🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <MffF3.1521$Xj2.137690@newsr2.u-net.net>, William
<nospam@wavenet.co.uk> writes

>Since you're running ScanDisk overnight, I assume you are running it
>with: Type of test: "Thorough" radio button - checked
>Options: Do not perform write testing - UNchecked
>and on a large (greater than 2-3 Gbyte) drive

Yes - 10G

>(otherwise why leave it overnight?).

I surf during every waking minute?

>1) Are you running System Agent and scheduling a conflicting disk
>task?

Hmm, that /might/ have been the case on the last occasion - I would have
thought it would have finished long before the scheduled defrag cut in,
but I really can't remember what time I went to bed...

>2) Are you running an on-access background virus checker?  This will
>cause disk activity, and prevent Scandisk completing.

I use Sophos Sweep & Intercheck, but these should have been closed own 

>3) Do you have a virus?

I update Sophos religiously - I do it on Sunday mornings

<IGMC>

>4) Is it possible that there is some event sound that is triggering
>during this process?

All turned off.

>5) Other processes may be launched from registry keys at bootup, (Use
>Regedit.exe) and the keys to check are:
>HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
>HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

I have yet to play with^W^W investigate the joys of the registry.

[...]

>Do you have a hacker in the area?

Who doesn't?

>10) Is the machine connected to a network where another user may be
>triggering disk activity?

No.

>Failing any of these, I imagine you're running SETIathome, and you've
>got one

Damn. Now I'm going to have to kill you ;-)

>I hope this helps.

Immensely; thank you for a most detailed reply. I've been grateful for
the various work- arounds, but a proper fix is always preferable...

...and now I have your name and e-mail address for future reference! 
-- 
Andy Mabbett
        "If they censure you, they tell you to cut it out.
         If they censor you, they just cut it out."