do a reinstall. If you have your files, bookmarks, application installers, and mailbox files backed up you should be good to go for a reinstall. Programs and updates will need to be reinstalled so no need to back them up.