Vista & chkdsk

Discussion in 'Software' started by dlb, May 27, 2008.

  1. dlb

    dlb MajorGeek

    HP dv2000 series laptop with Vista Home Premium.
    Everytime the PC is booted (safe mode, last known good config, normal) it launches chkdsk. If you try to cancel chkdsk using the laptop keyboard, it acts like the keyboard is dead and ignores all key presses and launches into chkdsk which then locks up at either 2% or 3% (I've left it running all night long, and it truly does lock up at 2% or 3%). But if I plug in a USB keyboard before powering up, I can cancel chkdsk and boot into Vista without issues. In Windows, the built-in keyboard works just fine, as does the USB external keyboard. So, I'm running an in-depth diagnostic right now using Hitachi's Drive Fitness test (it does a great job on all brands, even a SATA Western Digital which is in this laptop). I tried using the WDC diagnostic, but it didn't see the drive :confused I think it was an older version of the WDC tool and IIRC I've had a problem with this particular copy before, so I have to try a different version of the WDC tool before I decide anything. So far, the Hitcahi test is working fine. Anyway- anyone have any bright ideas about the Vista and the chkdsk? and the keyboard weirdness?

    Thanks!
     
    dlb, May 27, 2008
    #1
  2. dlb

    dlb MajorGeek

    The Hitachi advanced test passed 100%. Still it tries to launch chkdsk at every boot, and still the laptop keyboard doesn't seem to work until Vista actually loads to the desktop, but it won't load to the desktop without an external USB keyboard. The USB keyboard is needed to cancel chkdsk, if you don't cancel chkdsk, it locks up. If you don't use the USB keyboard, you can't cancel chkdsk because the laptop keyboard doesn't work until the desktop loads up, but it does work in BIOS and at the Windows boot options screen for safe mode, etc...
    :confused :confused :confused :confused :confused :confused :confused :confused :confused :confused
    Help? Anyone?
     
    dlb, May 27, 2008
    #2
  3. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    HI dlb


    Possible could be corrupted setting causing chkdsk to run always and as its running IIRC usb wont work as you found out.

    So try this, may or may not work but it should reset the dirty bit, boot to Windows using normal KB, and run CMD from an eleveated prompt ( must be elevated for command to work, Start, type cmd in Start Search box and when in search list right click CMD and choose run as administrator... just in case you didnt know )

    Then at prompt type chkntfs /d close cmd and reboot normally without external KB, if still the same then try this

    Boot to where you can access Vista again and open another elevated CMD prompt and type fsutil dirty query x: ( where x: is the HD letter ) if it tells you the drive is dirty then run this command to turn it off chkntfs /x x: ( again second x: is the drive letter and tells the OS not to check that drive at next boot )

    then boot normally!! Then again from an elevated CMD prompt do a manual checkdisk using this chkdsk Chkdsk /f /r x: ( x: the drive letter.. you guessed it )you will go throught the labourious 5 stages and once finsihed see if the dirty bit is still set with this command fsutil dirty query x: if it says dirty bit is not set then hopefully your good to go.

    If NOT, then a chkdsk /r and /f is worth running http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=943974





    if still the same reboot to windows and look at applciations installed as something is likely to be causing this.
     
    DavidGP, May 28, 2008
    #3
  4. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Have you fixed this PC yet?
     
    DavidGP, May 31, 2008
    #4
  5. dlb

    dlb MajorGeek

    Yeah, but thanks for the info. It came in a bit late but I'm gonna stash it in my folder of helpful stuff. I ended up removing the drive, hooking it via USB to a desktop, and running a full chkdsk from there. Then I ran chkdsk again just for good measure, then a defrag just be as thorough as possible. I dropped back into the laptop and it seems to be OK. About 6 restarts and all is well :)

    (I should have "closed out" this thread and posted that I had fixed it.... :eek:)
     
    dlb, May 31, 2008
    #5
  6. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Ah cool on fix.
     
    DavidGP, May 31, 2008
    #6
  7. studiot

    studiot MajorGeek

    Probably teaching grandfather.....

    But I recommend the book

    Windows Administration at the Command Line
    by
    J P Mueller

    To both of you
     
    studiot, May 31, 2008
    #7
  8. dlb

    dlb MajorGeek

    Yeah.... I recently obtained this from..... ummmm..... let's just say I recently got this.... I have yet to check it out though, no time.

    Another good one is "Microsoft Windows XP - Command-Line Reference A-Z". Available as a PDF on line, or as an interactive 'help file' at the following link:
    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb491071.aspx
     
    dlb, Jun 1, 2008
    #8
  9. studiot

    studiot MajorGeek

    Mueller's book covers all versions including Vista, and highlights the difference.

    It also describes various tools not normally installed , but on the Windows Cd or obtainable from M$.
     
    studiot, Jun 1, 2008
    #9

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