Harddisk after power failure

[Stu]

I experienced some power interuptions at my home and now my main computer
doesn't boot up (I'm using the laptop now). It gets to the piont where the
Wondows Logo is on the screen with the moving bar under it. About 10 seconds
into that, it shuts off and starts over. I disconected all the external
hardware (printers, scanner, modem, etc.). Still nothing. I attempted to
reload windows XPpro from the CD and it went through the start of the setup
routine, loading files. If I press enter to set up XP, all it shows is a
partition1 [unknown] of 131072 mb. ( I don't remember the size of my hard
drive, but I know it's around 40gig). If I press enter, it wants me to
format the partition, which I don't think I want to do. So I restarted the
boot from CD and this time I chose "R" for Recovery Console. This brought
up a C:\ prompt. If I type "dir", it says "an error occured during
directory enumeration". Changing to d:\>dir gets me the directory of D. Am
I correct in assuming that my hard drive 'bit the dust'? Or could it be
something much simpler (I'm hoping)? There's a lot of stuff on the hard
drive I wish I had saved. I know, always back up..... Any help with this
would be deeply appriciated.

Stumann

 

[Malke]

I experienced some power interuptions at my home and now my main computer
doesn't boot up (I'm using the laptop now). It gets to the piont where
the Wondows Logo is on the screen with the moving bar under it. About 10
seconds
into that, it shuts off and starts over. I disconected all the external
hardware (printers, scanner, modem, etc.). Still nothing. I attempted to
reload windows XPpro from the CD and it went through the start of the
setup
routine, loading files. If I press enter to set up XP, all it shows is a
partition1 [unknown] of 131072 mb. ( I don't remember the size of my hard
drive, but I know it's around 40gig). If I press enter, it wants me to
format the partition, which I don't think I want to do. So I restarted
the
boot from CD and this time I chose "R" for Recovery Console. This brought
up a C:\ prompt. If I type "dir", it says "an error occured during
directory enumeration". Changing to d:\>dir gets me the directory of D.
Am
I correct in assuming that my hard drive 'bit the dust'? Or could it be
something much simpler (I'm hoping)? There's a lot of stuff on the hard
drive I wish I had saved. I know, always back up..... Any help with this
would be deeply appriciated.

Although only running a drive diagnostic utility will answer the question as
to whether the hard drive was physically damaged, the partition table is
obviously messed up. You can try retrieving the data by software means, as
detailed below. However, if the data is crucial and expense is not an issue
I would not mess about with it and just send the drive to a professional
data recovery company like Drive Savers. This will not be cheap, but only
you can make that decision. After the dust has settled, create and
implement a backup strategy. You should also consider purchasing an
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) battery backup. A good one will cost
around $60. I like the Belkin 550 but APCs are also good.

Here is my full "data recovery boilerplate" so you can make choices:

*****
*IMPORTANT* - If there is any question that the drive is at fault - it's
making noises for instance - and the data is crucial DO NOTHING FURTHER ON
THE DRIVE. Every time you spin that drive up you may be destroying data. If
this is the case, send the drive to a professional data recovery company
like Drive Savers (my preference) or Seagate Data Recovery. General prices
run from $500USD on up. Drive Savers recovered all the data on a failed
laptop drive for one of my clients and it cost $2,700. He thought it was
worth the money; only you know what your data is worth. I understand that
some insurance companies are now covering data recovery charges so check
with yours.

Drive Savers - http://www.drivesavers.com
Seagate Data Recovery Services - https://www.seagatedatarecovery.com/

*IMPORTANT* - If you think the drive is physically healthy, it may be
possible to retrieve the data by software methods. DO NOTHING FURTHER ON
THE DRIVE. The data is still on the hard drive but if you overwrite it, it
will be extremely difficult or impossible to recover it. If you use data
recovery software, install it on another machine and either use it from
that operating system or create a bootable cd/floppy and work with that. If
you don't have the skill and/or equipment to do these procedures and the
data is crucial, take the machine to a professional computer repair shop
that has experience in doing data recovery. This will not be your local
version of BigStoreUSA. In-shop data recovery is usually not exactly cheap
(for ex., my charges are generally $150-350USD), but it normally costs less
than sending the drive to a company like Drive Savers. You need to make the
determination of the value of your data and decide what to do.

So, here are some things to try to recover your data:

1. Pull the drive and slave it in a computer running a working install of
XP/Vista. Depending on the target drive's characteristics, you may need a
drive adapter; i.e., laptop-to-IDE or a SATA controller card, etc. A
usb/firewire external drive enclosure works very well, too. Use the working
Windows Explorer to copy the data to the rescue system's hard drive and
then burn the data to cd or dvd.

2. Often XP/Vista will not boot with a slaved drive that has a damaged file
system. In that case, boot the target computer with either a Bart's PE or a
Linux live cd such as Knoppix and retrieve the data that way. If you need
help with Knoppix, let me know.

http://www.knoppix.net
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ - Bart's PE Builder

3. If a Bart's PE or Knoppix won't work, you can try using data recovery
software. Here are some links to various programs. I use Easy Recovery Pro,
but it is expensive. People whom I respect have recommended R-Studio and
Restoration. YMMV.

http://www3.telus.net/mikebike/RESTORATION.html
PCInspector File Recovery -
http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/welcome.htm
Executive Software ?Undelete? -
http://www.undelete.com/undelete/undelete.asp
R-Studio - http://www.r-tt.com/
File Scavenger - http://www.quetek.com/prod02.htm
Ontrack's EasyRecovery - http://www.ontrack.com/software/
*****

Malke

 

[Andrew E.]

