Data loss: problem with copying files from Win98 to XP (FAT32) and vice-versa

V

Vladimír Cvajniga

Data loss: problem with copying files from Win98 to XP (FAT32) and
vice-versa
=========================================================

I have a HD which was originally fdisk-ed to 3 FAT32 partitions via Win98
boot diskette. I left some 20 GB unpartitioned.
After some time I've "discovered" unused 20 GB on that disk so I've
formatted it (4th partition) in WinXP (FAT32). But there was a problem: in
Win98 I couldn't see the files that I copied on that disk in WinXP. So, in
WinXP I made a backup of all files on the disk, switched to Win98 and
formatted it Win98 to FAT32. I've chosen "Full format" but formatting was
very fast, ie. much faster that if I should have formatted it in DOS prompt.
Immediatelly after that I have MOVED data to that disk from one of backuped
folders. Luckily, I moved only one folder. Why "luckily"? Because then I
closed Win98 and started up WinXP I couldn't see any folder (file) on the
disk from XP. So I closed WinXP and started up Win98 again. But, what the
hell (!!!): my data (one folder) has disappeared!!! Instead of data I can
see something what we (in Czech Republic) call "Chinese tea", see
http://img104.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=54919_W98_1_122_366lo.jpg. The
size of occupied space is OK (677 MB) - it was the size of all data in the
folder that I moved on that disk in previous Win98 session, see
http://img21.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=55040_W98_2_122_342lo.jpg.
This is information about the disk as shown in Win98's FDISK:
http://img13.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=55810_W98_3_122_319lo.jpg
http://img163.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=55875_W98_4_122_570lo.jpg

Same info about same logical disk in Win XP:
http://img42.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=56314_WXP_1_122_572lo.jpg
http://img167.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=56393_WXP_2_122_573lo.jpg
http://img111.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=56624_WXP_3_122_502lo.jpg

The Found.000 folder was created when I ran Win XP in safe mode. Before I
read all information about cross-cluster problem (plus more blah-blahs on
the screen) XP have created the "backup" folder (Found.000). Of course, it's
unusable AT ALL - I simply can't imagine myself joining hundreds of small
files using hexadecimal editor. I'll delete Found.000 later, for sure.

Note: WinXP is installed on NTFS disk that's why disk mapping differs form
Win98:
98 = L:
XP = P:

The questions are:
1) Why this happens?
2) How can I rescue the 677 MB in lost folder?

Additional note:
1) I have Promise Ultra TX 100 in my computer. After that accident I tried
to download a newer driver form Western Digital. But WinXP
refused to install the driver saying that the current one (by Microsoft) is
better than the one I'm trying to install.
2) In WinXP I can't use Standby Mode on my computer. Neither I can hibernate
the system. The problem is that some disks simply don't switch on restart -
of course, it may cause DATA LOSS (!!!) as it once did, GRRRRRRRRRRR... :-(
3) Accoustically, the swith off to Standby Mode (or hibernate) is different
from when I totally shut down WinXP.

I have tried to discuss the problem with Microsoft CZ tech support but they
know NOTHING about such problem. They recommended me not to open disks with
different file systems (NTFS & FAT32) in one session... :-( ... Not a good
advice, what do you mean?

IMHO, there must be some problem in WinXP Promise Ultra driver. The problem
that causes data loss... :-(
Or, hmmm, am I doing something wrong?

TYVM in advance.

Vlado
 
R

Rock

Data loss: problem with copying files from Win98 to XP (FAT32) and
vice-versa
=========================================================

I have a HD which was originally fdisk-ed to 3 FAT32 partitions via Win98
boot diskette. I left some 20 GB unpartitioned.
After some time I've "discovered" unused 20 GB on that disk so I've
formatted it (4th partition) in WinXP (FAT32). But there was a problem: in
Win98 I couldn't see the files that I copied on that disk in WinXP. So, in
WinXP I made a backup of all files on the disk, switched to Win98 and
formatted it Win98 to FAT32. I've chosen "Full format" but formatting was
very fast, ie. much faster that if I should have formatted it in DOS
prompt.
Immediatelly after that I have MOVED data to that disk from one of
backuped folders. Luckily, I moved only one folder. Why "luckily"? Because
then I closed Win98 and started up WinXP I couldn't see any folder (file)
on the disk from XP. So I closed WinXP and started up Win98 again. But,
what the hell (!!!): my data (one folder) has disappeared!!! Instead of
data I can see something what we (in Czech Republic) call "Chinese tea",
see http://img104.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=54919_W98_1_122_366lo.jpg.
The size of occupied space is OK (677 MB) - it was the size of all data in
the folder that I moved on that disk in previous Win98 session, see
http://img21.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=55040_W98_2_122_342lo.jpg.
This is information about the disk as shown in Win98's FDISK:
http://img13.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=55810_W98_3_122_319lo.jpg
http://img163.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=55875_W98_4_122_570lo.jpg

Same info about same logical disk in Win XP:
http://img42.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=56314_WXP_1_122_572lo.jpg
http://img167.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=56393_WXP_2_122_573lo.jpg
http://img111.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=56624_WXP_3_122_502lo.jpg

The Found.000 folder was created when I ran Win XP in safe mode. Before I
read all information about cross-cluster problem (plus more blah-blahs on
the screen) XP have created the "backup" folder (Found.000). Of course,
it's unusable AT ALL - I simply can't imagine myself joining hundreds of
small files using hexadecimal editor. I'll delete Found.000 later, for
sure.

Note: WinXP is installed on NTFS disk that's why disk mapping differs form
Win98:
98 = L:
XP = P:

The questions are:
1) Why this happens?
2) How can I rescue the 677 MB in lost folder?

Additional note:
1) I have Promise Ultra TX 100 in my computer. After that accident I tried
to download a newer driver form Western Digital. But WinXP
refused to install the driver saying that the current one (by Microsoft)
is better than the one I'm trying to install.
2) In WinXP I can't use Standby Mode on my computer. Neither I can
hibernate the system. The problem is that some disks simply don't switch
on restart - of course, it may cause DATA LOSS (!!!) as it once did,
GRRRRRRRRRRR... :-(
3) Accoustically, the swith off to Standby Mode (or hibernate) is
different from when I totally shut down WinXP.

I have tried to discuss the problem with Microsoft CZ tech support but
they know NOTHING about such problem. They recommended me not to open
disks with different file systems (NTFS & FAT32) in one session... :-( ...
Not a good advice, what do you mean?

IMHO, there must be some problem in WinXP Promise Ultra driver. The
problem that causes data loss... :-(
Or, hmmm, am I doing something wrong?
Click to expand...


You might want to contact a data recovery service.

www.ontrack.com
www.drivesavers.com
https://www.seagatedatarecovery.com/
 
B

Bob I

You would have to replicate all the conditions at the time of the
transfer/copying, but I suspect you confused Windows 98 and clobbered
the FAT in the partition in question.
 
R

Rock

Vladimír Cvajniga said:
Any idea of Standby/Hibernation mode problem?
Click to expand...


Problems with Standby/Hibernation can be do to many things. though I'm not
sure from your description what exactly the problem is with them as I don't
know what your mean by, "The problem is that some disks simply don't switch
on restart." One issue that affects standby/hibernation is drivers.
 
V

Vladimír Cvajniga

Oops, it should be: "... don't SWITCH ON on restart..." (I'm net yelling
;-) ), ie. some disks stay switched off (as if they were without electricity
power) when I restart from standby/hibernation.

I'm affraid there's a problem with Microsoft driver for Promise Ultra as
described in my original post. Is there any chance that Microsoft will
update the driver?

Excuse me for my poor English, pls.

Vlado
 
R

Rock

Oops, it should be: "... don't SWITCH ON on restart..." (I'm net yelling
;-) ), ie. some disks stay switched off (as if they were without
electricity power) when I restart from standby/hibernation.

I'm affraid there's a problem with Microsoft driver for Promise Ultra as
described in my original post. Is there any chance that Microsoft will
update the driver?
Click to expand...

Microsoft doesn't do drivers for hardware devices except for those of their
own manufacture. If there is a driver problem with the ATI Promise board
then it's ATI's responsibility. As to whether there is a chance for an
updated driver check on the web site for the board and maybe contact their
tech support.
 
V

Vladimír Cvajniga

Hello, Rock,

I think Microsoft is responsible for drivers that they deliver with their
operating system. See
http://img37.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=78368_PromiseUltra_1_123_393lo.jpg.

I wrote that "After that accident I tried to download a newer driver form
Western Digital. But WinXP
refused to install the driver...", see
http://img168.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=78720_PromiseUltra2_122_441lo.jpg.
Sorry for Czech language but I have Czech version of XP: "The wizard didn't
find better software than currently installed...", etc.

Vlado
 
R

Rock

Hello, Rock,

I think Microsoft is responsible for drivers that they deliver with their
operating system. See
http://img37.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=78368_PromiseUltra_1_123_393lo.jpg.

I wrote that "After that accident I tried to download a newer driver form
Western Digital. But WinXP
refused to install the driver...", see
http://img168.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=78720_PromiseUltra2_122_441lo.jpg.
Sorry for Czech language but I have Czech version of XP: "The wizard
didn't find better software than currently installed...", etc.
Click to expand...
"Rock" píse v diskusním príspevku
Click to expand...

Hardware drivers, unless it's for hardware manufactured by MS, including
drivers on the install CD, are written by and the responsibility of the
device manufacturer. MS does not write the drivers. They include them.
Often times drivers on the CD have reduced functionality. They are basic
versions, but none the less, the driver is still written by the device
manufacturer.
 

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