System File Checker wants my Windows XP CD-ROM. Uhhhh . . .

[SteveDC]

I had to shut down my T40 running Windows XP abruptly. In the past when that happens, I usually run the System File Checker to get some added assurance I didn't corrupt something, and it never has indicated a problem.

Now, running the System File Checker "SFC /scannow" I get the following Windows error window:

"Windows File Protection
Files that are required for Windows to run properly must be copied to the DLL Cache.
Insert your Windows XP Professional CD-ROM now.
"Retry" "More Information" "Cancel""

Clicking on "More Information" gives two "possible reasons" for this problem"
1."You have inserted the wrong CD"
2. The CD-ROM drive in your system is not functioning.

Well, I do not have a "Windows XP" CD-ROM, just the boot install CD-ROM that came with the T40. What now? Possible options:

1. Insert the IBM boot install disc, but that probably won't work. It wants a "real" Windows XP CD-ROM I presume.

2. Guide the System File Checker to the files on the install partition on my hard drive, but there seems no way to do that from the error message.

3. Reinstall the operating system using the IBM boot install disc or service partition (Ugh!)

4. Buy Windows XP at CompUSA, put in that CD-ROM, and hope that works.

5. Do nothing. Things seem to be basically working for my critical applications, but how do I know the occasional unexplained glitch is not a system file problem?

I never seemed to have this behavior before installing Service Pack 2, but that may just be a coincidence.

I need this computer to work on travel for my small business, so I would like to get this pinned down as best I can.

I searched the forums for a similar problem but did not find one. If I missed one, please accept my apology.

Suggestions please!

Steve

[daeojkim]

Do you still have the i386 folder on your C: drive?
If you do, then you can make a WindowsXP CD following the instructions on the sticky above.

If you do not have the i386 folder I would just leave as it is for now if it seems like there is no problem using the computer.

Meanwhile, I would back up your files (you should be doing this anyways), then just use it. Try to get a copy of XP from somewhere, as long as you have the COA I don't see what is the problem making a copy of Windows XP CD and use your COA to do any installation.

[slagmi]

Is the message similar to this "Please insert the disk labled Windows XP Service Pack 2 and click OK"?

Typically this screen won't give you an option to specify a location, but it is possible to edit the registry so Windows knows where to look.

The relevant key is named SourcePath and the proper location to specify will be wherever the Service Pack 2 setup files are extracted. What if they are gone? Well, that's likely since you're getting prompted for the files.

Restart the Service pack setup by double clicking on the rather large SP2 executable you can download form Microsoft.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... laylang=en

Pay attention to where the setup files are extracted. When the license agreement is displayed copy the folder to an alternate location- so that it is preserved when you cancel the SP2 install.

BTW... if you put the contents of that folder on a CD, then...see where I'm headed with this?

Yes, a SP2 level retail CD would likely also work, though I'd be borrowing rather than buying...you can't return it once you're done if you buy it!