1. You are viewing our forum as a guest. For full access please Register. WindowsBBS.com is completely free, paid for by advertisers and donations.

Autochk program not found

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by Mark Hasenbein, 2005/07/19.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. 2005/07/19
    Mark Hasenbein

    Mark Hasenbein Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2005/07/19
    Messages:
    43
    Likes Received:
    0
    :confused:Blue screen autochk exe not found skiping auto check. Computer starts but would lick to fix the problem. Do not have hot fix KB824105 need help please. :(
     
  2. 2005/07/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,889
    Likes Received:
    386
    Mark - Welcome to the Board :)

    autochk.exe is a system file located in C:\WINDOWS\system32\autochk.exe. Possibly your file has become corrupted.

    Run System File Checker ....

    Start > Run > type in sfc /scannow noting the space before the / and have your XP CD handy. SFC will run and exit without any closing dialogue. To see which files, if any, have been replaced look in Event Viewer.
     

  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2005/07/19
    goddez1

    goddez1 Inactive

    Joined:
    2002/01/12
    Messages:
    2,975
    Likes Received:
    49
    If Pete's suggestion doesn't do it, a looksee from googles groups covers suggestions for checking for the existence of the file in *\system32 folder to checking a registry value to running checkdisk (possibly from the recovery console, but this was when users could not boot into xp successfully) to this little ditty where a suggested command, run from command prompt, took care of it: (see the last couple of threads in this post)
    Specifically:Autochk.exe is called as part of the disk checker. Reset it by running chkntfs /d from a command prompt.
    google group

    Here's the total hit list:(see the ones specifically for XP, make sure you aren't reading the windows NT or 2000 related posts)
    http://groups-beta.google.com/group...d+skipping+autocheck&num=30&hl=en&lr=lang_en&
     
  5. 2005/07/20
    Mark Hasenbein

    Mark Hasenbein Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2005/07/19
    Messages:
    43
    Likes Received:
    0
    Autochk not found skiping autochk

    HI to every one! I am new to computers so i don't know how to do most things like command prompt. The links were very useful i found autochk in the registry in 3 control sets
    1. REG_MULTI_SZ autocheck autochk*
    2. REG_MULTI_SZ autocheck autochk/p??c:autocheck autochk*
    3. #3 is the same as #2
    Wy can't the system find it and how do i fix it. I can't use Pete's fix because the computer says i don't have the rite CD.

    Confused and knowledge poor.
    Please help a New bee!
     
  6. 2005/07/20
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,889
    Likes Received:
    386
    The registry is pointing to the file, but if it is corrupt it will not be recognised.

    As you cannot use your Windows CD maybe because it is a Dell CD (I saw your post on Techspot while Googling :) ) you could try this fix suggested at Experts Exchange .....

    Search your hard drive for an i386 folder and copy autochk.exe from there to C:\WINDOWS\system32 to overwrite the existing copy of the file.

    If you have no i386 folder you can copy the file from the dll.cache ( C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache ). This is a hidden system folder and to see it you will need to make it visible. In Windows Explorer > Tools > Folder Options > View - scroll down to 'Show hidden files and folders' and check the radio button and a couple of lines further down uncheck 'Hide protected operating system files' and agree to the dialogue box which pops up.

    When you've done restore the settings back as they were.

    Post back if this works - if it does not it may be necessary to register the file. I will post on how to do this if necessary.
     
  7. 2005/07/21
    Mark Hasenbein

    Mark Hasenbein Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2005/07/19
    Messages:
    43
    Likes Received:
    0
    Can't find autochk

    Searched every way i could find but didn't find autochk. But i did find a lot of other problems :eek: Deal with that later. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated, you people are grate thanks for the help.
    I did the search with all files open found i386 system32 dllcache with no results on auotchk. but now i get the blue screen with two lines with can't find autochk.
     
  8. 2005/07/21
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,889
    Likes Received:
    386
    I 'hear' what you say, but are you absolutely sure that autochk.exe does not exist anywhere on your computer? I find this hard to believe :)

    Forget the search feature - have you actually gone into ....

    C:\WINDOWS\system32

    C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache

    i386

    with the view menu set as I indicated looking for autochk.exe?

    Did you set search to include hidden files and folders?

    Download AgentRansack (freeware) and search with that - it is far superior to the Windows search feature - I use the Pro version exclusively.
     
  9. 2005/07/21
    Mark Hasenbein

    Mark Hasenbein Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2005/07/19
    Messages:
    43
    Likes Received:
    0
    Installed Agent Ransack

    Nice tool ease to use and i opened all files and operating systems.I do this when running anti spy wear but it's not their.
    Before i got my anti spy wear i had over 400 infections and 2 Trojans.
    Could this have erased or wrote over some of my programs.


    Thanks for all the help Pete!
     
  10. 2005/07/21
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    6,048
    Likes Received:
    0
    I found autochk.exe here.

    C:\WINDOWS\system32 588,800 in size.

