Can't use Disk Defragmenter because of Checkdisc (Chkdsk/f)

I went to scheduled tasks as requested and found no Check Disk there. I double clicked Add Scheduled Task and in the list there was also no Check Disk listed.

Mrivory

Nice catch there Kees, I guess the old saying right under your nose applies to me in this case, lol.

And just for the record, you can't run chkdsk while the OS is up, this is why you get the message it's in use.


Paul

I've done it! I am running XP and haven't been able to defrag for 6 months. Here's how: click Start button, then Run, now type chkdsk /f
Note: there is a space between the chkdsk and/f. A black box appears and says "Would you like the volumn to be checked next time you start the computer" type Y click enter. Now reboot. A light blue check list screen appears and will work through 3 options, when it finds the problem it will slow down. Do not touch anything it will automatically continue to boot to Windows. You can now defrag

I followed your directions to the letter, and now I'm back in business. Thank you so much.

Haha, sometimes the simplest solutions are the best

This article doesn't apply to XP, is that going to make a difference?

Paul

as well as NT 4.0 and Win 2K all of which are based on the NT kernel.

Look in your HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\CONTROL\Session Manager for the pertinent values.

When I go into safe mode and press - safe mode command prompt it lists all the drivers and then the machine hangs up. It won't move or stop or close. I have to do a ctrl-alt-del to shut it down to get out of it. That I find very strange! I tried clicking on a couple different headings (other than safe mode command prompt) and the same thing happened each time.
Michael

are getting hangs in safe mode command prompt as you say, there may be a reason why chkdsk is always going. This may be an indication of a problematic hard drive or corrupt OS. Before anything else, try and back up any important files you have just to be safe.

Second, are you sure it is hanging? Is there a blinking cursor? Can you type anything?


Paul

When I hit the enter key after choosing the safe mode with command prompt it takes me immediately to a page that has from top to bottom a list of all the drivers.
I can't scroll up or down - just that one page is viewable. Nothing is blinking - there is no curser available. There is nothing available. Nothing moves whether I hit enter, esc, tap, backspace, any of the arrows, F8 or any of the F taps or an ctrl-alt-del . The only thing I can do is to hold down the on button until the machine cuts off.
But when I restart the machine I don't get and messages that the machine improperly shut down. I just starts as usual.
I'm totally baffeled. I have everything on my desktop and external hard drive that's needed from the laptop so that's not a problem. I had a hard drive die one year ago on this machine and I lost a lot of data. I'm not that foolish anymore but the new hard drive is one year old and doesn't get that much use because this is a travel computer for me and I haven't been traveling all that much this year.
Any suggestions other than try a new hard drive or OS will be very helpful. I don't wish to go through all that adding back to the computer of software business!!
Suggestions anyone???
Michael

I had someone else with this issue, and I told them to go to C:\ right click , properties, and run the check yourself manually, <<make sure FIX ERRORS automatically>> is checked as it may be finding some but not fixing them, and then reboot, let it run it's course <<don't hit a key to cancel>>and see how it goes and if you can defrag after. This worked for them.

If it won't work, it can still mean a few things but I am really thinking a bad hard drive or corrupt OS. Yes, it's a royal pain to reinstall and unfortunately I do this all the time for people and my kids. Try to think of it as a fresh start, walking on air, no more error OS. Unless your hard drive is bad, lol.

Paul

Thanks Paul.

Your suggested fix worked for me too. After properties, click tools and continue as you said. A blue screen came up and the program went to work.

Seemed like a miracle when I was able to defrag.

The computer had been slowing, unrecognized by me. It'a back to its old blazing speed.

Steve

Nothing worked for me and now my computer has crashed!! I cant even get it to start up in ANY mode, safe or otherwise, so now my PC is out of action and have to resort to an old laptop. I started to get the message on that too and then realised it was down to the AOL software. so uninstalled and reinstalled and its fine. Dont know what to do about my dell PC though!

The problem you've experienced could be the result of corrupted files or possibly a bad hard drive.. To determine if a reinstall of Windows will fix the issue, place your REcovery disc in the DVD/CD drive, then restart the computer.. It should cause the Recovery disc to boot and give you options to reformat the machine and reinstall Windows and all the software as it came from the factory.

It's not always a perfect option but if you've got your important files backed up, then at least, you have a functioning computer again.

Hope this helps.

Grif

I'm having the same problem with the chkdsk error and I tried the simple solution you suggested, and by doing it manually, it still says the same thing the command prompt says. I will try some of the websites that were listed in this thread but are there any other ways of fixing this problem that are mostly simple besides reinstalling?

Follow the instructions below to run Error Checking/Chkdsk in XP:

How To Run 'Error Checking/Chkdsk' On Win2000/XP

After running the above, you should then be able to run Defrag.

If the above step doesn't help, then have you read and followed the procedures mentioned in the posts in this thread?

Hope this helps.

Grif

I had that problem did as suggested now i cant get my comp to open at all, i get a blue screen and message telling me windows has closed to protect my computer! I have tried opening in normal mode and safe mode and get the same screen and message.
Fran

you should start a new discussion. Tell us the problem you are having. Don't let out the details. We need to know the make and model of your computer, OS, Exact error message.

When you posted, the message in red appeared saying

Note: If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

We'll be glad to help you out, but we need more information, but please start a new discussion.


Thanks,

Rick

your check disk idea worked

I've tried everything on this board, to no avail. All the programs I download say that "oh, you do have a problem, but you have to pay to resolve it"

Is there any thing free, or any other way I can do it myself?

for your particular problem. I read nothing about downloaded programs and paying to resolve problems in this thread.

So please start with a fresh new thread, explain your problem, tell what programs you download while trying to solve it, and what EXACTLY each one of them says.

Kees