Tech Tips for Computer Seekers Everywhere

Different versions of Windows place the Scandisk utility in different locations.  It is generally the same utility, with a little more horsepower in the newer versions of Windows.  Scandisk likes to run all by itself on your computer.  So we'll need to stop any supporting programs that may be opened in the background, before we launch Scandisk.

Let's talk about "Ending Task" (closing down) any open programs for earlier versions of Windows (95-98-ME) and then we'll get to where you can find Scandisk on your computer.  There are a couple of ways to close the programs that are running in the background.  The simplest and most effective way to make sure Scandisk can run without any other programs is to boot the computer in "Safe Mode", a special diagnostic mode that you can force the computer into during bootup.  While the computer is just starting to post words on the screen, hit the F8 key repeatedly.  At some point, you should be presented with a menu that gives you the option to start the computer in "Safe Mode".  The display will look terrible, but the computer starts up without any extra programs.

There is another way to kill all the applications without rebooting.  You hit ctrl-alt-del keys (on earlier versions of Windows) or open "Task Manger" in more recent versions.  From here, you highlight all the open applications and click "End Task".  Do this on all programs listed, except Explorer and Systray. 

Location of Scandisk:

• Windows 95-98-ME:  Start - Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Scandisk
• Windows NT - 2000 - XP:  Open "My Computer," right click on the hard drive, choose properties, click the "Tools" tab, click "Check Drive for Errors."  If you try to scan your boot drive (usually C:\), you will be asked if you want to schedule it to run on the next restart.  This is the only way to scan the boot drive... and you should allow a little extra time for this utility to complete.

Running Scandisk:

• In older versions of of Windows, there are several options you can select when running Scandisk.  "Standard" mode checks the data structure, but does not perform a physical surface scan of the hard disk.  "Thorough" mode performs all of the "Standard" tests and a sector by sector scan of the hard disk.  Thorough mode takes considerably longer than Standard, but will also mark bad sectors on the hard drive so data will not be written there.  It can also alert you to impending hard drive failure.  If you do not check the box to "Fix Errors Automatically" the program will stop on the first error and wait for your answer.
• In the newer versions of Windows, there isn't much to configure.  If it's the boot drive, or other system volume, then Scandisk (chkdsk) runs on the next boot.  If it is another volume, Scandisk just runs in a small dialog box.  It is best to stop any server applications and/or file sharing while running Scandisk on any computer.

Please note - if you are dealing with potentially lost data...

If you are dealing with potentially corrupted databases...

If you don't feel comfortable running this utility on your own...

 Call one of us to help you out.

Better to be safer than sorry!

The Organizational Wizards - www.RescueMyOffice.com (Nancy Richardson)

Shaklee Air Purifier  - www.BeaconLighthouse.com (Airsource 3000)