Problem with chkdsk

[Bill Cowan]

Hello,

This morning after I experienced a sudden loss of power while working on my
computer, I decided to run chkdsk in case the improper shutdown caused some
errors. So I went into Windows explorer and scheduled chkdsk for both of my
hard drives (by right clicking on the drive, selecting tools, selecting
"check now" under error checking, and then selecting the options to
automatically fix file system errors and scan for and attempt recovery of
bad sectors). Then I clicked on OK after the option to run the disk check
at the next start up.

When I did the restart, the chkdsk for my second hard drive (which contains
only data files - no system files or applications) ran normally as I've seen
it do many times, going through all five phases. But the scan of my system
drive (and the one about which I was most concerned) didn't run. The chkdsk
screen came up, and there was an initial line about chkdsk starting, but
then a message came up that said "cannot open volume for direct access".
Then it said that Windows has finished checking for errors, and the start up
process completed, leading to the Windows sign-in screen. This has happened
every time I've done a restart (3 or 4 times) since then. I tried going
into Win Explorer and running Chkdsk by right-clicking on the drive letter,
and selecting check now, but without the options to automatically fix errors
or scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors. When I did that, it went
through a three phase disk check. But I still get the "cannot open drive
for direct access" message when I do a restart.

I am running Windows XP, SP 1, and all critical updates and patches have
been installed using automatic Windows update. I have a P4, 1.6 GHz, 512 MB
of RAM.

Thanks for any suggestions.
Bill

 

[Chen]

Are you running it with:

chkdsk C: /R /X

// Chen

 

[Bill Cowan]

No, I couldn't remember the different switches, so I didn't try running it
from start|run. I ran it by right clicking on the drive letter in Windows
Explorer.

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Bill.

No, I couldn't remember the different switches

Open a "DOS" window and type chkdsk /?; this will give you a mini-Help file
showing all the switches available with the command.

You probably already knew this, though.

RC

 

[Joan Archer]

Do you have Zone Alarm v5 installed as I believe this can cause a problem.
Joan

 

[Bill Cowan]

Yes, I am running Zone Alarm 5. Thanks for that suggestion.

 

[Bill Cowan]

I went in to msconfig to disable Zone Alarm at startup, but that didn't
solve the problem - I still get the message "cannot open volume for direct
access".
Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[Joan Archer]

Not really but the general opinion is to uninstall v5 until it has been
fixed and go back to v4.5. If you go to ZA forums there are instructions
for doing this.
Joan