    BillyBob
     
  11. 2005/07/22
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,889
    Likes Received:
    386
    Mark

    I've not come across a totally missing autochk.exe before, but I guess there's a first time for everything :) Spyware is a possibility, but I don't recall seeing that documented anywhere.

    I will happily send you a copy if you have a fast internet connection - file size is just over 0.5 Mb. PM me an email address if you are interested.

    No idea if copying the file into system32 will work, but it should.
     
  12. 2005/07/22
    goddez1

    goddez1 Inactive

    Joined:
    2002/01/12
    Messages:
    2,975
    Likes Received:
    49
    The answer to this is YES. Many virus' are destructive and will rename, move, add code to or delete files. On top of this if the files infected were system files and the virus program you use opted to fix the files, that always leave you with the chance that the fixed file is still crippled or corrupted and will not function as it is suppose to.

    Improper shutdowns due to lockups can damage files which can result in check disk removing them, bad memory sectors on harddrive, which can nether be read or written to reliably or at all, cached memory ( "pending to-do read/writes) not being done and lost. Having a crippled checkdisk due to missing autochk.exe can be disastrous. This does not mean it is unrecoverable and I would take Pete up on his offer to supply you with the file "autochk.exe ". While replacing this can be done by other means, this is probably the easiest. At least you can replace it and try to run chkdsk to see if this is as deep as this problem goes by "confirming or eliminating the possibility" that this is the root cause and is fixed by the file replacement.

    While googling your problem I did note a few posts that referenced various virus and worms that specifically deleted autochk.exe and renamed themselves with the file name. If this happened and your virus program caught it, it would have been quarantined or deleted. All of this is guess work of course and while possible there is no way of knowing for sure what has happened.

    The question's you should be asking yourself, now, is
    *Why you can not run a sfc /scannow to insure that overwritten or missing system files are replaced with good ones ie; "I can't use Pete's fix because the computer says i don't have the rite CD ". (There are various reasons for this brick wall.)
    *After replacing "autocheck" can you run a full "chkdsk" successfully?
    *Should you consider either a repair install or a clean slate install after "suffering from" and "cleaning up after" over 400 infections and various Trojans?

    ===Additional info====
    I was going to add the proceding links, to the first thread I had posted in this topic, to further explain or expand knowledge on one or two of the suggestions I had made. They include and cover more details (for those who don't know) and explanations on what "chkdsk and autochk" are and how/when they work together. I had them saved on a running text file I was keeping. Time ran out on my ability to edit or add to that thread so, in the interest of future member use and the archiving of this post I am including them here. Perhaps a little late, or bad timing/placement, for Mark but still may useful F.Y.I.

    More information on what and why "autochk" is trying to run on bootup:
    http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prkd_tro_mdca.asp
    http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prkd_tro_jhvn.asp

    More information on the use of the command Chkntfs to Reset or Prevent Autochk from Running:
    http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prkd_tro_rgwn.asp

    Manually check if the dirty bit has been set:
    http://www.updatexp.com/windows-xp-chkdsk.html
     
    Last edited: 2005/07/22
  13. 2005/07/22
    Mark Hasenbein

    Mark Hasenbein Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2005/07/19
    Messages:
    43
    Likes Received:
    0
    Ann thanks for the links I will look in to them I need all the knowledge I can get.The fix that Pete sent didn't work I got a window that said can not be run in win32. And Pete is right the CD I have is dell reinstall windows xp.
    As for anti spy wear i got avg, spybot, mcafee, microft, and adwear se and i run them every day i guss i got paranoid about spy wear.

    :) Thanks for the help Pete and Ann
     
  14. 2005/07/23
    goddez1

    goddez1 Inactive

    Joined:
    2002/01/12
    Messages:
    2,975
    Likes Received:
    49
    Hi again Mark,

    I assume you put the "autochk.exe" in the \windows\system32 folder. If after doing so and you clicked on it dirrectly to see if it would run, you will get the win32 error. It is not meant to be run in this manner. Can you, however, now reboot without the error of autochk not being found or is missing? Can you run a chkdsk?

    Run chkdsk from a command prompt - startbutton>runline - type this command chkdsk /r

    You will be asked if you wish to schedule the action at the next reboot. Agree and reboot. This is where windows will automatically check for (autochk) the "dirty bit set" and run the needed or asked for "chkdsk ". Chkdsk will run before windows starts, depending upon the disk partition size, it may take a few minutes (so be patient). For more information open Windows 'Help' on the start menu and search for 'chkdsk'. There's a very through explanation of chkdsk and all its options. This may be a bit confusing for some. If familiar with win98 "chkdsk" is more or less xp's version of win98's "scandisk ".

    Additionally system file protection (sfc) is built into xp. Knowing OEM installs can have their own way of doing things, I would either search for the how-to's using xp's own startbutton>help system or go to your computer manufacturer's support site and find out how your computer is suppose to do things. The ideal time is to do this before you need to do them. This will save you confusion when you need to do things. Odd, OEM (stands for original equipment manufacturer) or not, is that you don't have an \i386 folder or can not run "sfc /scannow ". There must be a way. (possibly exception is if xp sp2 has been applied. I'm sure there are other reasons why one gets the error you got also. This is just the one particular problem I know of right off the top of head.

