skip to main content

CHKDSK Problem. Alternatives?

7 years ago

Hi,

The other day I decided to run a CHKDSK (ScanDisk) scheduled scan, but when the computer rebooted and wanted to start the scan I got an error message. It went by so quickly I did this two or three times to try to read it and I never got the actual number of the error. It said the CHKDSK couldn't run because some "recently installed software" was preventing it from doing so. It wanted me to go through a system restore to get it back to a point where the scan could be free to run.

Well, I don't know what the message means by "recent." Since I haven't run the scan in nearly a year, maybe it means "since the last scan." I don't want to put the two user accounts through the inconvenience of undoing a year's worth of modifications by making my way through a dozen system restores just to allow for the scan. Is there a safe, reliable, free alternative to the (Windows 7 Pro) built-in Scandisk feature that would do the same thing, including making any repairs?

Btw, I don't know what software the message could be referring to. A Palemoon update? A Vivaldi update? CCleaner update? A Windows update? I don't really have any brand-spanking-new software that I've gotten in the last few months.

Any suggestions, including, as I say, any alternative scan to run, would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

Elmer J Fudd

7 years ago

This is not an essential thing to do. Unless your disk is close to capacity, you're having file read problems, or the PC is acting erratically, there's no reason for a user to concern themselves with this.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

badabing2
7 years ago
Try Easeus Partition Manager (free version) - has do the tests you want. Navigate around the marketing stuff (easy). Besides CHKDSK it can do a surface scan. You might also want to gab CrystalDiskInfo (free) that will read the S.M.A.R.T. info about your drives

https://www.easeus.com/download/epmf-download.html

https://crystalmark.info/en/download/#CrystalDiskInfo
not2bright
Original Author
7 years ago
I'll look in to those. Thanks!
Related Discussions
problem getting the right bulbs - alternatives?
Q
Comments (2)
40W daylight is fine. Cheap "daylights" are generally just 6500K colour, slightly bluer than cool whites, and this is fine. There are also expensive "daylights" which have wider more continuous spectrums intending to mimic actualy daylight and reproduce colours accurately. These are also OK except that they are expensive. Grow lights (GroLux, Plant&Aquarium, etc.) are also fine but tend to be expensive. Some people consider that they get better growth with this type of bulb, but I can't make that claim. If the 34W bulbs don't work well then there's definitely no point using them. At best a 34W tube will produce an equivalent amount of light to a 40W, that's what they were designed for after all. In practice, many of them didn't achieve that when they were first introduced, and 40W tubes are now available that are much brighter. Check the lumens, the 34W will be around 2,800 initial lumens, maybe even less. A good 40W tube should be around 3,200 lumens. Ignore lumens for grow lamps, they don't mean much. Lumens for wide spectrum high-CRI daylight tubes may be slightly lower but that's normal.
...See More
IBM thinkpad problem
Q
Comments (4)
Ok Thanks for the tips, so far I ran the CHKDSK /R and it ran all the way and said it fixed some sectors, well now windows will start to load up to the Desktop but no icons show up and there is some black lines in the bottom of the screen.. I tried the blue button but it only gives me 3 options and none are a diagnostic tool. In safe mode it goes to a black screen that says safe mode in the 4 corners... Any suggestions
...See More
Alternatives to removing cast iron vent stack
Q
Comments (5)
Problem solved. The vent stack is laying on the floor in the hall way!!!
...See More
Alternative paints for problem sites
Q
Comments (3)
I am using F&B for the woodwork in my 105 yr. old house and just LOVE it. I am using Lime White, which is a very soft white (not stark white, which I seem to have now). It goes on beautifully and does not show brush marks. I have also used it for my exterior doors this past summer and it was so much better than the BM paint I had used before it. Covered Red (Picture Gallery Red) in two coats and it looks great. With the BM exterior paint, I used a grey primer and 2-3 coats of red and it looked terrible (on wood doors). I think you would be very pleased with the F&B for your woodwork. jody
...See More
not2bright
Original Author
7 years ago
Well, in the past I've run a routine CHKDSK (maybe 2-3 times per year) and (although the summary screen went by rather quickly) I noticed that there were errors that were caught and repaired. So if there are some sorts of problems that wouldn't be found & fixed any other way that a CHKDSK sort of scan, I just figured at least an alternative source (other than the built-in one with W7) might be worth running occasionally.
Richard (Vero Beach, Florida)
7 years ago
Are you using AVG?

If so, maybe disable AVG before rebooting to run the scan. (and reenable after the scan)

Similar question asked on Microsoft.com

The marked answer mentions uninstalling then reinstalling but "Divya R" suggests simply disabling, then reenabling. That sounds easier to me.

I'm not an expert though, just a Googler.
User
7 years ago
If Richard's suggestion doesn't solve your problem...then...in answer to your original question, you could run sfc /scannow in your command window. It's a "relative" of chkdsk but a little more intense. It will repair your system if there are any corrupt files and is the nearest thing to reloading your system from scratch. It takes longer than chkdsk but if you fear your system is in need of this tool, it's worth the time. There is one caveat. It will restore all your settings to their default settings so...if you have personalized your system be prepared to have to reset your chosen settings once this scan has completed. It's not a tool I recommend for general house keeping but if needed...it will do the work necessary to return your system to a healthy state.
not2bright
Original Author
7 years ago
I appreciate the additional comments.

I'll keep the sfc /scannow option on the back burner in case I need it. Thanks!

No, Richard, actually I have Avast (free) anti-virus. The main difference, though, between me and the person with the issue in the link you provided is that he "recently upgrade" when the problem started. I've had W7 all along on this computer and had no problems whatsoever in the dozens of times I've run CHKDSK. It's just odd that I would get a message about some "recently installed" software causing the error message. Anyway, I'll try disabling (or uninstalling) the AV later today and see if that solves my problem. Thanks for the link!
jemdandy
7 years ago
CHKDSK is an old command from the MS-DOS system days. An example format for checking drive D is CHKDSK D. I don't know what the last system version was that could run this command. I'm not aware that it existed in late model PC systems.
dadoes
7 years ago
JemDandy, chkdsk is available on Win7. Am not at my office to investigate Win10.
zep516
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
sfc /scannow does not restore default settings . It simply checks "System files" and attempts to fix or replace them if found bad.
dadoes
7 years ago
Yup, chkdsk is available on Win10. Open a command prompt, type it in. chkdsk /? gives a list of available command-line parameters, same as always.

Related Stories

FEEL-GOOD HOME Back Problems? Try Putting Your Feet Up

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Consider these alternatives to that one-size-doesn’t-fit-all sofa to avoid slumping and spinal stress

GARDENING GUIDES See 5 Native Alternatives to Feather Grass and Fountain Grass

By Oakley Gardens

Enjoy the movement and soft texture of these California bunch grasses in your garden, and do right by your ecosystem

0

STAIRWAYS 12 Fresh Alternatives to the Carpeted Staircase

By Between Naps on the Porch

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Boxwood Alternatives Bring the Chelsea Flower Show to You

Don’t let box blight limit your plans to borrow garden design ideas from the renowned British event

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Kitchen Countertop Materials: 5 More Great Alternatives to Granite

By Kathryn Peltier Design

Get a delightfully different look for your kitchen counters with lesser-known materials for a wide range of budgets

MOST POPULAR Meet a Lawn Alternative That Works Wonders

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Carex can replace turfgrass in any spot, is low maintenance and adjusts easily. Add its good looks and you’ve got a ground cover winner

KITCHEN DESIGN Your Kitchen: 10 Great Alternatives to Granite Counters

GARDENING GUIDES Garden-Friendly Native Alternatives to Overplanted Exotics

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

There are lots of gorgeous, wildlife-friendly native plants ready to make an appearance in your garden

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 7 Low-Maintenance Lawn Alternatives

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Turf isn't the only ground cover in town. Get a lush no-grass lawn with clover, moss and other easy-care plants

MATERIALS Materials Workshop: Polycarbonate — a Low-Cost Alternative to Glass

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

Looking for something lighter, stronger and less expensive than glass? Multiwall polycarbonate may be a good option

Sponsored

Stoneridge Decks & Outdoor Living

22 Reviews

Virginia's Preferred Sunrooms, Decks, & Home Improvement Specialists

More Discussions

Tired of MS Office 365 Monthly Fees?

1