Solved Problem with Check Disk.

J

jackson88

Member
Windows Vista Home Premium:

About 6 months ago I ran a Check Disk of my C Drive (using the Vista Error Checking tool), and checked both boxes before starting (Auto fix file system errors and Scan for/attempt recovery of bad sectors).

It ran thru the 1st 5 of the 6 checks without finding an error.

On the 6th and final check it runs, it hung (or the 4th of the 5 checks it runs - can't remember if it's 5 or 6 it runs). . I believe it began the check, but stopped and didn't move any further. A few hours later it still hadn't moved, so I did a hard shutdown.

Thankfully all was well when I restarted.

I've been using the computer since without any obvious hard drive errors/problems, but I am fearful of running another Check Disk, although I'd like to at this time.

Any suggestions are welcome as to what might have caused the hang, and whether I should do another Check Disk.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

Hi and welcome.

Why not just for starters try running a simple disk check (Disk Check - Windows 7 Forums).

I would recommend making a backup of any and all your data before doing anything that could have the potential to damage the system.

The hang could have been caused by a damaged system file but is most likely to do with a drive error, none the less it's worth running a system file check (SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker - Windows 7 Forums).

Now you can run chkdsk; hopefully the disk check and the system file check will sort out the hanging.

If it doesn't (which is still quite likely) it's to do with your hard disk, if this is the case we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Post back with any results or if you have any questions.

Remember to backup your stuff.

Oli
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Apple MacBook, 5,1
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz
    Memory
    4GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 9400m
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3" Apple MacBook LCD Screen + 22" HannsG DVI LCD + 21.5" Samsung USB Lapfit Monitor LD220
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800 + 1920x1080 + 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    SATA Internal 2.5" 500GB (305GB HFS+, 195GB NTFS)
    External USB 3.5" 1TB (HFS+)
    Case
    Aluminium Unibody
    Keyboard
    Apple Late 2009 Wireless Keyboard (US)
    Mouse
    Apple Magic Mouse
    Internet Speed
    6.33Mb/s up. 0.36Mb/s down.
    Other Info
    Harman Kardon Soundsticks II Speakers
osholt - Thanks for the response and suggestions.

I see that you've given me 2 links to the Windows 7 Forum. My system is Vista.
Are the instructions in the 2 links identical to Vista instructions?


"Why not just for starters try running a simple disk check (Disk Check - Windows 7 Forums).

I would recommend making a backup of any and all your data before doing anything that could have the potential to damage the system.

The hang could have been caused by a damaged system file but is most likely to do with a drive error, none the less it's worth running a system file check (SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker - Windows 7 Forums).

Now you can run chkdsk; hopefully the disk check and the system file check will sort out the hanging."


"Why not just for starters try running a simple disk check"

It was a disk check which hung the computer, as described above.



I'm confused by the suggestions.

You suggest I do a simple disk check, then a system file check and then a chkdsk.
I thought that "disk check" and "chkdsk" are the same thing.

By a simple disk check, do you mean without selecting "Auto fix file system errors" and "Scan for/attempt recovery of bad sectors", and by chkdsk you mean doing the disk check and selecting both of those options?
 

My Computer

System One

jackson88 said:
osholt - Thanks for the response and suggestions.

I see that you've given me 2 links to the Windows 7 Forum. My system is Vista.
Are the instructions in the 2 links identical to Vista instructions?
Click to expand...

Yes is the answer to that.

Counter intuitively Windows 7 is not in fact Windows Version 7.0 and is actually 6.1 which means it's basically Vista (6.0), just with some big patches, this is why the tutorials still apply.

You only get big differences in these tutorials when you get major user interface overhauls which in this case hasn't happened.

Oli
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Apple MacBook, 5,1
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz
    Memory
    4GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 9400m
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3" Apple MacBook LCD Screen + 22" HannsG DVI LCD + 21.5" Samsung USB Lapfit Monitor LD220
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800 + 1920x1080 + 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    SATA Internal 2.5" 500GB (305GB HFS+, 195GB NTFS)
    External USB 3.5" 1TB (HFS+)
    Case
    Aluminium Unibody
    Keyboard
    Apple Late 2009 Wireless Keyboard (US)
    Mouse
    Apple Magic Mouse
    Internet Speed
    6.33Mb/s up. 0.36Mb/s down.
    Other Info
    Harman Kardon Soundsticks II Speakers
jackson88 - "I'm confused by the suggestions.

