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46299
October 14th, 2008 18:00
XP Operating System Disk 2
When running the XP System File Checker (START-RUN: SFC /scannow), I am asked to insert Disk 2 for the operating system to complete repairing (adding) missing files. I just retry several times, then skip the file to continue. Dell only sent me one disk for the operating system called Reinstallation DVD (Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Version 2005 with Update Rollup 2). I have installed SP3. I cannot find that Dell has two disks available for the operating system. How do I get disk 2?
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datapod
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371 Posts
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October 14th, 2008 19:00
This is an interesting situation you've run into.
In its "store bought" OEM form (i.e.. if you bought it from Newegg etc.) Windows XP Media Center Edition comes on two CDs. When you install it disc 1 installs the majority of Windows XP, it then prompts for disc 2 to be inserted which installs the Media Center components then thirdly prompts for disc one 1 to be reinserted to complete the install.
Dell for whatever reason (my guess would be to save a few pennies) supplies the whole thing on a single DVD as you've seen.
This apparently works fine for the complete reinstallation of the OS. (I haven't had to do it but, I've heard it works from others) It would appear however that for the SFC routine to continue it must "see" that a disc identifying itself as "disc 2" must be inserted.
I'd suggest contacting Dell or Microsoft support for a solution but I wouldn't hold my breath. The amount of knowledge regarding the OEM only version of the XP media center versions is lacking even from its source.
By best suggestions would be to
A) find a way to point SFC to the files it's looking for on the DVD (they are there)
or
B) Try through forums Newsgroups etc. to find someone who has the retail two disc version and "borrow" disc two to complete your scandisc. It would have to be the exact same version, in your case MCE 2005 RU2.
(it would be my position that this would not be a EULA violation as you would be installing files you already have on your DVD. It would be more along the lines of a replacement media)
You could of course always backup your files and do a complete reinstall.
wtb
108 Posts
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October 14th, 2008 20:00
datapod, thanks. However:
"... point SFC to the files it's looking for on the DVD (they are there)"
If I knew the files needed I wouldn't need SFC! :smileywink:
". . . do a complete reinstall."
Been there and not a solution unless everything is all messed up, which it isn't.
Hopefully someone with Dell connections will read this and suggest a fix. :smileysurprised: :smileysad: SFC needs to work. Could be other XP resource utilities that may not work if you don't have both installation Disks.
Alexandra_P
3 Apprentice
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2.6K Posts
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October 14th, 2008 23:00
Just throwing this out here...
I've had no trouble using Dell's MCE DVD to do SFC Scannow - but I don't have SP3 yet. A wild guess that the actual problem is that you have SP3 on your drive but only SP2 on the disks, so it can't find the files specific to SP3 that it's looking for.
Thing is, when I've seen the problem posted SFC asks specifically for an SP3 disk, not a disk 2. Slipstreaming SP3 into your disk may or may not help - I don't know, I've never tried it, but not a lot to lose.
http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=sw_winxp&message.id=253530&query.id=413930#M253530
wtb
108 Posts
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October 15th, 2008 00:00
Thanks for the "throw" Alexandra_P.
I had the SFC asking for Disk 2 before I installed SP3. After SP3 it still asks for the Original Installation Disk 2. I have a slipstreamed SP3 on a copy of the reinstall DVD and that does not work. I think it is as datapod said that the retail version is on two disks. The files needed are on Disk 2 and you have to have Disk 2. You may not run into the situation if SFC did not need any files on Disk 2 as they were already in your DLL Cache.
I don't know if it matters, but when my motherboard was installed, Dell's technician connected my Raid drives wrong and lost everything. So I had to use the Dell reinstallation DVD to install the operating system. I don't know if that impacted anything or not. I would not think that should matter. Of course I no longer have the Dell partition for recovery and Diagnostics.
jmwills
2 Intern
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12K Posts
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October 15th, 2008 03:00
RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
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October 15th, 2008 05:00
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup
You will see various entries on the right hand side. The one we want is called: SourcePath
It probably has an entry pointing to your hard drive or to your CD-ROM drive, and that's why it is asking for the 2nd XP disk.
Change it to the drive letter for your DVD drive by double-clicking SourcePatch and a new box will pop up allowing you to make the change to drive letter for your DVD drive, eg, D:\
NOTE: Your drive letter may be different!
Exit regedit and restart your computer and try sfc /scannow again.
After sfc runs, open the Event Viewer and click System. Look for Windows File Protection entries around the time you ran sfc. There should be at least 2. The first should say "started", the second "successful". If there are more than 2 WFP entries, open and read every one to see what files are still missing.
Ron
wtb
108 Posts
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October 15th, 2008 21:00
RoHe,
Thanks. It still does not totally solve the problem. It appears some additional files were able to be accessed. I still end up with 14 files that could not be added to the dll cache. They are associated with C:\program files\windows media player\xxx.xxx (5) and C:\windows\ehome\...\xxx (9). Apparently another pointer is needed?? I wonder if just changing the DVD from my D: drive, the DVD Reader (top physical location) to my other, E: drive, the optical CD/DVD RW drive? The D: drive is where all CD or DVD applications are installed from. So not sure that will make any difference.
RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
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October 16th, 2008 00:00
You can download/install latest Windows Media Player, version 11, here. That should get you all the .dll's you need for that.
If the missing ehome files are for the Windows Media Center Edition infrared receiver, read this and download/install the update rollup.
Ron
wtb
108 Posts
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October 16th, 2008 20:00
Already have Media Player 11 and ehome updated through WinUpdate automatic. The purpose of using SFC was (is) to check to be sure no protected System files have been corrupted and or deleted by some other program, file cleaner, bot, virus, adware, etc. Since I have no problem (I'm aware of) with Media Player or the infrared remote, I guess those files are OK. For all other files SFC checked, some were apparently replaced or repaired. I assume (oops -bad word: what that does to you & me) this because after changing the SourcePath, rerunning SFC, and rebooting presented a Blue Screen that said: "Please wait . . . . . . " and then continued to open Windows. I figured the system was up dating as a result of some file change. The system seems a little crisper since. I still have a 15 - 20 second time to open Explorer IE7 with Cannon Easy-Web-Print Google, and McAfee Site Advisor Tool bars. With no add-ons, the open time is still ~10 sec. Used SCF in case some file was missing or corrupted contributed to IE seemingly slow open time with a blank home page.
RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
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October 16th, 2008 22:00
Getting Media Player and ehome remote updated automatically is one thing, but if the files got corrupted after the update and sfc can't find backup copies on your hard drive, you'd get error messages like the ones you saw.
But if you're satisfied the system is functioning properly, who am I to argue? ;)
Ron