"cannot open volume for direct access" - error message re ..

On Aug 8, 4:11 pm, jbrea....TakeThisOut@yahoo.com wrote:
> On Aug 5, 9:58 pm, Conley <Con....TakeThisOut@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > Did you recently add or upgrade any Symantec products, such as Norton
> > Antivirus, Norton Internet Security or Norton Antibot?
>
> > "tnahowru" wrote:
> > > Help, i am having the same problem!
>
> > > "Conley" wrote:
>
> > > > Thechkdskutility will no longer run. Instead, I get this error message:
> > > > "cannotopenvolumefor directaccess." I found some old KB articles
> > > > indicating that this problem had come up under Windows XP and was going to be
> > > > fixed by an upcoming service pack. Why am I getting this error message with
> > > > Vista Ultimate?- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> I'm having the same problem, after installing Norton System Tools (XP)- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I'm sorry, after UNINSTALLING norton.

I finally discovered that the source of my problems with chkdsk and Diskeeper
was a program called Haute Secure. I had thought that it was a toolbar or
BHO that would do nothing if IE was not open and would not in any event dig
deep into the OS like an antivirus program. I tried every possible
uninstall/reinstall/version rollback on my Symantec software before I grasped
at one last straw today and uninstalled Haute Secure. Chkdsk then ran on my
next reboot. It turns out that that program is quite powerful and involves
some kind of kernel-level driver.

System Restore is still not working from within Vista Ultimate, but I have,
at all times, been able to run System Restore and Complete PC Restore from
the Vista DVD.

All of the messing around with the computer seems to have generated some new
problems, and I may have to post some new questions on this forum in order to
get back to where this all began.



"Rick Rogers" wrote:

