Mar

30

Restoring System Files in XP or Vista

Posted by admin

March 30, 2007 |

Every once in a while, your system files get totally jacked.  This could be because of a virus, spyware, malware, or some curious person deleting necessary files.  Whatever the reason, the result is usually system instability.  Whenever I encounter a strange system issue, I usually run SFC.  SFC stands for system file checker.  It is a native utility within Windows XP or Windows Vista that check those system files.  If it encounters a system file that has been corrupted, deleted, or replaced by a malicious one; SFC will put the real one back in its place.

Now, there are some options available to you when running SFC:

/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.

So, for example, let’s say we wanted to run SFC immediately.  Then we would type sfc /scannow in the command prompt window.  To get to the command prompt window, do this:

XP users - click on “start,” go to “run,” type “cmd,” and click “ok.”  This will bring up a black box.  This is the command prompt window.  You can now type sfc /scannow .

Vista users - click on “start,” “all programs,” “accessories.”  Right click on “command prompt” and select “Run as adminstrator.”  You’re off and running.


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