You suggest I do a simple disk check, then a system file check and then a chkdsk.
I thought that "disk check" and "chkdsk" are the same thing.

By a simple disk check, do you mean without selecting "Auto fix file system errors" and "Scan for/attempt recovery of bad sectors", and by chkdsk you mean doing the disk check and selecting both of those options?"

osholt - Thanks for answering one of my questions.

I'd appreciate it if you could clear up my confusion re: your suggestions, as expressed above.
 

My Computer

System One

jackson88 said:
jackson88 - "I'm confused by the suggestions.

You suggest I do a simple disk check, then a system file check and then a chkdsk.
I thought that "disk check" and "chkdsk" are the same thing.

By a simple disk check, do you mean without selecting "Auto fix file system errors" and "Scan for/attempt recovery of bad sectors", and by chkdsk you mean doing the disk check and selecting both of those options?"

osholt - Thanks for answering one of my questions.

I'd appreciate it if you could clear up my confusion re: your suggestions, as expressed above.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry for any confusion, I meant to do a disk check within Windows using the tutorial I linked to and to only check not fix drive errors.

Step number 5 in the tutorial is the correct one.

This will just bring up any problems your disk may have so we know what we're dealing with before we proceed.

Again I'm sorry for not being clear.

Oli
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Apple MacBook, 5,1
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz
    Memory
    4GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 9400m
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3" Apple MacBook LCD Screen + 22" HannsG DVI LCD + 21.5" Samsung USB Lapfit Monitor LD220
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800 + 1920x1080 + 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    SATA Internal 2.5" 500GB (305GB HFS+, 195GB NTFS)
    External USB 3.5" 1TB (HFS+)
    Case
    Aluminium Unibody
    Keyboard
    Apple Late 2009 Wireless Keyboard (US)
    Mouse
    Apple Magic Mouse
    Internet Speed
    6.33Mb/s up. 0.36Mb/s down.
    Other Info
    Harman Kardon Soundsticks II Speakers
osholt - "...it's worth running a system file check (SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker - Windows 7 Forums)."

I've done a Check Disk with "Automatically fix file system errors" and "Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors" both checked.

It completed successfully.

Is the SFC/SCANNOW command the same function as the "Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors" when doing a Check Disk (Local Disk: C /Properties/Tools/Error Checking)?
 

My Computer

System One

No, SFC/ SCANNOW checks that Windows system files are all ok whereas the other checks for errors with the disk.

If you need any more explanation feel free to ask for it.

Oli
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Apple MacBook, 5,1
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz
    Memory
    4GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 9400m
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3" Apple MacBook LCD Screen + 22" HannsG DVI LCD + 21.5" Samsung USB Lapfit Monitor LD220
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800 + 1920x1080 + 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    SATA Internal 2.5" 500GB (305GB HFS+, 195GB NTFS)
    External USB 3.5" 1TB (HFS+)
    Case
    Aluminium Unibody
    Keyboard
    Apple Late 2009 Wireless Keyboard (US)
    Mouse
    Apple Magic Mouse
    Internet Speed
    6.33Mb/s up. 0.36Mb/s down.
    Other Info
    Harman Kardon Soundsticks II Speakers
Thanks for the prompt reply, osholt.

I didn't ask as much as I intended to in my question.

I also meant to ask - Is the SFC/SCANNOW command the same function as the "Automatically fix file system errors when doing a Check Disk" (Local Disk: C /Properties/Tools/Error Checking)?

That as you know is the other option when doing a Check Disk, and I had included that option as well when I did a Check Disk yesterday.
 

My Computer

System One

jackson88 said:
Thanks for the prompt reply, osholt.

I didn't ask as much as I intended to in my question.

I also meant to ask - Is the SFC/SCANNOW command the same function as the "Automatically fix file system errors when doing a Check Disk" (Local Disk: C /Properties/Tools/Error Checking)?
Click to expand...


Still the answer is no.

SFC/ SCANNOW checks for Windows system file (the files that make windows work such es explorer.exe) consistency whereas the other looks for corruptions in the disk index file (the thing that remembers where files are on a disk) and other files of a similar nature.

I hope this clears up any doubt in your mind.