> Hi Conley,
>
> Raxco, a maker of another disk utility, has this page of programs known to
> cause this issue. You may want to run through the list to see if any of them
> apply:
> http://www.raxco.com/support/windows/kb_details.cfm?kbid=494&issue=3
>
> There isn't going to be a simple answer here, as under normal circumstances
> the disk checker utility will run fine when scheduled. What you have is some
> program that has altered the system and is gaining access to the drive and
> running prior to the disk checker, thus preventing the exclusive access it
> requires. Deciphering it will require some detective work, and simple
> removal of any offending program will not always resolve the problem as it
> may not undo all of the changes that the original installation made. This is
> particularly so if the software was not designed for Vista.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>
> "Conley" <Conley.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:6A5EE865-2655-485E-9F33-B827BDBB6B77@microsoft.com...
> > Rick,
> >
> > I tried this twice, with services enabled and with services disabled, and
> > I
> > saw the same thing both times. After hitting enter at the command line
> > for
> > chkntfs /d, a new command line appeared (i.e., no text confirming success
> > with resetting defaults, which may be the normal behavior). I then ran
> > chkdsk /r and got the same error message when it tried to run after the
> > reboot.
> >
> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
> >
> >> Hi Conley,
> >>
> >> Try running chkntfs /d, then chkdsk.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Best of Luck,
> >>
> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
> >>
> >> "Conley" <Conley.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:6BE9C169-1A1F-41A5-A037-8638922C1998@microsoft.com...
> >> > Per the KB article, I disabled all non-Microsoft services and rebooted.
> >> > (There was very little there except for the antivirus program.)
> >> >
> >> > I then tried running chkdsk with various combinations of /f, /r and /x,
> >> > and
> >> > I got the following results:
> >> >
> >> > /f No text screen came up
> >> > /r The screen with the error message re
> >> > "direct
> >> > access" came up
> >> > /x No text screen came up
> >> > /f /x No text screen came up
> >> > /r /x The screen with the error message re
> >> > "direct
> >> > access" came up
> >> >
> >> > Do you know of anything else that I should be looking for if the
> >> > problem
> >> > is
> >> > not attributable to a boot-loading third-party service or driver, which
> >> > should have shown up on the Autoruns scan?
> >> >
> >> > Thanks for all of your time and effort.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Hi,
> >> >>
> >> >> There's this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555484
> >> >>
> >> >> And as well some disk utilities make system changes that are not
> >> >> undone
> >> >> when
> >> >> they are uninstalled. You might try running chkdsk /x to force
> >> >> dismounting.
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Best of Luck,
> >> >>
> >> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
> >> >>
> >> >> "Conley" <Conley.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> news:BBB2E344-1202-418C-94C4-7AFB4AAFD81A@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > What do you mean by "disk management software"? How does it cause
> >> >> > this
> >> >> > issue, and how do you undo the damage?
> >> >> >
> >> >> > There was a recent update to Norton Antivirus 2007, but I have
> >> >> > uninstalled
> >> >> > the program and installed AVG Free, and I still have the same
> >> >> > problem.
> >> >> > Another possibility would be a rootkit scanner called gmer that I
> >> >> > tried
> >> >> > out
> >> >> > recently. After it caused my computer to freeze, I uninstalled it.
> >> >> > I
> >> >> > have
> >> >> > searched the registry and the file system for any lingering traces
> >> >> > of
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > program and found nothing. I have also run Autoruns, and I saw
> >> >> > nothing
> >> >> > on
> >> >> > the list of what was loading at start-up that struck me as unusual.
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
> >> >> > .
> >> >> >> Hi,
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> AV programs are not the only problems, any disk management software
> >> >> >> can
> >> >> >> cause this issue. In addition, an update to your existing AV and
> >> >> >> security
> >> >> >> software can cause the issue (have you done any prior to this
> >> >> >> problem
> >> >> >> beginning?).
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> Best of Luck,
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >> >> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >> >> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >> >> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> "Conley" <Conley.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> >> news:AA42241E-FC9F-4AF2-B7A9-EC7EC2CE72B7@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> >I have already tried disabling my antivirus progam before setting
> >> >> >> >up
> >> >> >> >the
> >> >> >> > scan, and it made no difference - the scan would not run.
> >> >> >> > Besides,
> >> >> >> > when
> >> >> >> > chkdsk was working, it ran without regard to whether the
> >> >> >> > antivirus
> >> >> >> > program
> >> >> >> > was running.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> Hi,
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> Do you have any boot time antivirus scanners running?
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> >> Best of Luck,
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >> >> >> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >> >> >> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >> >> >> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> "Conley" <Conley.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> >> >> news:AEBC244A-238C-4B42-B373-47006FFAD833@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> >> > The error message comes up AFTER the scan has been requested
> >> >> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> >> > scheduled
> >> >> >> >> > and the computer has been rebooted so that the scan can run.
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> Hi,
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> Any volume in use cannot be dismounted, which is required for
> >> >> >> >> >> chkdsk
> >> >> >> >> >> to
> >> >> >> >> >> run
> >> >> >> >> >> a full check. Normally, one is prompted for it to be
> >> >> >> >> >> completed
> >> >> >> >> >> on
> >> >> >> >> >> the
> >> >> >> >> >> next
> >> >> >> >> >> reboot, does this not occur for you?
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> >> >> Best of Luck,
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >> >> >> >> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >> >> >> >> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >> >> >> >> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> "Conley" <Conley.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> >> >> >> news:51C84671-6DAC-4D37-9595-DC559753ECEE@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> >> >> > The chkdsk utility will no longer run. Instead, I get this
> >> >> >> >> >> > error
> >> >> >> >> >> > message:
> >> >> >> >> >> > "cannot open volume for direct access." I found some old
> >> >> >> >> >> > KB
> >> >> >> >> >> > articles
> >> >> >> >> >> > indicating that this problem had come up under Windows XP
> >> >> >> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> >> >> > was
> >> >> >> >> >> > going
> >> >> >> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> >> >> > be
> >> >> >> >> >> > fixed by an upcoming service pack. Why am I getting this
> >> >> >> >> >> > error
> >> >> >> >> >> > message
> >> >> >> >> >> > with
> >> >> >> >> >> > Vista Ultimate?
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>

As noted in my longer post above, my problems were attributable to a program
called Haute Secure. Do you have that on your computer?


