Need to run chkdsk /f but C: drive locked

MarcLister · 28 Aug 2008 at 01:38

Running a simple chkdsk as:

Code:

chkdsk c:

I find there is something wrong and needs to be fixed. Obviously

Code:

chkdsk c: /f

won't work in XP. So I accept the offer to run chkdsk on next reboot. chkdsk runs but it doesn't invoke the /f parameter so the error is never fixed.

I also tried booting into Safe mode so I could run

Code:

chkdsk c: /f

but Windows is saying that C: is still locked. How can I force XP or my PC to run

Code:

chkdsk c: /f

?

I just ran

Code:

chkdsk c: /f

then restarted. Yet another

Code:

chkdsk c:

reveals the errors are still there so I'm not getting the /f parameter run during the reboot at all.

So how can I fix these errors?

helmutcheese · 28 Aug 2008 at 02:24

Could boot to XP CD and choose Recovery console.

Then you can force a CHKDSK, think its CHKDSK /P

I cannot remember but it tells you every CMD by typing HELP and when you try CHKDSK and it tells you it does not need run one it will tell you the CMD to force it to CHKDSK.

ns400r · 28 Aug 2008 at 02:38

Right click the drive in My Computer then choose Properties, Tools, Check Now. Tick both boxes and Start. Reboot and see if the error gets fixed.

MarcLister · 28 Aug 2008 at 12:30

helmutcheese said:
Could boot to XP CD and choose Recovery console.

Then you can force a CHKDSK, think its CHKDSK /P

I cannot remember but it tells you every CMD by typing HELP and when you try CHKDSK and it tells you it does not need run one it will tell you the CMD to force it to CHKDSK.

Interesting. This is what I concluded last night.

Will try it later.

ns400r said:
Right click the drive in My Computer then choose Properties, Tools, Check Now. Tick both boxes and Start. Reboot and see if the error gets fixed.

Tried that. It won't run with both boxes ticked as the drive is locked.

decmatt · 28 Aug 2008 at 13:12

Try chkdsk c: /f /x

I think /x unlocks the hard drive

MarcLister · 28 Aug 2008 at 13:17

Solac said:
Try chkdsk c: /f /x

I think /x unlocks the hard drive

Nah tried /x before. Still won't work. There must be some program, perhaps NOD32, locking the drive out.

Sp00n · 28 Aug 2008 at 14:19

User the recovery console as previously stated.

ns400r · 28 Aug 2008 at 15:00

MarcLister said:
Interesting. This is what I concluded last night. Will try it later.

Tried that. It won't run with both boxes ticked as the drive is locked.

Runs at next bootup.

MarcLister · 28 Aug 2008 at 15:04

ns400r said:
Runs at next bootup.

But will it fix the errors? So far using /f in the command prompt and then restarting hasn't.

ns400r · 28 Aug 2008 at 15:16

MarcLister said:
But will it fix the errors? So far using /f in the command prompt and then restarting hasn't.

Yep.

Right click the drive in My Computer then choose Properties, Tools, Check Now. Tick both boxes and Start. Reboot and see if the error gets fixed.

MarcLister · 28 Aug 2008 at 18:58

OK I rebooted after doing the My Computer procedure. chkdsk ran for much longer this time but when I did another chkdsk c: in the command prompt after getting back into XP there were still errors.

I'll try the Recovery console on the XP cd later.

MarcLister · 29 Aug 2008 at 12:55

I ran the chkdsk from the Recovery console last night. It claimed to have fixed the errors. So when I ran a chkdsk from the command prompt in Windows to check I was a bit suprised to see some errors being reported. Doesn't sound too good tbh. Anyone else reckon hard drive is about to pack it in if I keep getting errors on the disk after fixing them?