chkdsking partions on startup

[Rob]

Hi all

How do I get WinXP to execute a batch file during startup? I have about a
dozen partitions on this system, and going through each partitions
properties to get a chkdsk done at next reboot is tedious: having a batch
file that can be selectively run or not would be very handy, but I can't
figure out where to put it. Make the batch file then make a little reg file
to insert an entry into RunOnce?

I've also found that I can't install the command console because I've
already installed SP2, that would solve the above problem, if there's a way
to convince XP to just install the console.

Thanks for any advice
Rob

 

[Bob I]

Put the batch file anyplace, and drop a shortcut to it on the desktop.
Click on it at desired time.

 

[Rock]

Hi all

How do I get WinXP to execute a batch file during startup? I have about a
dozen partitions on this system, and going through each partitions
properties to get a chkdsk done at next reboot is tedious: having a batch
file that can be selectively run or not would be very handy, but I can't
figure out where to put it. Make the batch file then make a little reg
file
to insert an entry into RunOnce?

I've also found that I can't install the command console because I've
already installed SP2, that would solve the above problem, if there's a
way
to convince XP to just install the console.

To install the recovery console after SP2 is installed see this link. Note
you can just run the recovery console by booting from the XP installation
CD.

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#021

I'm not sure why you are so concerned about running chkdsk.

 

[Rob]

To install the recovery console after SP2 is installed see this link.
Note you can just run the recovery console by booting from the XP
installation CD.

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#021

I'm not sure why you are so concerned about running chkdsk.

Ah, thank you Rock. There's a lot of other good stuff on that page too, and
having a command console again will be great.

I am / was concerned about chkdsk because we get the occasional power outage
here (no UPS) and I'm concerned about corrupted filesystems.

It's been pointed out though that if XP thinks it needs to chkdsk a
partition at boot it will do it; I don't quite understand this, and have
been operating (for years) under the impression that if the system isn't
shut down properly for whatever reason I should check all its partitions.
I've noticed that all the partitions atm are marked clean; presumably if I
just hit the power switch they'd still be flagged that way, so I don't see
how XP knows if / when to check things.

Have I been wasting a lot of time? Is there any point at all in forcing a
chkdsk because of a power failure / whatever, or will XP look after itself?

Thanks
Rob

 

[Rock]

Ah, thank you Rock. There's a lot of other good stuff on that page too,
and having a command console again will be great.

I am / was concerned about chkdsk because we get the occasional power
outage here (no UPS) and I'm concerned about corrupted filesystems.

It's been pointed out though that if XP thinks it needs to chkdsk a
partition at boot it will do it; I don't quite understand this, and have
been operating (for years) under the impression that if the system isn't
shut down properly for whatever reason I should check all its partitions.
I've noticed that all the partitions atm are marked clean; presumably if I
just hit the power switch they'd still be flagged that way, so I don't see
how XP knows if / when to check things.

Have I been wasting a lot of time? Is there any point at all in forcing a
chkdsk because of a power failure / whatever, or will XP look after
itself?

The NT family of operating systems is different than the Win95/98/ME family.
I would not run chkdsk just because of a bad shutdown. If chkdsk doesn't
run automatically on startup things should be ok. You can do a fsutil dirty
query when the OS boots to be sure.

And let me repeat the warning I posted earlier. Never run chkdsk without
there being a full and complete backup. I use a drive imaging program,
Acronis True Image Home, version 10 to regularly image the system to an
external hard drive to an external drive. That way the system can be
quickly restored if something damages it.

I also use a UPS. They are not that expensive and are certainly worthwhile
if you are in an area where the power is uncertain.