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#1
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Scandisk doesn't run anymore after bad shutdown
I have Win98SE and my computer has quit running scandisk at bootup after a
bad shutdown. What would cause it to stop doing this, and what can I do to correct it? Thanks |
#2
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StartRunMSCONFIG
Click on the Advanced button. There's a setting there that disables Scandisk after bad shutdown--see if it's checked. Otherwise, see: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=273824 -- Gary S. Terhune MS MVP for Win9x "Phyllis" wrote in message ... I have Win98SE and my computer has quit running scandisk at bootup after a bad shutdown. What would cause it to stop doing this, and what can I do to correct it? Thanks |
#3
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On Sun, 15 Aug 2004 09:00:05 -0700, "Gary S. Terhune"
StartRunMSCONFIG Click on the Advanced button. There's a setting there that disables Scandisk after bad shutdown--see if it's checked. Otherwise, see: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=273824 Another cause for this is if you ave installed a utility suite that replaces Scandisk with something else (e.g. Norton Disk Doctor) and then this suite is messily removed, so the change is not undone. I can't remember the details, but seem to remember SCANDISK.ALT and modified WIN.COM as being factors. I'd guess something like the original SCANDISK.EXE being renamed SCANDISK.ALT, and/or the old WIN.COM being replaced with an altered version that calls the 3rd-party disk checker instead of Scandisk.exe -------------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - - "If I'd known it was harmless, I'd have killed it myself" (PKD) -------------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - - |
#4
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I do have both files on my computer - scandisk.exe and scandisk.alt. I know
nothing about win.com or what to do about it. Thanks "cquirke (MVP Win9x)" wrote in message ... On Sun, 15 Aug 2004 09:00:05 -0700, "Gary S. Terhune" StartRunMSCONFIG Click on the Advanced button. There's a setting there that disables Scandisk after bad shutdown--see if it's checked. Otherwise, see: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=273824 Another cause for this is if you ave installed a utility suite that replaces Scandisk with something else (e.g. Norton Disk Doctor) and then this suite is messily removed, so the change is not undone. I can't remember the details, but seem to remember SCANDISK.ALT and modified WIN.COM as being factors. I'd guess something like the original SCANDISK.EXE being renamed SCANDISK.ALT, and/or the old WIN.COM being replaced with an altered version that calls the 3rd-party disk checker instead of Scandisk.exe -------------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - - "If I'd known it was harmless, I'd have killed it myself" (PKD) -------------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - - |
#5
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Check these things in more or less the order in which we suggested them,
Phyllis. First, is it disabled in System configuration Utility (MSCONFIG)? If not, does anything in the KB article I referenced apply (altered SCANDISK.INI file, etc.)? If none of the above have effect, try renaming the current SCANDISK.EXE to SCANDISK.OLD, then rename SCANDISK.ALT to SCANDISK.EXE. If none of the above lead to a fix, use FindFiles & Folders to look for a WIN.* (any file named WINdot{whatever}), and if one is found, is it about the same size as the existing WIN.COM? The tricky part about this one is if you use the same trick on WIN.COM as we used on SCANDISK.EXE vs. SCANDISK.ALT, and the newly renamed WIN.COM doesn't function, Windows won't start and you'll have to undo the renaming using a Command Prompt Only boot, or a floppy startup disk to restore the previous WIN.COM. Otherwise, the problem may not be in the whole SCANDISK at startup function at all. There may be some other setting that incidentally disables SCANDISK from running at startup (a situation that would require journeyman detective work), or the problem may be from an entirely different cause--SCANDISK is prompted to run at startup because a "dirty bit" is present. During a normal startup, the "dirty bit" is set, and during a normal shut down it is "cleaned" from the disk. If the "dirty bit" is never set, then SCANDISK wouldn't run at startup, regardless of whether the shutdown was normal or not. In any case, while automatically running SCANDISK at startup after a bad shutdown is comforting to some, the fact is that unless you have altered SCANDISK.INI to not automatically fix errors, it may get you into deep trouble (SCANDISK is not always right, and when it's wrong, HooooBoy, is it WRONG!) A better procedure is to manually run SCANDISK after a questionable situation (like a bad shutdown), telling it to *not* fix things automatically, then, when an error is found, *you* determine whether or not you want it fixed immediately. -- Gary S. Terhune MS MVP for Win9x "Phyllis" wrote in message ... I do have both files on my computer - scandisk.exe and scandisk.alt. I know nothing about win.com or what to do about it. Thanks "cquirke (MVP Win9x)" wrote in message ... On Sun, 15 Aug 2004 09:00:05 -0700, "Gary S. Terhune" StartRunMSCONFIG Click on the Advanced button. There's a setting there that disables Scandisk after bad shutdown--see if it's checked. Otherwise, see: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=273824 Another cause for this is if you ave installed a utility suite that replaces Scandisk with something else (e.g. Norton Disk Doctor) and then this suite is messily removed, so the change is not undone. I can't remember the details, but seem to remember SCANDISK.ALT and modified WIN.COM as being factors. I'd guess something like the original SCANDISK.EXE being renamed SCANDISK.ALT, and/or the old WIN.COM being replaced with an altered version that calls the 3rd-party disk checker instead of Scandisk.exe -------------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - - "If I'd known it was harmless, I'd have killed it myself" (PKD) -------------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - - |
