Chkdsk /F doesn't fix problems on reboot

[piclistguy]

My defrag program displays a fatal error when degragging my drive.
It was suggested that I run CHKDSK from the command prompt.
When I ran it, it indeed found disk errors and told me to run CHKDSK /F
to fix them. When running CHKDSK /F , I get a message that says it
can't lock the drive to fix the errors and asks if I want to run chkdsk
on reboot. I select yes and reboot. When CHKDSK runs on reboot, it
doesnt fix anything.
Is there a way to check CHKDSK to actually fix problems on reboot or
solve this locking issue?
Thanks

 

[Rock]

My defrag program displays a fatal error when degragging my drive.
It was suggested that I run CHKDSK from the command prompt.
When I ran it, it indeed found disk errors and told me to run CHKDSK /F
to fix them. When running CHKDSK /F , I get a message that says it
can't lock the drive to fix the errors and asks if I want to run chkdsk
on reboot. I select yes and reboot. When CHKDSK runs on reboot, it
doesnt fix anything.
Is there a way to check CHKDSK to actually fix problems on reboot or
solve this locking issue?
Thanks

First make sure you have a backup of all essential data in case some
thing goes wrong. Chkdsk can cause data loss.

Then boot up from the windows installation CD, take the first R for
repair. This gets you into the recovery console. Enter the password
for the built in administrator account, that you set when first
installing XP. If you can't remember setting one, try leaving the
password blank.

Once at the command prompt type in "chkdsk /r" and let it run. It will
take awhile. Here is a link to some information on the recovery console.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307654#5

 

[Galen]

In (e-mail address removed) <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

My defrag program displays a fatal error when degragging my drive.
It was suggested that I run CHKDSK from the command prompt.
When I ran it, it indeed found disk errors and told me to run CHKDSK
/F to fix them. When running CHKDSK /F , I get a message that says it
can't lock the drive to fix the errors and asks if I want to run
chkdsk on reboot. I select yes and reboot. When CHKDSK runs on
reboot, it doesnt fix anything.
Is there a way to check CHKDSK to actually fix problems on reboot or
solve this locking issue?
Thanks

Try chkdsk /f /r and then reboot when it tells you that and can't lock the
drive.

Galen

 

[Kelly]

Check Disk - Disk Checking Runs Upon Boot
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_c.htm#cd
--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol: http://www.dts-l.org/

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Steve N.]

In (e-mail address removed) <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:





Try chkdsk /f /r and then reboot when it tells you that and can't lock the
drive.

Galen

The /f is unnecessary when using /r as it does the same checks as /f
plus a check for bad sectors.

Steve

 

[Steve N.]

Check Disk - Disk Checking Runs Upon Boot
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_c.htm#cd

N/A. OP has a different problem.

Steve

 

[relic]

My defrag program displays a fatal error when degragging my drive.
It was suggested that I run CHKDSK from the command prompt.
When I ran it, it indeed found disk errors and told me to run CHKDSK
/F to fix them. When running CHKDSK /F , I get a message that says it
can't lock the drive to fix the errors and asks if I want to run
chkdsk on reboot. I select yes and reboot. When CHKDSK runs on
reboot, it doesnt fix anything.
Is there a way to check CHKDSK to actually fix problems on reboot or
solve this locking issue?
Thanks

Try running it from the Recovery Console. It will often 'fix' it when the
reboot type of run won't run.

 

[Steve N.]

Try running it from the Recovery Console. It will often 'fix' it when the
reboot type of run won't run.

Note: In Recovery Console the command is CHKDSK /P not /F.

Steve

 

[Galen]

In Steve N. <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

The /f is unnecessary when using /r as it does the same checks as /f
plus a check for bad sectors.

Steve

I know that /r implies /f but often times it doesn't work. I've run it too
many times for me to recommend just the single switch and I'm not the only
one with this opinion.

http://www.updatexp.com/windows-xp-chkdsk.html
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=chkdsk+/f+/r+site:microsoft.com

While I absolutlely truly enjoy people watching my posts and correcting
errors (I am one of the people who knows that they don't know all) please
make it a point to research before posting corrections to insure that you're
not giving the OP mis-information. The switches, in that combination, are
required to insure the operation functions properly.

Galen

 

[Steve N.]

