XP Repair

[ziloo]

Great comments.....

>.....you need to run sfc /scannow from within the OS

That indicates my misunderstanding!  I thought when
I end up under C:\windows (After I press the "R" button
for command prompt repair) that means I am within the OS!!!!!
Would you elaborate more on this?  While I simply can't
boot up to the windows, how can I be within the OS?

>......you can't run executables from the recovery console
prompt anyways.

Not knowing that I could or could not, I went ahead the
first time and tried executing the sfc.exe file, but the only
response I got (AFAIR) was that the SFC.exe file did not
exist.  Why is it that I can't run an exe file from there?

Thank you

ziloo

[Allan]

While the recovery console is technically part of the OS, you are not booting to the OS (gui). Since XP is not built on a DOS platform, Microsoft provided the Recovery Console as a means of accessing a command prompt to perform certain repair and maintenance functions that need to be run from outside the graphical user interface (or when you cannot access the gui). To learn more about the recovery console, go to:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000627.htm

[ziloo]

Thank you Allan for your prompt response!!!

Then would you please tell me what you mean by
"from within OS"?  My understanding from previous
comments is that when I can't boot up to a sick
windows, I won't be within OS which means that
I can't run SFC.exe to repair the sick windows!

Thank you

ziloo

[Allan]

Within the OS = Graphical User Interface (the Windows Desktop)

[marvinengland]

C:\Windows\system32>sfc /?

Microsoft (R) Windows (R) Resource Checker Version 6.0
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Scans the integrity of all protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with
correct Microsoft versions.

SFC [/SCANNOW] [/VERIFYONLY] [/SCANFILE=<file>] [/VERIFYFILE=<file>]
    [/OFFWINDIR=<offline windows directory> /OFFBOOTDIR=<offline boot directory>]

/SCANNOW        Scans integrity of all protected system files and repairs files with
                problems when possible.
/VERIFYONLY     Scans integrity of all protected system files. No repair operation is
                performed.
/SCANFILE       Scans integrity of the referenced file, repairs file if problems are
                identified. Specify full path <file>
/VERIFYFILE     Verifies the integrity of the file with full path <file>.  No repair
                operation is performed.
/OFFBOOTDIR     For offline repair specify the location of the offline boot directory
/OFFWINDIR      For offline repair specify the location of the offline windows directory

e.g.

        sfc /SCANNOW
        sfc /VERIFYFILE=c:\windows\system32\kernel32.dll
        sfc /SCANFILE=d:\windows\system32\kernel32.dll /OFFBOOTDIR=d:\ /OFFWINDIR=d:\windows
        sfc /VERIFYONLY

C:\Windows\system32>path
PATH=C:\Program Files\Windows Resource Kits\Tools\;C:\Windows\system32;C:\Windows;C:\Windows\System32\Wbem;C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\
;C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live

C:\Windows\system32>

We need not show the complete path "C:\Windows\system32\sfc.exe /scannow.
C:\Windows\system32\ is part of the official search path.
Also, sfc ( system file checker ) will run from the safe mode .
If you use Win 7 you must assume System Administrator role to run sfc.
Click start, right click command prompt and choose to run as System administrator

[Allan]

What is the purpose of that post?

[patio]

Good question...

[ziloo]

Thank you marvinengland for summarizing all available
options under SFC.exe file.

Thanks to Allan, BC_Programmer, and Patio for their great
comments.

What I found out was that choosing the second
option for recovery console by pressing "R" and
finding your way into the C:\windows\system32
doesn't provide you with the ability to use utility
functions such as SFC.exe that exist in that
directory!  There are only a few utilities that are
available for use under command prompt (as far
as I could find). 

So, using the first option (as it shows up during
the boot up process) for recovering from a very
sick windows is what worked for me.

ziloo

[Allan]

What are you talking about? As my post above clearly states, you need to run sfc /scannow from within the OS

If you can't get into Windows it doesn't matter. Just go ahead and do a repair install (boot to the XP CD and choose the SECOND repair option. XP will install on top of itself ( http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/instxprepair1.htm )

[ziloo]

I know you think that what I understood is what you meant,
but I am not sure what you meant was exactly what I understood
when I thought what you meant was what could be understood from
what you meant and  ................... owh...... never mind  !

Thanks Allan

ziloo 

[patio]

Post of the Month.....

[Allan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww