How to run Check Disk before reaching Windows

[jmt356]

I am unable to program Check Disk within Windows on a Windows XP computer because as soon as I log into my account, i receive the Blue Screen of Death. Is it possible to run Check Disk within DOS before I get to Windows?

[Rudi]

Try this guideline...

Addendum:
Here is another guideline (similar to above) with more detailed steps.

[jmt356]

These instructions are so complicated. Isn't there a simple way to execute this? Should there be a way to get to command prompt in DOS before reaching Windows, where I can type chkdsk C:?

Or perhaps in BIOS, the same way I can change boot order?

[Rudi]

To run from DOS Mode in Windows XP, try this:

Boot into DOS
Run CHKDSK (please read instructions...and note that it can take a long time...)

[jmt356]

On my computer, F8 does not do anything.

Pressing Del gets me into something called Aptio Setup Utility (copyeight 2007 American Megatrends, Inc.), which has an Advanced tab that lets me choose AHCI Mode and a Boot tab that lets me change the boot order, but I can't find anything that lets me get into 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt’.

[jmt356]

Apparently, selectign AHCI Mode took me to a screen that stated that Windows did not start up successfully and giving me a choice between:
- Safe Mode
- Safe Mode with Networking
- Safe Mode with Command Prompt

However, whether I choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt, Safe Mode or Start Windows Normally, I cycle back to the same screen.

[stuck]

On my computer, F8 does not do anything...

You mean as soon as you power up you computer and you start tapping F8 all that happens is it boots to Windows XP and then blue screens? In other words it does NOT behave as described in the 'Boot into DOS' link that Rudi gave and give you the Windows Advanced Options Menu, which in turn allows you to choose "Safe Mode with Command Prompt"? If so then I've no idea how you'd get to a command prompt.

...
Pressing Del gets me into something called Aptio Setup Utility (copyeight 2007 American Megatrends, Inc.)...

That sounds like you've accessed the BIOS, which is stuff that happens before anything Windows start so you'll not find anything about command prompts in there.

Ken

[viking33]

On my computer, F8 does not do anything.

Pressing Del gets me into something called Aptio Setup Utility (copyeight 2007 American Megatrends, Inc.), which has an Advanced tab that lets me choose AHCI Mode and a Boot tab that lets me change the boot order, but I can't find anything that lets me get into 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt’.

Safe Mode with Command Prompt should get you where you want to get.
Selecting that does NOT give you a black screen with just a C prompt?

[BobArch2]

I am unable to program Check Disk within Windows on a Windows XP computer because as soon as I log into my account, i receive the Blue Screen of Death. Is it possible to run Check Disk within DOS before I get to Windows?

Might this help?

[jmt356]

You mean as soon as you power up you computer and you start tapping F8 all that happens is it boots to Windows XP and then blue screens? In other words it does NOT behave as described in the 'Boot into DOS' link that Rudi gave and give you the Windows Advanced Options Menu, which in turn allows you to choose "Safe Mode with Command Prompt"? If so then I've no idea how you'd get to a command prompt.

Yes, that is correct.

I gave up on this as it looked like more work than it was worth. I had the hard drive destroyed.