Computer question - What does this mean?

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Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 7:56 pm

My computer froze and then when I restarted it, it said:

Checking file system on C:
The type of the file system is NTFS. The volume is dirty
CHKDSK is verifying files

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 7:59 pm

It's an automatic startup routine that detected a problem in the disk. From Microsoft:

Quote:

If a volume's dirty bit is set, this indicates that the file system may be in an inconsistent state. The dirty bit can be set because the volume is online and has outstanding changes, because changes were made to the volume and the computer shutdown before the changes were committed to disk, or because corruption was detected on the volume. If the dirty bit is set when the computer restarts, chkdsk runs to verify the consistency of the volume.

Every time Windows XP starts, Autochk.exe is called by the Kernel to scan all volumes to check if the volume dirty bit is set. If the dirty bit is set, autochk performs an immediate chkdsk /f on that volume. Chkdsk /f verifies file system integrity and attempts to fix any problems with the volume.

Usually the problems are minor and fixable by chkdsk. Can happen if your computer shut down via a power cut and not your going through the shutdown routine. If it comes back and boots normally, it's no big deal.

Not necessarily limited to XP, by the way.

Edit: Any idea why it froze? Doing anything unusual at the time?

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 8:05 pm

Well I had turned on skype - for some reason my computer does NOT like skype. I can't keep it on.

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 8:10 pm

I'd recommend uninstalling Skype (Start--->Control Panel--->Add/Remove programs, scroll down to Skype and click on Uninstall), reboot your computer, reinstall it, and reboot again.

I think Skype allows you to export your contact list to a file, that'd be a good idea before you remove it...

It's a PITA to reboot between steps but even if the program doesn't tell you to (some do, some don't), it seems to help keep things sorted.

If that doesn't fix it, you've just exhausted my knowledge of the subject. Wink

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 1:01 am

I'd second what Ratter said.
CHKDSK is like the old Scandisk in Windows 98. Checks for errors.

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 5:24 am

try running chkdsk yourself with a repair option.

Click Start, select Run

In the box, type: chkdsk c: /f /r

This will run chkdsk with the repair and recover flags set.

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:46 am

Quote:

Well I had turned on skype - for some reason my computer does NOT like skype. I can't keep it on.

As ratter said - always remember the holy trinity of Windows R's: Retry, Reboot, Reinstall.
No, really. This works surprisingly often. Smile

As for Skype, what happens when you say your computer doesn't like it? Does it simply not work? Does it crash? Or was it Skype who froze the computer as you described above?

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 3:36 am

The thing is - each time I use skype - my internet stops working and then I have to play with it to get it to work again - and then skype stays on for a minute - the firefox windows freeze - won't go anywhere - I turn skype off - my internet usually connects again and things go well. But this one time it just crashed - everythign froze - and I had to shut it down (hit the power button) and then turn it back on.

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:53 am

Eliza,

What are you using for a firewall or internet security? sounds like a conflict.

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:27 am

Quote:

sounds like a conflict.

Yes it does.

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 2:05 pm

It sort of sounds like your having a conflict with the ports in that Skype and Firefox are trying to use the same one.
I�m using Firefox 2.0.0.6. Your settings are probably going to be similar to mine.
In Firefox, go to Tools > Options > Settings (Configure How Firefox Connects to the Internet) > Connection Settings. My system has the box ticked that says �Direct Connection to Internet� . But, my computer at work wouldn�t work that way. I had to tick the box that says Auto Detect Proxy Settings for this Network.

That�s not all. If the above doesn�t work there are options in Skype. Go to Tools>Options>Connections. In the top box I have Use Port 19717 for Incoming Connections. I had to reset it to this port. I also have ticked �Use Port 80 and 443 as connections for incoming Connections. The other settings shouldn�t matter.

I�ll bet one of these solutions will work. At least it won�t hurt. You can always change them back.

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