When i try to run the win xp chkdsk utility after rebooting my system i revieve the message that the file system is RAW and that it cannot scan this file system? I need to do this scan because i have recieved the message numerous times that i have corrupt files and i want to defragment my hard drive as well. these tasks were never a problem before. Also i have noticed a number of other problems such and the windows help system seems to have disappeared. Is it time to re format and reinstall? This may somehow be caused because i have linux installed on a different partition of my harddrive. Any help would be appreciated.

Try running scandisk instead. Right-click ur drive in My Computer/Properties/Tools tab, Error Check button. Also run sfc /scannow from the RUN box. GoodLuck

File system RAW means that it is registering your drive as being unformated or inactively partitioned. If chkdsk is checking a partition with linux on it its possible that it may not recognize the file system, but i have never had this problem myself so i dont know. In windows disk manager, do you see any unpartioned or inactive drives on your system?