Vista Tutorial - Chkdsk will Not Run at Startup in Vista

**Brink** · **STEP ONE:**

How to Fix Chkdsk will Not Run at Startup in Vista

Information

If after you set Check Disk or chkdsk to run at startup it will not run, then this will show you how to fix this problem so chkdsk will run at startup. This problem is usually caused when the autochk.exe file gets corrupted, or the registry BootExecute data value is incorrect.

This is not for if chkdsk cannot finish or stops running.

NOTE

Check Disk uses the file autochk.exe to run chkdsk.
If you still cannot run chkdsk at startup after this, then you might consider performing a System Restore, Repair Installation, or Clean Installation to fix the problem. See related links below.
If you had changed your default boot screen, then you will need to temporarily uncheck the No GUI boot to be able to see what is happening when chkdsk is running at boot up. See: How to Enable or Replace the Hidden Aurora Boot Screen in Vista

RELATED LINKS:

STEP ONE:
Safe Mode Workaround

NOTE

This is to see if something may be loading before the check disk program preventing chkdsk from running.

1. Schedule check disk to run using chkdsk /f (STEP FIVE below) in the command promt.

2. Run msconfig (step 1 in METHOD TWO at link), and click on the Boot
tab and click on Safe boot with the minimal button selected. (See screenshot below)

3. Restart the computer to hopefully have chkdsk run.

4. Set msconfig (step 2 in METHOD TWO at link) to boot normally again.

5. If chkdsk still will not run at startup, then proceed with the steps below. If it did, then you're done.

STEP TWO:
Run a SFC /SCANNOW Command

1. Try running a sfc /scannow command to see if it can fix chkdsk.

2. When SFC is finished, try running chkdsk again.

3. If chkdsk still will not run at startup, then proceed with the steps below. If it did, then you're done.

STEP THREE:
Reset chkdsk BootExecute

NOTE

This will reset chkdsk back to it's default setting of not to run at startup.
This step will also fix the problem of chkdsk always running at startup.
If BootExecute already has a Data value of autocheck autochk *, then you do not need to do this. (See the Manual Way below to check) Continue to STEP FOUR below instead.

Through a Download:
1. Click on the download button below to download the Reset_chkdsk.reg file.

2. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.

3. Right click on the .reg file (on Desktop) and click on Merge.

4. Click on the Run button for Security Warning pop-up.

5. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.

6. When done, you can delete the .reg file (on Desktop).

The Manual Way:
1. Open the Start Menu.

2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.

3. Click on the Continue button in the UAC prompt.

4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below step 5)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager

5. In the right pane, right click on BootExecute and click on Modify.

6. Type autocheck autochk * and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You will be replacing autocheck autochk /p \??\C: with autocheck autochk* instead. If BootExecute already has a Data value of autocheck autochk *, then you do not need to do this. Go to STEP THREE below.

7. Close regedit.

STEP FOUR:
Replace autochk.exe File

NOTE

This will show you how to replace your corrupted copy of the autochk.exe file with clean copy to be able to run chkdsk at startup.

1. In Windows Explorer, go to C:\Windows\System32\autochk.exe. (See screenshot below)

2. Take ownership of the file autochk.exe at the C:\Windows\System32\autochk.exe location. (See screenshot above)

3. Right click on autochk.exe and click on Properties. (See screenshot below step 1)

4. Click on the Details tab. (See screenshots below)
A) Make note of what File version the autochk.exe file is.
NOTE: If the File version is blank or you have SP1 installed, then do step 6. If not, then do step 7.

5. Download the same version that you have in step 4.

6. For the 6.0.6002.18005 SP2 Version of autochk.exe -
NOTE: This is for the 32 bit and 64 bit Vista with SP1 and SP2 installed.
A) Click on the download button below to download the 6.0.6002.18005.zip file.

B) Go to step 9.

7. For the 6.0.6001.18000 SP1 Version of autochk.exe -
NOTE: This is for the 32 bit and 64 bit Vista with SP1 installed.
A) Click on the download button below to download the 6.0.6001.18000.zip file.

B) Go to step 9.

