Is it posssible to turn off Xp's scandisk?

from WinCustomize Forums
Does anyone know of a way to turn off windows scandisk so I can scan and fix my disk with another program. Everytime I try to scan with automatically fix errors checked (with a non windows scanner) it says my drive is locked by another program. Thanks to anyone who can help. Have a great day!
11,799 views 22 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Usually because windows or any other program running locks the drive. You have to usually scan your C: on boot up before anything loads up.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I know that,weaksid. I want to turn it off and use a program I bought to scan. Any ideas?
Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Does the other utility offer any options to "Disconnect" or "Dismount" the drive so it can be scanned?

You might also try forcing a dismount of the drive by removing the asigned drive letter in Disk Manager, although the system won't let you do it for the system drive, a drive that holds a swap file, or a hibernate file.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hey there Cindi,
hmmmm, Disabling Chkdisk may not be possible without editing the registry, if at all.. Yrag or Corky would probably be your best sources of finding out the exact way to do it. I have emailed a couple friends of mine who work in the IT field to see if they have any idea's...
I'll keep ya posted.

Good luck!
Zero.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Does the other utility offer any options to "Disconnect" or "Dismount" the drive so it can be scanned?


Hi, No, I wish it did. I dont know how to force a dismount, and I am not educated enough to try it. I would probably mess something up! I appreciate very much your help though! Thanks.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have emailed a couple friends of mine who work in the IT field to see if they have any idea's...


Hey there zero! What a nice thing to do. If doing it involves editing the registry I probably wont do it. I am not THAT computer literate!!LOL Thanks for the effort,zero and I will wait to hear from ya. Cindi
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Scandisk doesn't lock your HD unless you set it to run on a re-boot. Any program running active in the Explorer file system will/could lock it. Anti-Spyware, Anti- Virus, Firewall are just a few. The TCP/IP stack for your Internet connection also must have access in Explorer. My money is on the Anti-Virus....disable it and see if your program runs.....
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It sounds like you are trying to run Norton Disc Doctor, yes?
This is from the Symantec Knowledge Base:

"The operating system or another process currently has exclusive access to this drive or some of its files. Norton Disk Doctor cannot continue with a repair under these conditions. A repair can be scheduled to occur the next time you restart the system. Norton Disk Doctor can still diagnose this drive if 'Fix Errors' is unchecked. Would you like to schedule a repair?"

Because of the way Windows 2000 and Windows XP operate with hardware devices, there is no way for Norton Disk Doctor to repair the C: drive while Windows is running. In order for Norton Disk Doctor to obtain exclusive access to the C: drive, you must click "Yes" on the message box that asks "Would you like to schedule a repair?" After doing this, Windows will run CheckDisk to repair the drive the next time you restart the computer.

Windows XP does not have scandisk anymore, it uses CheckDisk instead and Norton Disc Doctor cannnot be used while Windows is running. You can only use it in a DOS session.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
::nods:: Well, I basically got the same answer (though not as complete) as Yrag has given..(something like "TURN OFF ALL YOUR PROGZ AND APPs AND THEN RUN IT" LoL..im thinkin..too much coffee??..))
Anyway..makes sense, glad Yrag showed up!

Take Care Cindi,
Zero.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
something like "TURN OFF ALL YOUR PROGZ AND APPs AND THEN RUN IT"


That still doesn't cut it.

Look at what JM33 said - it's right.

You can't scan the drive that windows has booted from (usually C:) because there are numerous files locked by windows itself. You need to make a boot CD or floppy and run the utility from there, or use the option to schedule the scan before windows fully starts.

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Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks EVERYONE for all your help. And yes it is Norton I am trying to use. You all have been very helpful, and I appreciate all your efforts. Thankyou so,so much. Have a great evening. Cindi
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Norton, you can tell it to do it on the boot up. That's what I use. I only use checkdisk if I really really have to. What I was talking about was exactly what they said, just in more words about turn off all your programs and apps. But most of the time you have to do it on boot up or it won't scan correctly since things are running.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hi weaksid, I have tried turning off the progs, but that does'nt work because some are locked. I also opted to let Norton do a scan at re boot, but XP did the scan. My problem is that I scanned with Norton (without the fix auto) and it said I have a "security deciphor" error. I dont know what that is. I do know that Norton is famous for false readings. The scan that comes with windows or wherever? has never picked it up. So, I was hoping to fix whatever the security deciphor problem is. I dont have a bug or virus. I run scans for that everyweek with 5 different progs, so I dont know. It could be nothing. Thanks for the time you have taken to respond. I appreciate it. Have a great day! Cindi
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Have you tried using Norton WinDoctor?
That will work just fine in XP.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yes, I have. It does not pick up the security deciphor problem though. It apparently is not a windows problem. It is found using Disk Doctor.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It has to do with folders and files on NTFS partitions.
It's not a serious problem and if chkdsk didn't pick up on it, I wouldn't be concerned about it.
It probably is a false reading by Disc Doctor.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks, weaksid for your time. I appreciate it.

Thanks Jam Meister, I am glad to hear it is nothing serious. I know Norton is known for false readings. I'm glad this is another case of that. It is a relief! I appreciate it.
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
omg... too much stuff aout hard drive problems!!! (eg, check out my problem..


I already did. I am the one that posted #11 and #17.
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I didn't know that when you rebooted with norton, it ran window's instead. That's odd that it did that though. I don't think I ever had windows take over norton disk doctor for boot up.

Hmm, not sure then. I usually do it on startup so I can do a free-space check along with it. It just takes several hours.

If I think or come up with anything and you still have the problem, I'll let you know.
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks alot Weaksid. I appreciate it very much.