Which XP utility will check for errors?

Answer 1

Open a command window and run "chkdsk". The switch "/?" added after the command will show the options, like so:

C:\>chkdsk /?

Checks a disk and displays a status report.

CHKDSK [volume[[path]filename]]] [/F] [/V] [/R] [/X] [/I] [/C] [/L[:size]]

volume Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon),

mount point, or volume name.

filename FAT/FAT32 only: Specifies the files to check for fragmentation

.

/F Fixes errors on the disk.

/V On FAT/FAT32: Displays the full path and name of every file

on the disk.

On NTFS: Displays cleanup messages if any.

/R Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information

(implies /F).

/L:size NTFS only: Changes the log file size to the specified number

of kilobytes. If size is not specified, displays current

size.

/X Forces the volume to dismount first if necessary.

All opened handles to the volume would then be invalid

(implies /F).

/I NTFS only: Performs a less vigorous check of index entries.

/C NTFS only: Skips checking of cycles within the folder

structure.

The /I or /C switch reduces the amount of time required to run Chkdsk by

skipping certain checks of the volume.