Maddening Win 98 problem

[weshuang]

I have Win 98SE, which came pre-installed on a Dell that is about 18 months old. Anyway, I have long had a frustrating problem that is new to me. When I am forced to hard boot, Dos Scandisk takes over 30 minutes to complete it's 'checking directories' procedure. It gets stuck on hundreds of what I assume are system directories with names like VIHBXOHE that I can not see in Windows Explorer. I don't have an abnormally large HD, and have defragged the drive, which didn't help. Can someone tell me what these directories are? And how to eliminate the need for them?

My previous computers (nor the one at home which has a fresh install of win 98SE) have never had this problem.

 

[Platypus]

Sounds like (this is a guess) that you are running the "thorough" check on boot, and it should just be standard.

 

[weshuang]

If you're referring to the surface test, it's not doing that. This is the directory check, which on other computers is a 1 or 2 minute procedure.

 

[Thor86]

Can you press escape when it does that, so at least you can try and boot up and bypass the dos scan, and try running scandisk if you can boot into your os.

 

[stirling]

Do you have explorer set up to show all files/folders?
(Tools->Folder Options->View->Show hidden files and folders)

 

[weshuang]

I'll try that, but does anyone have any idea what these directories are, and whether I need them?

 

[jfunk]

Sounds like they are mabye internet cache folders.

Try emptying your browser cache's and running it again to see if it speeds up.


j

 

[stirling]

My initial instinct is to think those folders are virus-made. I've never heard of a useful folder named 'VIHBXOHE', much less hundreds of them that are hidden.

But the idea behind my question was to let you see them in explorer so you can inspect and, if need be, destroy.

 

[weshuang]

OK, I'll try that on Monday when I get into work. Virus-made, I never thought of that. I was assuming that it was some ridiculous Windows caching thing. Thanks for the idea! I assume that there's no easy way to tell what program is accessing the files? That I just basically have to close my eyes and hope?

 

[weshuang]

Stirling,

Well, I guess that wasn't the answer. I checked, and I do have 'view hidden and system files' checked in Explorer.

 

[eplebnista]

Hello,

You could disable the Scandisk and do it from windows after boot up. You should be able to go to Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information. Then select the Tools Menu and start the System Configuration Utility Screen. Then select the Advanced button, and then select box Disable Scandisk after bad shutdown. I know there is probably a shorter way to get to the option, but habits are ingrained.

HTH,
eplebnista

 

[stirling]

And when you do a 'find all...' nothing comes up as VIHBXOHE?

What happens when you run scandisk from the gui?

There is a util to see what programs are accessing what files.
Filemon, from sysinternals.com
Use caution, though. Sometimes it works fine, sometimes BSOD (in 2K).
Should work fine on 98, though.