System File Checker - A Maintenance Utility

System File Checker is a great utility that is typically not utilized by the average Windows XP User. What it does is scan system files that are protected by Windows File Protection (by default Windows File Protection is enabled), and it checks to make sure that the protected files have not been altered. If it finds that a protected file has been altered, it will replace the file with the proper file.

If you are troubleshooting a windows problem or error, running the System File Checker, should be first check. The nice thing about the System File Checker is that it is a tool that isn't as intrusive as doing a repair install or using the recovery console. Also, by design, it is utility that doesn't hurt to run, in fact it is a utility that should be run even when there are no problems. System File Checker is meant to ensure that files that are critical to Windows to operate properly are not deleted, overwritten or altered in any way... typically 3rd party software or malicious virus attacks are the culprits.

Taking this a step further, I have incorporated running this utility regularly as a maintenance tool, even when I am not experiencing any problems.

You might be saying to yourself, 'well, I haven't experienced any viruses lately and I don't think that any of the software on my computer has caused system files to be replaced and overall I my computer is running in tip top shape,...so I'm sure that my system files are fine and have not been replaced, renamed or altered.'

Well, think again?I have been using the System File Checker for a very long time, and to this day, I have NEVER had the utility not find anything. The way you can tell if the System File Checker finds a file on your system that has been replaced, deleted, or altered, is to run the utility without inserting your Windows XP Installation CD. If all of your files are good,?then you will not receive a prompt asking you to insert your Windows XP Installation CD?Here is how to run System File Checker?

Click Start, then Run, then type sfc /scannow then click OK

If you see a window pop up asking you to insert your Windows XP Installation CD, then the System File Checker utility has found a file on your system that has been replaced, deleted or altered.

Reasons To Run System File Checker:

?If a service won't start?
?If Basic Windows Functions not working properly?
?If a System File is Missing ?
?Program won't start?
?DLL File Missing or Corrupt?
?If you are experiencing problems while in windows?
?As a Maintenance Tool to Keep Windows Running Smoothly?

In conclusion, if you are troubleshooting, first try running the System File Checker. If you are not troubleshooting, I also urge you to run the System File Checker on a regular basis to keep Windows happy and running smoothly. After all, if Windows isn't happy, where does that leave you?

For More Great Articles & Tips like this visit my website: http://www.fixmyxp.com or consider purchasing my book, Windows XP POWERUPS.101 Tips Tricks & Tweaks to improve Windows XP Performance: http://www.windowsxppowerups.com

About the Author
Since 1990, I have been building and repairing computers. I am currently living in the Twin Cities Metro Area in Minnesota. In 1999, I earned my Bachelors Degree (in Mathematics and Computer Science). While school did give me a lot of knowledge, I really would accredit most of my expertise/knowledge to my Hands-on work (ie. life experience). I'm often told that I have a unique and effective way of explaining complicated computer related topics in ways that others can understand.

Reuters
Money managers expect muted year-end tech rally
guardian.co.uk, UK - 3 hours ago
2 maker of personal computers, sounded a warning bell on Thursday when it reported a sharper-than-expected drop in quarterly profit and said cutbacks in US ...
(Updates with Dow, S&P extending losses) Reuters
Stocks Trim Losses As Oil Closes Lower Investor's Business Daily (subscription)
all 103 news articles

Reuters
US STOCKS-Wall St tumbles as Dell warns on tech spending
Reuters - 50 minutes ago
A government report showed US personal income fell unexpectedly in July while spending slowed as the effects of a government stimulus package wore off. ...
US STOCKS-Dell warning on spending, oil weigh on Wall St guardian.co.uk
US STOCKS-Wall St tumbles as Dell warns on tech spending Reuters
US STOCKS-Disappointing Dell earnings, oil weigh on Wall St Reuters
all 1,529 news articles

Stocks end lower on personal income data
The Associated Press - 23 minutes ago
Investors worried about the tech sector after Dell's report late Thursday and its cautious comments about spending in the sector. The stock fell $3.48, ...

Times Online
Issue of technology in presidential campaign debated
MiamiHerald.com, FL - 2 hours ago
Even though McCain may not be wired on a personal level, his campaign surely has a strong online presense. As of Thursday the first ad that pops up when you ...
McCain statement on Obama's nomination acceptance speech AZFamily
all 2,023 news articles

US STOCKS-Futures lower on Dell profits, oil, data
guardian.co.uk, UK - 8 hours ago
Dell Inc's comments that companies around the world are cutting back on technology spending sparked fears of weakness in the whole tech sector. ...

Stocks Shaken While Oil Stirs
Forbes, NY - 1 hour ago
Tech stocks were the biggest drag on the market, as investors punished most of the sector's biggest names. Dell (nasdaq: DELL - news - people ) was the ...
Street Softens As Gustav Pumps Oil Forbes
all 2 news articles

SmallCapInvestor
Slumping tech shares pace pre-holiday pullback
SmallCapInvestor - 40 minutes ago
Small-caps stocks drifted lower Friday, weighed down by losses in the tech sector and by troubling economic data on the personal income report. ...
Small caps seen slightly lower; await more data SmallCapInvestor
Russell slips as crude rallies on Gustav SmallCapInvestor
all 21 news articles

Seattle Post Intelligencer
Johnson finds plenty of faults in Tech rout
Atlanta Journal Constitution,  USA - 16 hours ago
He also screamed up close and personal at Zach Krish after the reserve guard returned to the sideline in the third quarter after he jumped offside to blow a ...
Nesbitt, Dwyer lead Ga. Tech past Jax State, 41-14 MiamiHerald.com
Here, there, everywhere . . . where am I? Atlanta Journal Constitution
all 154 news articles

Stocks fall on personal income data, Dell report
The Associated Press - 2 hours ago
Ahead of next week's figures concerns arose Friday about the tech sector after Dell's report. The company fell $3.22, or 13 percent, to $21.99 after the ...

Washington Post
Street Slips At Week's End
Forbes, NY - 4 hours ago
The Commerce Department recorded a 0.7% drop in personal income in July, more than triple expectations, but the disappointment was tempered somewhat by just ...
Stocks Under Pressure as Techs Slide, Oil Prices Rise (Corrects ... TMCnet
all 208 news articles

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

How to Use SQLXML to Retrieve Data from SQL Server Database?