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Reluctant reset of dirty bit

How can I reset a reported dirty bit when << chkdsk /f and /r >> show no problem, and running << chkdsk /r >> through recovery console does not resolve? (Win XP Pro).

I have also tried using a new hard disk (employing a mirror image of original) but problem remains.

Short of reformatting and reloading everything bit by bit on one of the hard drives, is there anything else I can try?

theProfessa

To fix this problem you should go to Start -> Run -> "cmd"

In the command prompt type in "fsutil dirty query X:" x being the drive in question
This checks to see if the drive is dirty or not.

Next type in "CHKNTFS /X D:" <- This tells Windows not to check the drive at the next startup.
Reboot the computer and do a manual CHKDSK by typing "Chkdsk /f /r d:" This will do a full check up and remove the dirty bit
Then type in "fsutil dirty query x:" to confirm that the drive is no longer dirty and you should be set.

Hopefully this helps!

mike_oram

ASKER

Tks Professa but I have already done precisely all that (which prompted my question here) - except the drive in question is c: , which I take should appear where you have "d:"...
If that is not correct and I need to put "d:" even though my problem drive is c: , please let me know.

theProfessa

My mistake, C: is correct.
You can try this registry edit from:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Go to Disable or Enable Check Disk on boot

mike_oram

ASKER

Tks again Professa but I sense that would only hide my problem upon boot; not solve it. If the dirty bit remains set I cannot (eg) defragment.

nobus

it is possible the disk has a problem; i suggest running the disk diag you need : http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

mike_oram

ASKER

Thank you Nobus. I have in fact alrady run all HD tests using SeaTools for Windows (my system hard drives are Seagate and Maxtor) and they show up fine. Whenever I run tests for a 'dirty bit' on both drives, the drive booted from shows DIRTY, whereas the other shows NOT dirty. If I swap over through reboot, that which earlier showed NOT dirty is then (as C:) reported as DIRTY.

From all this I am wondering if it is the MFT that is somehow corrupt (having been loaded as a mirror image). The MFT each drive is in two fragments which, under normal conditions I understand should in itself not be a problem. I have tried increasing the MFT to much higher size (4GB) but to no effect upon the problem.

nobus

did you image those drives? then you copied the problem on both...

mike_oram

ASKER

Yes, I imaged...as my original post.

nobus

try running chkdsk from safe mode :
>>> . Finally I tried a chkdsk /f from a Command prompt in Safe Mode. To my surprise this worked and solved the problem. Why the use of Safe Mode made a difference escapes me having many times seen the same checks executed at boot up before Windows starts up. <<<
from :
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21469100/How-does-one-reset-the-ntfs-dirty-bit.html

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

mike_oram

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nobus

if no more help is needed, don't forget to close your question !