can't run scandisk

[bahama llama]

I'm having a problem running scandisk on my son's compaq 5020 it's running windows me. every time i try to run it keeps telling me that it had to start over because a program keeps writing to the disk.I've tried crtl+alt+del and shut down everything but explorer and it still does it.I also tried this in safemode but with the same problem. Is this possibly something loading and running from the bios? I say this cause the computer will start it's screen saver and enter suspension even though I disabled it in control panel, so I figure it's a bios setting. If this is correct can anyone tell me how to enter the bios on this machine I've tried a bunch of keys and combinations that work on other machines but they have not worked on this one. Thanks. Don.

[George Martinez]

Hi Bahama llama, That used to happen to me before as well. Try to disable the Anti-virus software running in the background before running scandisk;(like MacAfee Anti-virus software)and run scandisk again. Also try defragmenting the hard drive before using scandisk. Hope that helps.

[bahama llama]

I found out how to get into the bios (press and hold down f-10) and I disabled the power management in the bios. This didn't work but eventually I changed one of the advanced settings in scandisk (do not make a log) and this solved the problem! My guess is scandisk must have detected itself writing to the drive and kept resetting. Anyway I'm happy just to be done with it, and maybe this could help someone else? Don.

[NDC]

Are you using cable or DSL connection? If you are, you may want to try disconnecting that. back when I used to use Win98, I had to disconnect the cable connection to defrag or scandisk because I had the same problem as you do. Just give it a try.