How to fix a corrupt system Windows XP O/S

Introduction

Windows XP has the ability to repair itself from 3rd party software overwriting important system files. To fix this we will use a utility called System File Checker or sfc for short

Parameters

/scannow : Scans all protected system files immediately.

/scanonce : Scans all protected system files once.

/scanboot : Scans all protected system files every time the computer is restarted.

/revert : Returns the scan to its default operation.

/purgecache : Purges the Windows File Protection file cache and scans all protected
system files immediately.

/cachesize=x : Sets the size, in MB, of the Windows File Protection file cache.

/? : Displays help at the command prompt.


Instructions
Difficulty: Moderate

Things You'll Need

Windows XP Home/Pro system depends on your Operation System (O/S)

Steps

1 Step One
Go to Start then run and then type sfc /scan now. It will Prompt you to insert a cd


2 Step Two
Insert the cd and let the SFC utility run

3 Step Three
Whats going on? the SFC will check your changes to the main system files.

Unable to change the wallpaper.

Batch file attached: clearPolicy
Description: This batch file removes all policy settings for the current
user and recreates the default ones. It also removes machine level folder
options and system restore restrictions.



Many spyware programs modify the group policy settings in the registry to
prevent the user from modifying an advertising wallpaper.

You can either run the attached batch file or follow the steps below:


Click Start, choose Run and execute regedit.

Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\
CurrentVersion\Policies

Delete all the folders under this key related to Wallpaper or Active Desktop
or simply delete all the keys.

Toolbars missing in Internet Explorer

Batch file attached: IEToolbar
Description: This batch program deletes the settings for the Internet Explorer toolbar forcing IE to load default values. Platform XP/2K.



Symptoms
All Internet Explorer toolbars are missing or locked.

Cause
Corruption of the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar

Solution
Run the attached batch file or do the following:

Click Start, choose Run and execute regedit.
Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar
Right Click on Toolbar and choose Delete.
Restart your Internet Explorer.

Shut Down Faster

When you shut down Windows XP, the OS tries its best to make sure that all services

(they help run things like graphics, printers etc) are shut down. But there are times

when they don't close, thus Windows XP tries to give it the chance to shut down itself.

This amount of time that windows waits for the service to close is stored in the system

registry. If you modify this setting, then windows will shut down the service earlier.

To modify the setting, follow the directions below:


1.Start Regedit.
2.Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control.
3.Click on the "Control" Folder.
4.Select "WaitToKillServiceTimeout"
5.Right click on it and select Modify.
6.Set it to a value lower than 2000, say 1000 as a test.

PC Maintenance Schedule & Procedures.

Like cars, computers operate best and last the longest when they’re well-maintained. There are some simple
maintenance procedures you can do regularly to help keep your computer running at its peak performance.
This guide will outline a schedule and step-by-step procedures for maintaining your PC. Please note that this
guide is tailored more for a home PC than an office PC, which can have different maintenance requirements.



Weekly Procedures

• Scan for spyware.
• Check for important updates, and updates to your antivirus and anti-spyware programs.
• Backup any critical data (Such as financial or medical information).
• Defragment hard drives.


Bi-weekly Procedures

• Scan for viruses.
• Clear temporary files, cookies, and caches.
• Check startup list for new or unnecessary items.


Monthly Procedures

• Backup other important data. If you save email to your PC (as opposed to saving your email on the
server), this is a good time to back it up. Pictures, music, documents, etc… should be backed up
occasionally if they’re important to you.
Seasonal/Quarterly procedures
These steps should be performed every 3 months or so.
• Check for other updates, including your Web browser, firewall, router, email handler, etc…
• Use Add/Remove Programs to check for programs you don’t need or use anymore, and uninstall
them. Delete files and documents you don’t need anymore while you’re at it.
• Clean the dust out of your PC.


Yearly procedures

• Some experts recommend reformatting your PC once a year, but this is overkill for many home users.
If your computer is operating much slower than when it was new, you might want to consider
reformatting. Reformatting involves backing up all the important information on your machine’s hard
drive to an external media (CDs or DVDs, an external hard drive or USB drive, another computer,
etc…) and then wiping the computer’s hard drive completely blank. Then, re-install the operating
system and programs, and transfer files back to the hard drive from the backup media.
The procedure takes most of an afternoon, but returns your computer’s software to “factory
condition”. It’s a big task for a beginner to undertake, so if you’re not confident in your abilities,
consider enlisting the help of a computer-savvy friend or a professional.
• If you’re not going to reformat, some other suggested yearly maintenance procedures include:
Re-install any programs that are running slowly, make a complete backup of all your important data,
and update your drivers and firmware.

Fix Regedit Disabled.

START | RUN and in the run box type CMD and press Enter.

Type the following line (REG DELETE...) into the command window and press enter - you will be prompted as to whether you wish to delete it ...
do so.
If the value does not exists then you will get the error "The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value"


REG DELETE HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System /v DisableRegistryTools

If that was not there then try the following from the command prompt:

REG DELETE HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System /v DisableRegistryTools

Folder Options Missing.

Deletes policy restrictions for Folder Options.



Symptoms:
Folder options is not available in the Windows Explorer Tools menu.

Cause: This problem is caused by a group policy.

Solution: Run the attached batch file or do the following:

Click Start, choose Run and execute regedit.

Navigate to:


[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\
CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]

Look for a value called NoFolderOptions on the right panel

Right click on the NoFolderOptions value and choose delete


Navigate to:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\
CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]

Right click on NoFolderOptions on the right pane and choose Delete