# Another dumb computer question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 26, 2000, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dumb-computer-question/38392 "2000-10-26T09:13:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dumb-computer-question/38392/1 "2000-10-26T09:13:41Z")
Anyone have any idea why scandisk might freeze a computer? I’m running Win98 SE (cursed be its name!), and everytime I try to do scandisk, I freeze up! I reformatted my HD a few days ago, and reinstalled Win, and everything else seems to work just fine, now… ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dumb-computer-question/38392/2 "2000-10-26T09:20:57Z")
Ive had scandisk freeze my computer (especially my first computer, a Pentium 75) all the time. It seemed to happen most often with the “thorough” scan disk. I am not sure why it froze, but it didn’t seem to be fatal to the PC. I’d attempt another scandisk later, which would finish OK. I think disabling everything else (like Virus programs, etc.) running in the background helped prevent the freezes. ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dumb-computer-question/38392/3 "2000-10-26T09:28:49Z")
Thanks Yosemitebabe! I have tried scandisk several times, and no go… even with everything shut down (no Setiathome, no antivirus, no ICQ, etc.). Scandisc still freezes everytime! Not fatal to the comp, but it did (one time) somehow corrupt a shared DLL in my firewall (which was a pain in the ass to fix, BTW!)… Anyways, thanx for the input… ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dumb-computer-question/38392/4 "2000-10-26T09:35:24Z")
I am what you might call an “intermediate” Windows user. I know a little, not a lot. Sometimes I can offer some useful computer advice (but alas, not this time!) I think in the morning, when the REAL computer brains rise from their beds, you will get some more comprehensive help for your problem. Just you wait! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![dylan\_73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecccb3/32.png) [@dylan\_73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dylan_73)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dumb-computer-question/38392/5 "2000-10-26T09:45:01Z")
If you’re running scandisk from within windows, it can freeze as it tries to access files that windows has locked. Does it run OK from DOS? ---
**Author:** ![Pergau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7c8e57/32.png) [@Pergau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pergau)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dumb-computer-question/38392/6 "2000-10-26T12:43:00Z")
older versions of Scandisk will not run on 98, make sure you have one that is approved. also Virus programs can freeze it most importantly For more accurate results, run scandisk from a boot disk or at least from dos (ie boot into dos mode) ---
**Author:** ![Stupendous\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@Stupendous\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stupendous_man)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dumb-computer-question/38392/7 "2000-10-26T13:17:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Astroboy14 \* > \*\*Anyone have any idea why scandisk might freeze a computer? I’m running Win98 SE (cursed be its name!), and everytime I try to do scandisk, I freeze up! > > I reformatted my HD a few days ago, and reinstalled Win, and everything else seems to work just fine, now… \*\* Disable your screen saver GO to the Run Dialogue box, and run msconfig Uncheck everything that is not necessary. Reboot. Shut down everything running except explorer and systray, by using the CTRL+ALT+Delete Run scandisk now. If it still doesn’t work, restart in MSDOS mode, and try running it outside of windows. If it still fails, reinstall windows. I think you can install it over top of itself. When done, get a copy of Norton Utilities, and run Norton Disk Doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dumb-computer-question/38392/8 "2000-10-26T14:27:49Z")
Thanks all! I tried all of the above before posting the Q… except scandisk in DOS!! D’OH!!! (Astro slaps his forehead and takes a slug of soju [Korean liquor])… I dunno why I didn’t think of that today… my only excuse is that I was somewhat distracted… I popped the question to my ex-GF, now FIANCEE!!! WOOO HOOOO!! She said yes!!! (I’ll start another thread about that in a minute) Anyways, I ran scandisk in DOS, and all went well… there were a few crosslinked blocks which were fixed, and that may have been the hang-up… will try to run scandisk (in Win) agian in a bit, after I check my e-mail. I’m scared, tho… I had to reinstall my video card and printer after the first freeze (pain in the ass, as I mentioned before) SHE SAID YES!!! ---
**Author:** ![Stupendous\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@Stupendous\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stupendous_man)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dumb-computer-question/38392/9 "2000-10-26T16:48:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Astroboy14 \* > \*\* > > SHE SAID YES!!! > \*\* WOW! COngratulations to you! ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dumb-computer-question/38392/10 "2000-10-26T18:41:36Z")
Scandisk in windows has a hard time with errors generally. I’ve found using the hard disk access set to DMA sometimes helps but not always. Windows 98 is not easily able (in my experience) to cooperate with intensive low level access of any kind, including disk access. Per the other posters do it in DOS if you need to run a complete scandisk. If scandisk pauses for an inordinate amount of time in DOS you may be dealing with incipient media integrity issues. ---
