System File Checker does not accept a network location that contains the installer CD when you use the scannow switch in Windows XP SP2 or in Windows Server 2003 (885522)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (SP2)
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (SP2)
  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition Service Pack 2 (SP2)
  • Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP1
Important This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you run System File Checker (Sfc.exe) with the scannow switch in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), you are prompted for a Windows XP (SP2) CD, but Sfc.exe will not accept a network location that contains the Windows XP SP2 CD.

Note This problem also applies to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the service pack is deployed from an internal network server, and the ServicePackSourcePath registry subkey has been modified to point to the network location that contains the extracted files for Windows XP SP2. The ServicePackSourcePath registry subkey is located in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup.

RESOLUTION

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To resolve this problem, modify the registry to point to the %windir%\ServicePackFiles folder. To do this, follow these steps:

When the service pack is installed

  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
  2. Locate the following subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup
  3. Right-click ServicePackSourcePath, click Modify, type %windir%\ServicePackFiles, and then click OK.

When the service pack is not installed

  1. Copy your build binaries (i386) folder to any location. For example, copy the i386 folder to %windir%\Options.
  2. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
  3. Locate the following subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup
  4. Right-click SourcePath, click Modify, type %windir%\Options\i386, where Options is the folder that contains the i386 folder, and then click OK.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about the Windows File Protection feature, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

222193 Description of the Windows File Protection feature

For additional information about the WFP feature, visit the following Microsoft Web site: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/wfp/setup/windows_file_protection_start_page.asp
For additional information about Windows Installer and WFP, visit the following Microsoft Web site: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/msi/setup/windows_file_protection_on_windows_2000_and_windows_xp.asp
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/13/2005
Keywords:kbwinxpsp2rel kbtshoot kbBug KB885522 kbAudEndUser
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.