OS Troubleshooting Written by: Tim Keyser Georgia CTAE Resource Network 2010

OS Troubleshooting The ability to troubleshoot an operating system is important since operating system issues can render a computer unusable.

There are many utilities built into Microsoft Windows that can be used to troubleshoot issues with the operating system. There are many utilities built into Microsoft Windows that can be used to troubleshoot issues with the operating system. CHKDSK can be run from a command prompt or the search box and it used to scan drives for errors. CHKDSK often finds errors on drives and is able to automatically fix them. CHKDSK can be run from a command prompt or the search box and it used to scan drives for errors. CHKDSK often finds errors on drives and is able to automatically fix them. Utilities

Utilities Continued In addition to running CHKDSK at a command prompt, drives can also be scanned in Windows Explorer using the Error Checking utility. In addition to running CHKDSK at a command prompt, drives can also be scanned in Windows Explorer using the Error Checking utility. Third party utilities are available for download and purchase for operating systems. Professional technicians often use these utilities in addition to those included with the operating system. Third party utilities are available for download and purchase for operating systems. Professional technicians often use these utilities in addition to those included with the operating system.

Disc Error Checking Open My Computer (Windows Explorer) Alternate (Right) click on the drive letter Click Properties Click on the "Tools" tab Click Check Now Select Automatically fix file system errors and Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors Click Start

Windows Installation Disc Modern versions of Windows include troubleshooting utilities that can be run from the installation disc. Windows XP provides the recovery console which provides a command line interface from which utilities can be run. Windows Vista and 7 have a “repair” option in graphical user interface format that can be run from the disc.

Repair VS Reinstall An operating system repair allows the user to run an installation that repairs any errors in the operating system files. This option retains user data and programs. A clean installation involves deleting the previous operating system partition and does not retain user data and programs. Either of these methods can be used when repairing an operating system but be certain to backup all user data before attempting repairs.

Understanding Be sure to familiarize yourself with different utilities available operating systems and the most common troubleshooting techniques. Be sure to familiarize yourself with different utilities available operating systems and the most common troubleshooting techniques.