To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods.
Method 1: Install the latest Windows XP service pack
For more information about how to obtain the latest service pack for Windows XP, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
322389 How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack
Method 2: Run a disk scanner
You can use a disk scanner to locate and repair hard disk errors. However, you must first try to restart the computer. Then, use one of the following options, depending on whether the computer restarts successfully.
If the computer restarts successfully
Option 1: The Autochk.exe program runs automatically
If the computer restarts successfully, the Autochk.exe disk scanning program runs automatically and tries to locate and to repair any hard disk errors.
Option 2: Manually run the Chkdsk.exe program
If the Autochk.exe program does not run automatically, you can manually run the Chkdsk disk scanning program. To do this, follow these steps:
- Click Start, click Run, type chkdsk /r, and then click OK.
- At the command prompt, type Y to let the disk scanner run when you restart the computer.
- Restart the computer.
For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
315265 How to perform disk error checking in Windows XP
Note If the computer has more than one page file on a different hard disk drive, you may have to run the Chkdsk program on another hard disk drive. For more information, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services. To do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
If the computer did not restart successfully
If the computer did not restart successfully, manually run the Chkdsk.exe disk scanning program from the Recovery Console. To do this, follow these steps:
- Insert the Windows operating system CD in the CD drive or in the DVD drive, and then restart the computer.
- When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
- If you have a dual-boot or a multiple-boot computer, select the installation that you have to access.
- When you are prompted, type the administrator password. If the administrator password is blank, press ENTER.
- At the command prompt, type chkdsk /r, and then press ENTER.
- When the Chkdsk program has finished running, read the results. Then, take any steps that are required to complete the process. For example, you may be prompted to run the chkdsk /f command to fix certain problems.
- Restart the computer.
Method 3: Run a virus-checking program
Run a current virus-checking program to scan your computer for viruses. Select from the following options.
Option 1: Run the computer's virus-checking program
Run the virus-checking program that is installed on the computer.
Note Before you run the program, make sure that you have installed all the current updates. To do this, contact the manufacturer of your virus-checking software.
For more information about how to contact the manufacturer, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
65416 Hardware and software vendor contact information, A-K
60781 Hardware and software vendor contact information, L-P
60782 Hardware and software vendor contact information, Q-Z
The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.Option 2: Run the Microsoft Security Essentials safety scanner
To run the Microsoft Security Essentials safety scanner, visit the following Microsoft Web site: