Hard Drive Question Someone help

[gramirez2004]

I recently turned off my computer by switching off the power without a proper shut down from windows. I've heard that this can be bad and can lead to corrupt and damaged files. What happens if I shut down my computer without shutting down from within windows? How will I know if something has gone wrong? Is there someway I can check if something is wrong? Can I check if some files were corrupted or damaged?

 

[paparazi]

Generally if the hard drive was innactive and wasn't being read or being wrote to, odds are no damage has been done.
Obviously not recommended but not the end of the world.
If you havn't noticed any error messages or files that cannot be found or loaded I guess you got away with it.
Martin

Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[techkiwi]

Usually when you restart after doing this Windows will do a Scandisk. If it doesn't, might be an idea to do it manually.

As paparazi says, if the disk wasn't being written to or read from, usually you get away with it. But don't make a habit of it ...

 

[temporello]

Well it depends on your OS and file system.
NTFS logs hard disk activity all the time so it can repair damage more easily.
If you have XP installed then you won't find Scandisk rather the chkdsk utility!

 

[cdogg]

First question...What OS are we talking about here? Perhaps we can help solve your shutdown problem.

Hard drives are built specifically to accomodate a sudden loss of power so that the head can return safely to its resting point without doing damage to the disk. However, data on the drive could easily become corrupted (and not just the data that was being written at the precise moment you cut power). Therefore regardless of your OS and file system, it should be avoided as much as possible.

Make sure you are frequently making backups of critical data, and preferably cloning the system partition in case of data loss or drive failure.


~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind"
[tab][tab]- Aristotle
[navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[gramirez2004]

I have windows xp.

 

[wolluf]

If its a reasonably recent machine, pressing the power button will do a normal shutdown in XP by default (but you would have seen it saying its saving settings, shutting down etc). If machine immediately powered off, then as Martin says, probably no damage (anything open won't have been saved is all). You could run chkdsk if you're worried (to ensure integrity of partition).

 

[Peahippo]

Power loss while the OS is running has always been thorny problem. People run their systems variously, across all platforms and OSes, so you can end up with a system that can be powered off with no troubles, to a system that is so overused that a power blip from a faulty UPS can even destroy a RAID. (Don't get me started on that last part. I'm disgusted with it as it is.)

Caution is the course to take. If your OS has a shutdown option, then use it. If your power is flaky, then get a UPS. If you tend to accidentally hit your power button, then move the computer or cover the button.