CHKDSK Errors

^{How to Troubleshoot and Repair CHKDSK Errors}

How to run CHKDSK in Windows Vista

About Windows CHKDSK

CHKDSK is a Microsoft disk-checking utility included with Microsoft operating systems. The CHKDSK tool is used to scan the system for errors and bad disk sectors, report any problems and recover or repair data. Every Microsoft operating system since the release of Microsoft DOS has included a utility to check the computer and enhance system performance.

The CHKDSK Tool in Windows Vista

CHKDSK works by scanning various system volumes and inspecting the condition of the data. It will identify dirty volumes, bad sectors, and broken file links – all of which impair system performance and slow the computer’s functions.

Since the CHKDSK utility needs access to the volumes and sectors you choose to scan, it might inform you that the disk is in use and ask you to schedule the task to run the next time the computer is restarted. This is a good option, and can be safely followed. You should never stop or interrupt the CHKDSK tool during the scan. Depending on the health of your system the scan can take hours to complete, or even days. Don’t cut the power or turn off the system until it has finished.

Run CHKDSK from the Windows Vista Graphical Interface

There are different ways to launch the CHKDSK utility in Windows Vista – including from the desktop GUI (graphic user interface).

1. Click to open the Start Menu
2. Click to choose Computer
3. Right click the drive that you want to scan – most often the C: hard drive
4. Choose Properties
5. On the Properties pop-up window, click to choose the Tools tab
6. Under the Error Checking section, click Check Now
7. An options pop-up will open. For the most complete scan click to select both the Automatically fix errors option and the Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors option
8. Click Start
9. If you are provided with an option to schedule the scan for later because a file is in use, chose Schedule disk check. This will cause your computer to reboot and initiate the scan.

Run CHKDSK from the Windows Vista Command Line

The CHKDSK utility can also run using a command line interface prompt.

1. Click to open the Start Menu
2. Type cmd in the search box
3. From the search results, right click cmd.exe
4. Choose Run as Administrator

Now you can choose how you want the CHKDSK tool to run. Depending on the drive that you want to scan and the action that you want the tool to take, you enter different syntax. To scan the drive in read-only mode – which means the scan will check for errors but not attempt to fix them – type only chkdsk then Enter

Choose the Volume and Switches

• In the command line prompt, you will first type chkdsk
• Then you will enter a drive letter followed by a colon to choose the drive you want to scan
  • For example, type chkdsk c: to choose to scan the hard drive.
  • If there is a different drive you wish to scan, enter the appropriate volume letter after the chkdsk command. For example:  chkdsk e: or chkdsk f:

Now you can enter a switch to choose an action

• Enter /f to fix the errors found
• Enter /r to locate bad sectors and recover readable data

For a complete list of CHKDSK options, refer to the Microsoft help page available here.

CHKDSK Articles

• What Does CHKDSK Do?
• How to run CHKDSK in Microsoft Windows XP
• How to run CHKDSK in Windows Vista
• CHKDSK Options
• Running CHKDSK from a Command Prompt
• What if CHKDSK isn't able to fix the disk?
• CHKDSK vs Scandisk
• Common CHKDSK Errors
• Troubleshooting Hard Disk Errors with CHKDSK
• Scheduling Regular CHKDSK Scans