Scan Disk & Cross linked files

[J1CS]

I just did a clean install of WME and video card driver. Left the computer for a few, came back and the screen saver had the computer locked up. Had to hit the reset button. Then it started to boot and it ran scan disk. It said I had about 6 or 8 crossed linked files. I"M not sure what this ment, a bad hard drive or what? Any information will be helpful.

[Bellbus]

Cross linked files simply means that your FAT table has been slightly corrupted.

The FAT table - File Allocation Table is at the start of your disk and is like a giant index file of what is on the Hard Disk.

A Cross Linked file is where the pointer in the Index has become confused and is pointing to the wrong file.

E.g


Correct

In the Index: ---------- File on Disk:
Document.Doc ---------- Document.Doc


Cross Linked

In the Index: ---------- File on Disk:
Document.Doc ---------- Sound.Wav


Scan Disk has probably fixed the problem (if not, the files may be lost)

[rmanet]

If this is a clean install and you already lost some files I'd disable the screensaver and do system file check using Tools, or do another install. Might save you some headaches down the road because the FAT problem might be fixed but you might have a few bad files.