How to Run a Chkdsk Function

This updated guide examines How to Run a Chkdsk Function and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1

Through Windows (Any Version)

1. Click the Start button. Select Computer or My Computer. This will open a list of all your drives. Locate the drive you wish to check for errors.
2. Right-click the drive icon. Select Properties from the menu. In the new window, select the Tools tab. These are basic hard drive tools. Error-checking runs the chkdsk operation. Click Check Now…
3. Select your chkdsk options. You can decide if you want chkdsk to fix errors and recover bad sectors. If you check either box, and you are trying to scan the hard drive that your operating system uses, then it will prompt you to restart. If you do, chkdsk will launch before Windows starts.
   • You must be logged in as an Administrator.

Method 2

Through the Command Prompt

1. Restart your computer. As the computer boots up, repeatedly hit the F8 key until the Advanced Boot Options appear. This menu allows you to boot to a command prompt without loading Windows.
2. Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt. ' The computer will continue booting and you will see a list of drivers being loaded. After they finish loading you will be presented with a command prompt.
3. Run chkdsk. Type 'chkdsk' and press enter to run a check on the current drive without fixing any errors.
   • To run chkdsk and fix errors, type 'chkdsk c:/f' Replace 'c' with the drive letter you would like to fix.
   • To run chkdsk and fix errors, locate sectors and retrieve data, type 'chkdsk c:/r' Replace 'c' with the drive letter you would like to fix.
   • You may be prompted to restart if the drive is in use. If prompted, press Y to accept.

Method 3

Through Mac OS X

1. Launch Disk Utility. Disk Utility provides the same basic functionality as Chkdsk does for Windows machines. You will need a Mac OS X installation DVD.
2. Turn on the Mac and insert the CD. Hold down the 'C' key. This will load the setup program for Mac OS. Choose your language to continue.
3. Open Disk Utility. You can find it in the desktop menu bar. Select the hard drive you wish to repair and click Repair Volume.
   • If Repair Volume is successful, then you can run Repair Permissions as well.