scan disk freezes (WME)

[javagranny]

I recently tried to defragment and received the following message "windows cannot defragment this drive because the drive contains errors that must first be repaired. To repair your drive click scan disk and then try deframenting again." I tried to scan disk and it completes the progress bar but freezes. I have tried several times and must shut down by ctl/alt/del. I'm unable to defragment or scan disk and I'm getting frantic. Can anyone help?
I've gone to windows help but the choices do not seem to apply.

[CaptainSpeleo]

You should always turn off your screensaver and close all open programs that are running, except Explorer and Systray, before you run Scandisk and/or Disk Defragmenter.

Another way of doing it is to boot in "safe mode" and then run them from there.

http://9337387.home.icq.com/index.html

[javagranny]

Thanks for responding to my problem. I have done everything you have mentioned but scan disk still freezes and defragment won't work. Thanks anyway.

[Smitty]

Have you tried using your floppy Emergency disk, choosing [4] Minimal boot, changing to C:\ directory and typing scandisk from there.
NOTE: Don't run Defrag from here. LFN and other errors will be created.
If scandisk won't complete enter BIOS and there is usually a disk integrity tool there. If all is well, reboot and try defragging. If still no joy here is an good site with many ideas.
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.thegorx.net/Windows/Help/Scandisk.htm>http://www.thegorx.net/Windows/Help/Scandisk.htm</a>


Smitty

[javagranny]

Thank you Smitty for your advice but I don't have an emergency disk (I'm pretty new at this stuff). I don't know how to enter BIOS either. Can you tell me if my problem could be the result of a virus? If I were to reformat would I remove errors on my disk? It's odd that I can access the internet and web sites, use all my programs, run my anti-virus program but not scan disk. Can a virus attack one part of your system and leave the rest alone? I wish I knew more. Thanks for your help. I'm getting desperate.

[Smitty]

Hi..javagranny..

Rather than download a bootdisk why don't you make one...You will need a formatted floppy diskette..might as well label it now also..Emergency Startup Diskette sounds OK, but name it what you like. Terminate any programs you are running because you are going to shut down after creating disk. Print out post above because thats what you are going to do out of Windows. Now insert labelled, formatted diskette in floppy drive.

Startup Diskette Creation Follow steps below
Start·Settings·Control Panel·Add/Remove Programs·Startup Disk Tab·Create Disk (button)·Ok to Insert Disk prompt·OK and now Close Control Panel. You have created your "Emergency Startup Disk" aka "Emergency Boot Disk. Leave it in the drive.

Now Start·Shutdown·Restart or Shutdown and then restart as long as you have Startup Diskette in floppy drive.
Now follow posted steps which you have printed....BTW I would NOT opt for the surface scan this time. Answer yes to repairs if any, and yes to create files if prompted. Use arrow key to highlight choices when in this mode. When scandisk finishes and prompts for "surface scan" choose no and then eXit. Take diskette out of floppy drive and restart computer...Before we go to an EASY way to defrag and how to enter BIOS, post back with your results so far..


Smitty<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by Smitty on 04/11/02 19:25.</FONT></P>

[javagranny]

Hi Smitty - thank you again for your help. I really appreciate it but it sounds very complicated. Before I go ahead with it, perhaps you can answer my question about reformatting. Would reformatting clean up any errors or any trace of a virus (if that could be my problem)? Would it be easier for me to reformat (my grandson said he would do this for me). I'm very nervious about going into the BIOS.

[Smitty]

Hi javagranny

I am not suggesting BIOS but to answer your questions,
Reformatting and reinstalling system is a lot MORE work. For a virus check just click on link labelled "Click Here" below. When dialog box asks if you want to install control, click yes. It will ask you for your country, pick appropriate and click OK..

Select drive(s) you want to check and click OK. Post back with results.

<a target="_blank" href=http://housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_corp.asp>Click Here for Virus Scan</a>



Smitty

[javagranny]

I'm sorry I've taken so long to respond Smitty but I was away. I really appreciate all your help. I loved that housecall anti-virus program and also the gorx.net web site. My grandson insisted on reformatting so I let him go at it - you are so right - it was a lot of work but it does seem to have fixed my problem. I'm able to scan disk and defragment again. Have you ever heard of an anti-virus program containing a virus? My grandson was downloading my AVG and up came a red alert that a virus (I think called jpskeeter) was in it. It's the same virus detected a week ago in the system. We were afraid to complete the download so I'm wihout an anti-virus program now but am using the housecall you told me about until I can get another one. Too bad - I really like AVG.

[Smitty]

javagranny

Virus that HouseCall identified might have been JS.Seeker which is ironic because I too recently scanned from HouseCall and received a similar message...You can read about "trojan" here: <a target="_blank" href=http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/js.seeker.html>Click to Read</a>. As far as I know AVG site would be an unlikely candidate from which to pick up a virus, trojan or other malware..What AntiVirus program gave you the alert...? AVG alerted you to possible virus when downloading from AVG site....??? Hope you work it out.

Glad you are back in business /images/forums/icons/smile.gif

Regards


Smitty

[javagranny]

To answer your question, I didn't see the alert for the virus. My grandson was downloading AVG from the internet when it happened. He believes it was in the AVG program. I felt the same as you... an unlikely source but is it possible? I really like the AVG program and I'm wondering if I should dare try it again. At present I'm without an anti-virus program so I've been using housecall which is good but I need a comprehensive program of my own. Do you think I should try running the program again? Thanks for your input.

[Smitty]

I spent a little time scouring the net for "possibilities" that AVG was "distributing" viruses in their downloads, but it seem ridiculous to me. I would download the software from the AVG site and install it...!
I am also sure that if this advice is 'suspect' another one of the more experienced members here will advise you via this thread..Wait a bit javagranny, and if nothing hits this post..go ahead and install the AV program.

Regards


Smitty

[Smitty]

PS...javagranny

Tried to edit post...but too late.

Go to GOOGLE
enter false virus alerts +avg
Select Groups

Read someof the articles about false alerts...happens to ALL the AV software...

Happy Installing..../images/forums/icons/smile.gif


Smitty

[javagranny]

Just to bring you up to date Smitty, I did install AVG because it's a great program. After I installed it I went to my bingo web site and got a red alert with the same name as the virus that showed up a week ago - I'm positive it was called js/skeeter or jp/skeeter. I did the Google search to the site you recommended (another great site) and they did a search for this virus and came up empty. I tried 3 different searches but this virus was not listed. Can't figure it out and I can't understand why it's the same virus each time. AVG finds it though and that's all that matters. Thanks again for your kind concern. My computer is purring so I'm happy again. Good luck in all your endeavors.