Q62048: Reasons for MS-DOS "File Allocation Table Bad" Error Message
Article: Q62048
Product(s): Microsoft Disk Operating System
Version(s): MS-DOS:3.x,4.x,5.x
Operating System(s):
Keyword(s):
Last Modified: 17-DEC-2000
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The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft MS-DOS operating system versions 3.1, 3.2, 3.21, 3.3, 3.3a, 4.0, 4.01, 5.0, 5.0a
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SUMMARY
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There are basically six reasons why the "File Allocation Table Bad" error
occurs. These reasons are as follows:
- The disk is not formatted, or incorrectly formatted.
- An operating system other than MS-DOS is on disk.
- There are defective disk sectors in the file allocation table (FAT).
- There are invalid cluster numbers in the FAT.
- There are lost clusters on the disk.
- There is cross-linking of some files on the same cluster.
Using the CHKDSK /F command on the disk should repair the above problems. If it
doesn't correct the problem (that is, the same error is returned), you may want
to use a third-party disk recovery utility. As a final option, you may want to
reformat the disk.
Additional query words: tshoot 3.30 3.30a 4.00 4.00a 5.00 5.00a noupd
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Keywords :
Technology : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS321 kbMSDOS400 kbMSDOS320 kbMSDOS330a kbMSDOS310 kbMSDOS500 kbMSDOS330 kbMSDOS401 kbMSDOS500a
Version : MS-DOS:3.x,4.x,5.x
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