SFC - a mysterious tool....does it work?

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Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

Ok - as mentioned in another thread - i wanted to make sure my XP Home
SP2 system was 'ok' so I ran sfc /scannow.

it ran for about an hour with no messages at all (except asking for the
XP CD at the beginning). When it finished it just disappeared. I have
no idea what it did or what happened.

next reboot -I get a "please wait....." with ... going on for a while, a
good 20 minutes, then it stopped with the ... but still sat there.
eventually I held down the power button and restored an old disk
image. I had to roll back to 'last known good configuration' to get
my machine to boot.

There's nothing about this tool in any of my XP books. On microsoft's
site they refer to an important registry key called
HLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/NT/CurrentVersion/Winlogin/SfcScan

which -DOESN"T EXIST- in my registry.

I plan to steer clear of this tool until someone documents it completely
and properly, and suggest that you do as well.

or am I missing something?
/j
 
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

Youre missing something alright.

"Jeff W" wrote:

> Ok - as mentioned in another thread - i wanted to make sure my XP Home
> SP2 system was 'ok' so I ran sfc /scannow.
>
> it ran for about an hour with no messages at all (except asking for the
> XP CD at the beginning). When it finished it just disappeared. I have
> no idea what it did or what happened.
>
> next reboot -I get a "please wait....." with ... going on for a while, a
> good 20 minutes, then it stopped with the ... but still sat there.
> eventually I held down the power button and restored an old disk
> image. I had to roll back to 'last known good configuration' to get
> my machine to boot.
>
> There's nothing about this tool in any of my XP books. On microsoft's
> site they refer to an important registry key called
> HLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/NT/CurrentVersion/Winlogin/SfcScan
>
> which -DOESN"T EXIST- in my registry.
>
> I plan to steer clear of this tool until someone documents it completely
> and properly, and suggest that you do as well.
>
> or am I missing something?
> /j
>
 
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

???

Andrew E. wrote:

> Youre missing something alright.
>
>
>
 
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

Hi

Try here:

"System File Checker (sfc)"
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/default.asp?url=/WINDOWSXP/home/using/productdoc/en/system_file_checker.asp

and the links at the bottom of the page.

--

Will Denny
MVP - Windows Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups


"Jeff W" <msnews@kwcpa.com> wrote in message
news:O4zs2nhuEHA.3900@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Ok - as mentioned in another thread - i wanted to make sure my XP Home
> SP2 system was 'ok' so I ran sfc /scannow.
>
> it ran for about an hour with no messages at all (except asking for the
> XP CD at the beginning). When it finished it just disappeared. I have
> no idea what it did or what happened.
>
> next reboot -I get a "please wait....." with ... going on for a while, a
> good 20 minutes, then it stopped with the ... but still sat there.
> eventually I held down the power button and restored an old disk
> image. I had to roll back to 'last known good configuration' to get
> my machine to boot.
>
> There's nothing about this tool in any of my XP books. On microsoft's
> site they refer to an important registry key called
> HLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/NT/CurrentVersion/Winlogin/SfcScan
>
> which -DOESN"T EXIST- in my registry.
>
> I plan to steer clear of this tool until someone documents it completely
> and properly, and suggest that you do as well.
>
> or am I missing something?
> /j
 
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

Denny - that doesn't explain what I should deduce if I get no messages,
whether there's a log, and whether strange things should happen on the
next boot.
/j

Will Denny wrote:

>Hi
>
>Try here:
>
>"System File Checker (sfc)"
>http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/default.asp?url=/WINDOWSXP/home/using/productdoc/en/system_file_checker.asp
>
>and the links at the bottom of the page.
>
>
>
 
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

SFC is really sfc.exe. Sfc.exe is Windows 2000 System File Checker.

To show what is happening while sfc /scannow is running...

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Value Name: SFCShowProgress
Data Type: REG_DWORD
Value Data: (0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

If you do not have the key shown above, create it and set the Value Data to
1.

Instructions here >>>
Display SFC Progress Meter
http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/841

The key you're referring to is this >>>
And Sfc sets the value data:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Value Name: SFCScan
Data Type: REG_DWORD
Value Data: 0

More info here >>>

scannow sfc (sfc.exe)
http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html

Description of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 System File Checker
(Sfc.exe)
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310747

HOW TO Verify That Windows File Protection Is Running
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;814597

SfcScan
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/WindowsServ/2003/all/deployguide/en-us/Default.asp?url=/resources/documentation/WindowsServ/2003/all/deployguide/en-us/71402.asp

Windows File Protection and Alternative Data Streams
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;286797

