From time to time I encounter a situation where a disk check for errors starts before Windows boots. This is quite normal, if the check is completed successfully, the necessary corrections are made, and then the system works stably. But what if the check occurs every time you download? There are two options for solving the problem:

1) Find the reason why the disk check is launched before the system boots.

Windows starts chkdsk before booting because the disk is in a dirty bit state.

You can check using the command line utility fsutil with the following command:

fsutildirtyqueryX:- where X is the drive letter.

In this case Drive C is not dirty.

If the dirty bit state is set, Windows will run error checking on power up. This problem is solved in different ways, the reason may be due to the physical condition of the hard drive, or due to problems with the software.

You can try the following:

Install all system updates, update the motherboard chipset driver, check the integrity of all protected system files using a command line utility sfc(Example: sfc /scannow), defragment, do a disk check chkdsk(example, checking drive C: chkdskC:/f). Check the hard drive with MHDD or Victoria.

If the problem is not solved, then you can use the second method.

2) The easy way. Disable checking for a disk that is constantly checked.

This can be done in two ways through the registry or through the command line, whichever is more convenient for you.

We open the registry. In Windows Vista, 7, 8 run as Administrator.

Go to the registry key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControl\SetControl\Session Manager

Finding the parameter BootExecute- default value autocheck autochk*, i.e. all disks are checked. Change the value to autocheck autochk /k:C *, if you want to disable checking drive C.

Meaning autocheckautochk /k:D/k:E* disables checking drive D and E.

To disable disk check using the command line, open the command line. In Windows Vista, 7, 8 run as Administrator.

On the command line we write: chkntfsD:/x- in this case, disable disk check D.

In order to return the default value, enter on the command line chkntfs /d .

One of the important factors in the health of the system is the health of such a basic component as hard drives. It is especially important that there are no problems with the drive on which the system is installed. In the opposite case, problems such as the inability to access individual folders or files, regular abnormal exit from the system, the “blue screen of death” (BSOD), up to the inability to start the computer at all, are possible. We will learn how to check the hard drive for errors on Windows 7.

If you have a situation that you can’t even log into the system, then in order to check if the problems on the hard drive are to blame for this, you should connect the disk to another computer or boot the system using a Live CD. This is also recommended if you are going to check the drive where the system is installed.

Verification methods are divided into options using exclusively internal Windows tools (utility Check Disk) and options using third-party software. In this case, the errors themselves can also be divided into two groups:

• logical errors (file system corruption);
• physical (hardware) problems.

In the first case, many programs for studying a hard drive can not only find errors, but also correct them. In the second case, using the application, it will not be possible to completely eliminate the problem, but only mark the bad sector as unreadable so that no more writing is done there. Complete hardware problems with a hard drive can only be resolved by repairing or replacing it.

Method 1: CrystalDiskInfo

Let's start with an analysis of options using third-party programs. One of the most popular ways to check the HDD for errors is to use the well-known utility CrystalDiskInfo, the main purpose of which is precisely to solve the problem under study.

If several physical HDDs are connected to the computer at once, then to switch between them for information, click in the menu "Disk", and then select the desired media from the list.

The advantages of this method using CrystalDiskInfo are the simplicity and speed of research. But at the same time, with its help, unfortunately, it will not be possible to eliminate problems if they are detected. In addition, it must be recognized that the search for problems in this way is rather superficial.

Method 2: HDDlife Pro

The next program that will help evaluate the condition of the drive used under Windows 7 is HDDlife Pro.

To update the data, in the main window of HDDlife Pro, click "File" and then choose "Check disks now!".

The main disadvantage of this method is that the full functionality of HDDlife Pro is paid.

Method 3: HDDScan

The next program with which you can check the HDD is the free HDDScan utility.

1. Activate HDDScan. In field "Select Drive" the name of the HDD to be manipulated is displayed. If you have multiple HDDs connected to your computer, you can select between them by clicking this field.



2. Click the button to start scanning. "New Task", which is located to the right of the drive selection area. Select from the dropdown list Surface Test.



3. This will open the test type selection window. There are four options to choose from. Swapping a radio button between them:
   • read(default);
   • Verify;
   • Butterfly Read;
   • Erase.

