CHKDSK runs at each boot on 2nd partition only

WinXP Home SP3 - the PC has one hard drive divided in to 2 partitions: drive C and drive D. Every time the PC is booted up, it runs CHKDSK on drive D, never on drive C. The boot switches are not set to invoke a CHKDSK, the BOOT.INI is normal, there's no malware. CHKDSK does its thing fairly quickly (under 2 minutes) and everything runs fine from there. I'm running a hard drive diagnostic now, but other than the drive actually being mechanically or physically faulty, why would CHKDSK launch only on the 2nd partition? And how do I stop it from happening at every boot?

THX!

(Yes, drive C is the partition with Windows, Program Files, boot files like NTLDR and BOOT.INI - drive D is simply a storage partition with a bunch of videos and music and pictures on it, no operating system files or program files are on drive D)

 

You can disable chkdsk at the command line or through the registry if you find the disk is okay.

http://www.technize.com/check-disk-chkdsk-runs-every-time-windows-starts/

 

There are also some pointers in the following, particularly towards 'dirty bits' and RAM issues:

http://forums.techarena.in/xp-hardware/553526.htm

I'm also finding indicators of HP scanners causing the symptoms, as well as certain Windows upgrade routines...

 

Thanks to you both for your timely replies! Good stuff in those links....

I'm kind of starting to lean towards a faulty motherboard at this point. I ran a memory diagnostic (actually, two different ones) and the RAM is 100% OK. But I have so far been unable to run a HD diagnostic: the PC locks up when the diag tool starts scanning the on board PCI IDE controller. I've tried the factory Seagate tool (the drive is a Seagate) and the Hitachi tool (which is kind of an "all purpose" diag tool since it works well with most other makes; I use it frequently as a "second opinion"). Both lock up requiring the use of the reset or power button.


I have added your links to my folder of "good links"

 

Agreed - with the RAM passing tests and the drives easy enough to check, you're probably looking at a bad board...

Good luck!

 

Yup - I swapped the HD for a known good drive and still get the lock up at the exact same place; I swapped RAM and got the same lock up... bad mobo....