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In news:O4zs2nhuEHA.3900@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl,
Jeff W <msnews@kwcpa.com> hunted and pecked:
> Ok - as mentioned in another thread - i wanted to make sure my XP Home
> SP2 system was 'ok' so I ran sfc /scannow.
>
> it ran for about an hour with no messages at all (except asking for
> the XP CD at the beginning). When it finished it just disappeared.
> I have no idea what it did or what happened.
>
> next reboot -I get a "please wait....." with ... going on for a
> while, a good 20 minutes, then it stopped with the ... but still sat
> there. eventually I held down the power button and restored an old
> disk
> image. I had to roll back to 'last known good configuration' to get
> my machine to boot.
>
> There's nothing about this tool in any of my XP books. On microsoft's
> site they refer to an important registry key called
> HLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/NT/CurrentVersion/Winlogin/SfcScan
>
> which -DOESN"T EXIST- in my registry.
>
> I plan to steer clear of this tool until someone documents it
> completely and properly, and suggest that you do as well.
>
> or am I missing something?
> /j
 
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

thanks! - any idea why
1) I don't have the SFCScan key
2) thenext reboot sent it to lala land?

thanks!
/j

Wesley Vogel wrote:

>SFC is really sfc.exe. Sfc.exe is Windows 2000 System File Checker.
>
>To show what is happening while sfc /scannow is running...
>
>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
>Value Name: SFCShowProgress
>Data Type: REG_DWORD
>Value Data: (0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
>
>If you do not have the key shown above, create it and set the Value Data to
>1.
>
>Instructions here >>>
>Display SFC Progress Meter
>http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/841
>
>The key you're referring to is this >>>
>And Sfc sets the value data:
>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
>Value Name: SFCScan
>Data Type: REG_DWORD
>Value Data: 0
>
>More info here >>>
>
>scannow sfc (sfc.exe)
>http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html
>
>Description of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 System File Checker
>(Sfc.exe)
>http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310747
>
>HOW TO Verify That Windows File Protection Is Running
>http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;814597
>
>SfcScan
>http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/WindowsServ/2003/all/deployguide/en-us/Default.asp?url=/resources/documentation/WindowsServ/2003/all/deployguide/en-us/71402.asp
>
>Windows File Protection and Alternative Data Streams
>http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;286797
>
>
>
 
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

Jeff,

No, I don't. You should have the SFCScan key set to the default value,
which
would be 0.

The sfc command sets the Value Data for the SFCScan key, with /scanboot &
/scanonce.

The SfcScan value in the following registry key has three possible settings:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
The settings for the SfcScan value are:
0x0 = do not scan protected files after restart. (Default value)
0x1 = scan all protected files after every restart (set if sfc /scanboot is
run).
0x2 = scan all protected files one time after a restart (set if sfc
/scanonce is run).

From...
Description of the Windows File Protection Feature
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;222193

===

Sfc
/Scanonce: Scans all protected system files one time when you restart your
computer. This command may require access to the Windows installation source
files when you restart the computer. The SfcScan DWORD value is set to 2 in
the following registry key when you run this command:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

/Scanboot: Scans all protected system files every time you start your
computer. This command may require access to the Windows installation source
files every time you start your computer. The SfcScan DWORD value is set to
1 in the following registry key when you run this command:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

From...
Description of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 System File Checker
(Sfc.exe)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310747

Registry Settings for Windows File Protection
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;222473

===

Maybe Andrew E. was right, "Youre missing something alright." ;-)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In news:%23mgW2qquEHA.2116@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl,
Jeff W <msnews@Kwcpa.com> hunted and pecked:
> thanks! - any idea why
> 1) I don't have the SFCScan key
> 2) thenext reboot sent it to lala land?
>
> thanks!
> /j
>
> Wesley Vogel wrote:
>
>> SFC is really sfc.exe. Sfc.exe is Windows 2000 System File Checker.
>>
>> To show what is happening while sfc /scannow is running...
>>
>> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
>> NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon Value Name: SFCShowProgress
>> Data Type: REG_DWORD
>> Value Data: (0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
>>
>> If you do not have the key shown above, create it and set the Value
>> Data to 1.
>>
>> Instructions here >>>
>> Display SFC Progress Meter
>> http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/841
>>
>> The key you're referring to is this >>>
>> And Sfc sets the value data:
>> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
>> NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon Value Name: SFCScan
>> Data Type: REG_DWORD
>> Value Data: 0
>>
>> More info here >>>
>>
>> scannow sfc (sfc.exe)
>> http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html
>>
>> Description of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 System File Checker
>> (Sfc.exe)
>> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310747
>>
>> HOW TO Verify That Windows File Protection Is Running
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;814597
>>
>> SfcScan
>>
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/WindowsServ/2003/all/deployguide/en-us/Default.asp?url=/resources/documentation/WindowsServ/2003/all/deployguide/en-us/71402.asp
>>
>> Windows File Protection and Alternative Data Streams
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;286797
 
