Unable to Checkdisk,Defrag & create Restore

[Shams1]

Hi,
Recently I I'm getting the error messages for the following actions:
-When I want to check for volume from the Windows Tool I get: Windows was unable to compllete the Disk Check. And when I use the CHKDSK command from the Start>Run, I get:Can't open volume for direct access.
-On Defragmentation I get: Disk Defragmentation couldn't start.
-When I want to create a Restore Point, the error I get is: System restore is not able to create a Restore Point. Please restart the computer , & then run system restore.

I'm using windows XP Professional SP3 with two large HARD Drives and 3 GB of RAM. I'm also using the Kasbersky Internet Security 2009, the latest build, without any problem, before getting into this problem. But even now, my system runs very efficiently.

These problems appear to be related and I shall be grateful be if someone, with the knowlege of the problem, to help me out.

These probl

[sparkax]

I had a similar problem.
It was caused by a virus (or trojan) that
converted the first few MB on the Hard Drive To RAW format.
Even when the antivirus/trojan software removed the offending infection , the RAW portion of the Hard Drive remained.
My system seemed to run perfectly
What drew my attention was a change in
the description in System Properties.
The user name and Product ID had changed.
And all System Restore points had been removed.
I too could not DEFRAG or run CHKDSK.
Nor could I use FIXBOOT or FIXMBR
If you find this to be the case -then probably the only choice is to format and clean re-install.

[Bob_180_Bob]

A lot of problems can be fixed with a simple solution, please try to one or, if necessary, all of the following to try and get your PC working again. Start at the first, working your way to the last, that is, if you are able to access the programs shown. If you know your way around a PC, I am sorry for the full details but this is to help people that don’t know how.

Check Disk

1. Right click your disk drive icon (normally “C”),
2. Click “Properties.”
3. Click “Tools”
4. In “Error checking” click “Check Now”
5. Check the 2 boxes, “Automatically fix file system errors” and “Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors”
6. Click “Start”
7. At the pop-up window “The disk check could not……” Click “Yes”
8. Re-boot your PC and allow disk checker to start. (Do not press any key before it starts)

Check Disk from Boot

1. Re-boot PC, after the single “Beep” tap F8 several times until the windows boot window appears.
2. Scroll to “Safe Mode with command prompt”
3. At command prompt Type “ chkdsk /f” (Note;- Space after chkdsk.)

Alternative Start Mode

1. Re-boot PC, after the single “Beep” tap F8 several times until the windows boot window appears.
2. Scroll to “Start with last known good configuration.)
3. Press “Enter”

Or
4. Re-boot PC, after the single “Beep” tap F8 several times until the windows boot window appears.
5. Scroll to “Safe Mode” (With networking, if you want to access the internet)
6. Press “Enter”

Verify Window’s Files

1. Go “START”, “RUN” type “CMD” Press “OK” or Boot PC into “safe mode with command prompt”
2. Type sfc /scannow /f (note:- space after sfc)
3. Windows file protection will check your files. Follow any prompts; you may be required to use your XP CD.
4. Re-boot your PC

System Restore from boot

1. Re-boot PC, after the single “Beep” tap F8 several times until the windows boot window appears.
2. Scroll to “Safe Mode” and press “Enter”
3. A window will open asking if you want to use “System Restore”
4. Select “Cancel” to enter “System Restore”
5. Ensure “Restore to an earlier time” is checked and click “Next”
6. Select an earlier date when your PC worked well. (Must be a highlighted date)
7. Click “Next”
8. Allow system restore and reboot.
9. Check to see if problem still exists.

System Restore

1. Go “Start”
2. “All programs”
3. “Accessories”
4. “System tools”
5. “System Restore”
6. Ensure “Restore to an earlier time” is checked and click “Next”
7. Select an earlier date when your PC worked well. (Must be a highlighted date)
8. Click “Next”
9. Allow system restore and reboot.
10. Check to see if problem still exists.

Clean Boot

1. Go “Start”
2. “Run”
3. Type “msconfig”
4. Click “OK”
5. Click “Services”
6. Check box “Hide all Microsoft services”
7. Click “Disable All”
8. Click “Apply”
9. Click “Restart”
10. System will reboot, Check if problem still exists. (Do not access the internet or open any file you are unsure of as you have no virus protector running.)
11. If problem is fixed, enable the disabled items 1 at a time until you find the one causing the problem. If not fixed, re-enable all and re-boot.

On-line Virus Scan

Go to one or all of these sites and do an online virus scan.

housecall.trendmicro.com

security.symantec.com

us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp

Check Malware

Go to http://www.besttechie.net/tools/mbam-setup.exe
and download and run Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.

Check Spyware

Go to www.safer-networking.org and download and run Spybot

If you have not installed Service Pack 3 yet, do a Windows repair, if you have installed it, first try…..

