sfc /scannow not working in Windows XP

Gustavus

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
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The search function in Windows XP with SP3 installed started cycling endlessly so I decided to run sfc /scannow in case some system files had gotten corrupted. I go to Run, type in sfc /scannow (with the space as shown) and hit OK. A black box appears and disappears so quickly -- maybe a tenth of a second -- that I can't see what it contains and the system returns to the desktop.

Thinking it might be looking for the Windows install CD I put that in the CD drive, but get the same result.

Any insight as to why the system file check is not running?

Thanks.
 

RebateMonger

Elite Member
Dec 24, 2005
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There can be a couple of reasons why SFC doesn't respond as expected. But first, did you open up a MSDOS Command Prompt and enter the SFC command there?
 

RadiclDreamer

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Aug 8, 2004
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Try as suggested and go to start > run > cmd "enter"

then try the command and see if you get more info, or boot to a windows cd and do it from the recovery console.
 

Gustavus

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Oct 9, 1999
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Thanks for the replies

I have finally managed to see what is in the black box

Windows File Protection could not iniatate a scan of protected system files

The specific error is 0x00000bha [The RPC server is unavailable]
 

RadiclDreamer

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2004
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First, make sure that the service is running:

Start, run, services.msc, OK
The Remote Procedure Call service should be started, set to automatic startup & logged on as a Network Service.
 

Gustavus

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Oct 9, 1999
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I went on net and found instructions for restarting the RPC server, but the same error persists.

Second Solution
Click on Start / Run and enter: Services.msc
In the right list, find "Remote Procedure Call (RPC)"
Clicking the right mouse button and choose "Properties"
Go to the tab "Recovery", and then sequentially in First Failure, Second Failure, etc. and select "Restart Service"
Validate the change OK

Maybe a full Windows repair will be needed, but I will muck about a bit before doing that
 

RadiclDreamer

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2004
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When you start the RPC service does it log any errors in the event log?

Another option is to boot to a windows disc and select recovery console and run it from there. You will need the windows cd (with correct SP) anyway to use sfc
 

Gustavus

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Oct 9, 1999
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RadiclDreamer
Thanks for the reply. I had tried a restore back to Christmas day with no luck, so will boot from the Windows CD and try to run sfc from the recovery console. That might be quicker than a full repair install of Windows.
 

Gustavus

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Thanks for the efforts to help.

I finally gave up and did a repair reinstall of Windows from the Windows CD -- not the full install, but a repair install which keeps the installed software etc. What I found may be of help, and interest, to someone else. I have on a few occasions before used a repair install and had the impression you got Windows itself back to it's original pristine state. That is certainly not true -- since the problem was still present after the new install. Apparently a lot of the registry is carried over in the repair install, so if the problem with Windows before the repair was due to something wrong in the registry, it may survive the repair install.

The problem(s) I have is not annoying enough to warrant a format and clean reinstall of Windows (yet), but I may do that at some point.
 

RebateMonger

Elite Member
Dec 24, 2005
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I have on a few occasions before used a repair install and had the impression you got Windows itself back to it's original pristine state. That is certainly not true -- since the problem was still present after the new install. Apparently a lot of the registry is carried over in the repair install, so if the problem with Windows before the repair was due to something wrong in the registry, it may survive the repair install.
That's why you don't lose your applications after an XP Repair Install. And why a Repair Install isn't a good way to get rid of malware.