User`s guide

ROM-DOS Commands 175
E-EQ-MX1RG-D MX1 Reference Guide
CHKDSK.EXE
Type
External
Purpose
The CHKDSK command checks the disk directories and File Allocation Table (FAT) and displays
a disk and memory report.
Syntax
CHKDSK [d:][path][filespec][/C] [/F] [/V]
Remarks
CHKDSK examines a disk and determines if the disk has any errors in the File Allocation Table
(FAT) and will optionally fix errors.
Options
The /F option causes CHKDSK to fix errors on the disk if any were found. The errors that can be
found are directory or FAT errors. If the /F is not specified then CHKDSK acts as if it will fix the
disk, but the corrections will not be written out to the disk.
If errors are detected, you will be prompted with a message similar to the following:
15 lost allocation units found in 5 chains.
Convert lost chains to files?
If you answer Y for Yes, each lost chain will be written to a file in the root directory of the current
default drive. Each file will have the name filennnn.chk. nnnn will be a sequential number. The
first chain will be in FILE000.CHK. These files can be verified to see if they contain valuable
information, and then deleted if desired. Answering N for No to the above prompt, CHKDSK will
still make the corrections however the lost chains will not be saved to the disk.
The /C option allows CHKDSK to correct errors without user confirmation. This option must be
used along with the /F option for corrections to be made.
The /V option causes CHKDSK to display each path and file as it is processed.
If a file specification is specified, then CHKDSK displays all files matching the specification that
have noncontiguous data areas on the disk. Files that are stored in noncontiguous areas, especially
.exe files, have slower disk access times. If CHKDSK reports a large number of files with this
problem, a utility program that optimizes the files and free space on your disk should be used.
After checking the disk, CHKDSK displays any error messages followed by a report on the state
of the disk that was checked. An example of the report is shown below.
Volume ROM-DOS created June 1,1990 1:00a
Volume Serial Number is 190E-4AA2
362496 bytes total disk space
0 bytes in 1 hidden files
6144 bytes in 2 user files
356352 bytes available on disk
655360 bytes total memory
595360 bytes free
CHKDSK does not wait for a disk to be inserted before the checking is initiated nor does it repair
any errors.