Unable to run sfc /scannow (Windows Resource Protection could not start the service)

S

sreyan32

Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2024
Posts
8
Hi I have an old laptop which I am trying to install some printer drivers however I am unable to run even
Code: 
sfc /scannow
on it.

Code: 
sfc /scannow

Windows Resource Protection could not start the repair service.

I tried even running dism but I get


Code: 
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Error: 3

The directory C:\WINDOWS does not appear to be a valid Windows directory.
Ensure that the /WinDir option that is specified is valid. For more information,
 refer to the help by running DISM.exe /WinDir /?.

The DISM log file can be found at C:\WINDOWS\Logs\DISM\dism.log


I have attached the log for reference.

I have also tried the following:

Code: 
sc config trustedinstaller start=auto
net start trustedinstaller
sfc /scannow

But no change.

Please do let me know if any help can be provided.

Thanks.
 

Attachments

Hello and welcome,

sc config trustedinstaller start=auto
Click to expand...
The above command is incorrect. There must be a space between 'start=' and 'auto', see below.
sc config trustedinstaller start= auto
Click to expand...
Does that help?
If not, do the following.

Provide the Components Hive
1. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\Config and locate the COMPONENTS file.
2. Please copy this file to your desktop.
Note: If you receive an error that this file is in-use, simply reboot your computer and try again. Note: If you find that you need to reboot and are unable to because this is a server then try Option#2 below.
3. Right-click on this file on your desktop and select Send To...Compressed (zipped) folder. This will create a file named COMPONENTS.ZIP on your desktop.
4. The file will likely be too large to upload here so please upload to Gofile or WeTransfer and just provide the link here.

Option#2 (only if you are unable to follow the previous instructions)

  • Please download the Freeware RegBak from here: Acelogix Software - Download products
    You will find it at the bottom of the page that the link brings you to.
  • Go ahead and install this program and accept all the defaults. After the last install screen the program should open.
  • Click the New Backup button. Accept the defaults and simply click Start.
  • When it says Finished successfully, click the Close button.
  • This will bring you back to the main screen of the program. You will see one entry in this list with the date that you did it. Right-click on this line-item and select Explore Backup...
  • This will bring you into the folder where the backup was made. You should see a Users folder and a Windows folder along with a couple other files. Double-click on the Windows folder to open it. Then open the System32 folder and then config folder. You should see around 6 files in here, one of which is named COMPONENTS.
  • Copy the COMPONENTS file to your Desktop. If the COMPONENTS file does not exist, please fetch it instead from C:\Windows\System32\config\COMPONENTS.
  • Now right-click on the COMPONENTS file that is on your desktop and select Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder.
  • Then please upload the zip file (COMPONENTS.zip) to your favourite file sharing website (it will be too big to upload here). Examples of services to upload to are Gofile or WeTransfer and then just provide the link in your reply.
  • You can close any open windows you have as well as the RegBak program now.
 
PeterJ said:
Hello and welcome,


The above command is incorrect. There must be a space between 'start=' and 'auto', see below.

Does that help?
If not, do the following.

Provide the Components Hive
1. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\Config and locate the COMPONENTS file.
2. Please copy this file to your desktop.
Note: If you receive an error that this file is in-use, simply reboot your computer and try again. Note: If you find that you need to reboot and are unable to because this is a server then try Option#2 below.
3. Right-click on this file on your desktop and select Send To...Compressed (zipped) folder. This will create a file named COMPONENTS.ZIP on your desktop.
4. The file will likely be too large to upload here so please upload to Gofile or WeTransfer and just provide the link here.

Option#2 (only if you are unable to follow the previous instructions)

  • Please download the Freeware RegBak from here: Acelogix Software - Download products
    You will find it at the bottom of the page that the link brings you to.
  • Go ahead and install this program and accept all the defaults. After the last install screen the program should open.
  • Click the New Backup button. Accept the defaults and simply click Start.
  • When it says Finished successfully, click the Close button.
  • This will bring you back to the main screen of the program. You will see one entry in this list with the date that you did it. Right-click on this line-item and select Explore Backup...
  • This will bring you into the folder where the backup was made. You should see a Users folder and a Windows folder along with a couple other files. Double-click on the Windows folder to open it. Then open the System32 folder and then config folder. You should see around 6 files in here, one of which is named COMPONENTS.
  • Copy the COMPONENTS file to your Desktop. If the COMPONENTS file does not exist, please fetch it instead from C:\Windows\System32\config\COMPONENTS.
  • Now right-click on the COMPONENTS file that is on your desktop and select Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder.
  • Then please upload the zip file (COMPONENTS.zip) to your favourite file sharing website (it will be too big to upload here). Examples of services to upload to are Gofile or WeTransfer and then just provide the link in your reply.
  • You can close any open windows you have as well as the RegBak program now.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for your reply. I apologize for the delay in my reply because it seems my situation has mysteriously worsened.

I am no longer able to log into Windows.

I am stuck after booting in a screen that displays "Please Wait" and a progress ring indefinitely. Like for hours !!!

This is obviously not because of your instructions. I didn't even get a chance to try them out !!


So I now I have 3 questions:

  1. Where can I find the latest patched ISO for Windows 8.1 Pro ?
  2. Can I do a repair install keeping my files and settings ?
  3. Can I repair install from x86 to x64 ? (My hardware is x64 but I had erroneously used a x86 version of Windows, just want to know if I can remedy that)

Please let me know if this is a correct thread to continue this discussion or else I can create a separate thread.

Thanks again.
 
Shutdown the laptop completely. Wait a minute then start normally again. Does that help ?

1. Where can I find the latest patched ISO for Windows 8.1 Pro ?
Click to expand...
Try this one: Windows 8.1 Home and Pro (x86 and x64) multi language archive : Microsoft : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Can I do a repair install keeping my files and settings ?
Click to expand...
Dunno, best to create a full system image first. Take the system disc out of the failing machine and connect it to a working machine. Is it an SSD or harddisc ?

Can I repair install from x86 to x64 ?
Click to expand...
No.
 
PeterJ said:
Dunno, best to create a full system image first. Take the system disc out of the failing machine and connect it to a working machine. Is it an SSD or harddisc ?
Click to expand...
It is a hard disk not a SSD.

It seems I must be able to boot into my machine in order to do a repair install.

I have made another thread here because I am unable to log into my account.
 
Are you able to login normally with another account ?
 
PeterJ said:
Are you able to login normally with another account ?
Click to expand...
I am not even able to make it to the log in screen, where my password is being asked.

I have tried Safe Mode without Networking, Safe Mode with Networking and Safe Mode with Command Prompt. None of them take me past the screen with the progress ring and "Please Wait"

Given my present situation is there anyway I can create another account ?

Is there anything else I can do ?
 
Maybe the hard disk is corrupted. How old is it ?
Are you able to remove the disk and connect it to another working machine to check it for corruptions ?
 
PeterJ said:
Maybe the hard disk is corrupted. How old is it ?
Are you able to remove the disk and connect it to another working machine to check it for corruptions ?
Click to expand...
I am not able to remove the disk, but I do not think that there is any disk corruption as the Windows loading in finishing after the BIOS startup.

But once it reaches Windows it cannot start a session I guess.

Any live cd repair tools that I can use ?
 
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