Every time I try to scan my hard disk ( the C portion that contains Windows, with the capacity of 18.6 GB ) using the 'thorough' option,
the scanning process is never complete. That's because Scandisk keeps on restarting; displaying a message that a program, or Windows itself, is trying to write to the disk.
This way scanning continues running for hours (sometimes for 9 hours), but without finishing the job.

What causes this problem?
and how can I fix it, if it can be fixed?
Are there any utilities that fulfill this task more reliably than Windows Scandisk does?

Julo,
read the following, which is quoted from ME FIXES webpage.......

http://users.adelphia.net/~jgulley/me/index.html

Quote:First, run ScanDisk in Standard mode, to make sure the drives file system is OK. (Start menu - Programs - Accessories - System Tools - ScanDisk) If problems running ScanDisk, then reboot the system into SAFE MODE (hold down Ctrl or F8 key when rebooting, before the initial Windows splash screen, and at Boot Menu select the Safe Mode option) and run Scandisk. An additional advantage of Safe Mode is that it deletes some temporary control files, such as ShellIconCache, that might be corrupted. This allows Windows ME to correct some problems when it next boots into normal mode.

It is also a good idea to run ScanDisk in Thorough mode if you have the time, to make sure there are no hardware errors on the drive. This can take hours to run on a large disk drive. Be aware, when a software FireWall logs hits it will do writes to the disk drive. This will cause ScanDisk and Defrag to restart. To get around this problem you either have to disable the firewall logging, disable the firewall during scans, unplug the internet, or run ScanDisk after booting into Safe Mode. TaskMonitor, Scheduled Tasks (TuneUp, PCHealth), Automatic Updates, System Restore activity, Spyware/ADware and other background processes will also cause writes to the disk drive causing restarts" unquote

your best bet is to stop all programs running, disconnect from internet, and run Scandisk in SafeMode

rob

Thanx, Robmoski for help
I always kill all running programs from Task Manager, including the anti-virus software, but though, I'm still having the same problem.
I've also read someting similar to the above method of running in safe mode and actually tried it, but it didn't work.
I wonder what's the normal estimated time, taken by ScanDisk to apply its thorough scan on a hard disk similar to mine?

Hello julo,
I was just nosing through the forum and read you problem. You're right, running scandisk in Safe Mode usually does not work if you have a process (note: I did not say program) running in the background; however, in DOS Scandisk will run unimpeded because the processes will not be running. Please note I did not say MSDOS. This will not work using: START/RUN/COMMAND/ in Windows. By the way Scandisk does not work in XP. Now back to your problem.

Do you have a Windows Me start up disk? Yes? Good.

Shut down your computer.
Put the Win Me start up disk into the A drive.
Start your computer.
You'll see a black background with white lettering. Item four on the list is Minimal Boot. Click on the number 4 key on your key board, then ENTER.
You will now see the A prompt (A:). Type C:, then ENTER.
Type scandisk, then ENTER.

Now sit back and watch the show. You may have to tell the computer to fix a bad cluster or something, other than that the job is on auto pilot.
How long will it take? You can figure that out for yourself. Using a watch with a second hand, jot down the cluster number being processed and in 60 seconds jot down the sector number being processed. Subtract the smaller number form the larger number. Now divide that number into the total numbr of clusters on your HDD, divide by 60 and you have the number of hours it should take to scandisk your HDD. I think.
To exit the DOS hit CTRL/ALT/DELETE one time and your computer will shut down and boot up in Windows. Show's over now you can get along with your life.

Source: MSKB art # 222469
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/222469/EN-US/
Warning: if you read the article before you do the job I would suggest you go directly to the paragraph titled "Restart to a Command Prompt", you will notice the bit about going to "C:" is not there. That's called job security. You can play with the other stuff later.

Now that you are an ace on Scandisk here is something that will make you a pro with The Defragmentor Tool:
MSKB art # 286293
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;286263&Product=winme

If I made a mistake typing the addresses you can research them in Google.
Take care and happy trails.

rondlac