Scandisk is used to scan your hard drive for potential bad sectors and corrupted files. The scan is typically run when you boot your computer. Depending on the size of your hard drive and the number of problems you have, the scan can take hours. If the scan is taking too long, you can stop Scandisk at startup. This will allow you to run the scan at a more convenient time. Scandisk is also known as CHKDSK or Checkdisk.
- Step 1
Stop the initial scan from running while booting by one of two methods.
First, if you have a countdown screen available, press any key to boot your computer as normal.
Second, if the scan has already begun, press and hold your computer's power button until the computer shuts down. Press the power button again to restart. Wait for the Scandisk countdown screen and press any key to continue booting normally. - Step 2
Click on "Start -- Run" and type "cmd.exe." Press "Enter." This will open a command prompt that you can use to stop Scandisk or Checkdisk from running automatically upon startup.
- Step 3
Type "chkntfs /x c:" and press "Enter." If you have other drives you don't wish the scan to run on automatically, retype the line with the appropriate drive letter in place of "c." For instance, if you have a second hard drive with a drive letter of "g," you would type "chkntfs /x g:" or you can type the two drives together by typing "chkntfs /x c: g:."
- Step 4
Exit the command prompt by clicking the "X" at the top right of the screen or by typing "Exit" and pressing "Enter."
- Step 5
Restart your computer to ensure you have stopped Scandisk from running on all drives.
