Chkdsk will Not Run at Startup in Vista

How to Fix Chkdsk will Not Run at Startup in Vista​

   Information

If after you set Check Disk or chkdsk to run at startup it will not run, then this will show you how to fix this problem so chkdsk will run at startup. This problem is usually caused when the autochk.exe file gets corrupted, or the registry BootExecute data value is incorrect.

This is not for if chkdsk cannot finish or stops running.

   Note

• Check Disk uses the file autochk.exe to run chkdsk.
• If you still cannot run chkdsk at startup after this, then you might consider performing a System Restore, Repair Installation, or Clean Installation to fix the problem. See related links below.
• If you had changed your default boot screen, then you will need to temporarily uncheck the No GUI boot to be able to see what is happening when chkdsk is running at boot up. See: How to Enable or Replace the Hidden Aurora Boot Screen in Vista

STEP ONE

Safe Mode Workaround

   Note

This is to see if something may be loading before the check disk program preventing chkdsk from running.

1. Schedule check disk to run using chkdsk /f (STEP FIVE below) in the command promt.​

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2. Run msconfig (step 1 in METHOD TWO at link), and click on the Boot​

tab and click on Safe boot with the minimal button selected. (See screenshot below)​

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3. Restart the computer to hopefully have chkdsk run.​

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4. Set msconfig (step 2 in METHOD TWO at link) to boot normally again.​

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5. If chkdsk still will not run at startup, then proceed with the steps below. If it did, then you're done.​

STEP TWO

Reset chkdsk BootExecute

   Note

• This will reset chkdsk back to it's default setting of not to run at startup.
• This step will also fix the problem of chkdsk always running at startup.
• If BootExecute already has a Data value of autocheck autochk *, then you do not need to do this. (See the Manual Way below to check) Continue to STEP THREE below instead.

Through a Download:​

1. Click on the download button below to download the Reset_chkdsk.reg file.​

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2. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.​

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3. Right click on the .reg file (on Desktop) and click on Merge.​

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4. Click on the Run button for Security Warning pop-up.​

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5. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.​

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6. When done, you can delete the .reg file (on Desktop).​

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The Manual Way:​

1. Open the Start Menu.​

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2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.​

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3. Click on the Continue button in the UAC prompt.​

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4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below step 5)​

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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager​

5. In the right pane, right click on BootExecute and click on Modify.​

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6. Type autocheck autochk * and click on OK. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: You will be replacing autocheck autochk /p \??\C: with autocheck autochk* instead. If BootExecute already has a Data value of autocheck autochk *, then you do not need to do this. Go to STEP THREE below.​

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7. Close regedit.​

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STEP THREE

Run a SFC /SCANNOW Command

1. Try running a sfc /scannow command to see if it can fix chkdsk.​

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2. When SFC is finished, try running chkdsk again.​

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3. If chkdsk still will not run at startup, then proceed with the steps below. If it did, then you're done.​

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STEP FOUR

Replace autochk.exe File

NOTE: This will show you how to replace your corrupted copy of the autochk.exe file with clean copy to be able to run chkdsk at startup.

1. Be sure that you already have ran a SFC /scannow from STEP THREE above to see verify that the autochk.exe file was foud to be corrupted first in the sfcdetails.txt file. If it's not, then you do not need to do STEP FOUR.​

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2. In Windows Explorer, go to C:\Windows\System32\autochk.exe. (See screenshot below)​

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3. Take ownership of the file autochk.exe at the C:\Windows\System32\autochk.exe location, and "Allow" your user account "Full Control" of it. (See screenshot above)​

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4. Right click on autochk.exe and click on Properties. (See screenshot below step 2)​

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5. Click on the Details tab. (See screenshots below)​

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A) Make note of what File version the autochk.exe file is.​

NOTE: If the File version is blank or you have SP1 installed, then do step 6. If not, then do step 8.​

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6. Download the same version that you have in step 5.​

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7. For the Vista 6.0.6002.18005 SP2 Version of autochk.exe​

NOTE: This is for the 32 bit and 64 bit Vista with SP1 and SP2 installed.​

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A) Click on the download button below to download the 6.0.6002.18005.zip file.​

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B) Go to step 10.​

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8. For the Vista 6.0.6001.18000 SP1 Version of autochk.exe​

NOTE: This is for the 32 bit and 64 bit Vista with SP1 installed.​

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A) Click on the download button below to download the 6.0.6001.18000.zip file.​

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B) Go to step 10.​

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9. For the Vista 6.0.6000.16386 RTM Version of autochk.exe​

NOTE: This is for the 32 bit and 64 bit Vista without SP1 or SP2 installed. This version has been reported to still work with or without SP1 installed, so you may try it if you still have problems with the newer 6.0.6001.18000 SP1 or 6.0.6002.18005 SP2 version.​

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A) Click on the download button below to download the 6.0.6000.16386.zip file.​

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10. Save the ZIP file to your desktop.​