"tnahowru" wrote:

> Help, i am having the same problem!
>
> "Conley" wrote:
>
> > The chkdsk utility will no longer run. Instead, I get this error message:
> > "cannot open volume for direct access." I found some old KB articles
> > indicating that this problem had come up under Windows XP and was going to be
> > fixed by an upcoming service pack. Why am I getting this error message with
> > Vista Ultimate?

Great feedback, Conley. Thanks!

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"Conley" <Conley RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A4F66338-ED9E-4846-A44A-1EB12C27617C@microsoft.com...
>I finally discovered that the source of my problems with chkdsk and
>Diskeeper
> was a program called Haute Secure. I had thought that it was a toolbar or
> BHO that would do nothing if IE was not open and would not in any event
> dig
> deep into the OS like an antivirus program. I tried every possible
> uninstall/reinstall/version rollback on my Symantec software before I
> grasped
> at one last straw today and uninstalled Haute Secure. Chkdsk then ran on
> my
> next reboot. It turns out that that program is quite powerful and
> involves
> some kind of kernel-level driver.
>
> System Restore is still not working from within Vista Ultimate, but I
> have,
> at all times, been able to run System Restore and Complete PC Restore from
> the Vista DVD.
>
> All of the messing around with the computer seems to have generated some
> new
> problems, and I may have to post some new questions on this forum in order
> to
> get back to where this all began.
>
>
>
> "Rick Rogers" wrote:
>
>> Hi Conley,
>>
>> Raxco, a maker of another disk utility, has this page of programs known
>> to
>> cause this issue. You may want to run through the list to see if any of
>> them
>> apply:
>> http://www.raxco.com/support/windows/kb_details.cfm?kbid=494&issue=3
>>
>> There isn't going to be a simple answer here, as under normal
>> circumstances
>> the disk checker utility will run fine when scheduled. What you have is
>> some
>> program that has altered the system and is gaining access to the drive
>> and
>> running prior to the disk checker, thus preventing the exclusive access
>> it
>> requires. Deciphering it will require some detective work, and simple
>> removal of any offending program will not always resolve the problem as
>> it
>> may not undo all of the changes that the original installation made. This
>> is
>> particularly so if the software was not designed for Vista.
>>
>> --
>> Best of Luck,
>>
>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>>
>> "Conley" <Conley RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:6A5EE865-2655-485E-9F33-B827BDBB6B77@microsoft.com...
>> > Rick,
>> >
>> > I tried this twice, with services enabled and with services disabled,
>> > and
>> > I
>> > saw the same thing both times. After hitting enter at the command line
>> > for
>> > chkntfs /d, a new command line appeared (i.e., no text confirming
>> > success
>> > with resetting defaults, which may be the normal behavior). I then ran
>> > chkdsk /r and got the same error message when it tried to run after the
>> > reboot.
>> >
>> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Hi Conley,
>> >>
>> >> Try running chkntfs /d, then chkdsk.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Best of Luck,
>> >>
>> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>> >>
>> >> "Conley" <Conley RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:6BE9C169-1A1F-41A5-A037-8638922C1998@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Per the KB article, I disabled all non-Microsoft services and
>> >> > rebooted.
>> >> > (There was very little there except for the antivirus program.)
>> >> >
>> >> > I then tried running chkdsk with various combinations of /f, /r and
>> >> > /x,
>> >> > and
>> >> > I got the following results:
>> >> >
>> >> > /f No text screen came up
>> >> > /r The screen with the error message re
>> >> > "direct
>> >> > access" came up
>> >> > /x No text screen came up
>> >> > /f /x No text screen came up
>> >> > /r /x The screen with the error message re
>> >> > "direct
>> >> > access" came up
>> >> >
>> >> > Do you know of anything else that I should be looking for if the
>> >> > problem
>> >> > is
>> >> > not attributable to a boot-loading third-party service or driver,
>> >> > which
>> >> > should have shown up on the Autoruns scan?
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks for all of your time and effort.
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> Hi,
>> >> >>
>> >> >> There's this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555484
>> >> >>
>> >> >> And as well some disk utilities make system changes that are not
>> >> >> undone
>> >> >> when
>> >> >> they are uninstalled. You might try running chkdsk /x to force
>> >> >> dismounting.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> --
>> >> >> Best of Luck,
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> >> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> >> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>> >> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "Conley" <Conley RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> >> news:BBB2E344-1202-418C-94C4-7AFB4AAFD81A@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> > What do you mean by "disk management software"? How does it
>> >> >> > cause
>> >> >> > this
>> >> >> > issue, and how do you undo the damage?
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > There was a recent update to Norton Antivirus 2007, but I have
>> >> >> > uninstalled
>> >> >> > the program and installed AVG Free, and I still have the same
>> >> >> > problem.
>> >> >> > Another possibility would be a rootkit scanner called gmer that I
>> >> >> > tried
>> >> >> > out
>> >> >> > recently. After it caused my computer to freeze, I uninstalled
>> >> >> > it.
>> >> >> > I
>> >> >> > have
>> >> >> > searched the registry and the file system for any lingering
>> >> >> > traces
>> >> >> > of
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > program and found nothing. I have also run Autoruns, and I saw
>> >> >> > nothing
>> >> >> > on
>> >> >> > the list of what was loading at start-up that struck me as
>> >> >> > unusual.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
>> >> >> > .
>> >> >> >> Hi,
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> AV programs are not the only problems, any disk management
>> >> >> >> software
>> >> >> >> can
>> >> >> >> cause this issue. In addition, an update to your existing AV and
>> >> >> >> security
>> >> >> >> software can cause the issue (have you done any prior to this
>> >> >> >> problem
>> >> >> >> beginning?).
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> --
>> >> >> >> Best of Luck,
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> >> >> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> >> >> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>> >> >> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> "Conley" <Conley RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> >> >> news:AA42241E-FC9F-4AF2-B7A9-EC7EC2CE72B7@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> >> >I have already tried disabling my antivirus progam before
>> >> >> >> >setting
>> >> >> >> >up
>> >> >> >> >the
>> >> >> >> > scan, and it made no difference - the scan would not run.
>> >> >> >> > Besides,
>> >> >> >> > when
>> >> >> >> > chkdsk was working, it ran without regard to whether the
>> >> >> >> > antivirus
>> >> >> >> > program
>> >> >> >> > was running.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >> Hi,
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> Do you have any boot time antivirus scanners running?
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> --
>> >> >> >> >> Best of Luck,
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> >> >> >> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> >> >> >> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>> >> >> >> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> "Conley" <Conley RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> >> >> >> news:AEBC244A-238C-4B42-B373-47006FFAD833@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> >> >> > The error message comes up AFTER the scan has been
>> >> >> >> >> > requested
>> >> >> >> >> > and
>> >> >> >> >> > scheduled
>> >> >> >> >> > and the computer has been rebooted so that the scan can
>> >> >> >> >> > run.
>> >> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
>> >> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >> >> Hi,
>> >> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> >> Any volume in use cannot be dismounted, which is required
>> >> >> >> >> >> for
>> >> >> >> >> >> chkdsk
>> >> >> >> >> >> to
>> >> >> >> >> >> run
>> >> >> >> >> >> a full check. Normally, one is prompted for it to be
>> >> >> >> >> >> completed
>> >> >> >> >> >> on
>> >> >> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> >> >> next
>> >> >> >> >> >> reboot, does this not occur for you?
>> >> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> >> --
>> >> >> >> >> >> Best of Luck,
>> >> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> >> >> >> >> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> >> >> >> >> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>> >> >> >> >> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>> >> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> >> "Conley" <Conley RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> >> >> >> >> >> message
>> >> >> >> >> >> news:51C84671-6DAC-4D37-9595-DC559753ECEE@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> >> >> >> > The chkdsk utility will no longer run. Instead, I get
>> >> >> >> >> >> > this
>> >> >> >> >> >> > error
>> >> >> >> >> >> > message:
>> >> >> >> >> >> > "cannot open volume for direct access." I found some
>> >> >> >> >> >> > old
>> >> >> >> >> >> > KB
>> >> >> >> >> >> > articles
>> >> >> >> >> >> > indicating that this problem had come up under Windows
>> >> >> >> >> >> > XP
>> >> >> >> >> >> > and
>> >> >> >> >> >> > was
>> >> >> >> >> >> > going
>> >> >> >> >> >> > to
>> >> >> >> >> >> > be
>> >> >> >> >> >> > fixed by an upcoming service pack. Why am I getting
>> >> >> >> >> >> > this
>> >> >> >> >> >> > error
>> >> >> >> >> >> > message
>> >> >> >> >> >> > with
>> >> >> >> >> >> > Vista Ultimate?
>> >> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>

I have been running into the same problem but, unfortunately, in my case
there must be another cause as Haute Secure is not installed on my PC. It has
become a pretty annoying problem: besides getting the error message when
booting up, it turns out that Diskeeper can no longer do a boot-time
defragmentation because it doesn't have direct access, no doubt because of
the same reason. To make matters worse, when trying to do a backup using
Vista's backup module, I get a message there's a problem with my C-drive
(brand-new, by the way, although that doesn't exclude a problem of course),
kindly requesting to run chkdsk... that doesn't work.

There are a few suggestions on the Microsoft sites to solve the problem but
most apply to OSs prior to Vista. The only one that sounds most plausible for
Vista is that a 3rd party virus checker or disk monitor tool are blocking
access to the volume. Disabling an antivirus program doesn't sound like a
healthy decision, though, except to test if this is the cause of the problem.
But then, I have been using Norton AV (Corporate Edition 10.2) before, on
Vista, without running into this problem. Possibly, just possibly, it could
be that after installing and un-installing ZoneAlarm firewall (free version,
v7.1, Vista-ready) and a trial version of Norton Internet Security as
possible alternatives to Vista's built-in firewall, there are still some
leftovers in the registry (although I searched through the registry and
deleted the one ZoneAlarm leftover that I could find).

Prior to doing a clean install and hope for the best, I was wondering if
anyone has had similar problems after having installed ZoneAlarm or Norton IS?

--
Luc


"Rick Rogers" wrote:

> Great feedback, Conley. Thanks!
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>
> "Conley" <Conley RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:A4F66338-ED9E-4846-A44A-1EB12C27617C@microsoft.com...
> >I finally discovered that the source of my problems with chkdsk and
> >Diskeeper
> > was a program called Haute Secure. I had thought that it was a toolbar or
> > BHO that would do nothing if IE was not open and would not in any event
> > dig
> > deep into the OS like an antivirus program. I tried every possible
> > uninstall/reinstall/version rollback on my Symantec software before I
> > grasped
> > at one last straw today and uninstalled Haute Secure. Chkdsk then ran on
> > my
> > next reboot. It turns out that that program is quite powerful and
> > involves
> > some kind of kernel-level driver.
> >
> > System Restore is still not working from within Vista Ultimate, but I
> > have,
> > at all times, been able to run System Restore and Complete PC Restore from
> > the Vista DVD.
> >
> > All of the messing around with the computer seems to have generated some
> > new
> > problems, and I may have to post some new questions on this forum in order
> > to
> > get back to where this all began.
> >
> >
> >
> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
> >
> >> Hi Conley,
> >>
> >> Raxco, a maker of another disk utility, has this page of programs known
> >> to
> >> cause this issue. You may want to run through the list to see if any of
> >> them
> >> apply:
> >> http://www.raxco.com/support/windows/kb_details.cfm?kbid=494&issue=3
> >>
> >> There isn't going to be a simple answer here, as under normal
> >> circumstances
> >> the disk checker utility will run fine when scheduled. What you have is
> >> some
> >> program that has altered the system and is gaining access to the drive
> >> and
> >> running prior to the disk checker, thus preventing the exclusive access
> >> it
> >> requires. Deciphering it will require some detective work, and simple
> >> removal of any offending program will not always resolve the problem as
> >> it
> >> may not undo all of the changes that the original installation made. This
> >> is
> >> particularly so if the software was not designed for Vista.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Best of Luck,
> >>
> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
> >>
> >> "Conley" <Conley RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:6A5EE865-2655-485E-9F33-B827BDBB6B77@microsoft.com...
> >> > Rick,
> >> >
> >> > I tried this twice, with services enabled and with services disabled,
> >> > and
> >> > I
> >> > saw the same thing both times. After hitting enter at the command line
> >> > for
> >> > chkntfs /d, a new command line appeared (i.e., no text confirming
> >> > success
> >> > with resetting defaults, which may be the normal behavior). I then ran
> >> > chkdsk /r and got the same error message when it tried to run after the
> >> > reboot.
> >> >
> >> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Hi Conley,
> >> >>
> >> >> Try running chkntfs /d, then chkdsk.
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Best of Luck,
> >> >>
> >> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
> >> >>
> >> >> "Conley" <Conley RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> news:6BE9C169-1A1F-41A5-A037-8638922C1998@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > Per the KB article, I disabled all non-Microsoft services and
> >> >> > rebooted.
> >> >> > (There was very little there except for the antivirus program.)
> >> >> >
> >> >> > I then tried running chkdsk with various combinations of /f, /r and
> >> >> > /x,
> >> >> > and
> >> >> > I got the following results:
> >> >> >
> >> >> > /f No text screen came up
> >> >> > /r The screen with the error message re
> >> >> > "direct
> >> >> > access" came up
> >> >> > /x No text screen came up
> >> >> > /f /x No text screen came up
> >> >> > /r /x The screen with the error message re
> >> >> > "direct
> >> >> > access" came up
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Do you know of anything else that I should be looking for if the
> >> >> > problem
> >> >> > is
> >> >> > not attributable to a boot-loading third-party service or driver,
> >> >> > which
> >> >> > should have shown up on the Autoruns scan?
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Thanks for all of your time and effort.
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> >> Hi,
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> There's this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555484
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> And as well some disk utilities make system changes that are not
> >> >> >> undone
> >> >> >> when
> >> >> >> they are uninstalled. You might try running chkdsk /x to force
> >> >> >> dismounting.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> Best of Luck,
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >> >> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >> >> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >> >> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> "Conley" <Conley RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> >> news:BBB2E344-1202-418C-94C4-7AFB4AAFD81A@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> > What do you mean by "disk management software"? How does it
> >> >> >> > cause
> >> >> >> > this
> >> >> >> > issue, and how do you undo the damage?
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > There was a recent update to Norton Antivirus 2007, but I have
> >> >> >> > uninstalled
> >> >> >> > the program and installed AVG Free, and I still have the same
> >> >> >> > problem.
> >> >> >> > Another possibility would be a rootkit scanner called gmer that I
> >> >> >> > tried
> >> >> >> > out
> >> >> >> > recently. After it caused my computer to freeze, I uninstalled
> >> >> >> > it.
> >> >> >> > I
> >> >> >> > have
> >> >> >> > searched the registry and the file system for any lingering
> >> >> >> > traces
> >> >> >> > of
> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> > program and found nothing. I have also run Autoruns, and I saw
> >> >> >> > nothing
> >> >> >> > on
> >> >> >> > the list of what was loading at start-up that struck me as
> >> >> >> > unusual.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
> >> >> >> > .
> >> >> >> >> Hi,
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> AV programs are not the only problems, any disk management
> >> >> >> >> software
> >> >> >> >> can
> >> >> >> >> cause this issue. In addition, an update to your existing AV and
> >> >> >> >> security
> >> >> >> >> software can cause the issue (have you done any prior to this
> >> >> >> >> problem
> >> >> >> >> beginning?).
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> >> Best of Luck,
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >> >> >> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >> >> >> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >> >> >> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> "Conley" <Conley RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> >> >> news:AA42241E-FC9F-4AF2-B7A9-EC7EC2CE72B7@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> >> >I have already tried disabling my antivirus progam before
> >> >> >> >> >setting
> >> >> >> >> >up
> >> >> >> >> >the
> >> >> >> >> > scan, and it made no difference - the scan would not run.
> >> >> >> >> > Besides,
> >> >> >> >> > when
> >> >> >> >> > chkdsk was working, it ran without regard to whether the
> >> >> >> >> > antivirus
> >> >> >> >> > program
> >> >> >> >> > was running.
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> Hi,
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> Do you have any boot time antivirus scanners running?
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> >> >> Best of Luck,
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >> >> >> >> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >> >> >> >> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >> >> >> >> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> "Conley" <Conley RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> >> >> >> news:AEBC244A-238C-4B42-B373-47006FFAD833@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> >> >> > The error message comes up AFTER the scan has been
> >> >> >> >> >> > requested
> >> >> >> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> >> >> > scheduled
> >> >> >> >> >> > and the computer has been rebooted so that the scan can
> >> >> >> >> >> > run.
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> Hi,
> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> Any volume in use cannot be dismounted, which is required
> >> >> >> >> >> >> for
> >> >> >> >> >> >> chkdsk
> >> >> >> >> >> >> to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> run
> >> >> >> >> >> >> a full check. Normally, one is prompted for it to be
> >> >> >> >> >> >> completed
> >> >> >> >> >> >> on
> >> >> >> >> >> >> the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> next
> >> >> >> >> >> >> reboot, does this not occur for you?
> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> >> >> >> Best of Luck,
> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >> >> >> >> >> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >> >> >> >> >> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >> >> >> >> >> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> "Conley" <Conley RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> >> >> >> >> >> >> message
> >> >> >> >> >> >> news:51C84671-6DAC-4D37-9595-DC559753ECEE@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > The chkdsk utility will no longer run. Instead, I get
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > this
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > error
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > message:
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > "cannot open volume for direct access." I found some
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > old
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > KB
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > articles
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > indicating that this problem had come up under Windows
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > XP
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > was
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > going
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > be
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > fixed by an upcoming service pack. Why am I getting
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > this
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > error
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > message
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > with
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > Vista Ultimate?
> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>

