Err Msg: Can Not Lock Volume for Direct Access

ID: Q160654

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

When Chkdsk is scheduled to run on a partition where Windows NT Server is installed or when Autochk runs on this partition after restarting the computer, one of the following error messages is displayed and neither utility is run against the partition.

Can not lock volume for direct access
-or-
Can not open volume for direct access


CAUSE

This error message indicates that Chkdsk or Autochk could not lock the partition on which you are attempting to run Chkdsk or Autochk. This can occur if another utility or service (such as a virus checker program or a disk monitoring program) locks the partition before you attempt to run Chkdsk or Autochk.


RESOLUTION

To have Chkdsk or Autochk lock the partition and perform their appropriate tasks, complete the following steps:

  1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.


  2. Double-click the Services icon and change the Start Type of the other third-party utility to Manual.


  3. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control panel, and then double-click Devices.


  4. Check for third-party devices set to run at startup that might be locking the volume, and if you locate any, double-click the third-party device, and then set its startup type to Disabled.

    NOTE: If you are unsure if it is safe to disable the device, create a test hardware profile, and then disable the device in the test hardware If this does not work, revert back to your original profile. To create a test hardware profile:


    1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control panel, and then double-click System.


    2. Click the Hardware Profiles tab, click Original Configuration, click Copy, and name the profile Test.


    You can now disable devices or services in the test hardware profile. To do so, use the following steps:

    1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control panel, and then double-click Services or Devices.


    2. Click the service or device you want to disable, click Hardware Profile, click Test, and then click Disable.


Additional query words: CHKDSK AUTOCHK 


Keywords          : kbhw kbtool nthw ntfilesys NTSrvWkst ntutil 
Version           : winnt:3.5,3.51,4.0
Platform          : winnt 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: February 25, 1999