CHKDSK Errors

^{How to Troubleshoot and Repair CHKDSK Errors}

Scheduling Regular CHKDSK Scans

About Microsoft Windows CHKDSK Scan

Computer system maintenance and health are so important to performance that Microsoft has included a disk- scanning tool with every operating system release since DOS. The original release was called CHKDSK – an abbreviation of “check disk”. On ME and 2000 system releases the tool name was changed to Scandisk and then later returned to CHKDSK on Windows XP and Vista.

The Microsoft CHKDSK Tool

The CHKDSK performance tool is primarily used to scan the computer’s volumes, or drives, to look for any potential errors or corrupt data. During routine use, computer data can become fragmented and scattered inconveniently around the system. Fragmentation can result in slower processing times and program hangs and crashes as the computer struggles to access the files it needs. File and sector corruption can occur when there are power failures or program crashes that interrupt computer processes. The accumulation of volume errors can slow the computer down and make it unstable.

Regular Computer System Scans

In order to keep your system in prime working order, running regular CHKDSK scans are important. Depending on your computer use, the frequency of optimal scanning can vary. Some users prefer to set the CHKDSK feature to run weekly, while others prefer bi-weekly or even monthly scans. Using the CHKDSK scheduler you can adjust your preferences as you like.

Schedule your CHKDSK Scans

In order to have access to all the relevant files and volumes of your computer, CHKDSK requires exclusive use. This means that you can’t be running any other programs, or even your operating system. Schedule your CHKDSK scans for a time that you won’t normally need your computer.

Using Windows Scheduled Task Wizard

You can use the Windows Scheduled Task Wizard to easily program your disk scans. Follow these steps to set up your scheduled CHKDSK scans:

1. Click to open the Start Menu, then choose Control Panel
2. From the Control Panel, click twice on Scheduled Tasks
3. Click twice on Add Scheduled Task – this will launch the wizard
4. Click Next
5. On the screen that opens and displays a list of applications, click Browse
6. Now scroll to the following listing windows\system32\chkdsk.exe
7. Find and select the CHKDSK.EXE listing, then click Open
8. Now the wizard will ask you how often you would like the tool to run – click to select weekly or another choice, then Next
9. You will now be asked to choose the day and the time for the scan. You should choose a time when you won’t normally need your computer. You should also ensure that the time you choose doesn’t conflict with any other scheduled tasks.
10. You will now be asked for you user name and password – allow the process to run and click Next

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