HOWTO: force filesystem check on reboot in MS Windows (NT family)

These tricks may be well-known, but still handy for busy volumes (e. g., the system one):

0. Open a command prompt (cmd) with administrator privileges (either via "Start → Run..." menu, "<WinKey> + <R>" hotkey, or other methods you like).
1. Two options.
   1. Marking volume "dirty":

      > fsutil dirty set C:
      Volume - C: is now marked dirty
      

   2. A milder option, just scheduling the volume to be checked on startup:

      > chkntfs /C C:
      
      

2. Reboot safely.
3. Watch the CHKDSK operation progress...
4. DONE!
   (You can check the CHKDSK logs later in the "Event Viewer" (eventvwr.msc or simply eventvwr for short)).

References:

• MS TechNet Library - Windows Server:
  • Chkntfs
  • Fsutil dirty
• MS Knowledge Base:
  • CHKNTFS.EXE: What You Can Use It For
• MS Windows XP Professional Product Documentation:
  • Microsoft Windows XP - Chkntfs
  • Microsoft Windows XP - Fsutil: dirty

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Last updated: 2016-05-20

Hints: D-Link ADSL router: time to change the power adapter

Sample device: D-Link DSL-2640* (quite old combined ADSL modem / Ethernet switch / Wi-Fi router); should probably work for some other Linux-based routers with Broadcom chips.

Some trouble signs include: red power lights, not booting into the normal working mode (or booting into the recovery one) after power-on; slowing down of the operation, decrease of the performance & significant packet dropping rate; unexpected restarts etc.

Reliable internal software (firmware) symptoms — specific log strings get triggered, e. g.:

• accessed via the web-based interface:

  System Log

  Date/Time	Facility	Severity	Message
  .	.	.	.
  Jan 1 00:01:23	user	warn	kernel: - Power glitch detected. Duration: 5 us

• and via Telnet / SSH:

  ...
  > sh
  ...
  # dmesg
  ...
   - Power glitch detected. Duration: 6 us
  ...
  

  • Note: reportedly, some users also observe another diagnostic log message:

     - Power failure detected. ADSL Link down.

What to do:

1. check the power cabling (and fix it, if needed);
2. check the electrolytic capacitors:
   1. inside the power adapter,
   2. and in the router itself,
   3. and replace (resolder) the blown-up ones with new ones (paying attention to the nominal values, indeed);
3. buy a new power adapter, if needed.

Safety notes:

• BEWARE of electric shock.
• Disconnect the AC power before opening the cases.
• Some technical experience needed.

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Last updated: 2015-11-30