CHKDSKtyökalu

CHKDSKtyökalu is a command-line utility in Microsoft Windows operating systems. Its primary function is to verify and repair logical file system errors on a disk. The name CHKDSK is an abbreviation for Check Disk. When run, CHKDSK scans the file system structure of a specified volume for inconsistencies. These inconsistencies can arise from various factors, including improper shutdowns, software bugs, or hardware issues.

The tool can detect and fix problems such as lost clusters, cross-linked files, and directory errors. Lost clusters are disk space that has been allocated to a file but is no longer referenced by the file system. Cross-linked files occur when two or more files claim ownership of the same disk space. Directory errors refer to issues within the file system's hierarchical structure.

CHKDSK can be executed in two main modes. The first mode, known as the scanning mode, simply reports errors without attempting to fix them. This mode is useful for diagnosing potential disk problems without making any changes. The second mode, the fixing mode, attempts to correct any detected errors. This mode typically requires exclusive access to the volume being checked, meaning that the drive cannot be in use by other applications or the operating system itself during the scan. Consequently, when checking the system drive (usually C:), CHKDSK is often scheduled to run at the next system restart.

The utility can also check for bad sectors on the disk surface. Bad sectors are physical areas on the disk that are no longer able to store data reliably. CHKDSK can mark these bad sectors to prevent the operating system from attempting to use them in the future. The command can be invoked with various switches to control its behavior and the level of detail in its reporting.