check disk not working

[michael56555]

Check disk will not run at startup. Runs in read only mode without a
problem. Have tried sfc /scannow. Have replaced autochk file. Have tried
from elevated prompt, drive c: properties, as well as in safe mode. Tried
Vista x64.com tutorial methods. Have searched the web with no luck.
Any suggestions?
Mike

Lenovo R61
T8300 duo processor
2 gb ram
100 gb, 7200 rpm hard drive
4gb readyboost
Windows Vista Business
SP 1 not installed (another major issue for another post)

 

[michael56555]

There is not much else to tell. There are no error messages. When setting
it up for check disk, it gives the normal Can not run... would you like to
schedule it for the next reboot. Then it just doesn't start. The machine
boots normally. This happens whether using the properties box or elevated
command prompt, in safe mode or normal operating mode, whether booting into
safe mode or from safe mode to normal, or from safe mode to safe mode. Tried
with UAC enabled and disabled.

I described in my first post what procedures I attempted. Not sure that I
need to describe each individual action for each attempt.

 

[michael56555]

Ok, when checking the disk for errors with check disk, I usually go to My
Computer left click on C: drive (I am left handed and have buttons
switched...before you ask) go to the tools tab, click on "This option will
check the volume for errors" click the check now button, click th
eAutomatically fix file system errors. Then click start where it tells me it
can't and would I like to schedule it at restart. I click yes and restart
the computer.

When the computer restarts, it starts normally and does not run check disk.

If I run it from the elevated prompt, I type in chkdsk /f in the search area
of the start button. I left click on the file presented at the top of the
box and select "run as administrator. (this part is a new problem) it
starts in read only mode and tells me that the "F" switch was not selected.

If i execute it from the Run box, I type in chkdsk /f and it asks me if i
want to schedule it at the next computer start. I type in "y" and then
restart the computer. Check disk does not run and it boots normally.

If I try these functions in safe mode, the same thing happens.

I have run chkdsk (or scandsk) since Dos 3.1.... I am computer literate
enough to do all the normal things.

Running it in read-only mode now tells me I have unindexed files so I need
to get this issue straightened out .

Scannow cfe finds no problems. Replacing the autochk file did not help.
Went through x64.com tutorial..that didn't help. Nothing I have found online
has produced a solution.

I created a bootable CD when I bought the computer, but can't figure out how
to get a D: prompt because it starts the Lenovo recovery and diagnostic
functions. Running them doesn't find anything wrong.

I have not tried pulling a chkdsk.exe off of my old XP machine...maybe that
will work.
Thanks,
Mike



Any help would be appreciated.

 

[michael56555]

I have run chkdsk /f from the cmd prompt as you describe with the same results.

However, I went back to the C: properties and clicked on Fix errors and the
second box to fix disk errors. This time when I reboot, I get this:
Checking file system on C:
Type of the file system is NTFS
Cannot open volume for direct access

I ran an elevated command prompt and ran chkdsk /x/r to force dismount the
drive and get the same result with the can't access comment.

I enabled the boot log but do not see anywhere that it is loading check
disk. Perhaps it doesn't start recording until the drive is mounted. Any
ideas?
Mike

 

[michael56555]

The problem: Something is loading before the check disk program.

The work-around: Schedule the check disk run, then go to Run, msconfig, boot
tab and click on Safe boot with the "minimal" button selected. Scan Disk ran
just fine.

I don't know why it wouldn't run when booting to safe mode.

I don't know what is process is starting that is preventing it. I will have
to check what I have installed lately. It is not my anti-virus. Hope this
helps.

Thank you for your help.
Mike

 

[GreggMack]

michael56555 and t-4-2,

I have been following this closely, as I have had the same situation as
michael56555, and I have also tried every single method that he has tried
right up until this point. Here is where we now diverge - michael56555 is at
least now getting:

Checking file system on C:
Type of the file system is NTFS
Cannot open volume for direct access

I'm still getting nothing more than what appears to be a "normal boot". I
do sometimes hear 3 very faint "boop - boop - boop" sounds, like it has
encountered something that it wants to tell me about - but that's just after
I log in, not while it's booting up.

