When you restart a computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008, and a volume on the hard disk is corrupted, a black screen is displayed, or the system stops responding

Symptom 1

Consider the following scenario:

• On a computer that is running the release version of Windows Vista, a volume on the hard disk is corrupted.
• You restart the computer.

In this scenario, a black screen is displayed, and you cannot log on to the computer except in safe mode.

Symptom 2

Consider the following scenario:

• On a computer that is running Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows Server 2008, a volume on the hard disk is corrupted.
• You restart the computer.

In this scenario, the Autochk.exe application stops responding, and this prevents the restart process from continuing. If you press a key to cancel the Autochk.exe process, you can log on to the computer as expected.

Note By default, the Autochk.exe application automatically tries to fix any hard disk corruption during startup. After Autochk.exe fixes the disk corruption, the system automatically restarts.

This problem occurs because the Autochk.exe application uses different criteria for identifying disk corruption from the criteria that the NTFS system uses. When NTFS marks a volume as corrupted, the Autochk.exe application cannot verify the corruption. Instead, Autochk.exe marks the volume as clean and then restarts the system. However, during the system restart, NTFS again marks the volume as corrupted. Therefore, Autochk.exe restarts again. In this scenario, the restart process stops responding, or a black screen is displayed.

To work around this problem, download the Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows Vista SP1 and for Windows Server 2008, and then create a Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) 2.1 disc. Restart the computer by using this Windows PE 2.1 disc, and then run the chkdsk /f command to fix the hard disk corruption.

Note Install the hotfix that is mentioned the "Resolution" section after you run the chkdsk /f command to fix the hard disk corruption.

For more information about the Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows Vista SP1 and for Windows Server 2008, visit the following Microsoft Web site:For more information about how to deploy Windows Vista by creating an image, visit the following Microsoft Web site:Note See step 4, "Creating an image."

For more information about the chkdsk command, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Important Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, only one of these products may be listed on the �Hotfix Request� page. To request the hotfix package that applies to both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, just select the product that is listed on the page.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Vista, Windows Vista SP1, or Windows Server 2008, x86-based versions

Windows Vista, Windows Vista SP1, or Windows Server 2008, x64 versions

Windows Vista SP1 or Windows Server 2008, IA-64 versions

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.