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11. Open on the downloaded autochk.exe.zip file.​

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12. Extract (drag and drop) the autochk.exe file from wihtin the ZIP file to your desktop.​

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13. Right click on the autochk.exe file on your desktop and click on Properties and the Unblock button under the General tab. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: If you do not have the Unblock button, then it is already unblocked. Continue on to step 14.​

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14. Right click on the autochk.exe file on your desktop and click on Copy.​

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15. Go back to the Windows Explore window at C:\Windows\System32\autochk.exe. (See screenshot below step 2)​

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16. Right click on a empty space in the Windows Explorer window and click on Paste. (See screenshot below step 2)​

NOTE: If it will not let you Copy or Paste the new autochk.exe file (on desktop) over, then rename the old one and repeat step 14, then delete the old renamed autochk.exe file afterwards.​

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17. Click on Copy and Replace. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: This replaces your autochk.exe with the downloaded clean one on the desktop that has not been taken ownership of.​

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18. Click on Continue for Access Denied prompt.​

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19. Click on Continue for UAC prompt.​

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20. Close the Windows Explorer window.​

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STEP FIVE

Set Chkdsk to Run at Startup

1. Try the different methods in this tutorial below to run chkdsk to see which one works best for you.​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Run Check Disk at Startup in Vista
• How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista
• How to Do a Clean Install of Vista with a Upgrade Version
• How to Do a Clean Install with a Full Version of Vista
• How to Do a System Restore in Vista
• How to Repair and Verify the Integrity of Vista System Files with System File Checker
• How to Change Vista Disk Check Press Any Key Timeout Value at Startup
• How to Read the Event Viewer Log for Check Disk (chkdsk) in Windows

 

[Quaker.Oats]

I'm running SP1 on a HP Compaq tc4400 laptop. After I go into the registry and edit the BootExecute value to autocheck autochk *and then set it to run chkdsk at startup (I use the Command Prompt), the Registry value gets reset to its original value of autocheck autochk /p \??\C:. Is it supposed to do that?

 

[Brink]

Hi Quaker.Oats, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Yes, it is suppose to do that. The autocheck autochk * setting is the default no chkdsk at startup, and the autocheck autochk /p \??\C: setting is the setting to have chkdsk run at startup for the C: drive.

I have folks reset it back to default first then set it back to run because sometimes just toggling chkdsk on and off will allow it to run again at startup.

Shawn

 

[marrypoppins]

Okay so I've gotten toward the end and steps 9 became a problem, when I open the file it says its not compatible w/my computer.....So instead of the #6 one I tried #7 and again it didnt work. So I could not extract the autochk.exe file.

9. Right click on autochk.exe.zip and click Open.
10. Extract the autochk.exe file to your desktop.
11. Right click on the autochk.exe file on your desktop and click Copy.
12. Go back to the Windows Explore window at C:\Windows\System32\autochk.exe. (See screenshot below step 1)

would it help if I wrote exactly what it says isnt working? If so should I do it for both 6 and 7 or should I just say what 7 says wont work?

Here's what 7 says

"The C:\Users\____(user name)___\Appdata\Local\Temp\Temp16.0.6001.18000.zip\autochk.exe application cannot be run in Win32 mode"

Well hopefully you know where I screwed up because it was probably me missing a step.

 

[Brink]

Do you have problems opening any other ZIP files?

Did you save this ZIP file to your Desktop?

 

[marrypoppins]

I do not have problems with other zip files (lol I should've figured out when the one zip file was called shutdown that it would do that but I didnt tell my computer started shutting down).

Also I saved the other two zips that way, heres the error message I get with the other zip.

"The version of this file is not compatiable with the version of Windows you're running. Check your computers information system to see if you need x86 (32bit) or x64 (64bit) of the program, and then contact software publisher."

Just for more information I have a Dell Inspiron 1525.

 

[Brink]

LOL, sorry about the Shutdown.

I'm not sure why you are getting that error message. The autochk.exe file is the same for both the 32 bit and 64 bit Vista. The only difference is the newer version number when SP1 is installed.

If you are not having any other problems, then I would not worry about it. If you just wanted to fix it, then, other than a clean reinstall, there is the repair install. It just depends on what you decide.

Wish I knew another way for you.

Shawn

 

[marrypoppins]

Well I've tried the repair install before, and it only worked temporarily. I really appericiate all of your help, and if its not causing a problem then I guess I wont worry about it. Thanks for putting in the time and effort to help, if there ever is a different solution dont hesistate to notify me. You'll probably be too busy helping other technological illiterates.

One last question, do I need to undo the ownership? I doubt it makes a difference, but I thought I would throw it out there.

Again thanks for your time, Shawn aka Brink.

 

[Brink]

Your welcome MarryPoppins.

