Every time I run 'error check' on my XP machine, it tells me ' cannot open volume for direct access' I tried disabling all virus checkers at startup, that didnt help I tried to 'manual' at 'services' but that area doesnt have 'error-checking option'

Cannot Open Volume for Direct Access" Error Message When Chkdsk Runs at Startup http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B823439&Product=winxp Unfortunately, Microsoft is still researching this problem and will post more information in this article when the information becomes available.

natt: if you can't wait, you could try coeurdelion's solution at: http://www.mytechsupport.ca/support/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3503 also another approach at; http://www.ultratech-llc.com/KB/?File=ScanDisk.TXT which says: use NTHANDLE or one of the other tools to establish what process is holding access to the drive. if this message occurs during the reboot that should start the CHKDSK process, then you need to boot into the Recovery Console and run CHKDSK there. also verify that the firmware for your disk controller is up-to-date. let us know what worked for you...

Do you by any chance use ZONE ALARM? Their updated version 5, is incompatable with just about everything. two weeks ago after upgrade i had EXACTLY the same problem happening with my comcast cable modem, i called them, the problem wasnt on their end. Then I tried reinstalling ZA, that only f---ered up things further, basically I ended up with blue screen error messages, freezing of programs when running file shares. CHKDSK wouldnt run due to inability to acess volume. Non functional IE6 and outlook express, constant loss of connection and inability to restart my computer because of ZA , and true vector(all useless IMO) I went through 20 forums and finally took out every vestige of ZA from the registry, now my speeds are back to what it was prior to upgrade, no internet stalling whatsoever, chkdsk works, Outlook works, IE6 works WARNING BEWARE OF VERSION 5 ZONE ALARM: check their site for upgrade download problems, it is chok full of horrid stories.