In Steve N. <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:




I know that /r implies /f but often times it doesn't work. I've run it too
many times for me to recommend just the single switch and I'm not the only
one with this opinion.

http://www.updatexp.com/windows-xp-chkdsk.html
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=chkdsk+/f+/r+site:microsoft.com

While I absolutlely truly enjoy people watching my posts and correcting
errors (I am one of the people who knows that they don't know all) please
make it a point to research before posting corrections to insure that you're
not giving the OP mis-information. The switches, in that combination, are
required to insure the operation functions properly.

Galen

Thanks for the links to the articles.

I have never encountered a situation where both switches were needed in
the many times I have used CHKDSK /R and it has never failed to check
file system errors before the surface scan.

As far as researching answers goes, I do my best to be accurate and I do
actually research most, if not all, answers that I post. Like you, I
also do not know everything and am not afraid to be corrected either.

Steve

 

[Galen]

In Steve N. <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

Thanks for the links to the articles.

I have never encountered a situation where both switches were needed
in the many times I have used CHKDSK /R and it has never failed to
check file system errors before the surface scan.

As far as researching answers goes, I do my best to be accurate and I
do actually research most, if not all, answers that I post. Like you,
I also do not know everything and am not afraid to be corrected
either.
Steve

Steve,

You're quite welcome and I too actually really LIKE being corrected because
it means that I'm learning and I'm one of the freaks that likes to learn. In
this particular case there's been too many times where I've seen /r skip
problems so as a matter of principle I recommend them both as there's no way
that it will have any ill effects on the computer and doesn't make it take
any longer or anything. It's like, to me, putting gas in your car before you
go on a long trip even though the tank was nearly full. Better safe then
sorry. When the /r doesn't fix anything it doesn't tell you why. On the same
system (in fact on one oddball system I had to ALWAYS use the /f /r) you can
sometimes run the two switches and find errors even after the /r came back
clean or complete.

Galen

 

[Steve N.]

In Steve N. <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:




Steve,

You're quite welcome and I too actually really LIKE being corrected because
it means that I'm learning and I'm one of the freaks that likes to learn.

Me too It's a good day when I learn stuff.

In
this particular case there's been too many times where I've seen /r skip
problems so as a matter of principle I recommend them both as there's no way
that it will have any ill effects on the computer and doesn't make it take
any longer or anything. It's like, to me, putting gas in your car before you
go on a long trip even though the tank was nearly full. Better safe then
sorry. When the /r doesn't fix anything it doesn't tell you why. On the same
system (in fact on one oddball system I had to ALWAYS use the /f /r) you can
sometimes run the two switches and find errors even after the /r came back
clean or complete.

Galen

This is very interesting info and I will definitely keep it in mind.
Thanks again.

Steve

 

[Kelly]

Yikes, Galen and as we all in the DTS/MVP world covent you.....you seem to
have bitten off on a new prosper of ours. <w> We like Steve. ) Ok,
well I do!

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol: http://www.dts-l.org/

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Steve N.]

Yikes, Galen and as we all in the DTS/MVP world covent you.....you seem to
have bitten off on a new prosper of ours. <w> We like Steve. ) Ok,
well I do!

I am so flattered <blush>. Thank you Kelly.

I didn't take offense to what Galen wrote, he's absolutely correct,
answers should be researched as much as possible, I am also greatful he
shares his experience in this and that I have opportunity to learn from
him. Lord knows running chkdsk can be a bit of a pickle sometimes and
anything we can do to make it work more reliably is a definite plus.

What does "covent" mean? Is that a Cajun term?



Steve

 

[Galen]

In Kelly <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

Yikes, Galen and as we all in the DTS/MVP world covent you.....you
seem to have bitten off on a new prosper of ours. <w> We like
Steve. ) Ok, well I do!

He started it! <grins> Actually I was trying to be nice. I'll flag his posts
for reading. He stated, basically, that the /f wasn't needed with /r and
that's supposed to be correct however my findings show (and do other
people's) that the /r which is supposed to imply /f doesn't always work. I
was merely pointing out additional information and hoped that it didn't come
off too haughty or agressive. My "people skills" aren't that good after
midnight.

As for, "We like Steve." Any friend of yours is a friend of mine. I promise
no more biting... Well not much at any rate but I did just flag his messages
for further reading as I do most people who make quality posts. Then again,
there's some that I simply block because they can't be accurate or have no
respect for the OP. <w>

Personally I actually like having my posts corrected if they are in error. I
like it when people add stuff to them because it means that I'm learning
something new and that my future posts will be more useful and better
informed. I think, well I hope, that Steve understood the post I made in
response to him. It seems that he did and that it's all good. Hmm... I
almost started this with "Slave Mistress" but then I thought better of it.
It would have been funny though.

