To learn what a chkdsk error is it is imperative to know what chkdsk is. It is a software program that is designed to locate and correct errors in the file systems on hard disk drives. Many times, however, instead of being a positive addition to a computer system, the chkdsk ends up being detrimental.

When chkdsk is triggered to run, usually by an incorrect shutdown such as power failure or user error, it begins a scan of the hard disk looking for any errors that might exist that many have caused the original shutdown. In addition, if a hard disk is corrupted and has file system errors within it, it may trigger the chkdsk to run resulting in what chkdsk views as errors to be corrected. A hard disk problem can result in a file system error, and since chkdsk is designed to repair file system errors, it will attempt to and cause only future problems. When an incorrect shutdown has occurred, the chkdsk will run upon the next restart of your computer system.

Another trigger for a chkdsk error is a virus. Viruses are notorious for causing these as they get into the file systems creating problems. When you decide to defragment you computer, the chkdsk will locate and attempt to repair the affected file. It is the automatic repair of damaged files that causes most problems and error messages.

If you have a virus, or a damaged hard disk, when the program begins its automatic repair it often further damages files by rewriting the wrong information into the files resulting in files that are severely fragmented or corrupted. It can even find a wrong diagnosis and attempt to repair what it believes is wrong with the file system, ending up with a larger problem than before.

To prevent this from happening, take care when restarting a computer that has suffered a hard shutdown. When it first begins booting you must abort the program from running simply by hitting the ESC key within the first ten seconds of booting. Once you have done that, your computer will simply skip the process and reboot as normal. This will minimize any problems that could arise from chkdsk thinking it found an error that really doesn’t exist.