Oli
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Apple MacBook, 5,1
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz
    Memory
    4GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 9400m
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3" Apple MacBook LCD Screen + 22" HannsG DVI LCD + 21.5" Samsung USB Lapfit Monitor LD220
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800 + 1920x1080 + 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    SATA Internal 2.5" 500GB (305GB HFS+, 195GB NTFS)
    External USB 3.5" 1TB (HFS+)
    Case
    Aluminium Unibody
    Keyboard
    Apple Late 2009 Wireless Keyboard (US)
    Mouse
    Apple Magic Mouse
    Internet Speed
    6.33Mb/s up. 0.36Mb/s down.
    Other Info
    Harman Kardon Soundsticks II Speakers
Success with the SFC/SCANNOW - no problems.

Also successfully ran Check Disk with the two options - Auto Fix and Scan/Recovery - selected.

So I guess it was a one time glitch when I wasn't able to complete the previous Check Disk.

Thanks again for all the help and reassurance.
 

My Computer

System One

jackson88 said:
Success with the SFC/SCANNOW - no problems.

Also successfully ran Check Disk with the two options - Auto Fix and Scan/Recovery - selected.

So I guess it was a one time glitch when I wasn't able to complete the previous Check Disk.

Thanks again for all the help and reassurance.
Click to expand...

No problem that's what I'm here for.

As you are new to the forum I thought you might like to know how to mark threads as solved as well as the uses of some of the other buttons.

To the top right of this post you will see 3 icons. An orange (+), a set of scales and a red and white warning triangle.

The orange (+) or blue (-) denotes whether a user is on or offline (orange = on, blue = off).

The scales are used to give rep points; click this button if someone has helped you significantly or solved your queries (only give this to posts that you think really deserve it).

The red and white warning triangle is used to denote either an abusive post OR to mark a thread as solved (just put solved in the box that comes up and the admins or moderators will mark it solved).

I'll mark the thread as solved this time.

Oli
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Apple MacBook, 5,1
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz
    Memory
    4GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 9400m
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3" Apple MacBook LCD Screen + 22" HannsG DVI LCD + 21.5" Samsung USB Lapfit Monitor LD220
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800 + 1920x1080 + 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    SATA Internal 2.5" 500GB (305GB HFS+, 195GB NTFS)
    External USB 3.5" 1TB (HFS+)
    Case
    Aluminium Unibody
    Keyboard
    Apple Late 2009 Wireless Keyboard (US)
    Mouse
    Apple Magic Mouse
    Internet Speed
    6.33Mb/s up. 0.36Mb/s down.
    Other Info
    Harman Kardon Soundsticks II Speakers
osholt said:
jackson88 said:
Success with the SFC/SCANNOW - no problems.

Also successfully ran Check Disk with the two options - Auto Fix and Scan/Recovery - selected.

So I guess it was a one time glitch when I wasn't able to complete the previous Check Disk.

Thanks again for all the help and reassurance.
Click to expand...

No problem that's what I'm here for.

As you are new to the forum I thought you might like to know how to mark threads as solved as well as the uses of some of the other buttons.

To the top right of this post you will see 3 icons. An orange (+), a set of scales and a red and white warning triangle.

The orange (+) or blue (-) denotes whether a user is on or offline (orange = on, blue = off).

The scales are used to give rep points; click this button if someone has helped you significantly or solved your queries (only give this to posts that you think really deserve it).

The red and white warning triangle is used to denote either an abusive post OR to mark a thread as solved (just put solved in the box that comes up and the admins or moderators will mark it solved).

I'll mark the thread as solved this time.

Oli
Click to expand...

Thanks for explaining that. I gave you rep points.
 

My Computer

System One

No, thank you and that is what I'm here for ;).

Oli
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Apple MacBook, 5,1
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz
    Memory
    4GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 9400m
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3" Apple MacBook LCD Screen + 22" HannsG DVI LCD + 21.5" Samsung USB Lapfit Monitor LD220
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800 + 1920x1080 + 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    SATA Internal 2.5" 500GB (305GB HFS+, 195GB NTFS)
    External USB 3.5" 1TB (HFS+)
    Case
    Aluminium Unibody
    Keyboard
    Apple Late 2009 Wireless Keyboard (US)
    Mouse
    Apple Magic Mouse
    Internet Speed
    6.33Mb/s up. 0.36Mb/s down.
    Other Info
    Harman Kardon Soundsticks II Speakers
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top