Galen

 

[Steve N.]

In Kelly <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:





He started it! <grins>

Yup. Guilty as charged.

Actually I was trying to be nice.

You did fine by me.

I'll flag his posts
for reading.

I'm flattered. Thank you. Beware of my sometimes strange sense of humor,
though

He stated, basically, that the /f wasn't needed with /r and
that's supposed to be correct

Supposed to be. Officially. NUGS (Normally Usually Generally Sometimes).

however my findings show (and do other
people's) that the /r which is supposed to imply /f doesn't always work. I
was merely pointing out additional information and hoped that it didn't come
off too haughty or agressive.

It was good info and you gave me a couple of good things to read. Thank you.

My "people skills" aren't that good after
midnight.
As for, "We like Steve." Any friend of yours is a friend of mine. I promise
no more biting... Well not much at any rate but I did just flag his messages
for further reading as I do most people who make quality posts.

Then again,
there's some that I simply block because they can't be accurate or have no
respect for the OP. <w>

I have yet to actually fliter or killfile anyone... I do it mentally, I
guess.

Personally I actually like having my posts corrected if they are in error.

Me too.

I
like it when people add stuff to them because it means that I'm learning
something new and that my future posts will be more useful and better
informed.

Ditto. That's the whole point. Helping poeple.

I think, well I hope, that Steve understood the post I made in
response to him. It seems that he did and that it's all good.

Yes I did and it is.

Hmm... I
almost started this with "Slave Mistress" but then I thought better of it.
It would have been funny though.

No comment due to local cluelessness.

Galen

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Ken Blake]

In

I am so flattered <blush>. Thank you Kelly.

I didn't take offense to what Galen wrote, he's absolutely
correct,
answers should be researched as much as possible, I am also
greatful
he shares his experience in this and that I have opportunity to
learn
from him. Lord knows running chkdsk can be a bit of a pickle
sometimes and anything we can do to make it work more reliably
is a
definite plus.
What does "covent" mean? Is that a Cajun term?

Typo for "covet," perhaps?

 

[Galen]

In Steve N. <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

Bugger inline. If you can't remember what you wrote scroll up... Sheesh...

Actually, I don't mind flagging you for reading. If Kelly likes you then
you're okay in my book. Bar none... I'm not very religious but if she liked
Satan himself then he's a friend of mine. Then again, I was quite content in
chat until she convinced me that I had work to do in here. Hence the term
slave mistress... Sheesh... Actually? Listen to her when she's not
pre-occupied. Sometimes she posts vague seeminging responses BUT when you
take a minute to see her answer and then the result, if you can replicate
the answer, you'll see where she's coming from. She never ceases to amaze
me. Once in a while I get her hubby to allow me to send her a cyber
hugglie... Beyond that you're on your own and you can't send her any 'cause
I'd have to beat you up. <g>

Okay... Where were we? Back to the original subject. /r implies /f but it
isn't always valid. Sometimes a system seems to want to skip the /f for no
good reason. I'm sure you have gathered that already so I won't bug you with
the details. Truth be told all I can say is wait until there's a problem (or
cause one intentionally) and then run /r and let it finish, when it's done
run the /f /r switches and you may very well see a difference. I can't say
that there's a specific time when both need to be run. No. I can only say
that in general the two together are the optimal solutions.

Dang that Kelly having forced us to have this conversation when we had it
all worked out already! *grins* Slave mistress? HAH! I was quite content
just helping in chat which, to be honest, was quite by accident anyhow. She
then mentioned a whole bunch of stuff about DTS and MVP program and I still
wasn't that interested really. She said she "needed" my help in the XP
general group...

Well... At this time, about two years ago or more, I used but a single
newsgroup server. I'd never used the Microsoft groups. I didn't even know
anyone unless I'd met them through chat except for the rare person I'd
encountered through business in the past. So... I added the newsgroup
(singular) to OE and watched. I then added more... I added more... It kept
going and though I still have a love for the chat function (there's nothing
better than real time help in my opinion) I spend far more time in here than
I do in there because far more people take advantage of the newsgroups.

