Missing files in Windows XP Home

Hi,
I believe there is a command in "Run" that will have windows xp home edition locate and install any missing or changed files on a computer. Can anyone tell me what is the command ..........or am I wrong?
(I have had problems with my HP Printer- all in one and in preparation to reinstall may have deleted the wrong files when uninstalling it.)
Thanks for any help.
Linda

 

Hi, Linda.

I think the application you're looking for is System File Checker.

Start > Run > [FONT= "Courier New"][SIZE= "3"]sfc /scannow[/SIZE][/FONT]

If SFC needs to fix anything, you will need to have your Windows XP CD handy.

The sfc /scannow process takes approximately 20-30 minutes (sometimes less) if there are no problems found. If SFC fixes anything, that information will be available in Event Viewer
(available via Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Event Viewer > System > Windows File Protection).


If that doesn't work, then perhaps you can use System Restore to restore your computer to the state it was in just prior to your printer installation.

System Restore path:
Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore

I suggest a reboot after reverting your system's configuration to an earlier date.

 

Thanks Mailman for responding. I have tried the sfc but found......... with now having Windows XP sp 2, it "tells me" that I have inserted the wrong disk and when I put in the CD for XP2, it says that is not the correct one either.

Also, I have tried Windows Restore numerous times and it will not let me restore to an earlier time. Think I am "stuck" and will probably have to call Dell and have them help me to reformat......... BUT thanks for trying to help.
Linda

 

Thanks Arie, but that won't work......got to the very end......... in the Register and all it has in the Right pane window is "(Default) Reg_Sz (Value not set)" Any other suggestions?
Linda

 

Linda--Did you click on the folder icon (rather than the +) next to the word "Setup" in the left panel in the Registry?
You will see that, after copying the I386 files to your hard drive (let's say to C:\), if you combine the advice in two articles mentioned you will be changing the info in the Data column in the right panel for both ServicePackSourcePath and SourcePath.

FWIW--I have ServicePackSourcePath also set to C:\ instead of what the MS article recommends. So far no problems running SFC /SCANNOW..

 

Arie

You wrote>> "Did you copy the I386 folder from your Windows XP CD to your hard drive? AND .........
After you done that, you need to make the change to the registry. ">>>

Yes, I did copy it and do you mean to erase the line that is in there now
"(Default) Reg_Sz (Value not set)" and insert the new location of 386?

 

Aries and WelshJim....Should have read the last post first

I guess, I did clik on the + sign, because once I clicked on the folder, I found the source path and changed it, now I will reboot and see what that will bring me...... Thanks, will let you know how it does.......

 

Linda--thought you might like to see what my Setup Key in Registry looks like

 

Hi, Linda.

I copied the I386 folder from my Windows XP CD to my C:\ folder on my hard drive.

My ServicePackSourcePath subkey Data value is c:\windows\ServicePackFiles (similar to the recommendation by Microsoft).

My SourcePath subkey Data value is C:\ (same as Jim's).

You can modify the Data value by double-clicking on the subkey name (or right-clicking the subkey name and selecting "Modify ") and then typing C:\ in the field.

I attached an image to display my Setup registry key (with potentially sensitive information redacted).
The key can be located via Start > Run > regedit > OK button.

Please let us know if it works for you or not.

 

Hi Mailman and WelshJim,
Just want to let you know how I appreciate all of your help and that I did do as you suggested but am still having problems..........think it all is due perhaps to a corrupted registry........ MY HP all in one refuses to load any drivers now and my mcafee is not working as it should and I have no info under Tools in my Help and Support. Its been slowly going "down hill "
Will call Dell and have them pace me thru another reformat and reinstall.
Thanks again, Linda

 

Linda--Did you make a Registry backup before making the changes?
However, I would be surprised that anything you have done with I386 would cause the new problems you raise.
You can also try System Restore.
But, since you have nothing to lose (if you wind up doing a reformat), perhaps set the ServicePackSourcePath subkey Data value to C:\ as in my thumbnail image.

 

<<<However, I would be surprised that anything you have done with I386 would cause the new problems you raise.
You can also try System Restore.
But, since you have nothing to lose (if you wind up doing a reformat), perhaps set the ServicePackSourcePath subkey Data value to C:\ as in my thumbnail image.>>>

Hi, WelshJim, NO, it had nothing to do with copying the 386, the problems were just slowly getting worse.
and System Restore no longer will bring me back to an earlier time.
( I always seem to get the oddest things happening to my computer.)
Dell only helped me to reformat a month ago bc late in summer on vacation, there was a blackout where I was at the time and I was just at that moment booting off and then could not get on again, it just continuously rebooted. An amatuer computer tech, restored my computer using his Windows Xp (which was sp1 (not sp2 as I had) and then thats when funny things started going wrong. My printer was not working well, then Mcafee ........so I reformatted. BUT did not realize that I should have uninstalled Zone Alarm first, so when I came back on to a "Clean" computer, Zone alarm said it could not load bc of missing files!
Then my Mcafee started not allowing me on to the internet, then my HP all in one at this time is NOT loading my drivers.........Think thats enough to think about again Reformatting...........
Dell is going to "love me" as each time they are getting richer off of my asking for help in reformatting.
Linda

 

Hi, Linda. I had a similar problem (with graphics card related files instead of printer related files) and resolution that might be helpful for you. I described that problem and resolution in detail in that thread:

sfc /scannow repeatedly stops for graphics card related system files

I have a hunch my procedure in post #34 of that thread might fix your issue.

Please let us know.

If you decide to try replacing your existing DRIVER.CAB file with the DRIVER.CAB file from your Windows XP CD as I outlined in the post #34 I referenced above, I suggest you keep a backup of your existing DRIVER.CAB file somewhere else on your hard drive in just in case things go awry. (I doubt you'll have a problem but one never knows.)

 

Mailman,
You said>>>
<<Hi, Linda. I had a similar problem (with graphics card related files instead of printer related files) and resolution that might be helpful for you. I described that problem and resolution in detail in that thread:

sfc /scannow repeatedly stops for graphics card related system files

I have a hunch my procedure in post #34 of that thread might fix your issue.

Please let us know.

If you decide to try replacing your existing DRIVER.CAB file with the DRIVER.CAB file from your Windows XP CD as I outlined in the post #34 I referenced above, I suggest you keep a backup of your existing DRIVER.CAB file somewhere else on your hard drive in just in case things go awry. (I doubt you'll have a problem but one never knows.>>

Welllllllll I had finally gotten frustrated enough after working with one problem or another for last month, that I finally just reformatted and am now in process of reinstalling programs ONCE more!
Hopefully this reformatting will act "better "........
Thanks again for your and welshjim's help

Linda

 

Linda--For the little help I gave, you are most welcome.
For the future, see if you have a C:\I386 folder on your harddrive and what is in it. (There are several I386 folders. You want C:\I386.)
If you cannot find it, or it is small (it should be about 500-600MB), from whatever CD you used for the reformat, copy the I386 files from the CD to C:\ on the harddrive.
If you want to run SFC /SCANNOW in the future (and it is likely you will) but have trouble running it from the CD, you can go into the Registry and make the changes suggested earlier. Then you should be able to run SFC /SCANNOW without using the CD.

 

Thanks Jim, will do...........
Linda