Need help with hard disk utility problem

[victor voul]

Every time I start my PC (Dell 8200 1.8 gig with XP) it goes into
check disk mode.
A light blue screen comes on after the Welcome XP logo with the
following message.
"Checking file system on C. One of your disks needs to be checked for
consistency.
You may cancel the disk check, but it is strongly recommended you
continue.
To skip disk checking press any key within 10 seconds.
Check Disk is verifying files stage 1 of 3"

The first stage of Check disk completes THEN a blue screen appears
with a page long message with white type for about 1/2 second so I
can't read the message. The cycle starts all over again.(Is there any
way to freeze this message, so I can at least read it??)
The above cycle goes into a repeat mode over and over.

By pressing any key within the beginning of the first screen I can get
out of he check disk mode, and my PC seemingly works okay
I have attempted to go into check disk manually via my computer>local
disk C>Properties>Tools and this also results in the completion of
ONLY the first stage
And
Running check disk manually with the chkdsk command in DOS terminates
after the first two stages. Now I have found I can't run defrag
either. When I attempt to defrag I get a message that chkdsk is
scheduled to run on C, please run Chkdsk/f.
I do that and chkdsk AGAIN cannot complete.

Can anyone please help me with this frustrating problem?
Thanks for your help!

 

[Joseph Conway [MSFT]]

What kind of errors (if any) do you have in the system event log? You can
rename the autochk.exe application in system32 to stop chkdsk from running
on boot but I wouldnt recommend it if a chkdsk has never completed. Sounds
like you might have a bad drive or at least a file system problem on the
drive. Have you tried hitting the Pause key on your keyboard when the
chkdsk fails to stop the screen?

 

[victor voul]

Joseph,
Thanks for your thoughtful reply.
As I can't use the two hard disk utilities I fear the hard drive's
days are numbered. What other early signs should I look for.
Thanks again!
Vic

 

[Joseph Conway [MSFT]]

System event IDs 9-11-15-50-51's are a good indication of drive failure.
Also, does the drive make any noise when it runs? Typically you can here
the spindle clicking off of the platter if the drive is going dead. Does
the machine happen to get really hot?

--
Joseph W. Conway, MCSE
Windows 9x/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server Group

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Joseph,
Thanks for your thoughtful reply.
As I can't use the two hard disk utilities I fear the hard drive's
days are numbered. What other early signs should I look for.
Thanks again!
Vic

"Joseph Conway [MSFT]" <[email protected]> wrote in message

What kind of errors (if any) do you have in the system event log? You can
rename the autochk.exe application in system32 to stop chkdsk from running
on boot but I wouldnt recommend it if a chkdsk has never completed. Sounds
like you might have a bad drive or at least a file system problem on the
drive. Have you tried hitting the Pause key on your keyboard when the
chkdsk fails to stop the screen?

--
Joseph W. Conway, MCSE
Windows 9x/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server Group

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.