Check a File System

To check a file system you can use the fsck command.
For detailed information checking GNU/Linux ext2/ext3/ext4 file system, you should use e2fsck.


To perform a simple check (if needed):

e2fsck /dev/sdaN

To force a check, with progress information (even if the file system is regarded as clean):

e2fsck -f -C 0 /dev/sdaN

To force a check, with progress information (even if the file system is regarded as clean), and to have the most debug and statistics information:
e2fsck -f -C 0 -t -t -v /dev/sdaN

To perform a check with automatic repairing and exit in case the command discovers a problem which may require system administrator to take additional corrective action:

e2fsck -p /dev/sdaN

To perform a check with automatic repairing, assuming 'yes' to ALL questions (must be used carefully):

e2fsck -y /dev/sdaN

N.B.:
 - replace /dev/sdaN by the device path you want to check
 - corresponding device must NOT be mounted
 - you can combine the debug/statistics and auto-repairing options