Solved Performing chkdsk on external disc

Freddie Meynell

Freddie Meynell

New Member
According to Vista Back-up, I apparently have errors on my external hard drive that I use for back-up.

You can't do that whilst it is 'in use' yet it's always in use as soon as you start the computer (though I don't see why).

How can I perform a chkdsk on this drive? I'm using Vista Business 64-bit

Freddie
 

My Computer

System One

In this context, "in use" means that CHKDSK cannot gain exclusive access to the volume, which is what it needs in order to perform a sector integrity scan (CHKDSK /R). There are probably data files on that drive which are latched onto by apps that run in the background, or you've got an Explorer window open and focused on the external drive.

Irrespective, the way around it is to schedule a CHKDSK to run at next boot. I'd suggest installing this hotfix first:

When you restart a computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008, and a volume on the hard disk is corrupted, a black screen is displayed, or the system stops responding

If you try to run CHKDSK /R /X (force volume dismount first), I believe it should ask you whether you want a CHKDSK scan the next time the machine boots, if it can't be done right away.
 

My Computer

System One

Hello Freddie, and welcome to Vista Forums.

In addition, you might also include the drive letter for the external drive in the command. For example, if the external drive has the letter E:\ , then you would type:

chkdsk E: /r/x

Hope this helps,
Shawn
 

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    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
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    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
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    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
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    512 GB M.2 SSD
Thanks so much Shawn. That did the job absolutely exactly. There WERE errors on my external Hard Drive (which Chkdsk fixed) and which was preventing Vista back-up working
Cheers
Freddie
 

My Computer

System One

H2SO4 said:
In this context, "in use" means that CHKDSK cannot gain exclusive access to the volume, which is what it needs in order to perform a sector integrity scan (CHKDSK /R). There are probably data files on that drive which are latched onto by apps that run in the background, or you've got an Explorer window open and focused on the external drive.

If you try to run CHKDSK /R /X (force volume dismount first), I believe it should ask you whether you want a CHKDSK scan the next time the machine boots, if it can't be done right away.
Click to expand...



As above, thanks again. Prob now solved!

What a helpful lot you all are! :D

Freddie
 

My Computer

System One

You're welcome Freddie. I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted. :)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
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