CHKDSK is a tool on Windows operating system that displays the file system integrity status of a hard disk and CHKDSK can fix logical file system errors. CHKDSK can fix file system errors without the need to restart your system if it can get an exclusive lock on the drive. If CHKDSK cannot lock a drive (usually the C: drive), the check will resume the next time the computer starts. By default, when CHKDSK starts automatically when your system starts, there is a 10 seconds countdown that allows you to press any key to cancel the CHKDSK process during the 10 seconds period. The 10 seconds countdown value can be easily changed.

WARNING! This method involves editing the registry. Make sure you backed up your registry and system before proceeding with caution.

1. Open Registry Editor. Go to Start > Run and type regedit.

2. In Registry Editor, navigates to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager (1).

3. If AutoChkTimeOut value does not exists, you need to create it. To create AutoChkTimeOut value, right click in an empty area on the right panel of Registry Editor, choose New > DWORD value (2). Set the name as AutoChkTimeOut.

4. Double-click the (newly created) AutoChkTimeOut to edit its value. Choose Decimal (3) as the base and enter the countdown time for CHKDSK that you want to set (4). Setting this value to 0 will totally disable the timer.

5. Press OK (5) to close the registry editor. The change will take effect on the next reboot.

[via WindowsIT Pro]