Cannot Run chkdsk in Windows Vista: Fix

15 May 2009 @ 3pm

Several users have reported an issue in which they cannot run chkdsk on their systems, as the tool reports that it cannot continue because of corrupt files.

Fix

Try inserting the Windows Vista installation or recovery disc that came with your computer and rebooting from the disc. A few screens into the installation process (or accessible as an option in another menu) you should be given the ability to run a command prompt. At the command prompt, enter the command:

• chkdsk c: /f

then press enter. Run the tool repeatedly until no errors are reported.

(Note: if your system does not automatically boot from the Vista disc, you need to change the boot device in BIOS. To do this, boot from the installation disc, insert the disc, then restart, and while the computer is restarting, continually press the appropriate key [F12 on most systems, F1, F2, F10, the Delete (del) key or the Escape (ESC) key on others -- consult your user's manual or perform a Google search for your specific model] then select CD/DVD/CD-RW as the boot drive.)

Tagged
Windows Vista