System File Checker

[ChuckM]

I've had my PC for about 2 years. In that time I've installed several programs and Windows updates. I recently discovered the System File Checker tool, and I would like to start using it. However, when I tried to use it, it kept stopping every few seconds to display a file that had changed. In those cases where the current file had a more recent date and a higher version number, I went ahead and chose "Update verification information". In all other cases, I chose "Ignore" because the information provided made it virtually impossible to determine which file was the latest and greatest.

I have a few questions.

1. Can I assume that a higher number indicates an updated (and better) version? For example, can I assume that version 5.00.2136.1 of file grpconv.exe is more recent than version 5.00.1962.1? Is version 1,6,0,3 of twain.exe higher than version 1,6,0,1?

2. What is the date? The date that version was released, or the date that version was installed?

3. What do I do when the information seems conflicting, as in the following examples?

Here's a case in which the current file has an earlier date, but a higher version number:

File: twunk_32.exe
....................Previous..........Current
Date:...........4/23/99...........9/16/95
Size:............88KB...............68KB
Version:......5.00.1962.1.....5.00.2136.1


Here's a case in which the current and previous files have the same version number, but different sizes:
File: dpwsock.dll
.......................Previous..............Curre nt
Date:..............4/23/99...............7/14/97
Size:...............40KB....................24KB
Version:..........4.03.00.1096.......4.03.00.1096


Here's a case in which the dates are identical, but the previous file has a higher version number:
File: hh.exe
Date:................4/23/99............4/23/99
Size:.................36KB................36KB
Version:............4.73.8412........4.72.7286


Here's a case in which I'm not sure how to compare the "Version" information:
File: wupdmgr.exe
.........................Previous............Curre nt
Date:................4/23/99.............10/10/99
Size:.................56KB.................70KB
Version:............5.00.2013.1......5, 3, 220, 1000


Here's a case in which the current file has an earlier date than the previous file, but there is no version information:
File: pidgen.dll
.........................Previous.........Current
Date:................4/23/99...........3/25/99
Size:.................27KB...............27KB
Version:


4. Finally, if my PC is running okay, should I just choose "Update verification information" for all of the files that have changed?

[RWSchlatter]

J cannot give you an explanation to your questions but some readings.

First, take care due to following bug in the SFC: Q192832 - System File Checker Tool Extracts Incorrect File Versions
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q187/3/67.ASP (http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q192/8/32.asp>http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q192/8/32.asp</a>
and)

Then some tutorial: Q185836 - Description of the System File Checker Tool (Sfc.exe)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q185/8/36.ASP[/url]

and some technical stuff: Q188186 - How the System File Checker Baseline Is Determined
<a target="_blank" href=http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q188/1/86.ASP>http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q188/1/86.ASP</a>

______________
Regards - Richard