mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1102 Practice Question: That their computer's hard drive is making…
A user reports that their computer's hard drive is making clicking noises and they cannot access certain files. You want to check the disk for errors and attempt to repair any bad sectors. Which command should you run from an elevated command prompt?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse `/f` (file system repair) with `/r` (bad sector recovery), assuming that fixing file system errors also addresses physical disk damage, but `/r` is the only switch that performs a surface scan for bad sectors.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
chkdsk /r
The correct command is `chkdsk /r` because it locates bad sectors on the hard drive and recovers readable information from them. The `/r` switch implies `/f` (which fixes file system errors) and additionally performs a surface scan to identify and mark bad sectors, directly addressing the clicking noise and file access issue.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
chkdsk /f
Why it's wrong here
The chkdsk /f command is designed to fix logical file system errors on a volume, such as corrupted entries in the file allocation table or incorrect file sizes. While it addresses inconsistencies in the file system's metadata, it does not perform a scan for physical bad sectors on the disk platter. Therefore, it would not effectively diagnose or mitigate issues stemming from a physically failing hard drive, which is often indicated by clicking sounds.
- ✓
chkdsk /r
Why this is correct
The chkdsk /r command is specifically engineered to locate bad sectors on the hard drive's physical surface and attempt to recover any readable information from those sectors. It then marks these identified bad sectors, preventing the operating system from writing data to them in the future. This comprehensive scan is crucial for a drive exhibiting physical symptoms like clicking, as it directly addresses the integrity of the disk's storage media.
- ✗
sfc /scannow
Why it's wrong here
The System File Checker (sfc /scannow) utility is used to scan and repair corrupted or missing Windows system files by comparing them against known good versions. Its primary function is to maintain the integrity of the operating system's core components, not to diagnose or repair physical or logical errors on the hard drive's storage surface. Consequently, it offers no solution for a hard drive experiencing mechanical failure or bad sectors.
- ✗
diskpart
Why it's wrong here
The diskpart command-line utility is a powerful tool for managing disk partitions, volumes, and drives within Windows. It allows users to create, delete, format, and assign drive letters to partitions, as well as manage disk attributes. However, diskpart does not possess any diagnostic or repair capabilities for the physical health or integrity of the hard drive itself, making it unsuitable for addressing issues like bad sectors or mechanical failures.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Windows Command Line Tools
Key term
New Technology File System
New Technology File System (NTFS) is a modern file system developed by Microsoft that controls how data is stored, organized, and accessed on Windows-based hard drives and other storage devices.
Key term
32-bit File Allocation Table
32-bit File Allocation Table (FAT32) is a file system that organizes data on storage devices like hard drives and USB flash drives using a 32-bit addressing scheme to track where files are stored.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1202 exam.