sfc scannow without a cd

I am trying to run the system file check on an hp pc that has no windows xp cd, hp now puts the recovery software on a separate partition, what do I do when sfc asks me to insert the windows xp cd?

 

You'll get a lot of conflicting advice on this so be prepared to play Solomon and sort through it.

Since I get to be first, I hope I can get you going before it gets ugly. I think the water got muddied when SP2 or some later HotFix changed the scenery on the SFC applet. That's just a guess though. I remember when it offered a "Browse" window as an alternate selection when it asked for the CD. When that happened, it was only necessary to browse to the I386 folder on the root of the system drive and things went smoothly from there. No further demand for the CD was made.

However, and you knew there would be a however, the last time I ran sfc /scannow, it asked for the CD but there was no alternate window for browsing. If that be what you are faced with, you will have to edit the Registry as I did. There is a key that has recorded the original install path and setup path. If that key has the correct data string, the CD request will defer to that location.

The key is:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup

By all means, export a copy of it before editing. Post back what the data strings you find for SourcePath and Installation Sources.

I can tell you one other thing, it's easier to borrow an XP install CD than grind through this sometimes. Keep that in mind when you get frustrated.

 

There's a pretty good outline of that whole procedure here.

You will notice from the wording the author chose that there is no certainty about it working as outlined. He used should instead of will when referring to what would happen so take that for what it's worth. I notice he also said something near the end that hinted that it might not work at all. Take that for what it's worth and remember, I told you it would probably be easier to borrow a CD from someone.

 

Another person got advice directly from HP and it said:

You will notice it did not say how to accomplish "providing the path" as suggested since the Browse window is not present. Great help that was!

If for some reason you actually get a browse window, give that method a go and let me know how it works for you. Perhaps it's just some anomoly that is stopping me from getting the browse option.

 

Yeah somehow you have to get access to the instalalstion files. Do you have a i386 folder on any of the visible partions ?
Was it delivered with SP2, or have you installed it after you got the computer?
If you installed it after, you should download SP2 and slipstream it on your i386 folder. Then burn\create it as an .iso image and mount it into a virtual cd-rom software like deamon tools. You might also have to change the virtual devices drive letter to what your cd-rom is now.
I havent tested this , but in theory it should work.

 

I will attempt what you posted, the pc is a friends that I am attempting to repair, I have an XP cd but when I insert it it states "wrong cd ". I will post back with an update this weekend. thanks