DISM error 3 when trying to run a SCANHEALTH

[thumpergirl]

Hello to all! Windows 7 user here. Not the best with computers but have some basic knowledge. I was using the DISM feature just fine for a while and when I went to use it recently to perform Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth I got the dreaded error 3: The directory C: windows does not appear to be a valid windows directory. Please ensure that the /Windir option that is specified is valid.

So, by any chance can any of my brilliant friends here let me know what happened or where things went wrong? The only change I made to the computer was downloading a couple windows updates but I restored my computer to a time before those updates were installed..and I still have the problem. I also tried reinstalling the system update readiness tool in case it may have been corrupted and still have the error.

Thank you so much for taking the time to help me because it's driving me insane and it seems as if the web is just a big runaround on this issue. Hopefully with some expert advice we can get this fixed

 

[Vineet Garg]

Hi thumpergirl,
I am not brilliant at all but can suggest some things that won't harm at least. Still i would advise to make a system image because when the things are wrong, even good steps may end badly!
( I am just following this thread but as it is applicable to win 8 & not win 7, I am exploring how it would be applicable to win 7. DISM - Fixing Component Store Corruption in Windows 8 | Windows 8 Help Forums )

1. Run sfc /scannow command & if it reports any problems, Do it for 7 times one after other. What happens ?

2. If the problem is not solved, Install System Update Readiness Tool. Then run sfc /scannow for 7 times one after other.

3. You may want to explore DISM++ after installing System Update Readiness Tool! Dism++ | New Windows Utility

let me know.

Thanks & Regards. ...

Update : Websites are saying DISM commands are not supported on Win 7. Why are you saying that ??

 

[torchwood]

Hi

You sure it wasnt error 37.

DISM was introduced during the development of w7, but was not fully implemented on standard Retail W7 versions, it was however for Server versions.

DISM++ is NOT a Microsoft produced feature, DISM is


The Scan/Restore health options are NOT supported for mere mortals like us.

As Vineet said use SFC and SURT


Roy

 

[thumpergirl]

Good morning and thank you kindly for the reply. I have ran the Sfc scannow several times prior to posting the thread and all comes back fine. I have indeed used the DISM in the past on this computer, it fixed errors and the scan health works on my windows 7 ..I'm positive it's error 3 ..and the last time I ran the scan health my results were this,
Summary:
Seconds executed: 2146
Found 106 errors
Fixed 98 errors
CSI Catalog Missing Total count: 8
Fixed: CSI Catalog Missing. Total count: 8
CSI C Mark Deployment Not Marked Total count: 8
CSI F Mark Bad Type Total count: 90
Fixed: CSI F Mark Bad Type. Total count: 90

DISM and SURT are the same KB after all. Just wondering why it decided to stop working. Appreciate your comments though, My problem continues, a saga

 

[iko22]

Hi Vineet

Update : Websites are saying DISM commands are not supported on Win 7. Why are you saying that ??

SURT was introduced on Windows Vista and 7 OSes as an optional extra. DISM became a feature of Windows 8 and 10 OSes. SURT did not include all the command-line options found in DISM, therefore many DISM commands are not available on Windows 7. SURT is not the full product that DISM has become.

 

[thumpergirl]

I ran chkdsk too all good.

 

[iko22]

Hi thumpergirl,

What happens if you change the DISM command line parameters? Does this still result in Error 3?
Eg. Does Dism /Online /Get-Drivers produce Error 3?

 

[thumpergirl]

I should mention when I say I'm not the best with computers I can however tell when I'm using DISM or not and if a number is 3 or 37 lol ...c'mon give me a little credit guys!! LOL

 

[thumpergirl]

Hiya Iko22 ..I Still get the error 3 with Dism /Online /Get-Drivers...shucks.

 

[Vineet Garg]

Hi All,
Greets,
1. @torchwood & iko22:Sir(s),
Many thanks for clearing the things in seconds.

2. thumpergirl : ( Now the real stuff/ people are here!)

(a) Did you really have any problem with Windows Updates ? Why you doubted a fault ?

(b) Anyway, Follow this article thoroughly with all patience & effort if you had any problems with Windows Update : Access Denied

(c) As said by Sir torchwood, you are probably using some DISM utility other than Microsoft's. Isn't it ?

Thanks & Regards. ...

 

[thumpergirl]

Hi Vineet, I had a lot of errors hun. As seen in the scan health I ran there were 106 of them..oh my! It fixed 98 which was a wonderful thing and the 8 it did't fix I later fixed with it in a different scan using it. The DISM is an amazing feature that I really like having and need working. Fingers crossed someone here at this forum has an answer but my online search is still on. Computers are a constant work in progress. Hope you have a great day

 

[Vineet Garg]

Hi thumpergirl,

What happens if you change the DISM command line parameters? Does this still result in Error 3?
Eg. Does Dism /Online /Get-Drivers produce Error 3?

