How to Calculate Checksums
A checksum is a short (128 characters) string of digits produced by running a file through a hash function. Checksums are used to ensure that a file has not been altered in any way from its original state. The file comes with a checksum which can be compared to the calculated checksum for the file itself and any difference between the two checksums indicates that the file has been changed. Calculating a checksum requires a special program, of which several are available free to download on the Internet.
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Instructions
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HashCalc
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Download the "Hashcalc" zip file (see Resources).
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Extract the downloaded file into any directory by using a third-party file extractor or the built-in Windows file extractor. Double-click the "setup.exe" file.
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Click the "Next" button and accept the license agreement. Install the program into the default directory and with the default installation settings. Click the "Finish" button. The HashCalc program will load automatically.
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Click the "..." button in the top-right corner of the program window and locate the file for which you want to calculate the checksum. Click on the file and click the "Open" button.
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Click calculate and compare the checksum string to the checksums that output in the text fields next to each hash function.
MD5 Checksum Calculator
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Download the "MD5 Checksum Calculator" (see Resources). Extract the files in the compressed archive to any folder on your computer.
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Double-click the "RiMD5.exe" icon to launch the program.
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Click the "..." button and locate the file for which you want to calculate the checksum.
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Click on the file to select it and click "Open." The MD5 (the most common hash function for checksums) hash string for the file will automatically calculate.
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Copy and paste the verification checksum in the "Compare" text field and click the "Compare" button to compare the two checksums. A dialog box will appear to confirm that the checksums are the same or that they are not the same.
Checksum Calculator
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Visit the "Checksum Calculator" website (see Resources).
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Double-click the file to open the self-extracting program. Click the "Install" button. The program will install and launch automatically.
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Click the "..." button and choose a file from your computer.
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Click the "Start" button in the program window. Three checksum values will appear in the text fields that may be checked against the verification checksum.
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