The Windows 'Chkdsk' program is designed to check the integrity of the data stored on your computer's hard drive, displaying, at the end of the process, a detailed report on the 'health' of your storage medium. This utility is used to find and fix errors on the hard drive. Read on to find out how to use the 'chkdsk' application in any version of Windows, including the equivalent tool found on Mac OS X.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Windows (Any Version)
Step 1. Go to the 'Start' menu and select the 'Computer' item
A window will appear containing the list of all storage drives present in your system. Find the disk you want to analyze.
Step 2. Select the drive icon with the right mouse button
From the context menu that will appear, select the 'Properties' item. In the new panel, select the 'Tools' tab. In this section you will find the basic tools for disk management. The 'Error checking' section is related to the 'chkdsk' functionality. Press the 'Check' button.
Step 3. Select the options for checking
You can decide to run the 'chkdsk' application to fix all errors in the file system and to attempt to recover all bad sectors of the hard drive. In this case, if you are trying to scan the disk on which the operating system is installed, you will be prompted to restart your computer. The 'chkdsk' functionality will run before the operating system starts.
You will need to have a user profile with administrative rights to be able to continue
Method 2 of 3: Using the Command Prompt
Step 1. Restart your computer
As the computer restarts sequence begins, repeatedly press the 'F8' key to access the Windows boot menu options. One of the options on this menu will allow you to access the command prompt without loading the entire operating system.
Step 2. Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
The computer will continue the boot sequence showing the list of drivers that are loaded as they go. When the upload is complete, the Command Prompt window will appear.
Step 3. Run the 'chkdsk' program
Type the command 'chkdsk' and hit the enter key. The program will analyze the current disk without correcting any errors found.
- If you want the errors fixed type the command 'chkdsk c: / f'. Replace the drive letter 'C' with the one corresponding to the disk you want to scan.
- For errors to be resolved, and bad sectors to be restored, type the command 'chkdsk c: / r'. Again replace the drive letter 'C' with the one corresponding to the disk you want to analyze.
- If the disk to be scanned is in use, you will be prompted to reboot the system. In this case simply press the 'Y' key to continue.
Method 3 of 3: Mac OS X
Step 1. Launch 'Disk Utility'
This application performs the same functions as the Windows 'chkdsk' program. You will need to have the Mac OS X installation DVD.
Step 2. Turn on your Mac and insert the optical media into the reader
Press and hold the 'C' key, this will load the Mac OS installer. Choose your language from those available.
Step 3. Launch 'Disk Utility'
You will find it in the menu bar of your desktop. Select the hard drive you want to scan and press the 'Repair Disk' button.
