Can't run ScanDisk

I've been using Windows ME for four years, my computer is four years old and otherwise working well. This morning, I discover that I can't run ScanDisk. After ten attempts, I get a warning telling me that Windows or some other program keeps writing something to the system, (even though all other programs have been closed and ScanDisk is the only thing open).

I ran Norton LiveAdvisor before attempting to run ScanDisk. All virus definitions are up to date. There is nothing in Quarantine. I rebooted a couple of times; no help. I shut down a couple of times; same result.

Many thanks to any kind soul who can help.

P.S.: I did go to FAQ, but ScanDisk didn't return anything. Also, this is my first visit to this board. My apologies if I've posted in the wrong place....

 

Try booting to safe mode, run disk cleanup, then try scan disk again. Don't do anything else while scan disk runs either.

 

Thank you for responding.

When I went to safe mode, the Help & Support window displayed and my mouse was frozen, so I couldn't run (or do) anything. (I did not boot to safe mode, but opened Windows in safe mode - did that make a difference?)
I shut down, re-opended Windows in normal mode and ran Disk Cleanup. I then tried running ScanDisk. ScanDisk still won't run.

FYI: I did some reading in various places in Help & Support on what to do when I do access the proper place in safe mode. I confess that I can't make heads-or-tails of it. Will it be self-explanatory once I get there?

 

Not sure if you actually got to safe mode or not. It should prompt you that you are going to safe mode before diplaying anything, and then the display will not look proper (color and resolution) and it should say safe mode in all four corners. Try this. Click start, then run and type in msconfig, then hit enter. On the general tab click advanced, then put a check in the box labled enable start menu. OK your way out and allow restart when prompted. Upon restart you will be given a choice of how to start the computer. Choose safe mode. **Before leaving safe mode, again open msconfig and uncheck the enable start menu box so that the computer will restart into Windows.