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This is the same tool that Windows deploys when it crashes and then, on next boot, prompts you to check the the OS disk. When you click on the prompt to do so Windows launches the CHDSK application in the background and scans the disk.
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So what should you do? You should definitely follow the prompt and scan your removable media. This isn’t a Windows-only thing, by the way it’s bad practice to skip unmounting removable media when using other operating systems, too.
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When you plug the drive back in, Windows knows you didn’t eject it properly the last time (because the file system flag that indicates proper unmounting isn’t set) and it yells at you. The other reason it gives you the warning is because there is corruption within or damage to the file system on the removable drive. You know how most of us just unplug our SD cards and USB drives when we’re done? That’s not good for your data and it makes Windows grumpy. The most common reason Windows prompts you to perform the scan and fix is because the removable media in question was not properly unmounted and removed from Windows the last time it was used. The warning itself is a bit cryptic, however, as it’s a catch all for multiple issues. RELATED: Do You Really Need to Safely Remove USB Flash Drives? Scan the drive now and fix it.” Back in Windows 7 and Windows Vista, it prompt you with “Do you want to scan and fix Removable Disk ?” In Windows 8 it will warn you, as you saw, “There’s a problem with this drive. What’s the deal? Is my SD card going to be ruined or my files missing if I don’t scan and fix the drive? What exactly does it do?Īlthough the warning has changed slightly in appearance, Windows has been issuing these warnings for a long time. The error message must be there for a reason, but my files always look fine.
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I copied the pictures, pull the SD card out, put it back in my camera, and then the next time I needed to copy files the exact same thing happened. Scan the drive now and fix it.” I didn’t click on the pop up box and then a few seconds the SD card automatically opened in Windows Explorer and my pictures were there like I expected. When I take the SD card out of my camera and plug it into my computer, a little box pops up that says “There’s a problem with this drive. Does something actually need fixing? Are you risking anything by ignoring the nagging to scan and fix the drive? Read on as we explain what the message means, if you should heed it, and how to keep it from coming back. It’s a common sight for many Windows users: you pop in your flash drive or the memory card from your camera and Windows insists there is some problem that needs fixing.
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