Defrag & Chkdsk Problem

[FlyTags]

Went to defrag my C:\ drive this evening and got an interesting message:

"Disk defragmenter has detected that Chkdsk is scheduled to run on the volume: (C. Please run Chkdsk /f."

So, I run "Chkdsk /f" and I get this message: "Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N)"

I've tried saying "Y" and rebooting - nothing happens and I still get the same error. I tried saying "N" and rebooting - nothing happens and I get the same error.

Anyone have any idea what might be causing this and how to fix it? I thought maybe it was my Norton AntiVirus AutoProtect... Maybe it's hogging the drive. Dunno. Either way, I disabled it and Defrag/Chkdsk still won't run.

On another note, I am able to easily defragment my D: drive. No problems there at all.

Suggestions? Thanks!

-Fly

[filipino]

hmmm try to check for adware and spyware if you dont have one download ad-aware6 at www.downloads.com after install update then scan if still having problem check to on startup on msconfig, click start then run type msconfig then click on startup tab try to see if there save.exe running on startup if so uncheck it then restart. to make sure do ad-aware scan.

[FlyTags]

Quick update: I'm currently rooting around in the Windows Recovery Console and attempted to run chkdsk in there. The results included "one or more errors on the drive", so I'm currently running chkdsk again with the repair option. I hope this drive isn't crapping out on me... It's only two months old! Ugh...

Anyway, if this doesn't fix the problem, I'll give your suggestion a shot, filipino. I typically do scan for adware/spyware every week or so, but haven't done it in a while.

-Fly

[jonzfel]

what OS are you using flytags...?

[FlyTags]

Windows XP Professional

[Dj-Icer]

Where did you do it? Looks like you're at the ms-dos area.

I've experience this sort of mess before, when using Windows 95 and 98. When I try to check disk or defrag, sometimes it'll go hang and most oftenly, a message pop out saying you can't defrag...bla...bla...dot..com.

But then, I fixed that by reinstalling my OS.

[rpertusio]

The reason your computer wont allow drive C: to be checked is because it is what Windows is running from. Windows will *never* be able to check drive C: while it is running.

However, what is expected when you hit "Y" is that it would run checkdisk before windows loads up. However, it appears as though it is completely skipping that step for some reason.

Doing the chkdsk from the recovery console is the right thing to do. It sounds like you'll be fine. It is common for chkdsk to 'find problems' even when there aren't any.

One further note.. regardless of the outcome.. you should check for spyware/adware as mentioned earlier.

- rp

[FlyTags]

Update: Okay, running "chkdsk /r" from the recovery console fixed the problem. Took a bit, but it supposedly fixed the errors that were found. Once I rebooted into Windows, I ran Defrag with no problems. I'll be doing my usual check for ad/spyware this afternoon, as well.

Anyway, as it looks right now: problem solved. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions!

-Fly

[FreezPop]

ok, I have the same problem as FlyTags explained. What happened was that I was defragging my d drive and then the weather outside caused a power failure. When Windows reloaded, I couldnt defrag that drive anymore. I couldnt even analyze it. It gave me the same error message that FlyTags got.

I read through all of your tips and stuff... but I was wondering if any one can explain them in more detail, im no computer whiz. Like can anyone step by step tell me how to solve this problem? Thanx.

[rpertusio]

1. Grab your Windows XP CD and put it in the drive
2. Restart your computer. When asked to "Press any key to continue..." press a key!
3. Windows setup will begin to load some drivers, then you'll be prompted with a screen with two options... To install Windows XP or Repair using the Recovery Console
4. Press 'R' to start the Recovery Console.
5. You will be prompted to log onto a windows installation. (Type the number and enter your administrator password, or leave it blank)
6. Once logged in, you will be sitting at a command prompt similar to "C:\WINDOWS\>"
7. At the prompt, type chkdsk /r and the drive will be scanned for errors/repaired
8. Once complete (may be a few minutes to a few hours), type EXIT at the prompt and leave the Recovery Console

Hope that helps!

[sr71000]

can you use the disk at all?? can you look at the files saved on it and stuff like that??

[FreezPop]

Ok, my problem sucks.

I tried everything rpertusio and flytags said. So heres the deal, the computer is a sony vaio RZ model and I dont think it came with a windows cd. All it has is sony system recovery cds. I have a windows xp professional cd (the sony one is windows home) and I use that one to boot up. I get stuck at the place where it asks for administrator password. I dont ever remember putting one in... so I cant get logged in to run the chkdsk.... what to do now?

[rpertusio]

If you dont remember putting in a password, maybe there IS no password. (Just press Enter when it asks to enter a 'blank' password)

You can also set the administrator password, assuming you have Windows XP Professional installed.

Boot normally (without the CD) and go to the Start Menu -> Run... and type control userpasswords2 and click OK. When the 'User Accounts' dialog pops up, click the Administrator account, then press the [Reset Password...] button at the bottom.

- rp

[FreezPop]

rpertusio,

thanks for your help. I did exactly what you said, blank/new password but it didnt work. The version of windows on my computer is home edition and the cd that im booting off of is professional, could that be the cause?

[rpertusio]

dont think that would matter. You need to reset the administrator password somehow. Try this. Let's assume you want to set the Administrator password to 'MyNewPassword' (obviously choose something else)

Start Menu -> Run... and type cmd
then, at the command prompt, type: net user Administrator MyNewPassword

Now try booting to CD with that password and try again!

- rp

[FreezPop]

tried that... and it didnt work... sigh.

my computer is too damn stubborn!

[Rockero1989]

Hello. Just last week i ran disk defragmenter and analyzed it. Well it said that it is recommended that i defragment my disk HP_PAVILION (C: ). I didn't have enough time to run it and let it finished so i tried it last week and i just wanted to double check on wheter i should defragment and hit analyze. Well i got the message: "Disk Defragmenter has detected that Chkdsk is scheduled to run on the volume : HP_PAVILION(C: ). Please run Chkdsk /f." I got the same message when i tried to defragment it. Well i did what it said and i ran Chkdsk /f and i got the following message: "The type of the file system is NTFS. Cannot lock current drive. Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N)" I type yes and the black command window closes. I restart my computer and nothing happens. I run disk defragmenter and i get the same message. I read some of the solutions you had and i don't have a Windows CD.

I run Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2
Intel Celeron, ~900MHz
Memory 126MB RAM

Any information that you might need to help me don't hesitate to ask
Thanks

[scuba19]

Try using the chkdsk /R /F /X . The /X swich dismounts the drive first