#6
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Thank you so much for all the info. Since it sounds like it doesn't really
have to be running then I won't worry too much more about it. I run a manual scandisk and defrag every month anyway as part of my maintenance, cleanup, etc. If you think it is necessary, I will run scandisk myself after the bad shutdown. I do get them occasionally even though I hate it when this darn computer freezes up or whatever it does. I dearly wish it would be perfect. Thanks .. "Gary S. Terhune" wrote in message ... Check these things in more or less the order in which we suggested them, Phyllis. First, is it disabled in System configuration Utility (MSCONFIG)? If not, does anything in the KB article I referenced apply (altered SCANDISK.INI file, etc.)? If none of the above have effect, try renaming the current SCANDISK.EXE to SCANDISK.OLD, then rename SCANDISK.ALT to SCANDISK.EXE. If none of the above lead to a fix, use FindFiles & Folders to look for a WIN.* (any file named WINdot{whatever}), and if one is found, is it about the same size as the existing WIN.COM? The tricky part about this one is if you use the same trick on WIN.COM as we used on SCANDISK.EXE vs. SCANDISK.ALT, and the newly renamed WIN.COM doesn't function, Windows won't start and you'll have to undo the renaming using a Command Prompt Only boot, or a floppy startup disk to restore the previous WIN.COM. Otherwise, the problem may not be in the whole SCANDISK at startup function at all. There may be some other setting that incidentally disables SCANDISK from running at startup (a situation that would require journeyman detective work), or the problem may be from an entirely different cause--SCANDISK is prompted to run at startup because a "dirty bit" is present. During a normal startup, the "dirty bit" is set, and during a normal shut down it is "cleaned" from the disk. If the "dirty bit" is never set, then SCANDISK wouldn't run at startup, regardless of whether the shutdown was normal or not. In any case, while automatically running SCANDISK at startup after a bad shutdown is comforting to some, the fact is that unless you have altered SCANDISK.INI to not automatically fix errors, it may get you into deep trouble (SCANDISK is not always right, and when it's wrong, HooooBoy, is it WRONG!) A better procedure is to manually run SCANDISK after a questionable situation (like a bad shutdown), telling it to *not* fix things automatically, then, when an error is found, *you* determine whether or not you want it fixed immediately. -- Gary S. Terhune MS MVP for Win9x "Phyllis" wrote in message ... I do have both files on my computer - scandisk.exe and scandisk.alt. I know nothing about win.com or what to do about it. Thanks "cquirke (MVP Win9x)" wrote in message ... On Sun, 15 Aug 2004 09:00:05 -0700, "Gary S. Terhune" StartRunMSCONFIG Click on the Advanced button. There's a setting there that disables Scandisk after bad shutdown--see if it's checked. Otherwise, see: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=273824 Another cause for this is if you ave installed a utility suite that replaces Scandisk with something else (e.g. Norton Disk Doctor) and then this suite is messily removed, so the change is not undone. I can't remember the details, but seem to remember SCANDISK.ALT and modified WIN.COM as being factors. I'd guess something like the original SCANDISK.EXE being renamed SCANDISK.ALT, and/or the old WIN.COM being replaced with an altered version that calls the 3rd-party disk checker instead of Scandisk.exe -------------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - - "If I'd known it was harmless, I'd have killed it myself" (PKD) -------------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - - |
#7
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(1) Do you have a "Scandisk.alt"? Then, Norton took over Scandisk. So,
