Some Software for Preventive Maintenance

System File Checker

If a Windows Resource Protection (WRP) file is missing or is corrupted, Windows may not behave as expected. For example, some Windows functions may not work, or Windows may crash. The System File Checker tool (SFC.exe) scans for missing or corrupted system files and repairs them.

Use the System File Checker tool (SFC.exe) to determine which file is causing the issue, and then replace the file. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open an elevated command prompt. To do this, click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
2. Type the following command, and then press ENTER: sfc /scannow

The sfc /scannow command scans all protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with correct Microsoft versions.


To determine which files could not be repaired by the System File Checker tool, follow these steps:

1. Open an elevated command prompt.
2. Type the following command, and then press ENTER:

findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%\Logs\CBS\CBS.log >%userprofile%\Desktop\sfcdetails.txt
Note The Sfcdetails.txt file contains details from every time that the System File Checker tool has been run on the computer. The file includes information about files that were not repaired by the System File Checker tool. Verify the date and time entries to determine the problem files that were found the last time that you ran the System File Checker tool.

1. Type sfcdetails.txt in Search programs and files and press Enter.

The Sfcdetails.txt file uses the following format:
Date/Time SFC detail



If the System File Checker tool cannot repair a file, follow these steps:

1. At an elevated command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

takeown /f Path_And_File_Name
For example, type takeown /f E:\windows\system32\jscript.dll.

1. Type the following command, and then press ENTER to grant administrators full access to the file:

icacls Path_And_File_Name /GRANT ADMINISTRATORS:F
For example, type icacls E:\windows\system32\jscript.dll /grant administrators:F.

1. Type the following command to replace the file with a known good copy of the file:

Copy Path_And_File_Name_Of_Source_File Path_And_File_Name_Of_Destination
For example, type copy E:\temp\jscript.dll E:\windows\system32\jscript.dll.

Check Disk

Check Disk utility is used in Windows to scan through the entire hard drive and find problems. It is recommend that the hard drive needs checking every month or two.

To do this, follow these steps:

Open up Computer and then right-click on the drive you want to check, and choose Properties, or just click the drive, and then click the Properties button.

Then select the Tools tab, and click the “Check Now” button.

A little dialog will pop up to allow you to choose the options you want for the disk check. You should check both options if you want to really check the disk properly, but if you just want to do a quick check you could select only the first one.

The only problem with that is that Windows can’t check a drive that’s being used, such as the system drive, but Windows will let you schedule a disk check for the next reboot.

You should keep in mind that running through a full check disk takes quite a while, sometimes hours depending on how big the drive is and how many files you have.

Defrag Hard Disk

The Windows operating system places files and programs on a hard drive where there is space; one file will not necessarily be located in one physical place. Over time, a hard drive can become fragmented with hundreds of files broken up in many locations across the drive. Ultimately, this can slow down a computer’s response time because it takes longer for it to access information. That's why using a defrag program can play an important role in speeding up your computer

The process of defragmentation places all parts of a file together in the same place on the drive. It organizes all directories and files according to how you use your computer. After this process is complete, your computer will most likely run faster.

To begin this process, perform the following steps:

1. Make sure your work is backed up to another media – copy or backup all work files, photos, email, etc., to another hard drive, CDROM, DVD or other type of media.
2. Make sure the hard drive is healthy – use CHKDSK to scan and fix the drive. 
3. Close programs currently open – including virus scanners and other programs that have icons in the system tray (right hand side of the task bar) 
4. Assure your computer has a constant source of power – The important thing is to be able to stop the defragmentation process, if there is a power outage. If you have frequent power brown outs or other outages, you should not use a defragmentation program without a battery backup. Note: If your computer does shut off while defragmenting, it may crash the hard drive or corrupt the operating system, or both.

Open the Defrag Program

1. Click the Start Button
2. Find the Disk Defragmentation program and open it

• Click the Program icon
• Click the Accessories icon
• Click the System Tools icon
• click the Disk Defragmentation icon

Click the analyze button to analyze your hard drive. then just follow what ever the result tell you to do. If it says your hard drive does not need defragmentation, you probably will not benefit from doing it.

If it says that your hard drive needs defragmenting, click on the Defragment button. Then the program will do its work.It takes time depending on the size of the drive, the amount to be fragmentation, the speed of the processor, etc.