ErnieExpert
asked on
Running chkdsk without Windows and without recovery console
I have a server that crashes about halfway through windows startup. I need to run chkdsk but I cannot remember my administrator password for accessing the recovery console. Is there any way of running chkdsk without logging into the recovery console?
I tried changing the password using this utility: http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/bootdisk.html However, I have a Dell Poweredge 2600 with a PERC4/Di controller and that program did not have drivers for this controller.
I tried changing the password using this utility: http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/bootdisk.html However, I have a Dell Poweredge 2600 with a PERC4/Di controller and that program did not have drivers for this controller.
chkdsk does run on NTFS.
Haven't you tried booting your PC in safe mode ? If it is able to boot in safe mode, you can run "Error-checking" under "Tools" in drive properties.
Haven't you tried booting your PC in safe mode ? If it is able to boot in safe mode, you can run "Error-checking" under "Tools" in drive properties.
also try this boot disk it may work http://www.thomasmathiesen.com/itak/html/software.html
ASKER
MY file system is NTFS. I have not tried a boot disk because I don't know how to make one that would give me access to NTFS and would load drivers for my PERC4/Di controller. It looks like the one that jgiordano gave at www.thomasmathiesen.com uses generic IDE drivers, can you verify?
I have tried booting into safe mode but it crashes before it gets into there also.
I have tried booting into safe mode but it crashes before it gets into there also.
Try booting up in debug mode then you have the ability to pick and choose one by one what drivers and services get loaded and you will know which one crashes.
ASKER
debug mode did not allow me to choose what drivers and services to start. It also crashed.
What about running a repair using the windows cd?
ASKER
I am assuming you mean a FastRepair or a ManualRepair? Neither of those run a chkdsk.
I am talking about an actual OS repair; I don't think chkdsk takes into account current raid disks you might need a specialized app.
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I finally got a hold of the previous system admin and he knew the password so I was able to get into the recovery console. I ran chkdsk and was able to get back into windows and backup data and then reinstall.
I think that one of paraghs boot disks with eleventy5 driver would have been my best shot but I will never know...unless this happens again.
I think that one of paraghs boot disks with eleventy5 driver would have been my best shot but I will never know...unless this happens again.
well congratulations on resolving your issue! :)
Ernie,
I hope you don't face this again.
Keep your admin password tough to crack, and easy to remenber ;)
I hope you don't face this again.
Keep your admin password tough to crack, and easy to remenber ;)
Ernie,
Your question is still open.
Please close it.
Your question is still open.
Please close it.
CHKDSK [d:][path][filename] [/F][/V]
Just a thought your admin password for the windows install is the recovery console password also; for example if you dual boot XP/2003 then you could use the recovery console for both installations and when logging into xp you would be prompted for that admin password or for 2003 for that password.
By the way is your filesystem NTFS? I am not sure chkdsk runs for NTFS