Cannot check disk for errors

Mrssmiff · #1 (**permalink**) 25-10-2009, 05:32 PM

Hello! I tried reading a previous thread with a similar title, but I did not find the help I need. Like the other poster, I am not brilliant with computers so please bear with me.

I tried to do a system restore and got a message telling me there were errors on my c drive and to check the c:\ drive which it would not let me do, because it was in use. I scheduled a check disk for when the pc next started and it cannot do it. I get message which reads - cannot access the volume check disk has now finished.

I have an Acer Aspire L320 desktop pc with Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6320 @ 1.86 GHz 1.87 GHz; 1GB memory and 1.44 GB space on each of the c:\ and d:\ drives.

All software was pre-installed and I can find nothing in the literature about a recovery console so I am unsure where to go now. I have tried emailing Acer technical support three times with no response from them, so I would be very grateful if anyone can offer me some help.

Many thanks
p.s I tried to run chkdsk from the prompt and got this message - Access denied as you do not have sufficient priviliges. You have to invoke this utility running in elevated mode. I have no idea what this means!

tallin · #2 (**permalink**) 25-10-2009, 09:30 PM

Hi mrssmiff, welcome to D-A-L,

You would need to be the Administrator on you computer to do most all checks including changing any settings at all.

Download and run the HD Tune 2.55 which is free and report back any errors. There is a 'copy to clipboard icon' along the top for you to post any error information back here into this thread in your next reply.

Quote:

1.44 GB space on each of the c:\ and d:\ drives.

Is the above in quotes correct referring to the free space on your HD's? If it is that is very little and would not allow you to defragment your drive or do much else either. Please clarify in your next reply.

Keep us posted,

kind regards,

Mrssmiff · #3 (**permalink**) 26-10-2009, 03:45 PM

Hello again,

Thank you for your response to my problem. Firstly I believe my hard drive is in fact 320GB (I got this info from the HD Tune application, which I downloaded and ran. The results are below:

HD Tune: Hitachi HDT725032VLA Benchmark

Transfer Rate Minimum : 0.5 MB/sec
Transfer Rate Maximum : 66.9 MB/sec
Transfer Rate Average : 47.0 MB/sec
Access Time : 15.9 ms
Burst Rate : 114.9 MB/sec
CPU Usage : 11.3%

I am the administrator on the pc and have to use a password to log in, so I don't know how to be able to use the chkdsk function at the c:\ prompt.

I also ran a quick scan and a full scan using the HD Tune application and all sectors were green, indicating no problems. Hope this information is of use to you and I look forward to your help.

Cheers

tallin · #4 (**permalink**) 26-10-2009, 06:31 PM

Thank you for your reply,

When you open HDTune, click the info tab which will tell you about your HD information.

Another way would be to

Double click on My Computer
Right click C:\Drive > Properties which will give you information required
Do the same with D:\Drive
An attachment is enclosed for your information what your result should look like

Report back free and used space on each drive please.

To run ChkDsk from the command prompt follow this link.

You could also run an SFCScannow scan if you follow this link which will check if you have all .dll files and none are corrupted.

I would draw your attention to my maintenance link in my signature below which is necessary housework to keep your computer running well.

Let us know how you proceed please.

kind regards,

Mrssmiff · #5 (**permalink**) 26-10-2009, 09:39 PM

Hello again.

I have looked at the properties of both my c and d drives and the results are as follows:

Used space on C drive is 78GB and unused is 66.2 GB.
Used space on D drive is 33.8GB and unused is 110GB.

I have ran the sfc scannow on c:\windows\system and from c:\ and both results determined there were no integrity violations.

Again, I hope this is of benefit to you and look forward to your response.

Thanks.

tallin · #6 (**permalink**) 26-10-2009, 10:50 PM

Thank you for your concise reply with most of the information needed.

The important item you did not tell me is were you able to run ChkDsk from the link given explaining how to do it from the command prompt?

There seems no reason as I see it that you cannot run ChkDsk as you wish to do so. Is there any particular reason why you want to run it, or were you doing it as a routine check of your HD?

How long is it since you defragged your system? There are options in my maintenance program that will assist you with alternatives to do this if you don't want to use the packaged OS defrag program that came with your OS.

Please let me know in your next reply the result of your chkdsk scan.

kind regards,

Mrssmiff · #7 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 12:19 AM

Hello again,

Apologies for not adding that I was able to perform the chkdsk command and did it once on c:\windows\system, then again at c:\

Both were fine and reported no errors.

I wanted to do a system restore initially and was unable to do so as a message told me that there were errors on c drive and I had to schedule a chkdsk on startup, which I did, but then got the message that there was no direct access to the volume and the check could not proceed.

I have not defragmented the drive as to be honest, I am unsure what it means exactly and am worried I make a mess of it!

I have also followed your advice on the link under your signature and downloaded the avast software.

Cheers!

tallin · #8 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 12:34 AM

Sounds great that your chkdsk ran well with no errors.

Have you tired to do a System Restore since running chkdsk? If you would like further assistance in doing so or setting your system restore correctly, please let me know as we are happy to assist.

Re you defragging your drives. Just decide what program you want to use, and let it do the work for you. What does it do?

Keep us posted with your progress.

kind regards,

Mrssmiff · #9 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 01:03 PM

Hello again,

Have just tried to do a system restore since running chkdsk and the same thing is happening. I get the message - "The disk ACER c: has errors. Windows has detected file system corruption on ACER c: You must check the disk for errors before it can be restored." I can't do this as the drive is in use, so I schedule one for when the pc next starts. It attempts to check c: and I get the following message: "Cannot open volume for direct access. Check disk has now finished."

Although it is not imperative I do a system restore at this point, it is worrying for when I may need to do this is the future.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

tallin · #10 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 09:32 PM

Here is a troubleshooting link that should help you set your System Restore and ultimately have it running satisfactorily. Just for your information I have my System Restore set on 3% = 1095MB.

System Restore Frequently asked questions

Suggest you go here: http://www.howtogeek.com/tag/windows-vista/
and scroll down to "Create a Restore Point for Windows Vista's System Restore" easy to follow tutorial.

Post back if you need more information please.

kind regards,