Problem after running Disk CleanUp

Backbiter

As my hard drive is extremely full, I ran Disk CleanUp overnight, compressing old files etc to create space.
I now have the following disconcerting message on screen:

Windows File Protection
Files that are required for Windows to run properly have been replaced by unrecognised versions. To maintain system stability, Windows must restore the original versions of these files.
Insert your XP Home Edition CD now

So am I right in thinking that a Windows system utility has made changes to its sytem files that Windows now wants reversed?

My PC did not come with an XP CD. I was instructed to create a Recovery CD when I bought it 5 years ago. I did this - is this the CD that Windows is asking for?

If not, will a System Restore do the trick?

Many thanks for all advice received!

456789

Strange that disk cleanup would do that - maybe run a virus scan?

The restore cd may or may not work

System Restore should work

Backbiter

I tried the Recovery CD, by my PC told me it was the wrong CD.

I googled the error message and found dozens of people requesting help with the exact same problem, and practically every forum offered different advice. Loads of techies tell people it's a virus, but microsoft make clear it's not.

There is a help page from microsoft support, but that also requires the use of the XP CD. Plenty of people with this problem are in my position - the CD was not provided with the PC.

This seems like a straightforward solution:

Error Message:
Windows File Protection. Files that are required for Windows to run properly have been replaced by an unrecognized version. To maintain system stability, windows must restore the original version of these files.Translation:
This message could appear if you install a software update on your computer for a second time. Windows File Protection is a Windows XP service that is designed to prevent critical system files from being inadvertently deleted. Backups of certain files (all .dll, .exe, .fon, .ocx, .sys, and .tff files) are created at installation in a hidden system folder called dllcache. If one of these files is deleted or renamed, the system automatically creates a new copy from the cached file. The error is generated when a software update does not lock out the Windows File Protection process long enough for the cache to copy the updated file, thus letting the system file and its backup get out of sync.Solution:
You can correct this issue by installing WinXP SP2 or the most recent WinXP service pack (as all service packs are cumulative) available from Microsoft at support.microsoft.com/kb/322389/EN-US/.

Hopefully that will fix it.

The PC is running fine, but I'm concerned it might have problems restarting.

I haven't tried the system restore yet - that's Plan B.

Laz123

Or you could run a system file check:
Run, type cmd, then type sfc /scannow (note space) and put in recovery cd; the sfc will look for folder i386 and replace any corrupt or missing system files.

Backbiter

System Restore seems to have got rid of the error message - hopefully permanently.

If it comes back, I'll try the SFC solution. I did try that yesterday, but it froze on me, so I did a restart with system restore.

Many thanks.