Since you were unable to replace your original autochk.exe file, then you can change the owner back to TrustedInstaller if you wanted to. The permission levels will still remain the same, so it does not really matter much if you do or not.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/159360-trustedinstaller-restore-owner.html

Shawn

 

[marrypoppins]

I didnt notice this yesterday when I was doing stuff, and I just want to be sure that everything is as good as it can be. okay under the
Computer> OS (c: ) Windows > System 32 >

There is a folder called DRVSTORE and theres nothing in the folder, what caught my eye was unlike every other file its a bright blue like I wrote it. I thought I would've noticed that yesterday, but maybe not.

Im just trying to see if I can figure out what the corrupted files are.

So I was just looking around the autochk and I'm wondering if you think I can do anything through using the autochk properties, under program, specifically the advanced button. Since your advance I thought I'd check to see if you knew what I should do.

The main reason I keep on going on with this is because its the one things that has me getting to know my computer better, and its kinda interesting. So sorry that I keep asking questions when I said I was done ten threads ago.

 

[Brink]

I'm not sure what is causing this problem for you. The blue text color indicates that this is a compressed folder. However, I have a DriverStore folder instead of DRVSTORE in that location, and it is not compressed (blue).

Since we tried everything else, the only thing I know that will fix the problem is a clean reinstall if you do not want to live without chkdsk.

 

[marrypoppins]

is chkdsk worth it, is clean install a pain, how long does it usually take (btw I heard a lot of ppl complain about the time of repair install, but it was probably only 2 maybe 3 hours) The lap top was a gift in May so its pretty new, meaning if I'm going to do anything I'd like to do it now, so I can get everything that I need back. Im guessing a pre-loaded lap top with vista would call for a clean install with a full version of vista.

Also would I want to have another computer available so that if Im having a problem I can access the internet since I'd probably lose it during the clean install?

 

[Brink]

chkdsk is only a tool used to try and repair corruption on the hard drive. By itself it is not worth doing a clean install for, but it could indicate a larger corruption problem that could hit you later leaving Vista unusable until a clean install.

A clean install takes about as long, but it's reinstalling all of your other programs, backups, and adjusting your settings that takes a bit to do. To prevent problems, I would have all of your driver installation files saved to DVD so you can still install them just in case you do not have a internet connection at first.

 

[dnarofn]

Ok, I was going along trying to fix check disk. I got through all of the steps ok but when i rebooted i got the 'Windows Boot Manager' Screen and now i cant get past it. It says:

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:

1. insert your windows installation disk and restart your computer
2.Choose your language settigns and then click next
3. Click 'repair your computer"

....

If I do this, will I loose everything on the hard drive?

Thanks.

 

[Brink]

Hello Dnarofn,

You will not lose anything. It is just asking you to do a Startup Repair.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/91467-startup-repair.html


If that still does not fix the problem, then you might consider doing a System Restore using a restore point dated before the problem started.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[MaidinBham]

Thank you Brink for this tutorial - CHKDSK is now running on new laptop. Hopefully will complete - seems like a lot of orphaned and corrupt files from video game I recently downloaded. (civ 4 Beyond The Sword)
Like other poster's could not run chkdsk, autochk.exe properties did not show file version, error message when running autochk.exe "the version of this file is not compatible with the version of windows your running.......blah blah"
Discovered today that system restore would not run - telling me to check disc - which I could not do.
I am positive I will be visiting again - I feel a whole lot more confident checking out this site for issues, than dealing with Gateway or Microsoft.
Best Regards, Janice

 

[Brink]

Your welcome Janice, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Thank you,
Shawn

 

[kxrs94]

Yippee...Problem solved. CHKDSK now runs - and now my fragmented files have been fixed.

I ended up needing to take ownership of the autochk.exe file, had some trouble until I used the Permissions tab to allow full control, in addition to ownership. Worked great.

Outstanding site. Easy to follow instructions. Great layout with instructions at the top and postings at the bottom. Embedded links to subordinate instructions work well also. I am very impressed. Much simpler and better than every other help site I have used - Dell, Microsoft, etc... I actually find what I am looking for - and it works.

Must be time to crack open the wallet and contribute to this site. Thanks, again.

Kenn

 

[Brink]

Your welcome Kenn. I'm happy that you got it your problem sorted and found it easy to do.

Thank you,
Shawn

 

[marcm]

I tried these instructions a few months ago to no avail. I subscribed to the thread so I received an email alert regarding a new post this AM. I just tried it all again but I still cannot run chkdsk. I have been able to run chkdsk only by using the Toshiba rescue disk that has access to chkdsk by choosing the command prompt option after choosing the System Restore option (not the Toshiba System Restore option).

The instructions with images on this thread are perfectly written. I have gotten fixes for a couple other problems on this site. I just want to express how much I appreciate the high quality of useful information on this forum.

Thank you!

 

[Brink]

Hello Marcm,

You might also try running a sfc /scannow command to see if it can find and fix any bad system files that may be contributing to this problem.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66978-system-files-sfc-command.html


If you had changed you default boot screen, then you will need to temporarily change it back to the default boot screen to be able to see what is happening at boot with chkdsk.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/60405-boot-screen.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn