Can I run chkdsk on system startup page after a forced power-off?

[jharris1993]

Greetings, and a huge thank-you to everyone of the form for all your help!

Here's the deal,

I have a Toshiba laptop (A505-S6980) with a 1 t hard drive running Win7 Personal. (Which IMHO, is not really relevant to the question, but you guys always ask, so I'm telling. )

Occasionally, for reasons that I do not understand, the computer periodically goes brain-dead, and locks up tighter than a jealous crusader's chastity belt on his wife - forcing what I call the "four-second-salute" (like the "three finger salute), that forces a power-down regardless of what the machine is doing.

Note that "occasionally" means extremely infrequent.

Once I do a force-power-off, and restart, I get the typical system recover startup screen advising me that things are not happy, and giving me the usual choices of starting. Usually I select "start-up normally", let the system start, and then manually run a chkdsk on the primary (system) drive. It schedules the chkdsk, and I reboot.

Here's the actual question:
Is there a way to either add, or modify the behavior of, the startup items on that screen?

What I would like is an option that does something like "Start and run Chkdsk" so that I can immediately run chkdsk prior to the initial total restart of the system, as I'd feel much more comfortable if I ran the chkdsk before the system had the chance to really wander over the hard drive.

Can do?

Thanks again for all your help!

Jim ("J.R.")

 

[windude99]

Greetings, and a huge thank-you to everyone of the form for all your help!

Here's the deal,

I have a Toshiba laptop (A505-S6980) with a 1 t hard drive running Win7 Personal. (Which IMHO, is not really relevant to the question, but you guys always ask, so I'm telling. )

Occasionally, for reasons that I do not understand, the computer periodically goes brain-dead, and locks up tighter than a jealous crusader's chastity belt on his wife - forcing what I call the "four-second-salute" (like the "three finger salute), that forces a power-down regardless of what the machine is doing.

Note that "occasionally" means extremely infrequent.

Once I do a force-power-off, and restart, I get the typical system recover startup screen advising me that things are not happy, and giving me the usual choices of starting. Usually I select "start-up normally", let the system start, and then manually run a chkdsk on the primary (system) drive. It schedules the chkdsk, and I reboot.

Here's the actual question:
Is there a way to either add, or modify the behavior of, the startup items on that screen?

What I would like is an option that does something like "Start and run Chkdsk" so that I can immediately run chkdsk prior to the initial total restart of the system, as I'd feel much more comfortable if I ran the chkdsk before the system had the chance to really wander over the hard drive.

Can do?

Thanks again for all your help!

Jim ("J.R.")

I think we should focus on what seems to be the main issue here. Your computer is locking up. That is not normal. It didn't just happen once. It has happened multiple times. So, let's try to fix the main problem. Are you using ANY system "optimizers"/registry "cleaners?" If so, remove them immediately. Next, what is your antivirus? You might have malware on your computer. Run a FULL scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware: https://www.malwarebytes.org/
Also, be sure to uncheck the trial of Malwarebytes PRO at the end of the installation (unless you want it) and be sure it updates.

 

[jharris1993]

Windude99

Thanks for your reply, it is appreciated.

I already understand about the lock-ups. I strongly suspect that it is related to attaching and removing devices like external hard-drives and such. The Toshiba's are notorious for this behavior.

I really want to focus on my question. If I wanted to discuss the lock-up issue, I would have started a different thread, appropriately titled, so that it could be found easily.

FYI, I don't use any of that crap-ware, and I have my machine scanned on a regular and frequent basis for virii and other nasties.

Because of what I do, I often load and unload software, install and then un-install stuff; so just about every year - two years I do a total bare-metal rebuild to the pristine out-of-box state, and rebuild my system to it's last used state from there. I do that because "cleaning" my system is fraught with danger, and probably won't return my system to the smooth running state I like it to be in.

So, is it possible for us to stay on-topic with this question?

Thanks!

Jim ("J.R.")

 

[Layback Bear]

If you don't want to fix you computer is okay. It's your computer.
I as windude99 don't think this is the proper method to fix your problem.
I truly try not to post anything that might do harm to a members computer.

Your question from post #1

Here's the actual question:
Is there a way to either add, or modify the behavior of, the startup items on that screen?

As far as my 3 brain cells know their is no way of doing this.

I will ask some other members to take a look at your request and see if they have any ideas.

 

[Gandalf]

If you want to do an Error-checking on your C drive without booting from the C drive, then boot using a bootable USB. That should allow you to preform the drive check on the C drive.

 

[Layback Bear]

This should help. One of my friends reminded me of this.
Use option 2. chkdsk C: /F /R
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

 

[Slartybart]

I'm fairly certain that you can setup chkdsk to run before boot, but it will be EVERY boot.

I don't know of a way to change the recovery screen options to include a chkdsk option. There might be a way to apply that logic, but another member will have to assist you.

You can search the tutorial section for keyword relevant to your request.

You might want to open a new thread for the lock-up issue even if you believe it is related to Toshiba and connecting/disconnecting devices. There might be something other issue (drivers, startup objects) or someone might be able to help you fine tune your system.

Bill
.

 

[Slartybart]

This might be helpful... it's not a new menu pick on the advanced start menu though

Select Repair form the menu picks
see: Advanced startup options (including safe mode) - Microsoft Windows Help

Select Command Prompt on the dialog window
See: What are the system recovery options in Windows? - Microsoft Windows Help

In the Command Prompt window enter the chkdsk command with either the /F or /R options

• chkdsk /F
  Fixes file system errors on the disk. The disk must be locked. If chkdsk cannot lock the drive, a message appears that asks you if you want to check the drive the next time you restart the computer.
  --OR--
• chkdsk /R
  Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information. The disk must be locked. /r includes the functionality of /f, with the additional analysis of physical disk errors.

In most cases, /F is sufficient.

After checking the disk, exit command prompt and reboot normally.

Hope that helps a bit.

Bill
.

 

[SIW2]

I think the Op wants to do it without booting into windows ( or safe mode), then having to reboot again.

That is the question, I think.

I haven't come across anyone asking for it before.

 

[gregrocker]

You can run http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html from the booted Win7 installation media or http://www.sevenforums.com/performance-maintenance/51100-repair-cd-system-repair-disk.html accessing the Command Line in http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html.

If the drive is in question I'd also run the maker's Hard Drive Diagnostic Procedure extended CD scan.

You can go over your system more closely using the http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/220165-troubleshooting-steps-windows-7-a.html which also offers tips for keeping perfect Win7.

 

[Ztruker]

If the drive is dirty (fsutil dirty query c: will show) then chkdsk will run automatically. If it's not dirty then chkdsk is not required.

 

[Layback Bear]

Thank you all for your suggestions!!

I guess we will have to wait for a reply from jharris1993.