   The latter option also involves the complete cleaning of all sectors of the scanned disk from information. Therefore, it should be used only if you consciously want to clear the drive, otherwise the necessary information will simply be lost. So this feature should be handled very carefully. The first three items on the list are testing using various reading methods. But there is no fundamental difference between them. Therefore, you can use any option, although it is still preferable to use the one that is installed by default, that is, Read.

   In the fields Start LBA and "End LBA" you can specify the sector to start and end the scan. In field block size indicates the size of the cluster. In most cases, these settings do not need to be changed. In this way, you will scan the entire drive, and not some part of it.

   Once the settings are set, click "Add test".



4. At the bottom of the program test manager, according to the previously entered parameters, a testing task will be generated. To run the test, simply double-click on its name.



5. The testing procedure starts, the progress of which can be observed using the graph.



6. After the test is completed, in the tab map you can view the results. On a healthy HDD, there should be no bad clusters marked in blue and clusters with a response exceeding 50 ms marked in red. In addition, it is desirable that the number of clusters marked in yellow (response range from 150 to 500 ms) be relatively small. Thus, the more clusters with a minimum response time, the better the HDD condition is considered.

Method 4: Checking with the Check Disk utility through the properties of the drive

But you can check the HDD for errors, as well as fix some of them, using the built-in Windows 7 utility called Check Disk. It can be launched in various ways. One of these methods involves launching through the properties window of the drive.

1. Click "Start". Next select from the menu "Computer".



2. A window will open with a list of connected drives. Right-click ( PKM) by the name of the drive you want to check for errors. From the context menu select "Properties".



3. In the properties window that appears, move to the tab "Service".



4. In the block "Check disk" click "Perform check".



5. The HDD check window is launched. In addition to, in fact, the study by checking and unchecking the corresponding items, you can turn on or off two additional functions:
   • Scan and repair bad sectors(off by default);
   • Automatically fix system errors(enabled by default).

   To activate the scan, after setting the above parameters, press "Launch".



6. If the settings option with bad sector recovery was selected, then an informational message will appear in a new window, indicating that Windows cannot start checking the HDD that is being used. To run it, you will be prompted to disable the volume. To do this, click on the button "Disable".



7. After that, the scan should start. If you want to check the system drive on which Windows is installed with the fix, then in this case you will not be able to disable it. A window will appear where you should click "Disk Check Schedule". In this case, the scan will be scheduled the next time you restart your computer.



8. If you unchecked the checkbox "Check and repair bad sectors", then scanning will start immediately after step 5 of this instruction is completed. The procedure for examining the selected drive is performed.



9. After the procedure is completed, a message will appear indicating that the HDD has been successfully tested. If problems are found and corrected, this will also be reported in this window. To exit it, press "Close".

Method 5: "Command line"

You can also run the Check Disk utility from "Command line".

If the user wants not only to carry out research, but also to automatically correct the errors found in the process, then in this case the following command should be entered:

Press to activate Enter.

If you want to check the drive for not only logical, but also physical errors (damage), as well as try to fix bad sectors, then the following command is used in this case:

When checking not the entire hard drive, but a specific logical drive, you need to enter its name. For example, in order to scan only a partition D, such an expression should be entered in "Command line":

Accordingly, if you need to scan another disk, then you need to enter exactly its name.

Attributes "/f" and "/r" are basic when running the command chkdsk across "Command line", but there are a number of additional attributes:

• /x– disables the specified drive for a more detailed check (most often used simultaneously with the attribute "/f");
• /v- indicates the cause of the problem (the ability to apply only in the NTFS file system);
• /c– Skip scanning in structural folders (this reduces the quality of the scan, but increases its speed);
• /i– quick check without detailing;
• /b– re-evaluation of damaged elements after attempting to repair them (used exclusively in conjunction with the attribute "/r");
• /spotfix– point error correction (only works with NTFS);
• /freeorphanedchains– instead of restoring content, clears clusters (only works with FAT/FAT32/exFAT file systems);
• /l:size– indicates the size of the log file in case of an emergency exit (without specifying the size, the current value remains);
• /offlinescanandfix– offline scanning with disconnection of the specified HDD;
• /scan– proactive scanning;
• /perf– increase the priority of scanning over other processes running in the system (applies only together with the attribute "/scan");
• /? – list call and attribute functions displayed through a window "Command line".

