When I try to defrag I get the message that a chkdsk is scheduled at the next
reboot and defrag cannot continue without the chkdsk being done. So I reboot
and no chdsk takes place so I then schedule one myself and reboot.

The chkdsk always fails at stage 3 with 'unspecified error' so I cannot
defrag and the dirty bit remains on.
How do I either find out what this unspecified error is or turn off the
dirty bit so I can defrag? Thanks.

"Siborg" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:3CE57E09-195A-41AE-97DB-(E-Mail Removed)...
> When I try to defrag I get the message that a chkdsk is scheduled at the
> next
> reboot and defrag cannot continue without the chkdsk being done. So I
> reboot
> and no chdsk takes place so I then schedule one myself and reboot.
>
> The chkdsk always fails at stage 3 with 'unspecified error' so I cannot
> defrag and the dirty bit remains on.
> How do I either find out what this unspecified error is or turn off the
> dirty bit so I can defrag? Thanks.

Have a look in your Event Logs for clues. Start Event Viewer with Start >
Run > "eventvwr.msc" [Enter] and check the System and Application logs for
relevant entries. Sorry, I can't remember OTTOMH which it is or what the
Source is, but just look in the right time slot.

"Olórin" wrote:

> "Siborg" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:3CE57E09-195A-41AE-97DB-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > When I try to defrag I get the message that a chkdsk is scheduled at the
> > next
> > reboot and defrag cannot continue without the chkdsk being done. So I
> > reboot
> > and no chdsk takes place so I then schedule one myself and reboot.
> >
> > The chkdsk always fails at stage 3 with 'unspecified error' so I cannot
> > defrag and the dirty bit remains on.
> > How do I either find out what this unspecified error is or turn off the
> > dirty bit so I can defrag? Thanks.
>
> Have a look in your Event Logs for clues. Start Event Viewer with Start >
> Run > "eventvwr.msc" [Enter] and check the System and Application logs for
> relevant entries. Sorry, I can't remember OTTOMH which it is or what the
> Source is, but just look in the right time slot.
>
>
>
Thanks for the tip Olórin but I can't see anything in the logs relating to
this error, in fact there's no entries concerning chkdsk at all in there

"Siborg" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:3D483A8E-4BD4-4422-A32E-(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>
> "Olórin" wrote:
>
>> "Siborg" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:3CE57E09-195A-41AE-97DB-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> > When I try to defrag I get the message that a chkdsk is scheduled at
>> > the
>> > next
>> > reboot and defrag cannot continue without the chkdsk being done. So I
>> > reboot
>> > and no chdsk takes place so I then schedule one myself and reboot.
>> >
>> > The chkdsk always fails at stage 3 with 'unspecified error' so I cannot
>> > defrag and the dirty bit remains on.
>> > How do I either find out what this unspecified error is or turn off the
>> > dirty bit so I can defrag? Thanks.
>>
>> Have a look in your Event Logs for clues. Start Event Viewer with Start >
>> Run > "eventvwr.msc" [Enter] and check the System and Application logs
>> for
>> relevant entries. Sorry, I can't remember OTTOMH which it is or what the
>> Source is, but just look in the right time slot.
>>
>>
>>
> Thanks for the tip Olórin but I can't see anything in the logs relating to
> this error, in fact there's no entries concerning chkdsk at all in there
>

What a pain. My other suggestions would be:

See if there's a drive-checking diagnostic utility for your HDD on the
manufacturer's website you can download and use.

If you've got, or can borrow, a copy of Spinrite, try running that. Make
sure your backups are current in case the disk is failing.

If all you're after is a defrag, you could use a third-party product's trial
period - I use PerfectDisk, but O&O is good, too. For a freebie, many folk
on these NGs recommend JKDefrag.

Lastly, have a look at chkntfs, it might be of some use in your situation:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/160963