Why does Windows run CHKDSK on every boot?

Question

Every time I turn on my PC, I get the following message:

Checking file system on E:
The type of the file systen is NTFS.
One of your disks need to be checked for consistency. You may cancel the disk check, but it is strongly recommended that you continue.
Windows will now check the disk.

CHKDSK is verifying files (stage 1 of 3)... 0 percent completed

I allow CHKDSK to to complete, but Windows does not load. This message appears every time I boot my computer.

Could someone explain me why this message appears and what I should do to make it disappear?

Solution 1

When you schedule a check disk, an entry is added to the registry - for some reason, it's not being cleared.

1. Run the Registry Editor (Click Start, Run and type regedit then press OK).
2. Locate HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager
3. Change the BootExecute entry from:
   autocheck autochk * /r\DosDevice\C:
   to:
   autocheck autochk *

Source: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/158675

Solution 2

If you have not asked for a chkdsk to be carried out, the autocheck will be carried out if the disk's "dirty bit" is set. This will be set if Windows is not shut down correctly, file changes have not completed or the disk is corrupted. It may indicate the disk is about to fail. For an external disk, it may indicate it was removed without using the 'safely remove hardware' function.

The fsutil command can be used to check the status of the dirty bit. Open a command prompt with admin rights and type:

fsutil dirty query D:

(Replace D: with the letter of the drive you are having issues with.)

Solution 3

1. Click on your start menu and open the run dialog.
2. Type cmd and return
3. Next type fsutil dirty query D: (replace D: with your drive letter)

If the return message indicates that the volume is dirty then continue with these steps:

5. Next type chkdsk D: /f /x
6. After that finshes repeat step 3 to determine if dirty bit has been removed.
7. If it is no longer dirty then reboot and you should notice no more chkdisk.

Source of Information

Comments

[khris]

I go step by step in those article, but in my Registry Editor BootExecute already has value autocheck autochk * not like autochk * /r\DosDevice\C:

[Indrek]

If the CHKDSK were scheduled, I believe the message would say that. This seems to be a problem with the HDD itself, rather than a scheduled disk check not being cleared.

[khris]

I check my hard disk, it is dirty - what should I do to correct this?

[Ansgar Wiechers]

Try running chkdsk /f e: or chkdsk /f /r e: manually. If the dirty bit is still set after the next reboot, the system probably cannot umount the volume on shutdown. Check the eventlog for pointers if that's the case

[khris]

I get such message after executing command chkdsk /f e: E:\Documents and Settings\Consultant>chkdsk /f /r e: The type of the file system is NTFS. Cannot lock current drive. Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N) n

[David Marshall]

@khris That's normal. You can only run chkdsk on the system drive at boot.

[khris]

ok, I try once again: 1) enter chkd /f /r in cmd 2) press y after message that drive can't be locked 3)restart my pc - the same message (as in my parent question) 4) allowfile verifying. In result I get message thet verifying is complite on blue screen and windows do nnot load and I can't execute any command - just shut down os pressing button on keyboard.

[khris]

it doesn't help - see earlier comments

[Dave]

Yes, it does. In that case, I would suggest checking it with acronis.co.uk/homecomputing/products/drive-monitor

[David Marshall]

So how do you get Windows running? Is this what happens? 1.You power up, 2. the chkdsk dialog appears and you allow it to run and apparently complete, 3. the system locks without starting Windows 4. you hold the power button down to force a shutdown, 5. you power on and Windows starts up normally.

[khris]

5. I power on and dialog appears, but I do not allow it to verify disk, so after that windows starts.

[khris]

Acctualy it is not a big problem - I could normaly work with my pc, but every time I restart windows appears that dialog, I won't this happen

[David Marshall]

You should run the manufacturer's diagnostics on the disk. It may be about to fail.