You can choose which tests Disk Fixer performs and what items Disk Fixer should fix automatically.
To edit Disk Fixer settings:
1 Click the Settings tab, choose Fix & Maintain and click the Disk Fixer tab.
2 In the Tests area, select the tests you want Disk Fixer to perform.
§ The Partition Tables test checks the partition boot records and header data structures against the master boot record.
§ The Boot Records test checks boot records for valid information and structure.
§ The File Allocation Tables test looks for invalid entries in the file allocation tables in FAT and FAT32 disks and, if possible, fixes them.
§ The Files test verifies the directory structure, looks for invalid directory contents and file sizes, ensures that the entries refer to valid data, and checks that two files do not refer to the same data.
§ The Dates and Times test verifies that every file is stamped with a valid date and time. Disk Fixer gives any files with invalid information the current date and time.
§ The File Names test verifies that every file has a valid file name. Occasionally a corrupt file might contain invalid characters in its name, making it inaccessible to the operating system. The File Names test locates these files and fixes them.
§ The Lost Cluster Chains test locates lost clusters and recycles them as free space or creates files so you can review the data.
3 In the Surface Scan area, select which disk areas to scan for read errors.
§ To scan boot sectors, reserved sectors, and file allocation tables, select the Scan System Areas check box.
§ To scan clusters that store files and folders, select the Scan File Areas check box.
If you are having problems with individual files crashing, the File Areas scan determines if part of the problem file is saved on a bad cluster. The data on the bad cluster is lost, but Disk Fixer enables you to access the remainder of the file.
§ To scan areas that are not currently in use, select the Scan Unused Areas check box. Scanning unused areas periodically can identify bad clusters before data is stored on them.
4 In the AutoFix area, select how you want Disk Fixer to fix cross-links and lost clusters. Cross-links occur when two files link to the same data. From the Cross-links list, select one of the following options:
§ To create a copy of one of the linked files so you can examine each file to determine which is the good file, select Duplicate.
§ To generate an error message and leave the files alone, select Ignore.
§ To remove the cross-linked file, select Delete.
A lost cluster is a cluster that is not used by a file, but that is not listed as free. From the Lost Clusters list, select an option:
§ To delete lost cluster chains, restoring the free space, select Delete.
§ To save the lost clusters as files so you can examine the contents for data, select Save as Files.
5 Click OK.
See Also