Hard disk problem

[dark_light]

Hi
I have 40 GB segate harddisk. Since the last week or so it have gone realy slow. Also i have 5GB partition for xp. I have data of about 2GB in that partition but the OS says that its 4GB. I have checked and calculated all the data(Including recycle bin and i have disabled system restore) But still its not showing the free space that it should show.
How can i check Harddisk for errors or lost space.i have tried to run disk defragment but it also closes after an error.
What should i do

 

[RogerPhillis]

Try either right click your drive in "My Computer" properties/error check.
This will force disc recheck on reboot.

Or use the XP cd and boot into install/repair and choose option 1 to open c/windows........type: chkdsk /r ... for a longer but thorough check.(theres a space between the "k "and "stroke")