Easier way to do it is via a DOS command, imo.
Go to start, all programs, accessories, command prompt, then type chkdsk after the C:\ prompt. (or to fix the errors, type chkdsk/f)

Thanks for that Harry. It showed I have problems with my File System but running it with F (Fix) doesn't solve the problem (whatever it is). Mmmmh!

The F option should involve a restart as it won't be able to fix the errors with Windows running. So when you type chkdsk/f it should ask if you want to run a diagnostic the next time windows starts.

Going down the DOS route ends up with Program Not Responding hence I tried the My Computer route. Catch 22.

Ah. How about pressing F8 on a restart & then going in to Safe Mode with command prompt or debugging mode from that screen, so that Windows isn't running?

TOK

The command chkdsk > c:\temp\chk.txt will direct the output to the file c:\temp\chk.txt .

But as Harry has pointed out, you have to run chkdsk /f in order to correct the errors. This will give you the option to reboot and run it then when you can see the output easier.

I'm not sure what you mean by Going down the DOS route ends up with Program Not Responding but if you are on Vista or Windows7 you need to open the command window in administrator mode.

Thanks guys. Just returned to the screen after enjoying Man U (that's the University not the FC) thrash St Andrew's in Univeristy Challenge and as it's nearly time for the Ovaltine I'll leave further work on this till the morning. However, Opti, the DOS screen hangs after typing Y in answer to the reboot question after trying to run CHKDSK F, and then Programme Not Responding pops up when I try to close the DOS panel. But my brain has gone into standby and I'll wait till day break. Thanks to both for all the help so far. TOK

TOK

Two things worth repeating, it could be your typo but the command should be chkdsk /f. Also, you must be in Administrator mode.

Finally got CHKDSK to run in F mode after which the message said Windows found problems with the file system and run F to correct. A new Catch 22! Life is too short to keep restarting the machine. I'll live with it as it is. Thanks for all your help and suggestions. (Perhaps I should have asked Santa for a new machine).

TOK

Did you red my post 8664?

It is /f mode not F

If you are running chkdsk on the c drive then it will allways ask for a restart if you use the /f option. If it doesn't then correct your typing.

Does anyone know if Opera leaks memory?

C'mon TOK !!! Don't give up now! type in chkdsk/f
Then type y when prompted
Restart & all your problems will be solved!!!!! Don't let it beat you! ;o)

Just in the process of doing that - spurred on by you and Opti - carefully using a lower case f, typed my Y, and now the bl**dy DOS box won't close. Same problem as before. "Windows cannot end this program. It may need more time to complete an operation." Well, really. How much time does it need?

Now presss & hold down in this order:
ctrl Alt Delete
In the applications box see if the DOS command prompt is running.
If so highlight it & press end task at the bottom.

EDIT - Assuming you are running Windows XP or Vista.

Done that Harry and the wretched "Windows cannot end this program etc" box pops up. (Yes, XP Pro)

It's still running. I'll leave it there while I walk into town to get some fresh air.

In that case sounds like you have a corruption in Windows.
Have you tried my original suggestion of restart with F8 pressed & start in safe mode with command prompt?

Hilary,

"Does anyone know if Opera leaks memory?"

Don't know, but it can build up horrendous cache's. CCleaner will remove them.

My secondary problem was that I back up each night using Karen's Replicator and that is set not to delete files on my backup. I recovered about five gig of Opera cache info the other day - but temporarily stalled my PC in the process as it hated doing a delete on a USB drive using Win Explorer.

Tony

Hil: All the browsers leak. Their data-driven nature renders them susceptible to all sorts of horrors inflicted by badly-scripted web pages. Best to close them down every so often (daily??) and re-open to clean up the memory footprint.

I thought so! Ta DelBoy.

I can watch the cogs whirring by about 5pm most days and had been tempted to switch to Firefox instead.