Can I clear a set dirty bit for an external drive?

by wreathall Feb 7, 2009 4:55AM PST

I mistakenly set a 'run chkdsk /f' command for an external drive using a trial version of Diskeeper 2009 (I have Diskeeper 10 installed but it won't run on large drives). However chkdsk will not run at startup on the external drive. Thus now I cannot defrag the external drive using any program.
I have asked Diskeeper support for help but no reply. I have tried using fsutil dirty query D: which reports the dirty bit is set, and then using chkntfs /d D: to clear the bit but nothing has changed. I have reset the drive letter (using Partitionmagic) but nothing has changed. I have scanned the various forums but haven't found anything--maybe I didn't look in the right places.
I am running XP SP3 on a Sony VAIO VGN S560P laptop. The external drive in question is a WD 650GB My Book connected via USB. Thanks.

Discussion is locked

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Why not the /X ?

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 7, 2009 5:13AM PST

http://www.ocforums.com/archive/index.php/t-364018.html

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Because I need to clear the dirty bit

by wreathall Feb 8, 2009 2:10AM PST

Thanks for the reply. Problem is, I need to be able to clear the dirty bit, either by actually running chkdsk /f or by otherwise eliminating the bit. With the bit present defrag won't run. Using /X or otherwise editing the registry just are ways to stop chckdsk running. My problem is it won't run on the external drive. I tried booting up in safe mode (suggested elsewhere) but still no chkdsk on the external drive. (BTW, chkdsk w/o the /f says there are no problems.)

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Just so we're clear.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 8, 2009 3:39AM PST

Not all machines can chkdsk USB drives during boot. You feel yours should, I know not all can.

Let's get back to the base issue:
1. "However chkdsk will not run at startup on the external drive."

My answer. Not all machines can do that.

2. "cannot defrag the external drive using any program."

Remember that everything doesn't always work in the land of Windows. So I can only offer what I use and what I see happening out there.

3. Let's check that dirty bit.
chkntfs C:

Change C: to the drive in question.

You can imagine my ire when I went round and round on the dirty bit question and when they brought in the drive, the dirty bit was not set at all. CHKDSK /F C: will clear it if there are no errors and there are other reasons for defrag to fail.
Bob

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I did not know that...

by wreathall Feb 8, 2009 5:40AM PST

Did not know that some USB drives do not run CHKDSK in Windows.

I used the CHKDSK /F x: command on the drive and it seemed to run OK. I then reran chkntfs x: (which previously said the drive was dirty) and now it said that it would run CHKDSK at the next manual boot. However it looks like the defrag program runs--it does not report that the drive is dirty.

Thanks for all your help.

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And that's all that matters.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 8, 2009 6:00AM PST

Glad you kept at it.

Can I clear a set dirty bit for an external drive?

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