I have a Dell XPS-M1530 laptop with Vista Home Premium, and as best I can
tell it came with SP1 installed.

I'll keep scouring through this stuff until I find a solution. I am unable
to run Diskeeper 2008 Premium Pro on this partition - and I only bought that
expensive program to run on this laptop.

Thanks
Gregg

 

[michael56555]

Greg,
I didn't get the message until I set it to check for disk errors as well as
file errors. When I just asked it to check for file errors it appear to just
boot normally. You may try checking for both to see if you get the message.
If you haven't yet, I would try my msconfig solution to see if that works. I
have seen where others could not do a boot time defrag and I bet the problem
has the same roots. Let me know if the msconfig solution worked for you as
it did for me.
Mike

 

[GreggMack]

Mike,

I have searched back through this thread and can not find your "msconfig"
solution.

To recap, here's what i have tried:

Method 1: Right-click on C: drive -> choose Properties -> Fix Errors (I
think that's what it is.... I'm on an XP machine right now) -> and checked
BOTH boxes.

Method 2: Start -> type "cmd" in the search field -> right click on cmd at
the top -> choose Run as Administrator -> Command Promp appears -> type
chkdsk /f (and I've tried "chkdsk C: /r") -> respond by typing y and Enter.

Method 3: Went through an excellent x64.com tutorial by Blink that had me
make a change in Regedit and then replace the autochk.exe file.

I won't be home for several more hours to try the "msconfig" solution, and
I'll have to try to locate it first.

Thanks!
Gregg

 

[michael56555]

Greg,
This thread has gotten way to long. The solution that worked for me:

The problem: A process is loading before the check disk program.

The work-around: Schedule the check disk run, then go to Run and type in
msconfig. Go to the boot tab and click on Safe boot with the "minimal" button
selected. Scan Disk ran (for me) just fine.

I don't know why it wouldn't run when booting to safe mode.

I don't know what is process is starting that is preventing it. I will have
to check what I have installed lately. It is not my anti-virus.
Hope this helps.

Mike

 

[michael56555]

Greg,
This thread is getting way too long! Below is what worked for me:

The problem: A process or program is loading before the check disk program.

The work-around: Schedule the check disk run, then go to Run and type in
msconfig Go to the boot tab and click on Safe boot with the "minimal" button
selected. Reboot and scan Disk should run.
just fine.

I don't know why it wouldn't run when booting to safe mode.

Not sure what is process is starting that is preventing it from running. I
will have
to check what I have installed lately. It is not my anti-virus. Hope this
helps.
Mike

 

[GreggMack]

Mike,

I agree this has gotten way too long, but this message should end it all..
I have fixed my laptop!

Let's call you msconfig "minimal boot" as Method #4 - it worked for you, but
not for me.

Method #5 - from the x54.com forums, I saw a suggestion by RJCC that he used
to fix his HP laptop. It got me started down the same path, but I was not
presented with the same options on my Dell laptop. Here's how it went:
- Restart the PC and as is begins to come back up, immediately start hitting
the F8 key at least once every second.
- This gets you into the DOS-looking screen with several different boot
options.
- Choose "Repair Your Computer"
- Selected a keyboard layout (US)
- Used the pull-down menu to select my User Name and entered my password.
- Selected the top option named "Startup Repair".
- The rest was all automatic - it did report that it was repairing disk
errors, but gave no indication of what it had found, or what it ended up
doing.
- It never did run chkdsk on the next or subsequent boots, but it did unlock
the "Dirty Bit".
- Now I can Diskeeper 2008 can run automatic, as well as manual,
defragmenter on my C: drive.
- That solved my problem!

 

[Uriel98]

I am having the same problem with my Windows Vista for a while now. I tried
everything suggested here and anything that came up on Google search. The
message about a corrupt file after each start is annoying and the knowledge
that I have a corrupt file, and there is nothing I can do about it, is very
frustrating.

Anyone found a solution yet? Please let me know...

Thanks

Uriel