Performing error checking by using Chkdsk .exe

Windows XP Chkdsk - How To Using The Command Line...

When Windows XP encounters a problem and has to shut down, perhaps there is a power cut, a motherboard problem etc..

The operating system will "flag" the volume as "dirty" and attempt to check it on reboot.

run the chkdsk command to check for problems.

To do this:

Step One: Click Start, select Run

Step Two: In the box, type cmd

Step Three: Click Ok

Step Four: Run the chkdsk utility by typing in the following command:

chkdsk c:

..or

chkdsk c: /f /r

NOTE: The /f command automatically fixes any errors encountered, the /r command locates bad sectors and recovers readable information.

NOTE: I am also assuming the drive you wish to check is the C: drive.

Step Five: A reboot is normally required for the chkdsk program to lock the disk and run correctly (this is typical on machines that have only one volume), so simply restart the computer and chkdsk will run automatically. When it's finished, (This process can take quite a while depending on the size of your disk, etc.), it will boot back to normal Windows.

On Rebooting the PC you will see the disk being checked as in the screenshot below:

This process can take up to an hour!