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You are here: Experts > Computing/Technology > Focus on Windows > Windows XP > Disk defragment prevented by Chkdsk
Windows XP - Disk defragment prevented by Chkdsk
Expert: Lorry - 11/1/2009
Question
QUESTION: I have encountered a problem I have not previously seen. I regularly defrag but this time I got a message reading "Disk Defragmenter has detected that Chkdsk is scheduled to run on the volume: HP_PAVILION (C:). Please run Chkdsk/f." I never scheduled Chkdsk to run and don't know how this got there.
I checked other posts on this site and found instructions for this problem. I went to My Computer, selected C drive, clicked on Properties, then on Tools, clicked to Check now.. and then on Automatically fix file .... I expected Chkdsk to run so I could defrag, but instead I got another message that said "The disk check could not be performed because the disk check utility needs exclusive access to some Windows files on the disk. These files can be accessed only by restarting Windows. Do you want to schedule this disc check to occur the next time you restart your computer? I checked YES, restarted my computer, attempted to defrag, and the same message I initially encountered was again displayed and I could not defrag. What do I do to fix all of this so I can defrag? Thanks!
ANSWER: Hi Bert,
Do you have Service Pack 3 installed? If not, I would suggest downloading it ASAP. Go to Windows Update and download the available updates.
Have you tried having Chkdsk run on start up? Double click My Computer, right click the Local Drive C, click the Tools tab, Check Now under Error Checking, in the next window check both "Automatically fix file system errors" and Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors", click Start. In the next window click Yes to restart Windows. Close those windows and restart Windows, when Windows restarts the scan should run.
Check out the following for more information:
http://www.hard-drive-help.com/windows-was-unable-to-complete-the-disk-check.htm...
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265/en-us
Hope this helps!
Lorry
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Lorry -
Thanks for your reply.
SP3 is installed. I did that when it first became available.
I followed your directions and as Windows was reloading and I assume Chkdsk had run, a message was very briefly displayed that stated "C: type of file is NTFS. Cannot open volume for direct access. Finished check." That may not be verbatim, but it was displayed very briefly.
I attempted again to defrag, again received the message I initially received, and was unable to defrag.
I then read the additional info in the links you sent and attempted to run "CHKDSK / F / R C" but nothing happened and it gave me no message identifying any issue or problem with the instruction.
I am at a loss to know what to do to correct this problem. Do you have any other suggestions? Thanks!
Answer
Hi Bert,
Did you check the two boxes "Automatically fix file system errors" and Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors"? Believe it or not, that can make a big difference.
Found this posting from w1che at: http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=178742
Most people don't know this but it works on most all XP machines.. Go to Start/run/cmd.. In the command line copy/paste this.. C:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons ..You will get a window telling you that you need a windows cd for recovery console OK that out & then you will get a window asking you if you want to install the recovery console click yes & you will see a window like a file downloading. After that finishes when you reboot you will get a black screen with the recovery console as a boot option.. Hope it works for you and anyone else that only has a recovery cd like I do..
Here's another post from w1che at the same site above:
Try this one C:\WINDOWS\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons I think the space was missing between e & / on the other one.. Some computers don't have a copy of the recovery console in their I386 folder but most do. The first window that pops up will more than likely tell you that you have a dll missing.. That is the one you just want to ok out..
Have you checked for viruses and/or other threats? Using Internet Explorer, go to:
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/WelcomePage.asp
Click "Continue to Symantec Security Check", in the next window click No when asked if you want to close this window, that will bring you to a window where you should click Virus Detection.
Write down exactly anything it finds, then go to: http://www.symantec.com/search/ and do a search for what was found. Symantec usually has a removal tool and/or directions for removing manually. Make sure that you follow the instructions for removal, step by step, especially the part regarding disabling System Restore.
I would also suggest downloading Malwarebytes Anti-Malware from:
http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html
Is Spyware Doctor installed? If yes, disable it - that could cause this problem. If ZoneAlarm is installed, update it as an old version could also cause this problem.
Better late than never as they say, finally found this from Microsoft:
1]Click Start, go to Run menu and type services.msc and click OK.
2]In the Services(Local) list scroll down to the respective service (i.e. virus checker or the disk monitor tool).
3]Right click on that particular service and select Properties.
4]Change the Startup type to disabled for any 3rd-party applications which might be causing the Chkdsk lock problem.
5]Click OK/Apply.
6]Reboot.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555484
Let me know if one of the above helps or not?
Later,
Lorry
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