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

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When trying to run system file checker i get an error message that states it cannot be found. help!!! what can I do??

I think I need you to be more specific about the error message. What can't be found? SFC? How are you running it?

When I try to run the System File Checker as outlined above, I get an error message stating that Windows cannot findSTC/scannow. What do I dO?

It's SFC (not STC) and there's a space between SFC and /scannow.

Nothing happens when I type in SFC. A blackbox comes up and dissapears quickly. What can I do?

Try this article: http://ask-leo.com/when_i_use_startrun_and_type_in_a_command_why_does_a_window_just_flash_and_disappear.html

For those who are having the "RPC server is unavailable" problem with sfc, the following registry edit / path variable fix may help. This is designed to fix the windows help and support center if this has stopped working, but in my case, also solved the sfc issue.

> > At a command prompt, type SET
> > If the value for WINDIR=%systemroot% (and if you have all the above
> > mentioned problems, it WILL be :-) ) you need to apply the following
> > fix:
> >
> > Run REGEDIT
> >
> > Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session
> > Manager \Environment
> >
> > in the right-hand pane, find the value WINDIR. You'll notice it is of
> > type REG_SZ. This is incorrect since it's value (%systemroot%) needs to
> > be expanded to what windows will eventually use (in my case,
> > C:\WINDOWS).
> >
> > What is happening is window is attempting to load the help and support
> > module (and anything else that relies on the %windir% environment
> > variable) by calling it %systemroot%\pathtofile\file.dll instead of
> > c:\windows\pathtofile\file.dll.
> >
> > DELETE the existing windir value.
> > Make a new EXPANDABLE STRING VALUE, call it WINDIR and give it the
value
> > %systemroot%
> >
> > This procedure basically recreates the WINDIR value as an expandable
> > string.
> >
> > Reboot your system and watch your help and support center work for the
> > first time in recent memory.

As suggested in:

http://www.mail-archive.com/peda@techservinc.com/msg02950.html

Hope this helps

I had the same problem, i.e., SFC not running as it should have. In XP SP2 (and all XP should have SP2) there is a repair and maintain instruction on Microsoft info pages. Look for it under Windows Repairs. Run it according to their instructions. You will need your Windows disc and patience. Run that, then cut and paste Leo's coding for SFC in the Run box. Works like a charm.

I get the message "missing dll" when starting up. I am going to try this to see if I can correct this problem. Also, today, I have had the BSOD (blue screen of death) twice. Am considering purchasing SpinRite. Hope I am computer savy enough to run it without making things worse. Thanks for your advice.

Thanks for the tip w/ sfc. Another bit of info to add to this would be how to pull it up if the start bar is missing. I found by going into the command prompt and typing sfc/runnow i was able to scan withouth goingting through the 'run' option.

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