Most of the above attributes can be used not only individually, but also together. For example, entering the following command:

chkdsk C: /f /r /i

will allow you to quickly check the partition C without detailing with the correction of logical errors and bad sectors.

If you are trying to perform a repair check on the drive where Windows is located, then you will not be able to perform this procedure right away. This is due to the fact that this process requires an exclusive right, and the operation of the OS will prevent this condition from being met. In that case, in "Command line" a message appears stating that the operation cannot be performed immediately, but it is suggested that this be done the next time the operating system is rebooted. If you agree with this proposal, then you should press on the keyboard "Y", which symbolizes "Yes" ("Yes"). If you change your mind about the procedure, then press "N", which symbolizes "No" ("No"). After entering the command, press Enter.

Method 6: Windows PowerShell

Another option to run the media error scan procedure is to use the built-in Windows PowerShell tool.

1. Click to access this tool. "Start". Then "Control Panel".



2. Sign in "System and safety".



3. Next select "Administration".



4. A list of various system tools appears. Find Windows PowerShell Modules and click on it PKM. In the list, select "Run as administrator".



5. A PowerShell window appears. To start a partition scan D enter the expression:

   Repair-Volume -DriveLetter D

   At the end of this expression "D"- this is the name of the partition to be checked, if you want to check another logical drive, then enter its name in this case. Unlike "Command line", the media name is entered without a colon.

   After entering the command, press Enter.

   

   If the results show a value "NoErrors Found", it means that no errors were found.

   If you want to perform an offline media check D with the disk disconnected, then in this case the command will be:

   Repair-Volume -DriveLetter D –OfflineScanAndFix

   Again, if necessary, you can replace the section letter in this expression with any other. After entering, press Enter.

As you can see, you can check the hard drive for errors in Windows 7, both with the help of a number of third-party programs, and using the built-in utility Check Disk by launching it in various ways. Error checking involves not only scanning media, but also the possibility of subsequent correction of problems. True, it should be noted that it is better not to use such utilities too often. They can be applied when one of the problems that were described at the beginning of the article appears. For the purposes of prevention, it is recommended to run programs for checking the drive no more than once every six months.

Windows crashes, computer emergency power off, experiments with software for managing disk space, the consequences of virus penetration - these and other problems can lead to the automatic launch of the regular Windows Chkdsk utility, designed to fix hard drive file system errors. Incorrectly completed work of the operating system with files leads to file system errors, and sometimes even to its damage. In emergency cases, the Chkdsk utility itself turns on before Windows starts, scans disk partitions and fixes errors. However, the fact that there are problems with the file system may not make itself felt during normal use of the computer and only be detected when trying to manage disk space. So, for example, when trying to reduce a disk partition using regular Windows tools, we can receive such a notification: “It is possible that the volume selected for compression is damaged. Use Chkdsk to troubleshoot, and then try shrinking the volume again."

In this case, the disk check does not start automatically. How to run Chkdsk manually in Windows 7, 8.1 and 10? How can I fix disk errors using Chkdsk if this particular problem caused the operating system to be unable to boot?

Inside Windows, the Chkdsk utility can be run in several ways.

1. Run Chkdsk using the Windows GUI

To run Chkdsk, in the system explorer on the C drive, right-click and open "Properties".

In the window that opens the properties of the disk partition, go to the "Service" tab, and in it click the "Check" button (or "Run a check" for Windows 7).

In versions of Windows 8.1 and 10, if everything is in order with the file system of the disk, in the window that appears next we will see a notification that verification is not required. But if you wish, you can start checking the disk with the Chkdsk utility by clicking "Check disk".

If the system suspects file system errors, this window will contain a button to start checking and repairing the disk.

For Chkdsk to work on drive C, you must restart your computer. You can do this immediately or postpone the start of the scan until the next reboot.

After restarting the computer, we will be able to observe the work of Chkdsk.

In Windows 7, running Chkdsk is slightly different: in addition to the pre-installed automatic error correction option, you can add another possible option - checking and repairing bad sectors of the hard disk. When activating this option, it is worth considering that in this case, Chkdsk may take longer to complete.

As in the case of Windows 8.1 and 10, in version 7 the system drive C cannot be checked as part of a running operating system. To start the scan, you need to restart your computer. Click "Schedule disk check".