look inside of it & in Norton menus/Norton FAQs/Norton Readme for an answer. I do know: When Norton has been uninstalled & Scandisk auto-Scandisk doesn't work, Glee will say to delete that file! (But that's when it's been uninstalled.) (2) As Blanton has said, Scandisk will not necessarily run. It depends whether a write was pending at the time of the crash. If you do crash, it is always wise to run your own Scandisk, anyhow, as the auto-Scandisk is too quick to be doing it all. JUST... don't let yours constantly restart! (3) Look in "C:\Scandisk.log" to see what it may say. Colorado was getting messages in there, even when it seemed the thing was not running! (4) Open "C:\Windows\Command\Scandisk.ini" in Notepad. Change "NumPasses=0" to a positive number. Mine is "=5". (However, if Norton has taken you over, perhaps look in "Scandisk.alt" for that.) (5) http://support.microsoft.com/support.../Q118/5/79.asp Contents of the Windows MSDOS.sys File Careful with MS-DOS.sys: It is an important file. (a) "START button, Settings, Folder Options, View tab". Bolt "Show all files" & UNcheck "Hide file extensions..." (b) R-Clk "C:\MSDOS.sys" in Explorer, select Properties, & turn off "Read-Only" (c) Open "C:\MSDOS.sys" in Notepad. If it shows "AutoScan=0", change that to "=1". (The line may be at bottom, after the filler "X's".) (b) R-Clk "C:\MSDOS.sys" in Explorer, select Properties, & turn "Read-Only" back on. This setting probably is equivalent to all that (but it may get out-of-synch)... (a) "START, Run, MSConfig, General tab, Advanced button" (b) Uncheck "Disable Scandisk after bad shutdown". (6) As cquirke is fond of saying, "C:\Winboot.ini", if it exists, will override MSDOS.sys. So, check for a "AutoScan=0" in there as well, as it has the same format as the other. -- Thanks or Good Luck, There may be humor in this post, and, Naturally, you will not sue, should things get worse after this, PCR "Phyllis" wrote in message ... | I have Win98SE and my computer has quit running scandisk at bootup after a | bad shutdown. What would cause it to stop doing this, and what can I do to | correct it? Thanks | |
#8
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Are you sure Win.com & Scandisk.exe come into it? All I've ever seen is
that Scandisk.alt should be deleted, if it has been left behind after uninstalling Norton. -- Thanks or Good Luck, There may be humor in this post, and, Naturally, you will not sue, should things get worse after this, PCR "cquirke (MVP Win9x)" wrote in message ... | On Sun, 15 Aug 2004 09:00:05 -0700, "Gary S. Terhune" | | StartRunMSCONFIG | | Click on the Advanced button. There's a setting there that disables Scandisk | after bad shutdown--see if it's checked. Otherwise, see: | http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=273824 | | Another cause for this is if you ave installed a utility suite that | replaces Scandisk with something else (e.g. Norton Disk Doctor) and | then this suite is messily removed, so the change is not undone. | | I can't remember the details, but seem to remember SCANDISK.ALT and | modified WIN.COM as being factors. I'd guess something like the | original SCANDISK.EXE being renamed SCANDISK.ALT, and/or the old | WIN.COM being replaced with an altered version that calls the | 3rd-party disk checker instead of Scandisk.exe | | | | -------------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - - | "If I'd known it was harmless, I'd have | killed it myself" (PKD) | -------------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - - |
#9
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I have just uninstalled Norton so that is probably the problem. I have
uninstalled it once or twice in the past also when I get sick and tired of my computer slugging along. No more Norton for me, or at least I hope I don't falter and do it again. I do like the way Norton seems to protect a computer, but it also takes over which I don't like. Do I delete the scandisk.alt since more than likely it was left behind by Norton? Thanks "PCR" wrote in message ... (1) Do you have a "Scandisk.alt"? Then, Norton took over Scandisk. So, look inside of it & in Norton menus/Norton FAQs/Norton Readme for an answer. I do know: When Norton has been uninstalled & Scandisk auto-Scandisk doesn't work, Glee will say to delete that file! (But that's when it's been uninstalled.) (2) As Blanton has said, Scandisk will not necessarily run. It depends whether a write was pending at the time of the crash. If you do crash, it is always wise to run your own Scandisk, anyhow, as the auto-Scandisk is too quick to be doing it all. JUST... don't let yours constantly restart! (3) Look in "C:\Scandisk.log" to see what it may say. Colorado was getting messages in there, even when it seemed the thing was not running! (4) Open "C:\Windows\Command\Scandisk.ini" in Notepad. Change "NumPasses=0" to a positive number. Mine is "=5". (However, if Norton has taken you over, perhaps look in "Scandisk.alt" for that.) (5) http://support.microsoft.com/support.../Q118/5/79.asp Contents of the Windows MSDOS.sys File Careful with MS-DOS.sys: It is an important file. (a) "START button, Settings, Folder Options, View tab". Bolt "Show all files" & UNcheck "Hide file extensions..." (b) R-Clk "C:\MSDOS.sys" in Explorer, select Properties, & turn off "Read-Only" (c) Open "C:\MSDOS.sys" in Notepad. If it shows "AutoScan=0", change that to "=1". (The line may be at bottom, after the filler "X's".) (b) R-Clk "C:\MSDOS.sys" in Explorer, select Properties, & turn "Read-Only" back on. This setting probably is equivalent to all that (but it may get out-of-synch)... (a) "START, Run, MSConfig, General tab, Advanced button" (b) Uncheck "Disable Scandisk after bad shutdown". (6) As cquirke is fond of saying, "C:\Winboot.ini", if it exists, will override MSDOS.sys. So, check for a "AutoScan=0" in there as well, as it has the same format as the other. -- Thanks or Good Luck, There may be humor in this post, and, Naturally, you will not sue, should things get worse after this, PCR "Phyllis" wrote in message ... | I have Win98SE and my computer has quit running scandisk at bootup after a | bad shutdown. What would cause it to stop doing this, and what can I do to | correct it? Thanks | |
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