Disabling Autochk Causes Incorrect Volume Set Size (235376)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
This article was previously published under Q235376
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SUMMARY

Although you can disable the automatic disk checking tool (Autochk.exe) that runs at Windows NT startup, Microsoft does not recommend that you do so. Disabling Autochk during the extension of a volume set can result in damage to the volume set, loss of data, or an inability to use the space added to the set.

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

When you extend a volume set, Disk Administrator updates the BootExecute value under the following registry key, appending the command "autochk /x drive_letter":

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager

This causes the NTFS indices to be rebuilt and the additional capacity to be added to the volume set.

If this step is not performed, Disk Administrator may report the new disk to be a part of the volume set, even though File Manager or the command prompt still shows the previous capacity. Another possibility is corruption of the entire volume set. Your only option may be to delete and re-create the volume set, and then restore from backup.

If an incorrect capacity is reported, you may be able to resolve the situation by adding a command to run Autochk to the BootExecute value in the registry key listed above. You can try adding the following data value for the BootExecute value:

autocheck autochk *
autochk /x drive:

Note that you must press ENTER after "autocheck autochk *".

Then, shut down and restart the computer. When the computer restarts, Chkdsk runs and the volume set is verified. This process may take a long time, but you must allow it to continue. If the process is successful, the volume set reports the correct size.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/6/2002
Keywords:kbDiskMemory kbenv kbinfo KB235376
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.