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Cannot open volume for direct access. (chkdsk/r)

Hi guys,

For a while now, I've been having a little annoyance which has turned out into a little nightmare a few minutes ago.
For a few days now, I've been having this error message echoing on my blue Windows XP boot-up screen:

Checking file system on C:
The type of the file system is NTFS.
Cannot open volume for direct access.
Windows has finished checking the disk.

I know this was caused by a non-completed chkdsk /r but in the past, it used to go away after a few seconds. However now, minutes elapse and nothing happens.

Unfortunately, I can't even boot up in safe mode as it hangs for hours on end on one of the drivers (bluetooth) while attempting to load.

Is there really anything I could do?

Tried to load last good configuration and even that fails.

The last thing I did was to run ccleaner.exe under recommendation from CNET.com


What should I do other than panic?

Pete.
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bmsjeff
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If this isn't the issue try:
chkdsk /x
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Hi guys,

Thanks for your quick responses as usual. You guys are the best.
Yes, it's SP2 build 2600.
I'm glad because it finally booted up (after 20 minutes stuck on that blue screen if not more) and now seems to work normally.

Should I simply cancel the chkdsk? I guess that's what the /x switch means?
/x forces a volume dismount to close open files.
Is there a way to simply canceling the chkdsk? I read some horror stories from other posters here that had to do fixmbr or fixboot to recover from a bad chkdsk. What is my best way out? Is it 100% safe to use?

I've been spending weeks reinstalling all my applications on a brand new install of XP. I am really busy right now and have no time to redo all this!

Also, is there a way to get past the bluetooth driver problem when booting in safe mode without having to reinstall Windows?
It's stuck at this line : -> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\windows\system32\drivers\BTHidMgr.sys

I intend to split the points between bmsjeff & kmotaweh if you could help me with those two issues.

TIA, (thanks in advance)

Pete.
How to cancel chkdsk
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/158675

Is the bluetooth an external device?
Thanks for the cancel bmsjeff.

Yes the bluetooth is external.
Not sure about that one.  
If you unplug it, boot the computer, then plug in after boot, does it work properly?
Sound like a possible BIOS issue???, but not sure.  What is the device?
It's a bluetooth ver 2.0 USB dongle. A small dongle I bought for a few bucks on ebay.
It's weird because I never had any problems loading safe mode before. this only started happening around the time I tried to run the chkdsk.

I will cancel the chkdsk in the registry like you said and maybe after all it will fix the problem on it's own because when it hangs on this driver, you can hear the hdd go crazy for about an hour. Maybe it's trying to run the chkdsk in the background and then hangs without echoing anything at the console (?)

I'll try that and report back to you.

Thanks a lot.

Pete.
sounds good.

bmsjeff,

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/158675
It says it's for NT workstations and servers.

Was it tested OK under XP? Safe to use?
Should I somewhat backup the registry first or just create a restore point before changing the registry?
A registry backup is always a good idea.

Here is a more detailed explanation of disk troubleshooting for XP.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457122.aspx
Thanks for the link bmsjeff but though I backup my registry prior to fooling around with it, what would I do if my computer wouldn't reboot anymore? I would probably go to safe mode right? Find the registry backup file but how could I restore that registry? What I simply invoke regedit and do an Import from the file menu of that backed up file?

Sounds swell but is this the procedure?

Alternaetely, if I can't boot up even in Safe mode, are there any kind of bash shell command I could give the DOS environment in recovery mode to reload the previously backed up registry?

I have the feeling my safe mode might be working now that I ran SFC /scannow BUT I am not 100% sure so that's why I'm asking for alternatives Jeff.

Pete
If the registry is corrupt, you would not be able to boot into safe mode.  You would need to boot to recovery console and follow the steps outlined here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
Yes but this seems to be a procedure for non OEM system. Mine is.
Somehow, did a sfc /scannow that seems to have removed the chkdsk /r from the boot sequence (I guess). And yep Jeff, if I simply disconnect the bluetooth dongle whilst trying to boot up in safe mode when it hangs on that driver, it resumes the safe mode boot.

Thanks for helping me guys.
As promissed, I will split the points.

Talk to you soon.

Pete.
To be fair, I gave the vast majority of the points to Jeff as he posted much more on this issue than kmo (posted one comment). None of your suggestions were adopted but I still learned a lot in the process. I tried to be as fair as I could.

Thanks.