How Do I Change Modes When Using CHKDSK?
CHKDSK is an operating system utility that is used to check for logical and physical errors or corruption on a hard drive. There are two methods for scanning a hard drive with CHKDSK. The first, and default mode, simply scans for logical errors such as mis-recorded or corrupt data. The second scans for physical drive failures such as failed sectors and bad drive platters. Changing the mode in which CHKDSK runs is an easy process that nearly any computer user can accomplish.
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Instructions
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Right-click the drive you wish to scan on your computer and select "Properties" from the context menu that appears.
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Click the "Tools" tab from the top of the dialog box that appears.
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Click the "Check Now" button under the "Error checking" heading. This will launch the CHKDSK utility.
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Locate the second radio button on the CHKDSK dialog box titled "Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors." This option changes CHKDSK from its default mode of scanning for only logical errors to its alternative mode of scanning for physical failure points on the drive platters.
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Select this second radio button to enable the physical scanning mode. This alternative mode of disk checking requires several hours, three to five in most cases, to complete a full scan, especially on hard drives over one terabyte in capacity.
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Click the "Start" button to begin the scan.
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References
- Photo Credit hard drive image by Graham Lumsden from Fotolia.com