Sir(s),
Now a whole thing is different! I was thinking DISM command was running successfully & telling some error in the results but it seems DISM Command stucks & does not run even! So even SURT can't do anything. The problem appeared with applying DISM Commands but it is all different. An all different system problem! Am i right ?

We should give her some credit ? How she is still firm about using DISM or the problem is appearing just because Microsoft's DISM can't run on Win 7 ? If the case is just that Microsoft's DISM can't run on win 7 it is not a problem at all ?

Now i am thinking she should check with DISM++ & tell what happens ?

Let me know.

Thanks & Regards. ...

 

[thumpergirl]

Quick question, is there a way to remove DISM from my computer and reinstall it? Not sure if that would solve my problem but it may be worth a shot. I actually noticed the problem when I had the KB already installed on my computer but noticed it in my windows updates, I don't know why on earth it installed it again but it did and just like the first time it got stuck on install so I cancelled it. Thinking maybe it might have messed it up somehow.

 

[torchwood]

Hi
can you post the CBS log, and tell me whats here
C:\Windows\Servicing\Version\ and what files are in those directories?


Roy

 

[Vineet Garg]

@ ALL :
Posts are happening concurrently, They all should be integrated well before any conclusion!
1. Now you say some problem is with Windows Updates. Why to stick with DISM when it is not running. Work with SURT. It creates log files. In those log files it mentions problems with the windows updates. It was said that after installing SURT, those problematic Updates should be again installed manually in proper order & so on...
As said earlier, go thoroughly with that MS link.
2. Parallel to that try to find out / work out the other system problem.
3. You should try DISM++ as well.
4. You said DISM & SURT are same what is that ?? !!
5. You should also go through that EightForums link to understand the things better. As i am looking at your confidence, I think DISM works with win 7 partially & not in full as in win 8 or win 10. I am not sure.

Thanks & Regards. ...

Edit : Before i leave for today, i think i should again share those two links for easiness :

DISM - Fixing Component Store Corruption in Windows 8 | Windows 8 Help Forums
&
Fix Windows Update errors by using the DISM or System Update Readiness tool :
Access Denied

 

[thumpergirl]

Hello Roy, My CBS log is great..no errors and in the C:\Windows\Servicing\Version\ there are 2 files..6.17601.23505 with amd64_64 installed and a x86_installed inside the folder the other folder is 6.1.7601.24383 with nothing in the folder.

Here is the final results of my CBS Log and the rest of it looks the same, it's all good.
2019-03-22 23:18:01, Info
CSI 00000316 [SR] Beginning Verify and Repair transaction
2019-03-22 23:18:08, Info CSI 00000318 [SR] Verify complete
2019-03-22 23:18:09, Info CSI 00000319 [SR] Verifying 62 (0x000000000000003e) components
2019-03-22 23:18:09, Info CSI 0000031a [SR] Beginning Verify and Repair transaction
2019-03-22 23:18:13, Info CSI 0000031c [SR] Verify complete
2019-03-22 23:18:13, Info CSI 0000031d [SR] Repairing 0 components
2019-03-22 23:18:13, Info CSI 0000031e [SR] Beginning Verify and Repair transaction
2019-03-22 23:18:13, Info CSI 00000320 [SR] Repair complete

 

[thumpergirl]

Thank you so much Vineet , I really appreciate all your help. I am hoping to get the DISM working.

 

[iko22]

Hello,

Never tried before, but if you had another Windows 7 64 bit computer, you could service the HDD from that computer. You would need to physically install your HDD in the second computer, and run the DISM command from there. Because the servicing is being carried out on another computer, you could service the HDD offline with something like:

Dism /Image: D:\offline /Cleanup-Image /Source:C:\windows, where D: is the drive letter that points to your unserviced HDD, and C: points to the main HDD of the second computer.

 

[thumpergirl]

Hi ,
Not sure about that, since my options in windows 7 are limited with the DISM command and the only thing I was able to use was scan health. It is imperative I get it in a working state I feel so hopefully can find a resolution. I don't have access to another working computer at the moment to try unfortunately. It's really nice to get some feedback here though

 

[Vineet Garg]

Hi thumpergirl,
Would you like to check this one : DISM Error: 3; The directory C:\Windows does not appear to be a valid Windows directory : sysadmin

Thanks & Regards. ...