Err Msg: ScanDisk Cannot Check This Drive Now Because the...

• Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

When you try to run ScanDisk in Windows 95, you may receive the following error message:

   ScanDisk cannot check this drive now because the disk is not properly
   formatted, or a program such as a disk utility has locked it. Format
   the disk or wait for the utility to finish, and then restart ScanDisk.

CAUSE

This problem can occur if you are running Bgmail.exe. Bgmail.exe prevents Windows 95 tools from locking the hard disk properly. Note that Bgmail.exe is loaded from either the Winstart.bat file or the Autoexec.bat file.

RESOLUTION

To run ScanDisk, use either of the following methods:

• Edit the Winstart.bat file or the Autoexec.bat file and place the word "rem" (without quotation marks) at the beginning of the Bgmail.exe line to temporarily disable it. Save and close the file and then restart Windows 95 and run ScanDisk.
• Run ScanDisk in MS-DOS mode. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, and then click Shut Down.

  2. Click "Restart the computer in MS-DOS mode," and then click

        Yes.
  

  3. At the command prompt, type the following line and then press

        ENTER:
  

           scandisk
  
     4. When ScanDisk is finished, type the following line and then
        press ENTER:
  
           exit
  
  

MORE INFORMATION

This error can occur with any program that performs an INT 21 hook.

Bgmail.exe is a tool that is installed on AT&T computers to provide access to AT&T's proprietary mail services.

The problem described in this article can also occur if you are loading the following line in the Winstart.bat file:

   c:\windows\updat_cd.com c:\cd.sav

The third-party product discussed in this article is manufactured by a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.