Once at xp cd boot menu,press r For recovery,at that window,xp asks which
OS you'd like to enter with,press 1 For C: Then password,press enter key.If
that text isnt present,simply type youre cmd.Like,Fixboot Agree,type:
CHKDSK C: /R Once thru,type:EXIT However,if the default text doesnt show,
this usually means the OS is corrupted & none was detected.Also,how did you
come upon "reload xp" w/o being in windows.At boot menu,the selection is to
install xp,new or repair..From where youre now at,try recovery,after "repair"
xp,if both fail,& important files are on old OS,purchase new hd,install xp
to it,
once done,set old as slave,locate files....

 

[someone watching]

Malke, your response was quite helpful and detailed but neglected a step
which I would implement if it was a data critical situation, that is,
clone the HDD to another before attempting software rescue. This way
there is always a safe copy.

 

[Stu]

I don't know if this is significant, but I went into CMOS setup. IDE
Primary master lists None, but IDE Primary Slave lists a drive (ST3160812A)
which I think may be the hard drive in question. I only have one HD on the
machine. Shouldn't it be the master drive? Could it somehow have switched
places? If it should be the Master, how can I move it?

 

[Malke]

Malke, your response was quite helpful and detailed but neglected a step
which I would implement if it was a data critical situation, that is,
clone the HDD to another before attempting software rescue. This way
there is always a safe copy.

That is a very good point, "someone watching" and I will add it to my notes.
Thank you.

Malke

 

[Malke]

Once at xp cd boot menu,press r For recovery,at that window,xp asks
which
OS you'd like to enter with,press 1 For C: Then password,press enter
key.If
that text isnt present,simply type youre cmd.Like,Fixboot Agree,type:
CHKDSK C: /R Once thru,type:EXIT However,if the default text doesnt
show, this usually means the OS is corrupted & none was detected.Also,how
did you come upon "reload xp" w/o being in windows.At boot menu,the
selection is to install xp,new or repair..From where youre now at,try
recovery,after "repair" xp,if both fail,& important files are on old
OS,purchase new hd,install xp
to it,
once done,set old as slave,locate files....

Andrew, this is bad advice. The OP might lose data if he did that.

Malke

 

[Malke]

I don't know if this is significant, but I went into CMOS setup. IDE
Primary master lists None, but IDE Primary Slave lists a drive
(ST3160812A)
which I think may be the hard drive in question. I only have one HD on
the
machine. Shouldn't it be the master drive? Could it somehow have
switched
places? If it should be the Master, how can I move it?

Remove the hard drive. Now, with the drive out of the machine, clone it as
suggested by "someone watching". That was a great suggestion. If the drive
won't clone, it may be physically damaged. Then you will have to make the
choice about professional data recovery. I like Acronis True Image for
cloning/imaging.

With the drive out of the machine, enter the computer's BIOS and reset it to
defaults. Turn off the machine and replace the hard drive. If it is seen
correctly, proceed with whatever data recovery steps you want to take. If
it is not seen, your motherboard has been damaged by the power surge as
well as the drive and possibly other components.

Malke

 

[Colon Terminus]

I experienced some power interuptions at my home and now my main computer
doesn't boot up (I'm using the laptop now). It gets to the piont where
the
Wondows Logo is on the screen with the moving bar under it. About 10
seconds
into that, it shuts off and starts over. I disconected all the external
hardware (printers, scanner, modem, etc.). Still nothing. I attempted to
reload windows XPpro from the CD and it went through the start of the
setup
routine, loading files. If I press enter to set up XP, all it shows is a
partition1 [unknown] of 131072 mb. ( I don't remember the size of my hard
drive, but I know it's around 40gig). If I press enter, it wants me to
format the partition, which I don't think I want to do. So I restarted
the
boot from CD and this time I chose "R" for Recovery Console. This brought
up a C:\ prompt. If I type "dir", it says "an error occured during
directory enumeration". Changing to d:\>dir gets me the directory of D.
Am
I correct in assuming that my hard drive 'bit the dust'? Or could it be
something much simpler (I'm hoping)? There's a lot of stuff on the hard
drive I wish I had saved. I know, always back up..... Any help with this
would be deeply appriciated.

Stumann

Your hard disk file system is hosed.
Run chkdsk /r from the Recovery Console.
I've had good luck with this in similar situations.

 

[Stu]

I bought a new hard drive today. I then attempted to install XPpro. After
several minutes, I get a blue screen that says windows has been shut down to
prevent damage to your computer. It asks to check hardware and software. I
disconnected all the hardware I could with the exeption of the video card
and the CD crive that I have the windows disc in. Still the same blue
screen. Is this a good indication of a motherboard problem? There's
nothing else I can remove....

Stu