Sometimes when installing a program or following a hard disk, a portion of a system file can be damaged. The system or software may complain and refuse to start.

System File Checker
Windows XP has a utility very useful and yet very little known: a System File Checker (SFC - System File Checker).

To use:
  • Click on Start / Run
  • Enter and confirm the following command within the space between the command and its argument:

sfc / scannow
  • The dialog box of Windows File Protection and then opens the file system analysis begins.


In case of corrupted file, the installation CD will be called and replace the file in its original version!

Repair with the Windows installation CD
If the above procedure does not solve the problem, there remains the possibility to repair the Windows installation by equipping the installation CD!

  • Insert the Windows CD into the drive and reboot the computer.
  • Make F8 to select the appropriate drive unit boot. If this fails, change the sequence in the BIOS setup as the following, otherwise move to the next step.

At boot the computer, press F2 or F5 to access the BIOS setup
Options in the BIOS, change the boot sequence (boot sequence), so that the CDROM is placed first.
Save changes and reboot.
  • When the words "Boot from CDROM" or "Start from CDROM" appears (for a few seconds), press a button to launch the Windows Setup program.
  • A menu of choices will appear, choose "Repair" (Repair).
  • The menu will then fast or manual. Try fast mode first, if that is not enough, it will be possible to manually try later!
  • Reboot leaving the installation CD of Windows and choose "Install." Attention! At this stage, we should not choose "Repair" but "Install".
  • The program asks you whether you want to repair your installation, choose "Yes". Note that the data your system will not be crushed, only the system files will be replaced by the originals.
  • When the repair is complete, change the boot sequence for the original sequence, save and let the computer restart.
  • The system should work again ...