Checking the diskette or hard disk

CHKDSK

The CHKDSK instruction checks a diskette or hard disk for errors and corrects these if possible

• The CHKDSK program produces a report which includes a list of files and information concerning the total and available computer capacity.
• It checks a diskette for errors in the directory and in the FAT (File Allocation Table)
• It gives a summary of names and size of all files ( including hidden files ) on the diskette.
• It calculates the available capacity on the diskette 
• It calculates the total and available capacity of the computer memory (RAM).
• It shows the amount of clusters on the diskette where files are stored.

Syntax

CHKDSK [drive:] [path] [file name] [/F] [/V]

Where,

CHKDSK : check disk

[drive:] : drive to be checked.

[path]   : location of directory to be checked.

file name : name of one or more files to be inspected for fragmentation ( the spreading of a file over the disk).

/F : fixes errors on the diskettes.

/V : displays the name of each file and directory checked. 

Example 1

C:\>CHKDSK  (press enter key)

It checks the hard disk C: without automatic correction of faults.

Example 2

C:\>CHKDSK B: (press enter key)

It is used to check diskette in drive B:

Example 3

C:\>CHKDSK/F (press enter key)

It checks the hard disk, just as in Example 1, but now using the automatic correction saves into files named FILE0000.CHK, FILE0001.CHK and so forth.