Scandisk

[Ken]

With my recently-acquired laptop computer and Windows XP Home, I didn't
even know that there was a Scandisk function. But I have on board
something called Ashampoo WinOptimizer Platinum 3, and it pointed me to
this Windows function, i.e., Scandisk. Running it, I was somewhat
dismayed to see a report on the screen: 'Scandisk detected Windows
problems but will not fix them because the F parameter is not enabled.'
(I'm quoting from memory, so I trust that's about right.) The
particular screen soon disappeared, leaving me wondering what to do
about these reported Windows problems.

Any help, suggestions, please?

Thanks - Ken

 

[GreenieLeBrun]

With my recently-acquired laptop computer and Windows XP Home, I didn't
even know that there was a Scandisk function. But I have on board
something called Ashampoo WinOptimizer Platinum 3, and it pointed me to
this Windows function, i.e., Scandisk. Running it, I was somewhat
dismayed to see a report on the screen: 'Scandisk detected Windows
problems but will not fix them because the F parameter is not enabled.'
(I'm quoting from memory, so I trust that's about right.) The
particular screen soon disappeared, leaving me wondering what to do
about these reported Windows problems.

Any help, suggestions, please?

Thanks - Ken

Open My Computer, right click on the drive letter, select properties,
select the Tools tab, click "Check Now....", select automatically fix
file system errors and click Start, you will then have to restart your
machine for the checking/repair to start.

 

[Ken]

Open My Computer, right click on the drive letter, select properties,
select the Tools tab, click "Check Now....", select automatically fix
file system errors and click Start, you will then have to restart your
machine for the checking/repair to start.

Many thanks!

- Ken

 

[Bruce Chambers]

With my recently-acquired laptop computer and Windows XP Home, I didn't
even know that there was a Scandisk function. But I have on board
something called Ashampoo WinOptimizer Platinum 3, and it pointed me to
this Windows function, i.e., Scandisk. Running it, I was somewhat
dismayed to see a report on the screen: 'Scandisk detected Windows
problems but will not fix them because the F parameter is not enabled.'
(I'm quoting from memory, so I trust that's about right.) The
particular screen soon disappeared, leaving me wondering what to do
about these reported Windows problems.

Any help, suggestions, please?

Thanks - Ken

WinXP does not have a program called "Scandisk," as this was a
Win9x/Me program. Instead, because WinXP is descended from the WinNT/2K
OS family, it has a command line utility called "Chkdsk," which performs
much better.

Start > Run > Cmd > Chkdsk.exe /? for the correct syntax and
available options.

Alternatively, double-click My Computer > right-click the desired
hard drive > Properties > Tools > Error-checking/Check Now. This will
run Chkdsk, normally on the next reboot.

However, unless you are actually experiencing a specific problem
related to your hard drive's file system, there's no real need to run
Chkdsk. The utility is not designed to be used as part of any period
maintenance plan.


--

Bruce Chambers

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[Ken]

Many thanks!

- Ken

Strangely, though, when I did as instructed above, the error-checking
function (which needed a reboot of Windows) reported that it had found
no errors. So what about the unfixed 'Windows problems' that Scandisk
had originally reported?

Thanks - Ken

 

[GreenieLeBrun]

Strangely, though, when I did as instructed above, the error-checking
function (which needed a reboot of Windows) reported that it had found
no errors. So what about the unfixed 'Windows problems' that Scandisk
had originally reported?

Thanks - Ken

Try running it again but this time check both boxes, maybe there are
bad sectors on the drive. If you know the manufacturer of the drive you
may like to visit their web site and download their disk checking
utility.

If you do detect bad sectors/bocks then the manufacturers utiliy may be
able to fix them but I would be inclined to replace the drive if it has
bad sectors/blocks.

 

[Ken]

Try running it again but this time check both boxes, maybe there are
bad sectors on the drive. If you know the manufacturer of the drive you
may like to visit their web site and download their disk checking
utility.

If you do detect bad sectors/bocks then the manufacturers utiliy may be
able to fix them but I would be inclined to replace the drive if it has
bad sectors/blocks.

Thanks for following up, Greenie. I did as you suggested, but I think
my disc got a clean bill of health. (I say 'I think' because, after
waiting about 20 minutes for the various processes to part-complete, I
slipped out of the room for a moment to feed the cat. When I returned,
within 5 minutes, my computer was booting up as per normal.)

- Ken