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

Yup - that's what I read - but I search the registry (as well as
checking in the designated spot) and it's not there. I think they
changed it for SP2 and uSoft hasn't doc'd it yet - this is a nit though
- the biggie is what happens on the next boot - the "please wait...';
into oblivion...


thanks
/j

Wesley Vogel wrote:

>Jeff,
>
>No, I don't. You should have the SFCScan key set to the default value,
>which
>would be 0.
>
>The sfc command sets the Value Data for the SFCScan key, with /scanboot &
>/scanonce.
>
>The SfcScan value in the following registry key has three possible settings:
>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
>The settings for the SfcScan value are:
>0x0 = do not scan protected files after restart. (Default value)
>0x1 = scan all protected files after every restart (set if sfc /scanboot is
>run).
>0x2 = scan all protected files one time after a restart (set if sfc
>/scanonce is run).
>
>From...
>Description of the Windows File Protection Feature
>http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;222193
>
>===
>
>Sfc
>/Scanonce: Scans all protected system files one time when you restart your
>computer. This command may require access to the Windows installation source
>files when you restart the computer. The SfcScan DWORD value is set to 2 in
>the following registry key when you run this command:
>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
>
>/Scanboot: Scans all protected system files every time you start your
>computer. This command may require access to the Windows installation source
>files every time you start your computer. The SfcScan DWORD value is set to
>1 in the following registry key when you run this command:
>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
>
>From...
>Description of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 System File Checker
>(Sfc.exe)
>http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310747
>
>Registry Settings for Windows File Protection
>http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;222473
>
>===
>
>Maybe Andrew E. was right, "Youre missing something alright." ;-)
>
>
>
 
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

Is the u in uSoft supposed to be the letter Mu? Took me a minute to figure
that out. ;-)

I don't know, I do not have SP2.

As far as what's happening at boot, Event Viewer offer any clues?

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In news:OrIxKjwuEHA.1396@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl,
Jeff W <msnews@kwcpa.com> hunted and pecked:
> Yup - that's what I read - but I search the registry (as well as
> checking in the designated spot) and it's not there. I think they
> changed it for SP2 and uSoft hasn't doc'd it yet - this is a nit
> though - the biggie is what happens on the next boot - the "please
> wait...'; into oblivion...
>
>
> thanks
> /j
>
> Wesley Vogel wrote:
>
>> Jeff,
>>
>> No, I don't. You should have the SFCScan key set to the default
>> value, which
>> would be 0.
>>
>> The sfc command sets the Value Data for the SFCScan key, with
>> /scanboot & /scanonce.
>>
>> The SfcScan value in the following registry key has three possible
>> settings: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
>> NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon The settings for the SfcScan value are:
>> 0x0 = do not scan protected files after restart. (Default value)
>> 0x1 = scan all protected files after every restart (set if sfc
>> /scanboot is run).
>> 0x2 = scan all protected files one time after a restart (set if sfc
>> /scanonce is run).
>>
>> From...
>> Description of the Windows File Protection Feature
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;222193
>>
>> ===
>>
>> Sfc
>> /Scanonce: Scans all protected system files one time when you
>> restart your computer. This command may require access to the
>> Windows installation source files when you restart the computer. The
>> SfcScan DWORD value is set to 2 in the following registry key when
>> you run this command: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
>> NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
>>
>> /Scanboot: Scans all protected system files every time you start your
>> computer. This command may require access to the Windows
>> installation source files every time you start your computer. The
>> SfcScan DWORD value is set to 1 in the following registry key when
>> you run this command: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
>> NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
>>
>> From...
>> Description of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 System File Checker
>> (Sfc.exe)
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310747
>>
>> Registry Settings for Windows File Protection
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;222473
>>
>> ===
>>
>> Maybe Andrew E. was right, "Youre missing something alright." ;-)
 
This is an OLD thread but maybe there are people like me trying to use this thing.

SFC is a piece of ill considered crap from MS!

It is so stupid (rather the people who wrote it are) it assumes the only place to get the replacement files is the CD. What about machines with no CD drive MS?
And what if the CD is the original install with no SPs? Even if it works does this effectively roll your OS back to the old files?

It lets the user skip files that should be replaced but has no "skip all" option. I've spent
hours clicking 2x for each file to try to get to the end to force a log that's reported to be produced but after to much time wasted to get to the end, if the CANCEL button is clicked there is no log to know which files needed to be replaced (manually if possible).

I post this in hopes of someone, anyone, informing us of a third party replacement.
I know of a third party GUI skin but it just runs SFC under it with the same results!

Bottom line for my needs, SFC is useless!

Mike D
 


Quite right so the thread is now being closed - please reserve your comments for some more up-to-date problems. There is no automated alternative to the System File Checker and if someone wrote one, it would still require some files to be expanded from a CD, or DVD for the more recent Windows OS.
 
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