How to Run Chkdsk F in Windows XP
Your data is incredibly important. As such, it is important to have system functions that keep your computer in tip-top shape. Chkdsk is one of the most valuable tools included in Windows XP. Chkdsk scans your hard drive for errors, bad blocks and sectors, and can help determine the general health of your PC. The Chkdsk F function takes Chkdsk a step further, helping you to automatically fix problems on your system.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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Run Chkdsk F in Windows XP
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1
Be aware that it is no longer necessary to run Chkdsk F from the DOS command line. You can still do it this way if you'd like (open the DOS command line and type "chkdsk /f"), but Chkdsk is now integrated into Windows itself.
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2
Run Windows XP normally, allowing it to load fully.
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3
Access the "My Computer" menu. You can do this by clicking the Start menu and clicking the "My Computer" menu option. You can also double-click the "My Computer" icon if you've enabled it on your desktop.
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4
Right-click on the drive on which you wish to run the Chkdsk F command.
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Click "Properties" in the right-click context menu.
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Click on the "Tools" tab in the Properties window.
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Click on the "Check Now" button in the "Error-checking" frame of the Tools tab.
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Click in the "Automatically fix file system errors" check box under the "Check disk options" frame in the following window. This is the step which enables the "/f" command in Chkdsk.
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Click "Start" to begin the Chkdsk scan. If there are a lot of processes running in the background, or if Chkdsk determines that it should be run when you next restart your computer, it will suggest it. It is always advisable to run the Chkdsk from the restart in this case.
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10
Set your system to safe mode with the "/SAFEBOOT" command from the MSCONFIG program. Click "Start" and "Run." Type "MSCONFIG" and enable the "/SAFEBOOT" option from the BOOT.INI tab if your anti-virus or anti-spyware software is conflicting with the Chkdsk process.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't perform Chkdsk F while working on other projects. Chkdsk's scan of your drive will seriously hamper system performance.
Always back up important files before performing a Chkdsk F. Since Chkdsk F will automatically make changes to you files and your drive, there is no way of knowing which files are being affected until the process is completed.
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Comments
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right after chkdisk, it crashed and went into a cycle. I had tried all the "modes" so I finally had to quickly put in the OS to break the cycle. I am now starting from the beginning. Look on the bright side, I was smart to have emailed to myself all my data files and placed others usb disks. good thing I ndid that.
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sndgab
Feb 22, 2010
My computer is running a check disc and it is taking forever, in the meantime I can't do anything. Is there any way to cancel it? And if so will it harm my computer? -
brats09
Nov 24, 2009
I've tried everything to run chkdsk and it's like my machine is ignoring the command completely. What else can I try or do? I'm the only one on my laptop, so therefore I'm the administrator, (I do have it password protected because of my very smart 9 y.o. son), when I try to run it in safe mode, there's the administrator login and mine....however I don't know the password for the administrator login (weird I swear!). My machine doesn't even recognize me as the administrator. Really all I want to do is analyze and defrag the C drive/volume (since I haven't done it in a long while!) HELP PLEASE! Rebecca
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doriantong
Aug 16, 2009
How to run CHKDSK/F when i start install the windows xp into my new laptops computer??
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brutal1ty
Jul 20, 2009
cindellio, you asked the question. I can answer that... It won't take you more than 2 minutes if your Windows XP is fresh (Fresh means that's after you install Windows XP.) It shouldn't be more than 5 minutes when you have many stuff in your Windows XP. What else do you want to know?