Post a detailed report

Go to:- www.majorgeeks.com/download3155.html download and run Hijack this. “Do not try to do any repairs yourself.” Save the report and send it with your next post along with any error logs.
To check error logs, go to “START” “RUN” type “eventvwr.msc” Click “OK” and check if there any errors in the logs. Include any information that could help:-
1. What were you doing on the PC when the problem occurred?
2. Does it happen every time you do this?
3. What progs are running as well?
4. What have you done to fix this problem?
5. How long has the problem been happening?
6. Have you installed/uninstalled or updated any progs recently?
7. Any other information that may help resolve your problem. Remember, no one here can see your PC; you are the only one that can tell someone else about the problem.

To Repair Windows XP from your XP CD…..

1. Re-start PC with XP CD in drive (Have your serial number handy)
2. As your PC starts press “F12” for boot menu (Or what your PC may ask for)
3. Scroll to and select “boot from CD.”
4. At prompt “Press any key to boot from CD” Press “Any key”
5. In the Windows XP Setup window, Press “Enter” to set up windows XP, (Don’t worry, this is a repair only, not a fresh install.)
6. At next window, Press “F8” to accept license agreement
7. Wait until windows displays your current version of XP and asks “To repair the selected windows XP installation press R”
8. Press “R”
9. Enter serial number when prompted.
10. Wait for files to be copied (PC will indicate 39 mins, it will take a lot less.)
11. When asked to adjust Regional language options, click “Next” as it is still set.
12. PC will re-boot.
13. If you have AVG Free, copy serial number to a file as you will lose it on repair. After repair a window will pop up asking how you want to treat AVG, Click repair and when prompted enter serial number.
14. Check to see if problem still exists.

[Shams1]

I thank you very much for sharing your experience with me. But I really don't want to format and install again and go through the installation of the mass of software and data that I have and their updated.

[Shams1]

Bob,
My hope is that your very helpful input would solve my problem. But since I'm not technical, it might take me a bit more time in order to try them all carefully and slowly. However, as soon as I finsh, I will report results. Thank you again for your thorough response.

[Shams1]

Bob,
I tried the chkdsk /f in safe mode to no avail. Regretfully, the rest of your very useful input isn't applicable in my case.

I still search for a solution!!!

[Bob_180_Bob]

System restore? Repair windows? sfc /scannow /f? Clean Boot? Check Malware? Post a detailed report? Sorry which one is "not applicable in your case"???
If, any or all of the other suggestions were no good to you (how will you know if you don’t try.) you should at least post a detailed report as outlined in my post, that way people here will be able to see what your PC is doing and may be able to offer a direct solution rather than a general fix all as I have.

[gerbil]

What does Disk Management report for your drive?

[Shams1]

Bob,
Sorry for the long delay. Because, except the Repaire, I had tries them all and "c" drive still remained locked.
But good news is that I finally, used my Arconi True Image, with earlier backup, and restored the "C" drive sector by sector ,from the "D" drive to two weeks ago, which is still fine. Arconi can start just before the start of the Windows and restore sector by sector the whole drive "C". After this incident, I admit that having the Arconi True Image backup is a must.
I thank you again for all the help that you have given me.

[Bob_180_Bob]

Good to hear it is workimg again, and you are welcome of any help I may have given you.
Please now mark as "solved".

[Bob_180_Bob]

I want to check for volume from the Windows Tool I get: Windows was unable to compllete the Disk Check. And when I use the CHKDSK command from the Start>Run, I get:Can't open volume for direct access.
-On Defragmentation I get: Disk Defragmentation couldn't start.
-When I want to create a Restore Point, the error I get is: System restore is not able to create a Restore Point. Please restart the computer , & then run system restore.

To Repair Windows XP from your XP CD…..

1. Re-start PC with XP CD in drive (Have your serial number handy)
2. As your PC starts press “F12” for boot menu (Or what your PC may ask for)
3. Scroll to and select “boot from CD.”
4. At prompt “Press any key to boot from CD” Press “Any key”
5. In the Windows XP Setup window, Press “Enter” to set up windows XP, (Don’t worry, this is a repair only, not a fresh install.)
6. At next window, Press “F8” to accept license agreement
7. Wait until windows displays your current version of XP and asks “To repair the selected windows XP installation press R”
8. Press “R”
9. Enter serial number when prompted.
10. Wait for files to be copied (PC will indicate 39 mins, it will take a lot less.)
11. When asked to adjust Regional language options, click “Next” as it is still set.
12. PC will re-boot.
13. If you have AVG Free, copy serial number to a file as you will lose it on repair. After repair a window will pop up asking how you want to treat AVG, Click repair and when prompted enter serial number.
14. Check to see if problem still exists.