    Your report of a recent battle with 400 viri and various Trojans has me a bit nervous for you. Virus, now a day's, can take a PHD to remove. While it is becoming a bit easier as programs become more aware of how the critters work, the follow up of online scans and a highjackthis.log can help insure that they have been cleaned up entirely. Many of these must be cleaned in a very specific, particular and meticulous manner, deleting or cleaning out other files and folders as well, such as restore points, temps, prefetch, etc. A networked comp has it's special considerations. Some of the better known critters can be quite difficult to remove permanently and are a nightmare even for the most experienced of us. Perhaps a visit to this boards subforum:
    http://windowsbbs.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=41 and a read of the Welcome stickie pinned to the top of the forum:
    http://windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=37074 which should result in a highjackthis.log follow up posted in the forum mentioned.
     
    Last edited: 2005/07/23
  15. 2005/07/24
    Mark Hasenbein

    Mark Hasenbein Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2005/07/19
    Messages:
    43
    Likes Received:
    0
    I still can't run cmd or command prompt. It it said it will run next boot (Y/N) i type Y and i don't know what to do next, enter a second time starts another line. So i close, reboot and nothing happens. What am i doing wrong.
    Remember i have never used a computer before the last 4 months. :confused:
     
  16. 2005/07/25
    goddez1

    goddez1 Inactive

    Joined:
    2002/01/12
    Messages:
    2,975
    Likes Received:
    49
    More than one way to try this. Before I go hunting in my reg to check on settings and values for this bugger, let's try something a bit more basic. *Reboot
    *Double click on the "My computer" icon on the desktop
    *Right click on the icon for the c: drive and select "properties "
    *Click on the "tools" tab
    *There is 3 categories with buttons. The very first category should be "Error Checking ". Click on (check now) button.
    *put a check in both boxes available, "automatically fix etc" and "scan for etc. ". Click on the Start button (just under those two boxes) and confirm yes on the "run on next reboot ". Click "okay" to close/exit.
    *Reboot the machine.

    Hopefully chkdsk will run on the reboot.

    ===============
    Please clarify what you mean by the statement:
    "I still can't run cmd or command prompt ". If you typed the chkdsk /r command in run line and got the confirmation dialogue to run on the next reboot. You did this with the cmd.exe run.

    Can you open a dos box within windows? From the startbutton runline type cmd.exe.

    Or use standard method of startbutton>All Programs>Accessaries>(theres a black shorcut icon for) "command prompt ", click on it.
     
    Last edited: 2005/07/25
  17. 2005/07/25
    Mark Hasenbein

    Mark Hasenbein Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2005/07/19
    Messages:
    43
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yes to all i reboot and it just boots up normally. Using the disk fix from my computer was the first thing i did. In run i type cmd ok, then chkdsk /f/r,
    do you want to schedule on next reboot (Y/N) Y, and the box just sits their so i reboot and it boots normally the same in command prompt.
    this is not the exact wording in the dialog box is there another switch i need to add to start chkdsk.

    Thanks for being a grate help Ann :)
     
    Last edited: 2005/07/25
  18. 2005/07/25
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    6,048
    Likes Received:
    0
    I am having a problem ( with personal memory maybe ) Or maybe I am just thinking wrong.

    But when using the suggested command to get a DOS screen, does it or does it not require typing EXIT to get out of it PROPERLY !!

    BillyBob
     
    Last edited: 2005/07/25
  19. 2005/07/25
    Mark Hasenbein

    Mark Hasenbein Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2005/07/19
    Messages:
    43
    Likes Received:
    0
    I don't know do you type it after you type y or do you hit enter and type exit
     
  20. 2005/07/25
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    6,048
    Likes Received:
    0
    After you get through doing what you are doing it should return to a path statement.

    Mine returns to a path of C:\Documents & Settings. That is where I type "EXIT"

    Yours may return to a differtent path. But I believe the idea is the same.

    Now things MIGHT BE a bit different is XP but in 98 if you did not use EXIT to get out of the DOS Box you could be in trouble.

    But I do have to honestly say that it has been A LONG TIME sicne I used a DOS Box.

    BillyBob
     
  21. 2005/07/25
    Mark Hasenbein

    Mark Hasenbein Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2005/07/19
    Messages:
    43
    Likes Received:
    0
    Billy Bob that was the button i was looking for but it did the same thing as it dose in Ann's suggestion it just boots up normaly. I think itcan't run without auto check or that's where the corrupt file is.
    But when i run sfc /scannow it says it can't repair auto check without a disk. Is sat at this computer trieing to fix this isue longer thani did the first time i got on line.
    My brotherinlaw mite know somwone how has a XP disk so im going to give it a rest. It alsohas other problems it can't fix so i will whate for the disk.
    Thanks for the switch i can run dos now. Mark :)
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.