**Author:** ![Centerline](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/94ad74/32.png) [@Centerline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Centerline)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dumb-computer-question/38392/11 "2000-10-26T20:45:26Z")
I think you are playing with fire when you try to run scandisk while poping the question. Its like patting your head while rubbing your belly… Mr. Bill is watching!!! Congrats:-) ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dumb-computer-question/38392/12 "2000-10-26T23:20:31Z")
I remember vaguely about the swap file creating some kind of problem and having to disable virtual memory before doing a scandisk. I think it is because the swap file kepps being written to the disk and interfering with the scan. ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dumb-computer-question/38392/13 "2000-10-27T00:17:57Z")
Tried scandisk again in Win after running it in DOS… still no go, and this means I can’t defrag my hard drive in Win… is possible to defrag in DOS? I can’t recall… I used to be pretty good with DOS, but that was back in the days when there was nothing else… ---
**Author:** ![Matthew\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Matthew\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Matthew_K)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dumb-computer-question/38392/14 "2000-10-27T00:50:52Z")
I’m not sure about the Scandisk problem, but methinks that Sailor hit it on the head. Have you tried to Defrag in “Safe” mode? This is about the only way that i can get my p.c. to defrag in any sort of reliable way. Hope this helps… ---
**Author:** ![Kyberneticist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dc4da7/32.png) [@Kyberneticist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyberneticist)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dumb-computer-question/38392/15 "2000-10-27T01:00:13Z")
I wouldn’t use DOS defrag if I were you. I remember someone warning me about this once. Ran a quick search and came up with this. [http://malektips.envprogramming.com/95wdo0018.html](http://malektips.envprogramming.com/95wdo0018.html) (This one seems very insistent - look under Degrag) [http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/etc/DOS.htm](http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/etc/DOS.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dumb-computer-question/38392/16 "2000-10-27T07:45:41Z")
Crud and crap!! Just before I left the house this AM, I tried it again, and once again froze and had to CNTRL/ALT/DEL… and AGAIN I lost a bunch off DLL’s! Reinstalled the video card again (4th? time in 3 days!), played around with it for a while and then left in disgust… late for work. When I get home again (hour or so from now) I’ll see if I can get it back up and running… I may have to reinstall windows again to get the dumb thing working… AAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Thanx for all your help, guys! I’ll let you know what happens… ---
**Author:** ![dylan\_73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecccb3/32.png) [@dylan\_73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dylan_73)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dumb-computer-question/38392/17 "2000-10-27T09:48:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Astroboy14 \* > \*\*Crud and crap!! Just before I left the house this AM, I tried it again, and once again froze and had to CNTRL/ALT/DEL… and AGAIN I lost a bunch off DLL’s! Reinstalled the video card again (4th? time in 3 days!), played around with it for a while and then left in disgust… late for work. > > When I get home again (hour or so from now) I’ll see if I can get it back up and running… I may have to reinstall windows again to get the dumb thing working… > > AAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! > \*\* You can get cheap Linux CDs from [http://www.cheapbytes.com](http://www.cheapbytes.com) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dumb-computer-question/38392/18 "2000-10-27T13:10:33Z")
OK… finally reinstalled win98, and now all seems to be working… a bit too early to say that I’m clear yet, but I’m hopeful… So far so good… ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dumb-computer-question/38392/19 "2000-10-27T13:19:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Astroboy14 \* > \*\*OK… finally reinstalled win98, and now all seems to be working… a bit too early to say that I’m clear yet, but I’m hopeful… > So far so good… \*\* Good Luck… but the nature of your problem (ie stalling scandisk-lockups-busted files)indicates that your disk may have some potentially serious media surface defects that are going to crop up again when you start accessing that area of the disk. Would backup-backup-backup at this point if your data is valuable. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dumb-computer-question/38392/20 "2000-10-27T14:23:11Z")
Computers are not dumb. GIGO… Hey, get a program called SystemSuite 2000. Its a beauty! It’ll scandisk, defrag, zip, fix your registry etc etc. Well well worth the money.