How to Fix the Vista Media Center

The Windows Media Center is a program that is included with the Vista operating system on a variety of computers. If the Media Center is not working correctly, some of the files on your system may be corrupt and in need or repair. This can be done by using the System File Checker tool that is available with the operating system. If you try that and it does not solve the problem, the next option is to replace a corrupted file with a copy known to be clean.

Instructions

File System Checker

1. Click the "Start" button and then go to the "All Programs" option. Find the "Accessories Program Group" and then right-click on the "Command Prompt" option.

2. Select the "Run as Administrator" option, if applicable, and then enter your administrator password. If a password is not necessary, click the "Allow" button.

3. Type "sfc /scannow" at the prompt and then press the "Enter" key. The File System Checker will begin scanning your system.

4. Restart your computer, if prompted, when the File System Checker has completed its scan.

Replace Corrupted Files

1. Type "findsrt /C:"[SR] Cannot repair member file "%windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log >sfcdetails.txt" and press the "Enter" key, at the command prompt. This will create a list of all of the files that the File System Checker was not able to repair.

2. Type "edit sfcdfetails.txt" and press the "Enter" key to view the log file. Go through the log file and see if there are any files that could not be repaired by the File System Checker.

3. Type "takedown /f (path and file name of file)" and press the "Enter" key. The path and file name is the location of the file on the system or installation CD, such as "E:\windows\system32\input.dll." Type "icacls E:\windows\system32\input.dll /grant administrators:F" to grant full access to the file.

4. Replace the corrupted file with a known good copy. The command to type is "Copy E:\temp\input.dll E:\windows\system32\input.dll." Press the "Enter" key to replace the file.

5. Repeat this process to manually replace other files that could not be repaired by the File System Checker tool.

Tips & Warnings

• The File System Checker will replace incorrect versions of system files with the correct versions for the operating system.

References

• Microsoft: How to Use the System File Checker Tool to Troubleshoot Missing or Corrupted System Files on Windows Vista or on Windows 7

Resources

• Stream-Recorder: How to Repair Windows Media Center Files on Windows Vista