8. For the 6.0.6000.16386 RTM Version of autochk.exe -
NOTE: This is for the 32 bit and 64 bit Vista without SP1 or SP2 installed. This version has been reported to still work with or without SP1 installed, so you may try it if you still have problems with the newer 6.0.6001.18000 SP1 or 6.0.6002.18005 SP2 version.
A) Click on the download button below to download the 6.0.6000.16386.zip file.

9. Save the ZIP file to your desktop.

10. Right click on autochk.exe.zip and click on Open.

11. Extract the autochk.exe file to your desktop.

12. Right click on the autochk.exe file on your desktop and click on Properties and the Unblock button under the General tab. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If you do not have the Unblock button, then it is already unblocked. Continue on to step 13.

13. Right click on the autochk.exe file on your desktop and click on Copy.

14. Go back to the Windows Explore window at C:\Windows\System32\autochk.exe. (See screenshot below step 1)

15. Right click on a empty space in the Windows Explorer window and click on Paste. (See screenshot below step 1)
NOTE: If it will not let you Copy or Paste the new autochk.exe file (on desktop) over, then rename the old one and repeat step 13, then delete the old renamed autochk.exe file afterwards.

16. Click on Copy and Replace. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: This replaces your autochk.exe with the downloaded clean one on the desktop that has not been taken ownership of.

17. Click on Continue for Access Denied prompt.

18. Click on Continue for UAC prompt.

19. Close the Windows Explorer window.

STEP FIVE:
Set Chkdsk to Run at Startup

1. Try the different methods in this tutorial below to run chkdsk to see which one works best for you.

That's it,
Shawn

**RJCC** · 04-05-2008

I have 3 HP Pavilion 6500 all experiencing the same problem. The following procedure worked, I’m just not sure if it’s specific to HP. HP support was no help!

HP Laptop Vista Ultimate 64

Hit F8 once every second right after starting the PC
This gets you into the DOS looking screen with safe mode and other options, select Repair

Recovery manager starts
Select Advanced Options
Select computer checkup
Select command prompt

CMD prompt starts in X:
Enter C: to change to the C drive
Enter chkdsk /f
When asked to force a dismount select Y

Check disk should now start automatically.

Exit then boot

**Brink** · 04-05-2008

Nice tip RJCC. Thank you for sharing it.

Shawn

robyn242 · 04-08-2008

Hello,

I've followed all the steps here up to and including taking ownership of the file autochk. When I cick properties > Details, it does not give me a file version of autochk. It is just blank. Is there anyway to figure out what version I have or am I missing a step somewhere?

I am running Windows Vista Home Premium.

Any help would be appreciated, and if you need more information, than I can try to get as much as you need. Thank you!

Robyn

**Brink** · 04-08-2008

Hi Robyn,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

When the File version is blank, then use step 6 if you have SP1 installed or step 7 if you do not.

I updated the tutorial for this.

Hope this helps you,
Shawn

**simonsays** · 04-14-2008

This is my second time having to go through replacing disk check since I had to re-install vista because when I installed (sp1) it seriously messed up my system. These forums have been an amazing source of help...which is why I would like to add that "the 6.0.6001.18000 Version of autochk.exe" might not work whether you have the (sp1) installed or not. Quote from this forum, "This is for the 32 bit and 64 bit Vista with SP1 installed."
If "6.0.6000.16386 Version of autochk.exe" is one that you used before, regardless of whether you have (sp1) installed or not, it will still work. Quote from this forum, "This is for the 32 bit and 64 bit Vista without SP1 installed."

I hope this is helpful.

**Brink** · 04-14-2008

Hi SimonSays,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

Thank you for reporting this. It has been added to the tutorial.

Shawn

Boost · 04-15-2008

This did not work for me. I'm on a Gateway P-6831FX with Vista Home Premium x64 SP1.

I followed everything exactly, but it still won't run CHKDSK at startup.

I noticed when I run SFC /SCANNOW it says there are files it could not fix. I briefly skimmed through the log but didn't notice anywhere where it mentioned errors. I will have to check it more thoroughly later

Also the AUTOCHK.EXE file gets corrupted after every reboot. Any ideas?