When checking a non-system disk partition, if it is used by some programs, the situation is simpler than with the system partition. In the window with a notification that the disk is currently in use, you just need to click the "Disable" button to, accordingly, disable this partition for the duration of the scan.

2. Run Chkdsk using the command line

To run Chkdsk using the command line, first, respectively, run the latter.

In the command line, enter the command by type:

In this command, instead of drive C, each time we substitute the letter of the desired partition on which verification is required. If Chkdsk is to check the system partition C, as with the graphical interface, a restart of the computer will be required. After a message appears in the command line about the impossibility of locking the specified drive, you need to enter "Y", then restart the computer.

In addition to the /f option, which is responsible for fixing disk errors, Chkdsk can be run with the /r option, which is designed to search for bad sectors and restore data. As a result of Chkdsk's work with this parameter, hard disk clusters with unreadable sectors will be listed as damaged (bad blocks) with the transfer of their functions to the new cluster. Therefore, it is recommended to run Chkdsk with the /r option only when the usual error correction - running the utility with the /f option - did not bring the desired results. On the example of the same drive C, the command will look like this:

3. Run Chkdsk on unbootable Windows

If Windows freezes at a particular boot stage, one of the possible causes of this problem is file system errors. In this case, you need to run Chkdsk by booting from the rescue media. As such, you can use the usual installation media with versions of Windows 7, 8.1 or 10. With it, we will run the Chkdsk utility inside the command line. At the first stage of starting the system installation process, press the command line launch keys - Shift + F10.

In the command line that opens, before running the Chkdsk command, you need to clarify which letters define the disk partitions. This is easy to do with notepad. I run it with the command:

Click the File menu, then Open.

In the explorer that opens, remember the new disk designations. As a rule, in Windows 8.1 and 10, the C partition (as it is inside the running operating system) is listed as D, since the letter C is given to the first technical partition of the system. And all other sections are offset by one letter of the alphabet.

Having decided on the letters of the disk partitions, close notepad, then, returning to the command line, enter a command of this type:

As with Chkdsk inside Windows, you must first try to fix disk errors by running the utility with the /f option. And only if the problem is not solved, only then we run the command with the / r parameter, as indicated in the previous paragraph of the article.

For cases of Windows inability to boot, you can pre-burn an emergency Live-disk with a selection of various tools to restore the operating system. Among these, for example, AdminPE based on WinPE. Its image for recording to a disk or flash drive can be downloaded from the official website of the project Adminpe.Ru. Using the AdminPE, you can launch a command line and enter the Chkdsk startup commands discussed above. But in this Live disk, the Chkdsk utility has its own interface and is launched using a script. The utility launch shortcut is placed directly on the desktop.

In the drop-down list for checking the disk, select the desired disk partition. Next, activate the checkboxes for recovering bad sectors and forcing the partition (volume) to shut down. I'm running a check.

Among the AdminPE tools are a number of other utilities for working with hard drives, as well as the well-known Hard Disk Sentinel and Victoria programs.

Have a great day!

Regardless of your operating system (Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8), go to Computer (My Computer, This Computer) right-click on the drive you want to check, select " Properties".

In the properties window, go to the " Service"and press the button" Run a check".

Check both boxes

Automatically fix system errors.

Scan and repair system sectors.

and press " launch".

If you check the system volume (the drive on which the operating system is installed, usually drive C) you will see the message " Windows cannot check the hard drive that is currently in use", press " Disk check schedule".

Then restart your computer / laptop, during the download, the process of checking and correcting errors on the disk will start. It will last from several minutes to an hour (depending on the size of the partition and the physical characteristics of the hard drive). When finished, the operating system will boot.

Checking the hard drive using the chkdsk utility.

CHKDSK (short for check disk) is a standard application in DOS and Microsoft Windows operating systems that checks a hard disk or floppy disk for file system errors (for example, the same sector is marked as belonging to two different files). CHKDSK can also fix found file system errors. (from Wikipedia)

In order to run the chkdsk utility, you need to run a command prompt with administrator rights, for this:

V Windows XP click - "Command line"

V Windows 7 click "Start" - "All Programs" - "Accessories" "Command line" and choose "Run as Administrator".

V Windows 8.1 right click on "Start" - "Command Prompt (Admin)".

As a result, the command line console will open.

