using "sfc /scannow" and sevice pack 1

  • Thread starter Thread starter *ProteanThread*
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*ProteanThread*

is sfc smart enough to know about windows updates (such as service pack 1) ?
will it affect any updates (such as SP 1) if i run it after the updates have
been applied ? i am asking this because it prompts for the CD.

does it replace the protected system files with the ones on the CD or the
ones from SP 1 ?


* ProteanThread *
 
The service packs create their own folder on the hard drive and when the
service pack is installed it updates the system to check the hard drive
location.
 
If you run sfc /scannow and it has to replace any files your Service Pack
will need to be reinstalled unless you are using a slipstreamed CD :-)
 
Normally, baring any problems with file corruptions in the SP file store on
the hard drive, that's not true. If you do a repair install you need to
reinstall the service pack but running sfc /scannow in and of itself does
not require reinstallation of a service pack.

From MVP Alex Nichol:

SP1 generates a folder windows\ServicePackFiles to contain copies it has
installed, and a registry entry at
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup
for ServicePackSourcePath
to point to it. SFC will look in that folder, if the value is there.
before looking in the regular sourcepath.

You can move the folder to somewhere more convenient (even burn to its own
CD) and adjust the pointer accordingly.
 
Michael Solomon (MS-MVP Windows Shell/User) said:
Normally, baring any problems with file corruptions in the SP file store
on the hard drive, that's not true. If you do a repair install you need
to reinstall the service pack but running sfc /scannow in and of itself
does not require reinstallation of a service pack.
Click to expand...

If no problems are found then your SP is not affected. However, if you run
sfc /scannow and it finds any issues and replaces files then your SP gets
blown away :-)
 
If no problems are found then your SP is not affected. However, if you run
sfc /scannow and it finds any issues and replaces files then your SP gets
blown away :-)
Click to expand...

Your experience may vary from mine but I find SFC works pretty much as
Michael describes. I have not installed with a slipstreamed CD so I
occasionally am prompted by SFC for the location of the Service Pack files.
If it was not service pack aware - why would it ask for the files?
 
W2k had this problem up to service pack 4, I believe. I was not using W2k
but I did see a knowledge base article with information that the issue was
corrected with SP4.

XP does not have the issue you describe. If it replaces files, it is
Service Pack aware and will go to the service pack installation folder on
the hard drive unless either the user misdirects it, assuming the user is
asked or if there are corruptions within those install files. Under
ordinary circumstances, you should not need to reinstall the Service Pack
even if files are replaced by sfc /scannow as the appropriate files from the
service pack folder are used when it is such files that need to be replaced.
 
'sfc /scannow' works as described when the minor inconsistency only exists.
If the system was really damaged, you may be prompted for the Windows XP or
Windows XP Service Pack 1 installation media at any time. Moreover, you may
be prompted for Windows XP Service Pack 2 CD... Thereafter you never know
what was damaged and changed.
To be on the safe side you should visit Windows Update Web site immediately
after major system changes and keep the scheduled Update service.
 
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