How to Set CHKDSK on Restart in XP

CHKDSK is a Microsoft Windows utility that checks local hard drives for file system errors. It includes the option to repair detected problems. In order for CHKDSK to repair the drive, there must not be any files open on the target drive. The boot drive always has files open when Windows is loaded, so CHKDSK must be run early in the restart process. CHKDSK automatically prompts with this option when open files are detected.

Instructions

1. Click the "Start" button, "All Programs," "Accessories" and then "Command Prompt."

2. Enter "chkdsk <DriveLetter> /f" at the Command Prompt and then press "Enter." Substitute the drive letter you wish to check, such as "C:", for "<DriveLetter>."

3. Press "Y" when prompted with "Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N)."

4. Restart the computer. A special version of CHKDSK called AUTOCHK runs early in the boot process. The computer automatically restarts when AUTOCHK finishes checking the drive.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the "/r" switch instead of the "/f" switch to also attempt to recover data from bad hard drive sectors.

• You must be logged in using an account with administrative privileges to perform this procedure.

References

• Microsoft: Troubleshooting Disks and File Systems
• Microsoft: Windows XP: Chkdsk