Guys I really am desperate right now... I tried everything to fix this but this message still shows if I try to check for errors using PowerQuest Partition Magic 7.0.

What can I do? Is it possible that this is a hardware malfunction, like bad harddrive? Or is there any other way to fix it?

And is it possible, that my Windows XP has troubles from time to time to start-up because of this error message?

I would appreciate every help I can get.

Dani AI

Generated

For and anyone else seeing "Error 993": that message means Partition Magic cannot get exclusive access to the target volume because the operating system (or a running service/driver) already has files open there. In plain terms, the partition is mounted and in use, so a partitioning/check tool that needs exclusive access will refuse to run. That situation by itself is not proof of a dying disk, but it does block offline partition work and can hide filesystem problems until addressed.

Practical, non-destructive approach: first make a full backup of any important data. Next try to perform checks and any partition work from outside Windows so the OS does not hold the volume open — for example use Partition Magic’s own bootable startup media or a neutral live environment (modern choices include current live partition utilities). Running the tool before Windows mounts the drive removes the "open files" condition and avoids the guesswork of which service is holding a handle.

If you must work from the installed Windows environment, reduce the chance of locks by stopping background services that keep files open (antivirus/backup/cloud-sync/indexing/VSS) or by using Safe Mode, then re-run your check with an offline-capable tool. If a recovery console or repair shell reports an unrecognized command (as saw), that usually means the shell/version does not support the switches being used — use the recovery environment that matches the OS or the bootable partition-tool media instead.

Final checks: verify drive health with S.M.A.R.T. or the drive vendor’s diagnostic tool and keep a recent backup before attempting any resize/move. If exclusive, offline access still fails repeatedly, clone the disk and test on the clone or consider replacing the drive — persistent inability to access or modify a partition can sometimes point to hardware or firmware issues.

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what generated that error? was it partition magic ie pointing out that error? if so maybe there is some help documentation that will tell you exactly what is going on and how to address it.

here we go, i did a search and found you your answer

Solution: Error 993 Partition contains open files. Use the operating system check utility.

To fix this error:

1. Disable any antivirus programs on your system.

2. For Windows 9x systems: Run ScanDisk.
For Windows 2000/XP systems: Run CHKDSK.

To run ScanDisk:

1. Boot the computer from a Windows Startup diskette.

2. At the A:\ prompt, type: SCANDISK

3. Once the basic scan is complete, choose to run the thorough scan as well.


To run CHKDSK:

1. Boot from your Windows 2000 or XP installation CD.

2. Select the Repair option.

3. Select the Recovery Console option.

4. If you have a Windows 2000 system, type the following at the command prompt: CHKDSK /F
If you have a Windows XP system, type the following at the command prompt: CHKDSK /P

5. Once the disk check has completed, type the following at the command prompt: CHKDSK /R


Problem Description:
Error 993 Partition contains open files. Use the operating system check utility.
Error 993
Partition contains open files
Problem Environment
PartitionMagic
PartitionMagic Pro
Drive Image
Drive Image Pro
DriveCopy
server magic

what generated that error? was it partition magic ie pointing out that error? if so maybe there is some help documentation that will tell you exactly what is going on and how to address it.

here we go, i did a search and found you your answer

Solution: Error 993 Partition contains open files. Use the operating system check utility.

To fix this error:

1. Disable any antivirus programs on your system.

2. For Windows 9x systems: Run ScanDisk.
For Windows 2000/XP systems: Run CHKDSK.

To run ScanDisk:

1. Boot the computer from a Windows Startup diskette.

2. At the A:\ prompt, type: SCANDISK

3. Once the basic scan is complete, choose to run the thorough scan as well.


To run CHKDSK:

1. Boot from your Windows 2000 or XP installation CD.

2. Select the Repair option.

3. Select the Recovery Console option.

4. If you have a Windows 2000 system, type the following at the command prompt: CHKDSK /F
If you have a Windows XP system, type the following at the command prompt: CHKDSK /P

5. Once the disk check has completed, type the following at the command prompt: CHKDSK /R


Problem Description:
Error 993 Partition contains open files. Use the operating system check utility.
Error 993
Partition contains open files
Problem Environment
PartitionMagic
PartitionMagic Pro
Drive Image
Drive Image Pro
DriveCopy
server magic

I did everything from booting via windows XP cd-rom to using the recovery console option.But when I typed in chkdsk/p to begin,it returned something like 'the command is not recognised.Type help to see a list of command prompts.So I typed 'chkdsk' instead and it states that this volume is clean and was not checked.Use /p to check this volume...I do not quite understand wat it meant.So i typed chkdsk/p and even /p but both failed to be recognised.Pls advice.Thks a lot!

Run the following:

chkdsk /r

Run the following:

chkdsk /r

i have followed your instruction to fix errors by typing chkdsk /r in the command line but after completion I use my partition magic to check my drive c: for errors,the "error #993 partition contains open files.Use operating system check utility" still exists.What is wrong with my drive C:?What can be done to eliminate this error?Thank you!

Unfortunately, this is the only solution they give to this problem. My first search turned up the information that running "chkdsk /r" assumes "chkdsk /p", so I figured that you could just bypass the /p step by running the step that does both. Upon further searching, I found that it is crucial that you run /p before you run /r. Why? I have no clue. Try running "chkdsk /p" again followed by "chkdsk /r".

As for the "troubles" that occur while starting up, it's hard to say. What startup problems are you having?

Unfortunately, this is the only solution they give to this problem. My first search turned up the information that running "chkdsk /r" assumes "chkdsk /p", so I figured that you could just bypass the /p step by running the step that does both. Upon further searching, I found that it is crucial that you run /p before you run /r. Why? I have no clue. Try running "chkdsk /p" again followed by "chkdsk /r".

As for the "troubles" that occur while starting up, it's hard to say. What startup problems are you having?

So far I have not faced any start up problems yet but I just felt uneasy and worried when there is such an error occurred while trying to use Partition Magic to check this drive for errors.Is it alright if I ignore this error?I really do not know what harm it will bring upon my computer and its hard drive.

Are you currently needing to do something using Partition Magic? If not, don't worry about it.

Are you currently needing to do something using Partition Magic? If not, don't worry about it.

Not really!I just don't hope to see my PC having problems or experience program/system crashes due to this issue.But fortunately,I haven't got any problems with my PC yet...TOUCHWOOD!!!Hope everything's fine.Thks a lot for your advice and guidance.I appreciate very much!

Not really!I just don't hope to see my PC having problems or experience program/system crashes due to this issue.But fortunately,I haven't got any problems with my PC yet...TOUCHWOOD!!!Hope everything's fine.Thks a lot for your advice and guidance.I appreciate very much!

I had the same problem and I remembered that the BIOS can write-protect the MBR.
Check your BIOS and turn off this security feature if you want to "delete" your error.

andre

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