system file checker

I saw a post somewhere that advised putting the Windows XP disk in the CD drive and running System File checker from a command prompt. Is there any danger to using SFC and letting it repair files that are corrupted or missing? Is there any reason not to run system file checker on a regular basis?

 

Generally speaking the Windows File Protection System is going to ensure the integrity of your files without any assistance.

There is no danger in running SFC /Scannow. Windows XP maintains qcheck properties on all of its Hotfixes and Patches, so any replacement activity is going to be Version assured.

There just is not much point in running this unless you need to. Invest the time instead in using and maintaining a good Backup system for your system.

 

DWFII--This may be a helpful reference concerning the command sfc /scannow.
http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/howto-24.html
If you get the Retry window as shown in the reference, keep clicking on Retry, perhaps as many as ten to fifteen times if necessary. SFC takes quite a few minutes to complete.
If that does not work, see the section concerning copying the I386 folder from your WinXP CD to your C:\ drive and changing the Source Path in your Registry as described. You should not need the XP CD to run SFC after doing that. And you should not see the Retry window.
However, be sure to back up the SetUp key in your Registry before making changes.
I agree with Bill Castner that there is no need to use SFC unless you are having problems you feel are caused by a corrupt or missing XP file.