What is the System File Checker, and how do I run it?

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Hi Leo,
During the SFC checking/replacing process, are there any files being replaced which might have been 'updated' with patches from Microsoft during a visit to 'Windows Update' on their site?

http://ask-leo.com/d-scannow

Great resource Ed, thank you. In fact it might well solve a problem I experienced over the weekend :-). (FYI - I changed the link to go through my redirector.)

LSASS.exe shutdowning my system by forcely whenever i am tring to connect I'net.

Looking for solution.

Regards,
Sumair.

I have a simple problem - I type Sfc.exe in the run box and it "pops up" for a split second - then disappears!! Have tried many times. I am not a computer expert - so I'm not exactly sure EXACTLY what to type at the command prompt (the 2nd route I've tried). Microsoft website isn't much help.

Thanks

Dave

As the article you just commented on specifies:

sfc /scannow

should do the trick. If you're having trouble, may be easier if you open a command prompt and do it in there, rather than the start-run box.

When I type SFC /SCANNOW or SFC /SCANONCE, it shows me the following messages
-------------------------------------
C:\>sfc /scanonce
Windows File Protection could not make the requested change.

The specific error code is 0x000006ba [The RPC server is unavailable.
].
-------------------------------------

You might need to repair Windows by doing an upgrade/repair install: http://ask-leo.com/d-40903a is a MS KB article "How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP"

I've had a bunch of svchosts too .. I've also had a couple viruses and spywares on my system that I've removed time and again (I hate reinstalling - I do it too often!) so I am running the sfc as we speak-er, type! Sure hope it works! My main problem is that Windows Explorer (on the desktop) loses it's icons briefly, then after a period of a couple seconds, refreshes and reposts the icons. (I have about 4 vertical columns of icons)

darn... unfortunately, no change. Still having problems with Windows (Internet?) Explorer; when I go to the desktop (after closing a program such as Everquest or a game, or even just Internet Explorer) most of the icons disappear, and come back up after 5 seconds or so. If it matters, I have a 2.17 gig processor, Winxp Pro, and 1 gig ram.

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