How to Fix a Partition Table for NTFS XP

A partition table is a table of instructions created when first partitioning a hard drive. This information helps the computer to optimally access the drive, allowing it to understand the basic layout of the hardware and giving it instructions on the proper method to interface with the drive itself. When the partition table becomes corrupted in a NTFS system running Windows XP, you must use the built-in drive-checking tool CheckDisk to fix it.

Instructions

1

Open the "Start" menu and click on the "Run" button.

2

Type in "cmd" and press "Enter." This will bring up a DOS prompt.

3

Type in "x: chkdsk /f" (where "x" is the drive letter of your hard drive with the faulty partition table) and press "Enter." This will automatically scan and fix your NTFS partition.