chkdsk in command prompt

http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dim8300/sm/syssetup.htm#1104309

 

noahdfear,
Thank you for sending the link. It stopped me dead in tracks when I read if you are not an expert computer user do not change computer settings. I' m certainly not an expert so I think I will pass on this one.
Thanks again.
Marilyn

 

OMGosh. Didn't see that part. Disregard it. Seriously.

Changing Boot Sequence for the Current Boot

Turn on (or restart) your computer.

When the blue DELL logo appears, press <F2> immediately.

If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer and try again.

The Boot Device Menu appears, listing all available boot devices. Each device has a number next to it.

At the bottom of the menu, enter the number of the device that is to be used for the current boot only.

Changing Boot Sequence for Future Boots
Enter the system setup program.

Use the arrow keys to highlight the Boot Sequence menu option and press <Enter> to access the pop-up menu.

NOTE: Write down your current boot sequence in case you want to restore it.

Press the up- and down-arrow keys to move through the list of devices.

Press the spacebar to enable or disable a device (enabled devices have a checkmark).

Press plus (+) or minus (–) to move a selected device up or down the list.

 

To all who have helped me .

I was finally able to do the scan disk in the command prompt, chkdsk /r

In msconfig I unchecked Zone Alarm, GoBack and Norton AV when the computer started up it did a complete chkdsk.

All of you helped me and I want you to know how much I appreciate your patience with me. I am the type of person who will not give up until I find an answer to the problem I am having. This is the web site to come to when you need to solve a problem.

Marilyn

 

Congratulations! Don't be afraid to set your boot order. You may have to some day. You should go ahead and do it now, just to put away the fear of it. You can't harm anything by changing only the boot order.

 

Why don't you do this in safe mode? - F8 or F5 - easier than disabling startups and then re-enabling them again.

Regards - Charles

 

Noahdfear,
I will give setting the boot order a try. Will post back and let you know how I made out.

Marilyn


Charles,

I never gave it a thought to do chkdsk in safe mode but I will certainly do it next time I do a chkdsk. By the way how often should this be done.

 

Hi marilyn,

I don't do it very often, but its probably a good idea to do at least once a month. I suspect most people don't unless there is some problem or the system is aborted and does it on it's own.

BTW, if the your system ever did chkdisk on it's own, notice that it takes place before the system fully loads - safe mode

Regards - Charles

 

Good point Charles. I'm one of those guilty. I've been running on this drive for two and a half years and haven't run a check disk yet. I know, shame on me! I'll get around to it.

marilync,

Good for you! You'll do fine.

 

Me, too. XP Pro for 2 1/2 years, and never did one except for playing around familiarizing myself with the computer when I first helped build it. I have used SFC a time or two or three...

Johanna

 

noahdfear,
I cannot get into safe mode. When restarting the computer and tapping the F8 key the GoBack boot screen comes up and then windows start. I have tried several things and even went to the Symantec support site nothing on how to disable the boot screen on start up. If I disable Goback then I lose all the history and I don't want to do that.
Can you help with this?

Marilyn

 

Go to start>run and type msconfig, hit enter. On the boot.ini tab, check the box next to /safeboot and OK. Yes to restart. You will need to undo that before leaving safe mode to get back to Windows.

 

Dave,

Your advice worked for me and was finally able to get into safe mode.
The scan took 1 hr.
Tomorrow I well give setting the boot order a whirl.
I can't thank you enough. I probably would of stayed up all night until I was able to do the scan.

Marilyn

 

Glad to hear it! You are very welcome. Don't hesitate to post back if you have more questions or run into problems.

 

Dave,

This was a good experience for me. A computer is like bridge a learning experience. Any more problems and I will come here for help. Everyone is willing to help and very nice.

Thanks once again.

Marilyn

 

True words and critical for those of us getting to a reasonable age. I think part of the reason I mess with these things so much is the same as the reason I keep Bridge Baron in business - exercise for the brain to keep it from getting rusty or shutting down.

My work schedule stops me from playing much against live people but the PC version is always ready to go.

 

Newt,

Ah another bridge fanatic. I also play online, on the zone. I enjoy playing online met a lot of wonderful people.

Marilyn