I can't run an error check (scan disk?) on windows xp

[cleofus1]

it's NTFS and I keep getting the message,

"Cannot open volume for direct access...windows has finished checking disk"

and then it skips right to the desktop...i have a 3 gig processor and 1.5 gigs of ram...i had been able to run an "error check" previously...

also...is there a "safe mode" in windows xp?

my machine seems to be running just fine...i just usually run a error check at least once every two weeks...

[cleofus1]

1. no insight into this?

well i still can't find the safe mode on windows xp....hmmmmmmm....help...

[I_Make_Mistakes]

2. I am not a pc guru, but here's what I can tell you.

When your system is starting up, hit the F8 key, and you will be given the option of starting in safe-mode. You can also look into doing a system restore, (restore to a prior date when your computer was working.).

[cleofus1]

3. got this from the ms website

NTFS file system
An advanced file system that provides performance, security, reliability, and advanced features that are not found in any version of FAT. For example, NTFS guarantees volume consistency by using standard transaction logging and recovery techniques. If a system fails, NTFS uses its log file and checkpoint information to restore the consistency of the file system. In Windows 2000 and Windows XP, NTFS also provides advanced features such as file and folder permissions, encryption, disk quotas, and compression.
See also: FAT32, file allocation table (FAT), file system

also...


If your volume is formatted as NTFS, Windows automatically logs all file transactions, replaces bad clusters, and stores copies of key information for all files on the NTFS volume.


hmmmmmmmm.....

[CBGLuthier]

4. A few answers

Yes, there is a very good safe mode. Just hit F8 as in all other Windows versions. Safe mode in XP is much better because you can also choose a safe mode with network access and all USB devices and CD-Roms still work unlike some older OS's.

What should happen when you try to run scandisk in XP is it should tell you that this can't be done without rebooting and ask if you want to schedule this when you restart.

It will then run scandisk before XP loads.