Here's an oddity for you... If you know, for instance, that the drive is in
fact dirty, then chkntfs <drive>: (chkntfs c: for example) should show as
dirty. If it doesn't then it will show as this:

The type of the file system is NTFS.
C: is not dirty.

Then running /r *should* imply that /f will run which means that it will run
even when the drive isn't flagged as dirty... It just plain lies... It will
probably run and will probably give you the false sense of security by
saying it's complete and that it's clean but it truly will have just gone
through the paces. The problem will still exist. Running the /f switch will
force the scan to run when nothing is flagged (instead of just posing and
claiming to do so) and idealy clean the problem.

Anyhow, as I said, if you're liked by Kelly you're liked by me. The posts
you make are now flagged in my "general good posts" category. No blushing
required, in fact it means that you're expected to educate me. I like to
learn and I know if Kelly likes you that I will learn from you.

Galen

 

[Steve N.]

In Steve N. <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

Bugger inline. If you can't remember what you wrote scroll up... Sheesh...

Actually, I don't mind flagging you for reading. If Kelly likes you then
you're okay in my book. Bar none... I'm not very religious but if she liked
Satan himself then he's a friend of mine. Then again, I was quite content in
chat until she convinced me that I had work to do in here. Hence the term
slave mistress... Sheesh... Actually? Listen to her when she's not
pre-occupied. Sometimes she posts vague seeminging responses BUT when you
take a minute to see her answer and then the result, if you can replicate
the answer, you'll see where she's coming from. She never ceases to amaze
me. Once in a while I get her hubby to allow me to send her a cyber
hugglie... Beyond that you're on your own and you can't send her any 'cause
I'd have to beat you up. <g>

Okay... Where were we? Back to the original subject. /r implies /f but it
isn't always valid. Sometimes a system seems to want to skip the /f for no
good reason. I'm sure you have gathered that already so I won't bug you with
the details. Truth be told all I can say is wait until there's a problem (or
cause one intentionally) and then run /r and let it finish, when it's done
run the /f /r switches and you may very well see a difference. I can't say
that there's a specific time when both need to be run. No. I can only say
that in general the two together are the optimal solutions.

Dang that Kelly having forced us to have this conversation when we had it
all worked out already! *grins* Slave mistress? HAH! I was quite content
just helping in chat which, to be honest, was quite by accident anyhow. She
then mentioned a whole bunch of stuff about DTS and MVP program and I still
wasn't that interested really. She said she "needed" my help in the XP
general group...

Well... At this time, about two years ago or more, I used but a single
newsgroup server. I'd never used the Microsoft groups. I didn't even know
anyone unless I'd met them through chat except for the rare person I'd
encountered through business in the past. So... I added the newsgroup
(singular) to OE and watched. I then added more... I added more... It kept
going and though I still have a love for the chat function (there's nothing
better than real time help in my opinion) I spend far more time in here than
I do in there because far more people take advantage of the newsgroups.

Here's an oddity for you... If you know, for instance, that the drive is in
fact dirty, then chkntfs <drive>: (chkntfs c: for example) should show as
dirty. If it doesn't then it will show as this:

The type of the file system is NTFS.
C: is not dirty.

Then running /r *should* imply that /f will run which means that it will run
even when the drive isn't flagged as dirty... It just plain lies... It will
probably run and will probably give you the false sense of security by
saying it's complete and that it's clean but it truly will have just gone
through the paces. The problem will still exist. Running the /f switch will
force the scan to run when nothing is flagged (instead of just posing and
claiming to do so) and idealy clean the problem.

Anyhow, as I said, if you're liked by Kelly you're liked by me. The posts
you make are now flagged in my "general good posts" category. No blushing
required, in fact it means that you're expected to educate me. I like to
learn and I know if Kelly likes you that I will learn from you.

Galen

Thanks for more info. I'll try the extra chkdsk stuff just for grins
sometime.

I used to know a guy named Galen at OSU, worked with him on Windows &
Netware stuff, taught me a lot.

Steve

 

[Galen]

In Steve N. <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

Thanks for more info. I'll try the extra chkdsk stuff just for grins
sometime.

I used to know a guy named Galen at OSU, worked with him on Windows &
Netware stuff, taught me a lot.

Steve

Steve,

Bah, well if he taught you anything it couldn't possibly have been me.
(Actually, the way I figure it is if I say I know nothing and am wrong in my
posts people don't think twice but if I'm right they'll think I've learned
something.) <g>

Galen