XP SP2 Cannot Run sfc.exe /scannow & Other Woes

[DaveMcKeen]

With much help from CPU forum members/gurus I built a PC to help me with my photography habit this fall. I put it into service in late September but have not made it my main PC yet because it is possessed with unknown demons. I have been running ZoneAlarm AntiVirus (currently Kaspersky) and Sunbelt's CounterSpy from the beginning.

At some point an event occurred. Zone Alarm would not start on either PC. I had to reinstall it. Now on the new PC CounterSpy hangs on C:\System Volume Information\tracking.log. PC Tools Spyware Doctor hangs at the same point. Both scan successfully with Windows in Safe mode. No spooks found,

IObit SmartDefrag hangs at some point while doing its thing.

I cannot run sfc.exe /scannow successfully. It asks for the Windows Installation CD and then refuses to recognize it. But if I initiate a Windows reinstall, Setup is as happy as a clam with the CD. But I abort the reinstall. I'm not ready for that yet.

What diagnostics should I run to help me narrow this problem down?

Much appreciated,

- Dave McKeen

[Panama Red]

Does your original disk include SP2? If you've upgraded to SP2 and the disk is SP1, that may be the problem. Also, have you taken a look at this guide?

http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html

[DaveMcKeen]

Hi, yes, the OEM OS CD I bought to go with the system build this fall is complete with SP2. Thanks for the link to the guide. I missed it while Googling for info on the subject. I'll report back. Thanks, - Dave

[DaveMcKeen]

Wow, Mr. Panama Red, that link is a gold mine. It's obvious why Windows couldn't see the OEM CD. The drive was D: when I installed Windows, then later I changed it to Z:! But I like the idea of copying the whole I386 folder to C: and letting Windows know the goodies are there.

It's mistake time of day for me, so I'll knock it off for now and resume after coffee and cereal in the AM. Thanks so much!! - Dave

[Panama Red]

Yup, that guide has saved my bacon a couple of times. Good luck to ya tomorrow.

[DaveMcKeen]

OK, Yay! I got to run sfc.exe /scannow successfully. Then I started a scan with Spyware Doctor, but it hung at the same spot. (See orig msg this thrd.) It's not a PC Tools problem, but their support is sticking with me on this., Next: A Belarc Advisor scan...

- Dave