In previous versions of Windows, you would find a built in utility called ScanDisk. This utility exists in Windows XP but is called the Error Checking utility. So, in addition to running Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter to optimize the performance of your computer, you can check the integrity of the files stored on your hard disk by running the Error Checking utility.

As you use your hard drive, it can develop bad sectors. Bad sectors slow down hard disk performance and sometimes make data writing (such as file saving) difficult, or even impossible. The Error Checking utility scans the hard drive for bad sectors, and scans for file system errors to see whether certain files or folders are misplaced. (more…)

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XP and Win2K don’t include the DOS SCANDISK Utility. However, you can perform the same task using XP’s and Win2K’s Error Checking feature. To access this feature, perform the following steps:

1. Open Windows Explorer.
2. Right-click the drive you want to check, and select Properties from the context menu.
3. Select the Tools tab.
4. Under Error Checking, click Check Now.
5. If you want the scan to automatically attempt to make repairs or check the disk for bad sectors, select those options and click Start.
6. Close Windows Explorer.

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