Defrag gives 'unspecified error'

[Siborg]

When I try to defrag I get the message that a chkdsk is scheduled at the next
reboot and defrag cannot continue without the chkdsk being done. So I reboot
and no chdsk takes place so I then schedule one myself and reboot.

The chkdsk always fails at stage 3 with 'unspecified error' so I cannot
defrag and the dirty bit remains on.
How do I either find out what this unspecified error is or turn off the
dirty bit so I can defrag? Thanks.

 

[Olórin]

When I try to defrag I get the message that a chkdsk is scheduled at the
next
reboot and defrag cannot continue without the chkdsk being done. So I
reboot
and no chdsk takes place so I then schedule one myself and reboot.

The chkdsk always fails at stage 3 with 'unspecified error' so I cannot
defrag and the dirty bit remains on.
How do I either find out what this unspecified error is or turn off the
dirty bit so I can defrag? Thanks.

Have a look in your Event Logs for clues. Start Event Viewer with Start >
Run > "eventvwr.msc" [Enter] and check the System and Application logs for
relevant entries. Sorry, I can't remember OTTOMH which it is or what the
Source is, but just look in the right time slot.

 

[Siborg]

When I try to defrag I get the message that a chkdsk is scheduled at the
next
reboot and defrag cannot continue without the chkdsk being done. So I
reboot
and no chdsk takes place so I then schedule one myself and reboot.

The chkdsk always fails at stage 3 with 'unspecified error' so I cannot
defrag and the dirty bit remains on.
How do I either find out what this unspecified error is or turn off the
dirty bit so I can defrag? Thanks.

Have a look in your Event Logs for clues. Start Event Viewer with Start >
Run > "eventvwr.msc" [Enter] and check the System and Application logs for
relevant entries. Sorry, I can't remember OTTOMH which it is or what the
Source is, but just look in the right time slot.

Thanks for the tip Olórin but I can't see anything in the logs relating to
this error, in fact there's no entries concerning chkdsk at all in there

 

[Olórin]

When I try to defrag I get the message that a chkdsk is scheduled at
the
next
reboot and defrag cannot continue without the chkdsk being done. So I
reboot
and no chdsk takes place so I then schedule one myself and reboot.

The chkdsk always fails at stage 3 with 'unspecified error' so I cannot
defrag and the dirty bit remains on.
How do I either find out what this unspecified error is or turn off the
dirty bit so I can defrag? Thanks.

Have a look in your Event Logs for clues. Start Event Viewer with Start >
Run > "eventvwr.msc" [Enter] and check the System and Application logs
for
relevant entries. Sorry, I can't remember OTTOMH which it is or what the
Source is, but just look in the right time slot.

Thanks for the tip Olórin but I can't see anything in the logs relating to
this error, in fact there's no entries concerning chkdsk at all in there

What a pain. My other suggestions would be:

See if there's a drive-checking diagnostic utility for your HDD on the
manufacturer's website you can download and use.

If you've got, or can borrow, a copy of Spinrite, try running that. Make
sure your backups are current in case the disk is failing.

If all you're after is a defrag, you could use a third-party product's trial
period - I use PerfectDisk, but O&O is good, too. For a freebie, many folk
on these NGs recommend JKDefrag.

Lastly, have a look at chkntfs, it might be of some use in your situation:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/160963