CHKDSK goes awry

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tom

Several weeks ago, I got a message about a problem with a file and advising
me that I ought to run CHKDSK. I set the computer up to run CHKDSK (I
don't recall which options I chose) and re-booted. When it came up, it
attempted to run CHKDSK but gave me the following message "Cannot open
volume for direct access". I have been getting that same message when I
boot up ever since.

My questions are two: (1) How do I get rid of that message, and (2) If I
need to run CHKDSK in the future, how can I get it to actually run?


Thanks,

Tom
 
tom said:
Several weeks ago, I got a message about a problem with a file and advising
me that I ought to run CHKDSK. I set the computer up to run CHKDSK (I
don't recall which options I chose) and re-booted. When it came up, it
attempted to run CHKDSK but gave me the following message "Cannot open
volume for direct access". I have been getting that same message when I
boot up ever since.

My questions are two: (1) How do I get rid of that message, and (2) If I
need to run CHKDSK in the future, how can I get it to actually run?


Thanks,

Tom
Click to expand...

For now try starting the recovery console and run chkdsk/p. See if that
takes care of the present problem. To get to the recovery console boot
from the installation CD. Take the first R for repair which loads the
recovery console. It will ask for the installation you want to repair,
and then prompt for the password for the built in Administrator account.
Enter the one you assigned when the system was first installed. For
XP Home that's normally blank so just hit enter. Once at the command
prompt type chkdsk /p <enter>. It will take some time to run.
 
tom wrote:
.... snip ...

For now try starting the recovery console and run chkdsk/p. See if
that takes care of the present problem. To get to the recovery
console boot from the installation CD. Take the first R for repair
which loads the recovery console. It will ask for the installation
you want to repair, and then prompt for the password for the built in
Administrator account.
Enter the one you assigned when the system was first installed. For
XP Home that's normally blank so just hit enter. Once at the command
prompt type chkdsk /p <enter>. It will take some time to run.
Click to expand...


Well, I couldn't log in. First, I tried the password for the account that
has the admin privileges. Then I tried a blank as you suggested. The
third try, I re-tried the password of the admin account figuring that maybe
I had mis-typed it the first time. After that I was out of ideas.

Is there anything I can do short of re-installing the OS?


--Tom
 
tom said:
... snip ...




Well, I couldn't log in. First, I tried the password for the account that
has the admin privileges. Then I tried a blank as you suggested. The
third try, I re-tried the password of the admin account figuring that maybe
I had mis-typed it the first time. After that I was out of ideas.

Is there anything I can do short of re-installing the OS?


--Tom
Click to expand...

To reset the password you can use this:
http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/

For one discussion of your issue see this link:
http://www.mcse.ms/archive55-2004-6-811167.html

What SP level is the OS? If less than SP2 see this:
"Cannot Open Volume for Direct Access" Error Message When Chkdsk Runs at
Startup
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=823439
 
.... snip ...

To reset the password you can use this:
http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/

For one discussion of your issue see this link:
http://www.mcse.ms/archive55-2004-6-811167.html

What SP level is the OS? If less than SP2 see this:
"Cannot Open Volume for Direct Access" Error Message When Chkdsk Runs
at Startup
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=823439
Click to expand...

Yes, I have SP1. Unfortunately, I don't want to install SP2 because I
have some hardware incompatibilities plus all of the bad things I have
heard about SP2 (at least from an installation standpoint).

I have checked the links and they look like they may be helpful.


Thanks,

Tom
 
tom said:
... snip ...



Yes, I have SP1. Unfortunately, I don't want to install SP2 because I
have some hardware incompatibilities plus all of the bad things I have
heard about SP2 (at least from an installation standpoint).

I have checked the links and they look like they may be helpful.


Thanks,

Tom
Click to expand...

You're welcome.

For the vast majority of people SP2 goes just fine. The most important
issue is that the OS is running good with no problems and no malware
before doing the SP2 update.

Installing Service Packs
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

Pre-Install, Install, Cleaning Up Afterwards
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=45

What to Know Before You Download and Install Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx

Get the Latest Updates and Information from Your PC Manufacturer Before
Installing Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/oemlinks.mspx

The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=837783

Free Technical Support for SP2
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&x=18&y=6&c1=509&gprid=6794&
 
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