System and processes

The fsck command

Checks and repairs the integrity of a filesystem. It is Linux's 'chkdsk'.

Syntax

fsck [-y] DISPOSITIVO

Most useful options

-yAnswers yes to everything automatically
-nOnly checks, does not repair

Copy-ready examples

$ sudo fsck /dev/sda1Check a partition

You can try them in the browser terminal: it does not touch your computer.

Typical mistakes

  • Do not run it on a mounted partition: it can corrupt data.
  • Back up before repairing with -y.

Related commands

mountmkfs.ext4lsblk

FAQ

How often should I use it?

Only when there are signs of corruption or after an abrupt shutdown.

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