Cannot Open Volume for Direct Access

Paging is "Virtual Memory". It is space on your hard drive that XP uses to keep information not currently needed in real memory (RAM).

To check it, goto Control Panel-> System -> Advanced -> Performance Settings button -> Advanced -> Virtual Memory Change button.

Check the "System managed size" and XP will manage this for you. Otherwise, set it the minimum to 1.5 times the amount of real memory (RAM) you have and the max to 3 times.

Thanks for that Ztruker, I have sorted the paging issue now

Anyone any ideas on the Scandisk - Cannot Open Volume for Direct Access' Problem

thanks

What do you mean I try running 'Scandisk' on the system startup? How are you trying to run it?

Try this instead.

Press WinKey+R, type chkdsk c: /r and press Enter.
Reply Y when asked if you want this to take place on next boot.
Reboot, let chkdsk run.

What do you mean I try running 'Scandisk' on the system startup? How are you trying to run it?

Right Click on 'C'
Properties
Tools Tab
Run Scandisk
Start on next Reboot

When the PC is restarted and Scandisk is about to start, this is when I get the message

'The type of File is NTFS
Cannot Open Volume for Direct Access'

Scandisk is stopped and windows opens normally

???

Do you have SP2? If not, see this MS article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/823439

Also, try what I suggested about running chkdsk, only do the following:

Press WinKey+R, type chkdsk c: /r /x and press Enter.
Reply Y when asked if you want this to take place on next boot.
Reboot, let chkdsk run.


The /x forces the volume to dismount first if necessary. Once chkdsk completes successfully, Scandisk should work.

Thanks for that Ztruker, Just away to read the article now

I have tried running scandisk using the route you suggest but get the same message

''The type of File is NTFS
Cannot Open Volume for Direct Access'
Windows has finished checking disk'

You keep saying scandisk, I keep typing chkdsk. Which are you using?

HI guys

For personal reasons I have not been around for a while and have not used my PC for ages

I am still stuck with this problem

Ztruker - sorry for the confusion, I do mean chkdsk

Welcome back, hope all is well.

Do you have Spyware Doctor installed? That has been known to cause this problem.

Could also try:

Click on Start then Run, type chkdsk c: /r /x and press Enter
Reply yes when asked inf you want it to run at boot.

/x tells XP to force a dismount of the drive before starting chkdsk. Sometimes this works.

Hi Ztruker

Thanks for all the advice so far

I have tried using teh run command & rebooting but still get the same message as before

FYI I do not have Spyware Dr installed

You never said if you have SP2 installed or not?

Just tried to download the SP2 Pack

gets to 14% and I get the follwoing message


Internet Explorer cannot dfownload...ownsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe from dowload.microsft.com

The operation has timed out

Not having SP2 installed is the problem. Where are you downloading it from?

Try here: http://www.microsoft...;displaylang=en

If you can't successfully download it, you can request it on CD from MS or perhaps have a friend download it and put it on CD for you.

Order it here: http://www.microsoft...us/default.mspx

Hey Ztuker

Sorry for the delay

I finally managed to download SP2 but after installing, extracted & run it, I still get the same message on start up

''The type of File is NTFS
Cannot Open Volume for Direct Access'
Windows has finished checking disk'

I also changed the paging to 'Custom Size' and set the Initial Size to 1.5 x RAM = 1470 & Max Size of 3 x RAM = 2940

But on start up I still get the message

'Your System has no Paging or the paging file is to small'

I have also tried 'System Managed Size' but still get the same message


- Have had to create a new log in name as well

Edited by Harlemp, 10 April 2008 - 04:07 AM.