The Windows File Checker Utility Cannot Restore Protected Operating System Files (291594)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
This article was previously published under Q291594

SYMPTOMS

When the Windows File Checker utility (also known as Sfc.exe) tries to restore protected operating system files on the computer, you may experience one or both of the following symptoms:
  • You receive the following message: Files that are required for Windows to run properly must be copied to the DLL Cache.

    The network location from which the files should be copied, \\server\volume, is not available.

    Contact your system administrator or insert the Windows 2000 Professional CD now.
  • You are prompted for your credentials. After you enter your credentials, you are prompted for them again.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if the Windows installation files are located on a Novell NetWare server. Windows File Protection does not work when the installation files for Windows 2000 or Windows XP are located on a Novell NetWare server. When Windows File Protection is started, it cannot restore the files from the installation point.

The Windows File Protection feature uses the Winlogon local system credentials. To support the Gateway (and Client) Service for NetWare, the NetWare client assumes that any request it receives with local system credentials is the Server Message Block (SMB) server on the gateway. It then performs an additional verification to determine if the credentials are in the NTGATEWAY security group. Because the Windows File Checker utility runs in the context of Winlogon with the local system credentials and not in the context of the gateway or in the NTGATEWAY security group, this verification is unsuccessful.

RESOLUTION

Windows XP

Service Pack Information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows XP. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322389 How to Obtain the Latest Windows XP Service Pack

Hotfix Information

The English version of this fix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

x86-Based Computers

   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
   -----------------------------------------------------------
   24-Jul-2002  19:12  5.1.2600.50       132,608  Wsfc_os.dll

IA64-Based Computers

   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
   -----------------------------------------------------------
   24-Jul-2002  20:44  5.1.2600.50       132,608  Sfc_os.dll

Windows 2000

Service Pack Information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Microsoft Windows 2000. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

260910 How to Obtain the Latest Windows 2000 Service Pack

Hotfix Information

A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to computers that are experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Windows 2000 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The typical support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The English version of this fix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel. 
   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
   -----------------------------------------------------------
   30-Apr-2002  23:44  5.0.2195.5704      94,512  Sfc.dll
   13-Jun-2001  05:05  5.0.2195.3727       3,856  Svcpack1.dll

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

Windows XP

This problem was first corrected in Windows XP Service Pack 1.

Windows 2000

This problem was first corrected in Windows2000 Service Pack 4.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about how to obtain a hotfix for Windows 2000 Datacenter Server, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

265173 The Datacenter Program and Windows 2000 Datacenter Server Product

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/6/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbWin2kSP4fix kbQFE kbWin2000preSP4Fix kbfix kbbug KB291594 kbAudEndUser kbAudITPRO
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