I would try a system restore first. If you can't go back far enough to
fix the problem, try running System File Check. If sfc detects corrupt
system files and cannot repair them, at least it will identify the
corrupt files in CBS.log. You can then access good system files from
your Vista Install DVD (see tutorial on this website) to copy to your OS
to replace the corrupt files. I have had Vista Updates corrupt my
autochk.exe system file and my McAfee Security Center.


--
uvbogden

Thanks, uvbogden, for your feedback. The System File Check did find some
errors, that we successfully repaired and got rid of the error message in the
Backup and Restore Center. It did not, however, resolve the problem with
chkdsk itself, or the fact that Diskeeper 2007 can no longer do a boot-time
defragmentation.

I guess I have no other alternative but to do a clean re-install of Vista
and hope for the best. Should I learn anything during that process or find
out at what precise point in time the problem starts to occur, I'll post it
here.
--
Luc


"uvbogden" wrote:

>
> I would try a system restore first. If you can't go back far enough to
> fix the problem, try running System File Check. If sfc detects corrupt
> system files and cannot repair them, at least it will identify the
> corrupt files in CBS.log. You can then access good system files from
> your Vista Install DVD (see tutorial on this website) to copy to your OS
> to replace the corrupt files. I have had Vista Updates corrupt my
> autochk.exe system file and my McAfee Security Center.
>
>
> --
> uvbogden
>

I had this same problem with my Maxtor One Touch external drive, and
tried everything mentioned here. Eventually, I just unplugged the
drive, and plugged it back in (while computer still up), and windows
re-adjusted itself to recognize the drive correctly. I have no idea,
either, what is causing the problem. This isn't the first time I've had
to do this.


--
suej196