Windows XP disk check problem
December 28, 2005 3:26 AM

I'm having a problem with the chkdsk facility (windows xp).

Recently, when I have opened a programme (such as Outlook), I have been getting notifications of corrupt, unreadable files, with the recommendation that I run chkdsk. The programmes still seem to run normally if I just cancel the message. When I attempt to run chkdsk, using the error-checking tool in the C: drive Properties, I get a message which says " The check disk could not be performed because the disk check utility needs exclusive access to some Windows files on the disk. These files can only be accessed by restarting Windows. Do you want to schedule this disk check to occur next time you restart Windows. Yes or No". However, nothing happens on restarting when I choose the Yes option and the problem is still there. The No option just gives me a message to the effect that Windows was unable to run the disk check.

Any ideas how to solve this problem?
posted by booksprite to Computers & Internet (4 answers total)
use the xp scheduler thingi, it's in the system config (might be called "task scheduler" or something)

it allows you to plan/schedule a chkdisk after the next reboot
posted by suni at 4:32 AM on December 28, 2005


Did you try using the /X flag?

chkdsk /X

That's supposed to unmount the volume being checked and also implies the /F flag, which you need for fixing the errors.
posted by briank at 7:01 AM on December 28, 2005


It should be noted that, sometimes, having chkdsk "fix" the errors is not desirable. Get it to actually run chkdsk on boot and see what it says, and then decide if you want it to "fix" the errors.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 7:38 AM on December 28, 2005


Boot from your Windows install CD, run Recovery Console (R) and at the C: prompt run chkdsk.

If your file system keeps getting messed up then you may be having hardware problems with the disk drive in which case you should install a new hard drive.
posted by StarForce5 at 9:27 AM on December 28, 2005


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