Windows 98 System File Checker

The Windows operating system relies on a number of important files called system files for its basic operation. There are quite a lot of them and they contain important data and operating routines which are necessary for Windows to operate.
With the introduction of Windows 98 came the system file checker. This little housekeeping tool contains a database (a structured detailed list) of all your system files. When it is run, the system file checker takes a look at all the system files on your computer and compares them to the details in its database.
If it finds a system file is corrupted or missing it will usually be able to fix the problem for you.
If you run into system file problems it will probably be the result of installing something on your computer When you install a programme, the process could overwrite a perfectly good system file with another of the same name which is older, or faulty or inadequate in some way. You would not necessarily realise what was happening, but the performance of your computer could suffer in some way.
Using the system file checker is very simple:-
1) Left click the Start button (bottom left of screen)
2) Left click the Run entry in the pop-up menu.
3) When the Run box appears, type the letters SFC (they will then be displayed in the slot marked Open). Then click the OK button.
4) The system file checker box will now appear. There should be a check mark (dot) in the circle next to the heading Scan for altered files. If not, click in this circle to put the check mark there.
5) Click Start and wait for all the files to be checked. If system file checker finds a problem it should offer to fix it for you. Just follow the on screen instructions. Depending on how your computer has been originally set up, you may need to find the original Windows CD Rom disk to enable system file checker to locate and renew a system file. Usually though, there will be a backup set of files on your computer in a cabinet file archive and system file checker may automatically find the files it needs.
6) It there is nothing wrong with your system files, system file checker will simply tell you when it has finished. Click OK then click the Close button to end the process.
There is no harm in running system file checker from time to time, as a routine check on your Windows 98 system.
John Selby (technical bloke).

First Printed in the May 2003 SNN Newsletter