Vista - System Files - SFC Command

Hi Shawn, i wanted to try the sfc /scannow as one of my customer was unable to install updates. I tried the windows update reset methods but it did not work. When i tried sfc /scannow, it says that it cannot be started. i also tried sfc /scanonce and sfc /scanboot but nothing happens. I also tried the system file checker tool but it wasn't of any help. Any comments please?

Hello Dinesh.

I would try a System Restore next using a restore point dated before these problems to see if it can fix it for you.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

I already tried a system restore but it did not work. When the system is at the desktop, it gives errors. Some services like Remote Procedure Call, Software licensing and TCPIP over netbios stops working and gives the error. everytime the system restarts, it gives a different blue screen. so i had to reinstall vista but even while installing, it gave a blue screen 0X00000050. so i had to reinstall it all over again by deleting all the partitions. Huh! that way very annoying. Anyways, Thanks for your help Shawn.

Anytime Dinesh.

thanks brink for the reply,
it was very informative,but before i tried a sfc command i thought i would try a system restore and i think the system restore worked but i appreciate your help thanks.
patch41

Patch42, I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted.

Hi,

I tried running sfc/verifyonly at first and it said that source protection found integrity violations. So I ran sfc/scannow, it says that it cannot repair the problems. I looked at the log and 2 problems come up.
1.) 0000012a [SR] Cannot repair member file [l:20{10}]"tcpmon.ini" of Microsoft-Windows-Printing-StandardPortMonitor-TCPMonINI, Version = 6.0.6001.18000, pA = PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE_AMD64 (9), Culture neutral, VersionScope = 1 nonSxS, PublicKeyToken = {l:8 b:31bf3856ad364e35}, Type neutral, TypeName neutral, PublicKey neutral in the store, hash mismatch
2.) 0000014b [SR] Cannot repair member file [l:24{12}]"settings.ini" of Microsoft-Windows-Sidebar, Version = 6.0.6001.18000, pA = PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE_AMD64 (9), Culture neutral, VersionScope = 1 nonSxS, PublicKeyToken = {l:8 b:31bf3856ad364e35}, Type neutral, TypeName neutral, PublicKey neutral in the store, hash mismatch

I'm not tech savy, but from what I can understand, Windows Printing and Windows Sidebar are currupted. And since there's only 2 of them, I was wondering how do I manually replace them? I've seen the prior post, but can't really understand everything i read. Do I insert the vista DVD and manually look for the file i need?

Hello Icynyx,

You might see if doing a System Restore using a restore point dated when you believe that this was not a problem to see if it can fix it for you. You may need to do it a few times with older dates until you find one that doesn't report any errors in SFC though.

Trying to do it manually is not easy, and is often not successful anyway.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

System Restore wont be very useful for me since I delete it every other week. I might try restoring it to the oldest one and check though. Hopefully that'll restore stuff. But I believe the odds are low. If it doesn't restore the files, I don't think I would mind though since I don't plug in my laptop to the printer and I don't like using the sidebar anyways...

One last question, I did a chkdsk before sfc and it froze at stage 5 43% for 3 hours, I talked to Dell tech support and they told me to just reboot the laptop. I'm wondering if the corrupted files maybe the reason for chkdsk not being able to finish.

Thanks for the quick response.

dear icynyx,if you say the system restore did not work and your not interested in restoring your personal files (etc) a last resort is a system recovery that will bring your computer back to when you bought the computer new, and back to factory settings you should have recovery discs that either came with the computer or advised you to burn when you bought the computer they you allow you to burn them but its a one time deal if you dont have them you can purchase them from microsoft and its a simple procedure you install #1 disc and hit restart and then follow the instuctions on screen i did it just last week, has i had some files that where corrupted and cleaned my computer like new. but i would advise in the future to backup your files to an external hardrive so if you have to do a system recovery you will be able to restore your files to your pc, just remember when you backup your files that your computer is in good working order no virus or corrupt files as you will just be importing the problem back and remember a system restore brings your computer to a previous date when your pc was working properly keeps all your files(etc) where as a system recovery brings it back to like you bought it from the store, hope this helps you out good luck patch41