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How do I check disks for problems using ScanDisk?

Disks and ScanDisk

How do I check disks for problems using ScanDisk?

by  jnicks  Posted    (Edited  )
How do I ScanDisk on Startup, Shutdown, and NT/2000 Login?



ScanDisk checks drives for errors. It takes awhile, particularly if Scandisk is checking the drive surface for defects which takes so long it should be done on ShutDown.

http://www.tek-tips.com/faqs.cfm?spid=615&sfid=2280&CFID=80783175&CFTOKEN=19846129


On 98 and perhaps ME there are two versions of ScanDisk, one for 16 bit startup, c:\windows\command\scandisk.exe, and one for under Windows operations, c:\windows\scandskw.exe. The two versions have different parameters which causes some confusion. Below

In Autoexec.bat, use ScanDisk. In a login script use ScanDskW. Which for a shutdown process depends on whether you are sutting to a DOS task or not.

To make the most thorough check, run

Code: 
  SCANDISK /ALL /SURFACE /AUTOFIX

and run it from DOS so various Windows files will not be busy. It will take forever on a 120G drive.

Gibson's SpniRite is considered by many to be far superior
http://www.grc.com





------------- SCANDISK Paramaters
ScanDisk may be used in Autoexec.Bat, the 16 bit scandisk. To get help enter
SCANDISK /? at a DOS prompt.

Code: 
/ALL         Checks and repairs all local drives.
/AUTOFIX     Fixes damage without prompting.
/CHECKONLY   Checks a drive, but does not repair any damage.
/CUSTOM      Configures and runs ScanDisk according to SCANDISK.INI settings.
/NOSAVE      With /AUTOFIX, deletes lost clusters rather than saving as files.
/NOSUMMARY   With /CHECKONLY or /AUTOFIX, prevents ScanDisk from stopping at
             summary screens.
/SURFACE     Performs a surface scan after other checks.
/MONO        Configures ScanDisk for use with a monochrome display.

Default, current drive.


------------- SCANDSKW Paramaters
ScanDskW may be linked to from the desktop, or run from a command prompt.
To get help type F1 at the desktop and enter ScanDisk (not scandskw,
snort).


Code: 
/a Check all your local hard disks.
/n Start and quit ScanDisk automatically. 
/p Prevent ScanDisk from correcting any errors it finds.
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