When I run a disk error check through the standard tools, on restarting the
computer the normal disk error checking screen comes up but then I get a
message "cannot open the volume for direct access -windows has finished
checking the disk" and then the boot process is completed. Obviously the full
check has not been done as normally it should run through 5 steps which I
have done successfully on this machine before. Any ideas?
--
Pete

Cannot lock volume for direct access
Cannot open volume for direct access

Unable to run CHKDSK
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555484

A program called Hitman Pro can cause the problem.

A really old version of ZoneAlarm (a version from 2004) can cause the
problem.

Spyware Doctor can also cause the problem.

The /x switch doesn't work if Spyware Doctor is installed. Spyware Doctor
needs to be uninstalled or do this...

Quoted from PCTools, Spyware Doctor...
1. Exit from Spyware Doctor (to exit from Spyware
Doctor please right click on the Spyware Doctor icon in
the notification area (next to the clock on the Windows
taskbar) and select Exit from the menu that appears)

2. Delete the file
ikhlayer.sys from %windir%\system32\drivers\
or
from c:\windows\system32\drivers\

3. Restart Spyware Doctor

Chkdsk, defrag and error-checking should now work.
-----

[[There is currently no fix for this problem.]]
[[NOTE: You may have success if you schedule Chkdsk to run at startup and
use the /X switch, which will force a dismount. ]]
from...
JSI Tip 7079. You receive 'Cannot open volume for direct access' when Chkdsk
runs during Windows XP startup
http://www.jsifaq.com/subO/tip7000/rh7079.htm

To run chkdsk from a command prompt.

Start | Run | Type: cmd | Click OK |
In the command prompt, type:

chkdsk C: /x

Hit your Enter key.

The following error message appears:
Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Would you
like to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system
restarts? (Y/N)

Type Y, hit Enter and close the command prompt.

Reboot.

The /x switch: Use with NTFS only. Forces the volume to dismount first, if
necessary. All open handles to the drive are invalidated. /x also includes
the functionality of /f. The /F switch fixes errors on the disk.


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In news:5A90F914-E5CD-4197-9344-86807E4A54D1@microsoft.com,
Pete <Pete@discussions.microsoft.com> hunted and pecked:

Problems solved -removed Spyware Doctor

Thanks for your help.

Have another lesser problem -my machine seems to take longer to complete the
boot process, a lot of whirring and click goes on, once this is complete the
speed is Ok but takes 1-2 mins to reach this point -any ideas?
--
Pete


"Wesley Vogel" wrote:

Pete wrote:

Try some clean boot troubleshooting.

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560

How to perform advanced clean-boot troubleshooting in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=316434

--
Rock
MS MVP Windows - Shell/User

You could have just deleted ikhlayer.sys.

But, keep having fun.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In news:9D7AE04C-E884-4624-875F-B4A82CA9C192@microsoft.com,
Pete <Pete@discussions.microsoft.com> hunted and pecked: