How to Repair your Windows XP using SFC Command without Windows CD
What is SFC
Scans and verifies the versions of all protected system files after you restart your computer.
Syntax
sfc [/scannow] [/scanonce] [/scanboot] [/revert] [/purgecache] [/cachesize=x]
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Parameters
/scannow : Scans all protected system files immediately.
/scanonce : Scans all protected system files once.
/scanboot : Scans all protected system files every time the computer is restarted.
/revert : Returns the scan to its default operation.
/purgecache : Purges the Windows File Protection file cache and scans all protected system files immediately.
/cachesize=x : Sets the size, in MB, of the Windows File Protection file cache.
/? : Displays help at the command prompt.
Procedure
Usually SFC requires Windows CD from which you installed the Windows. This is how to implement the procedure how to use SFC command without Windows CD, but for this you will need the Windows XP CD for once.
1. For safe side, make a backup of your registry either by creating a System Restore Point or by use of the freeware application e.g. ERUNT.
2. Copy the folder \i386\ with all its contents and subfolders Windows XP SP3' CD onto your C: drive e.g. on C:\i386\
3. Go to
Start > Run > type RegEdit and hit OK.
Then navigate to this registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Setup
In the right-hand panel's "Name" column find the value named SourcePath. The data shown for that value will probably be the drive letter of your CD or DVD drive (e.g. D:\ ).
In the "Name" column, double-click SourcePath and change the data for that value to 'C: \ ‘ (Without the quotes and DO NOT type in C:\i386\
Hit OK.
4. See if there is a folder named C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\ on your PC. If this folder does not exist, go to step 5. If the folder DOES exist then do this:
4.1 In your registry editor, navigate to this registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Setup
4.2 See if there is a value named ServicePackSourcePath in the “Name" column.
4.3 If there is a ServicePackSourcePath value then:
Ensure that the data for the value is set to or is changed to ‘C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles' (without the quotes). To change, right-click on the value name, then make the necessary changes.
Go to step 6
4.4 If there is NOT a ServicePackSourcePath value then:
In the right-hand panel then create such a value with its data set to ‘C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles' (without the quotes). To create the value, right-click in the right-hand panel, click New / String value, type in 'ServicePackSourcePath' (without the quotes), hit Enter twice, type in 'C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles' (without the quotes and without a trailing backslash) as the Value data and hit OK. Note: in some cases this does not seem to work and if that happens to you, try changing the data for the value to 'C:\' (Without the quotes).
Go to step 6.
5. If the folder C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\ does not exist, do this:
5.1 In your registry editor, navigate to this registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Setup
5.2 See if there is a value named ServicePackSourcePath in the “Name" column.
5.3 If there IS a ServicePackSourcePath value then:
Ensure that the data for that value is set to or is changed to 'C:\' (Without the quotes). To change, right-click on the value name, then make the necessary changes.
Go to Step 6
5.4 If there is not a ServicePackSourcePath value then go to Step 6.
6. Find this registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
6.1 In the right-hand panel if there is no value named SourcePath then go to step 7.
6.2 If there is a value named SourcePath then:
Ensure that the data for the value is set to or is changed to 'C:\' (Without the quotes). To change, right-click on the value name, then make the necessary changes.
Go to Step 7
7. Exit your registry editor and reboot the PC.
Running the SFC Command
To run SFC after rebooting or at any time in the future:
Go to
Start > Run > type sfc /scannow and hit OK
The SFC utility should now run without requiring inserting any original or updating CD and it will run much faster than it would if it had to access files from a \i386\ folder on a CD.
When the SFC complete the checking, its window automatically closes and you have to restart your system.
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