How to Check and Repair Files on XP

1. Check files on your hard drive (along with the integrity of the drive as a whole) by running the 'Checkdisk' program. To run this program, simply go to the 'Start' menu, followed by pressing the 'Run' key.
2. Type the command 'chkdsk' in at the command line prompt. The automated disk-checking procedure should commence. There are three separate phases that need to take place during the disk checking protocol, so be patient. The entire process can take anywhere from five to more than 30 minutes, depending on the speed of your computer and the size of your hard drive. Checkdisk will also attempt to repair bad files or sectors during the process.
3. Insert in your windows XP installation CD to repair files which Checkdisk was unable to. Reboot your computer and press the designated key to enter BIOS as your machine boots up. Once in BIOS, go to the 'Boot menu' and change the first boot device to read from the CD-ROM. Save and exit changes.
4. Reboot your computer again. The computer should boot to the Windows XP installation screen. Press 'R' to initiate a repair (as opposed to performing a full installation) and follow the on-screen instructions to start the automated process. This should restore your computer to full working order.