Error-checking vs. chkdsk

[alice]

Is Error-checking, under Tools, under Local Disk (C Properties,
which runs while in XP, the same as doing a chkdsk from the command
prompt, which then runs after reboot?

 

[Brian A.]

No, EC checks the integrity of the drive while checkdisk looks for and replaces
lost/corrupted files.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[dobey]

Are you sure about that?

The default Error check has three phases, like chkdsk in read only mode, and
if you use any of the options, such as "Automatically Fix File errors" on a
system disk, you are prompted to check the disk at next boot, like chkdsk
/f, and if you use the "attempt recovery of bad sectors" option it has 5
phases like chkdisk /r.

Do a test and see what happens after reboot using one of the Error checking
options.

It doesn't seem likely MS would use two different programs for the sake of a
GUI.

So I am inclined to say, yes, it is chkdsk, except it adds the chkdsk
parameters for the user.

 

[Brian A.]

Absolutely not, my bad. I have no need to test it out, I sit corrected.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[dobey]

If I'm going to correct an MS MVP, I need to be sure ;-)

Absolutely not, my bad. I have no need to test it out, I sit corrected.

--

<snip>

 

[Brian A.]

Nah. MVP is just a title which doesn't make, at least me, any less human. I erred
before I was an MVP, during, and will still err after, it's human nature. Being
corrected isn't a bad thing and it's definitely good for those that seek resolutions.
I'll challenge those who falsely correct and I'm not one to deny if I'm incorrect.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[alice]

Nah. MVP is just a title which doesn't make, at least me, any less human. I erred
before I was an MVP, during, and will still err after, it's human nature. Being
corrected isn't a bad thing and it's definitely good for those that seek resolutions.
I'll challenge those who falsely correct and I'm not one to deny if I'm incorrect.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375






- Show quoted text -

Thanks. So it looks like one might want to run both types of disk
utilities to help fix a HD.

 

[Anna]

Is Error-checking, under Tools, under Local Disk (C Properties,
which runs while in XP, the same as doing a chkdsk from the command
prompt, which then runs after reboot?

alice:
You might want to check out this MS article on disk error checking in
Windows XP - see...http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265

In your later post you mentioned using this process "to help fix a HD".
Well, maybe yes, maybe no. It depends upon what kind of "fix" you're
referring to. Assuming your question isn't merely academic and you're having
a problem which you attribute to your HDD, you might want to provide details
on the situation and perhaps you can get additional help here.
Anna

 

[dobey]

Thanks. So it looks like one might want to run both types of disk
utilities to help fix a HD.

Error-checking IS chkdsk, just a user-friendly version for those who don't
like command line interface.

chkdsk is file/file structure checking, (no changes made AFAIK) system drive
is checked by default if no drive is specified.

chkdsk <drive> /f is repair any file errors, (same as "Automatically fix
file system errors" checkbox)

chkdsk <drive> /r is /f plus check the free/unused space on the HDD, (same
as "Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors" checkbox). Takes a while
longer.

That's a basic overview.

If you are having some serious problem it might be best to specify what the
problem is. I have read that chkdsk /f can "fix" the file system but "break"
an OS in some instances. I don't know how likely that is, but it doesn't
hurt to have backups in any case.