Automatic Hard Disk Maintenance Endless Loop
Kenn's
20001209: Automatic Hard Disk Maintenance Endless Loop
December/2000
Tech
Notes
Tech Note #9
The problem is this: on boot up, the Automatic Hard Disk Maintenance routine skips ScanDisk, runs Defrag, again displays the dialog announcing ScanDisk and Defrag are about to run, skips ScanDisk, runs Defrag, again displays the dialog announcing ScanDisk and Defrag are about to run, skips ScanDisk, and so on forever. The loop can only be ended by clicking on Cancel in the dialog box that starts each cycle.
What we discovered is that a NoDrives policy had been invoked on the default user profile. That's the user profile that's active before anyone logs on. And that's the time that Automatic Hard Disk Maintenance runs.
Note: the NoDrives policy is not installed by LockIt95! In fact, the LockIt95 installer removes this troublesome policy. The NoDrives policy may be entered in manually in the registry or may be contained in a config.pol policy file that has been created using the "Hide Drives in 'My Computer'" policy.
To fix a computer that has this problem, you need to write a script that contains the following single line:
$rcode=delvalue("HKEY_USERS\.default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer","NoDrives")
If that line appears wrapped in this display or print-out, be sure to unwrap it. Save the script as nodrives.scr, and run kix32 nodrives.scr from a DOS prompt or the Run... command in Windows.The script is a quick fix, but it may be temporary. If the problem policy file still exists in the NETLOGON share of the PDC, the problem will recur the next time a user logs on to the default profile on the system. In that case, the long term fix is to edit the network policy file (config.pol) and remove the NoDrives restriction. Installing LockIt95 on the system will fix this problem, as well.
DISCLAIMER: This document is intended for the reference of computer support personnel within Winnipeg School Division No. 1. There is no warranty or liability if procedures recommended here have an adverse affect on any systems. Use them at your own risk. Any trademarks mentioned are the property of their owners, none of whom have certified any information provided here. Opinions expressed here are personal only and do not represent the policy of Winnipeg School Division No. 1 or any other organization anywhere.
|
Got a Tech Note to share? Submissions are most welcome! [Click here.] |
To return to the Tech Notes home page, click here. |
To download a copy of all the December/2000 Tech Notes in Rich Text Format, click here. |
| Click here to visit the Information "Super-Cul-De-Sac". |
This page was updated
2001 June 9 |
|
This page hosted by  Get your own Free Homepage Check out my neighbours here in Silicon Valley Peaks by clicking here. |