There is a fairly large number of specialized programs designed to carry out the procedure for checking the hard drive. The Windows operating system itself also has a built-in chkdsk checker utility.
Instructions
Step 1
Open the main system menu by clicking the "Start" button, and go to the "My Computer" item to initiate the procedure for checking the selected hard disk. Call the context menu of the hard drive to be checked by clicking the right mouse button and select the "Properties" item. Use the "Service" tab of the dialog box that opens and select the "Run check" option in the "Check disk" section. Use the Run button in the next dialog to check the non-system disk immediately, or wait until a message appears stating that the volume in use for the system disk could not be verified. In this case, you need to restart your computer.
Step 2
Return to the main system menu "Start" to carry out an alternative procedure for checking the hard drive and go to the "Run" item. Enter the cmd value in the "Open" line and call the context menu of the found "Command line" element by right-clicking. Specify Run as administrator and enter chkdsk drive_name: / f / r in the command interpreter text box. Authorize the scan by pressing the Enter function key and remember that the above restrictions on performing an immediate system disk check remain in this case as well.
Step 3
Use a boot disk if it is impossible to check the selected hard drive using the above methods.
Step 4
For Windows XP, you must boot from the disk into the Recovery Console and enter the value chkdsk drive_name: / r in the command prompt text box.
Step 5
For Windows versions Vista and 7, you will need to boot from the installation disc and specify the desired language preference settings. Confirm your choice by clicking the "Next" button and use the "System Restore" option. Specify the system to check and select "Next" again. Use the Command Prompt option in the Select Recovery Options dialog box and enter the value chkdsk drive_name: / r in the Windows command interpreter text box.
