Hard drive not showing files though they still exist

[Windfall]

A short while ago I partitioned my Wester Digital 160g
7200 RPM hard drive (had about 20+ gigs unallocated
because the hard drive was bigger than windows XP could
recognize without a particular service pack, which i
later got) so it was now the original C drive (from the
original HDD), the D drive (which was the original drive
created from the added hard drive in question) and the H
drive (new partition from the added hard drive).

A few days after creating the partition, i opened the d
drive (where i have one folder for music, one folder for
backed up programs/files and not in folders were many
files waiting to be backed up on disk) and found that the
only thing in it was a small portion of files waiting to
be backed up.

I could search every hard drive for missing files (even
in hidden and system folders) but no track would be found.

However, if i look at the drive properties, all the hard
drive space is still used.

Not only that, but I run a file server that sends files
from this drive (every file on the server is one that is
now "missing") to whomever requests them. Even though
they are effectivly non-existant on my computer at this
point, my server is still capable of sending the files.

I need access to these files pronto so i need a solution
that will, preferrably, not wipe them out.

I tried restarting, it did nothing.
I tried a system restore but it told me that the hard
drive was either turned off or not monitored by system
restore (i tried anyway but neither the d or h drives
were listed in "my computer" after word so i unrestored)
I tried checking the cables to the hard drive, did nothing
I tried running a disk cleanup, returned a bunch of
unreadable sectors,deleted a few things...when done,
again, nothing was different.

I am now out of ideas, so I hope this is enough info to
help someone help me.

oh, and the partition that i created has had NO problems
throughout this endeavor with the exception of not being
found when i did the system restore.

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Windfall.

You don't mention Disk Management. What does that tell you about your HD?

RC

 

[Guest]

Disk Management says it is active and healthy with the
correct amount of space used (assuming the files are
there).

 

[Nathan McNulty]

Try enabling hidden files and system files in Folder Options in the
Control Panel (under the View Tab). You can always try downloading
everything using one of the computers that can get the data, then format
and put it all back on there. I know that sucks, but that may be one of
the only ways around this.

 

[Trent©]

A short while ago I partitioned my Wester Digital 160g
7200 RPM hard drive (had about 20+ gigs unallocated
because the hard drive was bigger than windows XP could
recognize without a particular service pack, which i
later got) so it was now the original C drive (from the
original HDD), the D drive (which was the original drive
created from the added hard drive in question) and the H
drive (new partition from the added hard drive).

Do you have 3 optical drives?...E, F, & G?

What files system did you use on each partition?

Your post is very confusing...or I need more coffee! lol



Have a nice week...

Trent

What do you call a smart blonde?
A golden retriever.