First of all, let's learn the syntax of the chkdsk utility:

CHKDSK [volume[[path]filename]] ]

Volume Specifies the mount point, volume name, or letter of the drive being checked, followed by a colon.
File name Files checked for fragmentation (FAT/FAT32 only).
/F Fix disk errors.
/V For FAT/FAT32: Display the full path and name of each file on the disk. For NTFS: Display cleanup messages (if any).
/R Search for bad sectors and restore the surviving content (requires /F).
/L:size For NTFS only: Set the size of the log file (in KB). If the size is not specified, the current value of the size is displayed.
/X Disable the volume first (if necessary). All open handles to this volume will be invalidated (requires /F).
/I NTFS only: Less stringent checking of index entries.
/C NTFS only: Skip checking for cycles within the folder structure.
/B NTFS only: Re-evaluate bad clusters on disk (requires /R)
The /I or /C options reduce Chkdsk execution time by skipping some volume checks.

Of all the command attributes, two are most often used to check the disk for errors: /f and /r. The final command looks like this:

chkdsk C:/F/R

With this command, we will check partition C, fix errors on the disk and recover information from bad sectors (if any).

After entering this command, you will be prompted to check the volume the next time the system is rebooted, click Y and key Enter.

Now you need to reboot the system, when loading you will see a window offering a check, do not click anything, just wait 10 seconds.

Checking for hard drive errors with Victoria.

The Victoria program is designed to check for errors on hard drives with IDE and Serial ATA interfaces. The program is a complete solution for a comprehensive, deep, and at the same time the fastest possible assessment of the real technical condition of the HDD.

First of all, download the ISO image of the program from official site . Unzip the downloaded archive and burn it to a CD / DVD, as described in the article How to burn to CD/DVD . After that, boot from the burned disc, how to do this is described step by step in the article. How to boot from CD/DVD disc or USB flash drive .

After booting from the disk within 10 seconds, select the program for your device (Victoria for the computer will be loaded by default).

The program interface will launch. Press the F2 key in order for the program to find the disk itself, if this does not happen, you must do it manually. To do this, press the "P" key. The same will have to be done if there are several hard drives in the system and you need to select one of them. If you have hard drives with a SATA interface, then in the menu that appears Select HDD port, select - " Ext. PCI ATA/SATA". Moving is carried out with the cursor keys "up", "down", and the choice is made with the "Enter" key.

Next, to check the surface of the disk, press the F4 key. In the HDD scan menu: window, select the necessary scan options. By default, it is proposed to scan the entire disk from the beginning "Start LBA: 0" to the end "End LBA: 20971520". I recommend leaving these defaults. The next menu item - I recommend leaving "Linear reading", since it is intended for the fastest and most accurate diagnosis of the surface condition. In the fourth paragraph, I recommend choosing the mode BB = Advanced REMAP, since this mode checks the disk with the highest quality and corrects errors on it without deleting information.

After that, a check for hard disk errors will start with the correction of bad areas. This procedure can take from several tens of minutes to several hours. Depends on the volume and spindle speed.

When finished, remove the disc from the drive and restart your computer.

Video of checking the hard drive using the Victoria utility. Troubleshooting - Missing DRSC+DRDY or screw does not remove BUSY

29.11.2009 20:16

Checking a disk in Windows 7 can be done using the GUI and using the command line. GUI verification is more convenient for novice users, while command line verification has more options. You must be logged into Windows 7 as an administrator to start or schedule a disk check.

Check Disk: GUI

1. Open the Computer folder.

2. Right-click on the drive you want to check and select Properties.

3. Tab Service press the button .

4. Select one of the verification options:

• To simply check the disk without attempting to fix errors if they are found, uncheck both boxes and click launch.
• To search for file and folder errors and fix them, select the checkbox and click launch.
• To check the disk surface for physically damaged (bad) sectors and try to recover the data stored in them, select Scan and repair bad sectors and press the button launch.
• To check for file and physical errors and try to fix them, select both checkboxes and click the button launch.

Note. If choose Automatically fix system errors disk you are using, you will be prompted to run a disk check the next time you boot your computer.

Important: To avoid damage to the disk and the data stored on it, do not interrupt or stop the test that has started.

At the end of the test, the results will be displayed on the screen.

Check disk: command line

Syntax:

CHKDSK [volume[[path]filename]] ]

CHKDSK (command line) parameters were described using information from the article