I have ran the CHKDSK through the recovery console after booting from the DVD of Vista, and it reports no errors.

**Brink** · 04-15-2008

Hi Boost,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

It may be beyond simple repair. You might try doing a System Restore with a restore point dated before this problem started to see if it can help.

Shawn

Boost · 04-15-2008

Quote: Originally Posted by Brink

Hi Boost,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

Thanks.

Quote:

It may be beyond simple repair. You might try doing a System Restore with a restore point dated before this problem started to see if it can help.

Shawn

I've already tried the restore. I was affraid that was the answer.

04-05-2008
RJCC Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Ultimate x64 1 posts	Re: Chkdsk will Not Run at Startup in Vista I have 3 HP Pavilion 6500 all experiencing the same problem. The following procedure worked, I’m just not sure if it’s specific to HP. HP support was no help! HP Laptop Vista Ultimate 64 Hit F8 once every second right after starting the PC This gets you into the DOS looking screen with safe mode and other options, select Repair Recovery manager starts Select Advanced Options Select computer checkup Select command prompt CMD prompt starts in X: Enter C: to change to the C drive Enter chkdsk /f When asked to force a dismount select Y Check disk should now start automatically. Exit then boot
My System Specs

04-05-2008
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 (7600) x64 25,806 posts	Re: Chkdsk will Not Run at Startup in Vista Nice tip RJCC. Thank you for sharing it. Shawn
My System Specs

04-08-2008
robyn242 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Vista Home Premium 32bit 1 posts	Re: Chkdsk will Not Run at Startup in Vista Hello, I've followed all the steps here up to and including taking ownership of the file autochk. When I cick properties > Details, it does not give me a file version of autochk. It is just blank. Is there anyway to figure out what version I have or am I missing a step somewhere? I am running Windows Vista Home Premium. Any help would be appreciated, and if you need more information, than I can try to get as much as you need. Thank you! Robyn
My System Specs

04-08-2008
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 (7600) x64 25,806 posts	Re: Chkdsk will Not Run at Startup in Vista Hi Robyn, Welcome to Vista Forums. When the File version is blank, then use step 6 if you have SP1 installed or step 7 if you do not. I updated the tutorial for this. Hope this helps you, Shawn
My System Specs

04-14-2008
simonsays Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Vista Ultimate 1 posts	Re: Chkdsk will Not Run at Startup in Vista This is my second time having to go through replacing disk check since I had to re-install vista because when I installed (sp1) it seriously messed up my system. These forums have been an amazing source of help...which is why I would like to add that "the 6.0.6001.18000 Version of autochk.exe" might not work whether you have the (sp1) installed or not. Quote from this forum, "This is for the 32 bit and 64 bit Vista with SP1* installed." If "6.0.6000.16386 Version of autochk.exe" is one that you used before, regardless of whether you have (sp1) installed or not, it will still work. Quote from this forum, "This is for the 32 bit and 64 bit Vista without SP1** installed." I hope this is helpful.*
My System Specs

04-15-2008
Boost Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Vista Home Premium x64 2 posts	Re: Chkdsk will Not Run at Startup in Vista This did not work for me. I'm on a Gateway P-6831FX with Vista Home Premium x64 SP1. I followed everything exactly, but it still won't run CHKDSK at startup. I noticed when I run SFC /SCANNOW it says there are files it could not fix. I briefly skimmed through the log but didn't notice anywhere where it mentioned errors. I will have to check it more thoroughly later Also the AUTOCHK.EXE file gets corrupted after every reboot. Any ideas? I have ran the CHKDSK through the recovery console after booting from the DVD of Vista, and it reports no errors.
My System Specs

Similar Threads
Tutorial	Category
Chkdsk runs EVERYtime on startup - how do I make it STOP???	General Discussion
Chkdsk runs EVERYtime on startup - how do I make it STOP???	Vista performance & maintenance
chkdsk does not run at startup	Vista performance & maintenance
CHKDSK /R or CHKDSK /F permission issues.	Vista General
ChkDsk on Vista	Vista General