Is it bad to cancel Check Disk during a scan?


  1. Posts : 11
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #1

    Is it bad to cancel Check Disk during a scan?


    Hi all,

    I was error-checking a SATA hard drive today via the Windows 7 "Tools" tab in Disk properties (not the command prompt chkdisk app).

    I started a scan and ticked the "scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors" box, but on realising how long the scan would take, I clicked the 'cancel' button after a few minutes.

    I've heard bad things about stopping chkdisk mid-way, though I am not sure if it applies to cancelling from within the graphical (rather than command prompt) version. Will clicking the cancel button have damaged the drive, or the data on it?

    Thanks all.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 17,796
    Windows 10, Home Clean Install
       #2

    If you stop it during stages 1-3 your risk loosing data. If you stop it in stage 4 or 4 there should not be any damage.

    You did not ask, but chksdk, according to my understanding, does reduce the life of the hard drive, by a negligible amount.

    Use the feature in frequently or when you are having problems.
    Last edited by richc46; 23 Feb 2017 at 19:29.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 8
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #3

    I use chkdsk often and stop many times. So far so good and there's no problem with my hard drive yet.

    You did not ask, but chksdk, according to my understanding, does reduce the life of the hard drive, by a negligible amount.

    Use the feature in frequently or when you are having problems.
    I doubt that.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 17,796
    Windows 10, Home Clean Install
       #4

    marytran said:
    I use chkdsk often and stop many times. So far so good and there's no problem with my hard drive yet.



    I doubt that.
    By the word negligible I meant that it may not even affect the life of the drive, for a very long time. How long that time may be, I have no idea.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 11
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    OK thanks. To be clear I pressed the 'cancel' button, I did not force quit it or similar. But it was at an early stage, it was saying 'checking files 3409' or similar as it was cycling through the files on the drive.

    Is damage likely?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 17,796
    Windows 10, Home Clean Install
       #6

    As I said, I really think that you are OK. To be sure
    Go to search type cmd. In cmd type wmic, then hit enter
    type diskdrive get status, hit enter again.
    Last edited by richc46; 24 Feb 2017 at 13:05.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #7

    If you want to run check disk then do so. How ever long it takes should be of no concern. It take what ever time it takes.

    Make sure that the laptop is plugged into external power source.

    I have never had check disk hurt anything. Just to be safe, before you run check disk make a Backup to a external drive first.

    Any time one use a disk for anything their is always some wear and tear. That is just part of a computers life cycle.
    If the drive can't handle a "check disk" I would replace it.

    Jack
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 7,351
    Windows 7 HP 64
       #8

    Check disk is a software check and it only reads and writes to the disk. Cant affect disk life.
    As it can detect bad blocks and / or bad clusters it can detect a hardware failure but cant repair it. If you get bad blocks and / or bad clusters you should replace the disk ASAP.
      My Computers


 

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