ScanDisk is a utility program that comes with Windows95/98. It is used to check your hard disk (C drive) for logical and physical errors. It can repair errors and write out any physically damaged errors of your drive so that your information will not be stored to a defective area.

Before running ScanDisk close all running programs. You may have background programs that are running. To verify that all programs are closed;

Press Ctrl+Alt+Del keys so that all 3 are depressed at the same time.

Release keys.

A Window will pop up titled Close Program

Click on the program to close and Click the End Task Button.

Repeat for each program in the list

ONLY Explorer and Systray should be left in the list.

Depending on the configuration of your computer, the program may be launched from several different locations. On all versions of Windows 95/98, the following should work:

Double click the My Computer icon on your desktop

Right click C:

From the pop up menu select Properties

Click on the Tools Tab

You will see three sections labeled Error checking Status/Backup

Status/Defragmentation Status

Error Checking Status IS ScanDisk

Click on the Check Now button under Error Checking Status section.

Select Thorough and check Automatically Fix Errors.

Click the Start Button.

Depending on the speed of your computer and size of your hard drive it make take from 15 minutes up to several hours.

When ScanDisk finds lost file fragments, it may ask you if you want to make an Undo disk before it deletes the clusters. This Undo disk would be used to restore the lost file fragments in the event that deleting them caused a problem. In reality, this is seldom possible. Follow the on-screen instructions to make the disk.

How often should I run it?

Once per month is recommended.