Lost data when trying to create new partition.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

I was trying to create a new partition on my second hard drive with Partition
Magic. It asked me a question about whether the partition should be logical
or primary and it queried my answer then evrything went wrong!

The partition didn't get made and all the folders disappeared from the
drive. Is there an easy way to make them reappear or do I have to go down the
data recovery road. If the latter can anyone recommend a good cheap or free
program? I downloaded a trial version of one (actual recovery disabled) and
all the original folders appear to be fine.

Thanks for your help!
 
Partition Magic has an "undelete a partition" option. Highlight the drive in
question and run this option. You may get lucky.

--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!
 
Hi Philbury:

If you can still "see" the files, then there is lots of hope. How to
proceed?

Perhaps your decision should be based on how valuable this data is: if it
is extremely valuable and you do not have backups, then maybe taking the unit
to a pro is the best.

If you have a reliable, up-to-date set of backups for all those files, then
the list of reasonable and expedient options grows.

If you do not have backups, don't try to make them now until it can be
determined what exactly has happened. Also, don't make any more attempts at
data recovery or any change at all.

So, first things first-- do you have backups? Based on your answer, we will
likely have further questions:

If you do not have backups, we will need to know:
The metrics of both your hard drives (size, filing system [FAT, FAT32 or
NFTS], partitions, etc.-- especially note any "hidden" partitions-- ).
Partiition Magic can boot from it's CD and present this info safely (you may
have to make your system bootable from the CD by tapping the F8 key during
the initial 'black screen" phase of the bootup and following the options
listed). Exactly what did you ask Partition Magic to do? step by step as
best you can remember. What recovery program did you use to view the files?

Mark
 
Hi Mark - thanks a lot for your reply

Richard's suggestion of undeleting the partition didn't work (Thanks anyway!)

I have no backups for half of the data and it is important personally. Music
& photos.

I'm afraid I'm a meddler when it comes to PC's and I have already done a
system restore which gave me NTLDR missing. I got out of that with a great CD
rescue boot disk for that situation I had previously made. I did this before
reading your post!

I can't recall what program I ran which simply showed me all the missing
files. Now I have done the restore it is gone.

Also before reading your post I started running PC Inspector Recovery. It
is still running and has found over 6000 files so far.

I think my problem may have arisen when Partition Magic asked me if I wanted
to make the partition active and I may have said yes. When I look at the disk
in PM now it shows the D partition as active and the C partiton not. Hence
the NTLDR prob presumably.

Wait a bit if you like and I will report back when PC inspector has finished.

Phil


--
MSI Radeon 200 m/b 512mb RAM
Athlon 64 3000+ (Winchester)
Hauppauge DVBT USB2
WMCE 2005


Callmark1 said:
Hi Philbury:

If you can still "see" the files, then there is lots of hope. How to
proceed?

Perhaps your decision should be based on how valuable this data is: if it
is extremely valuable and you do not have backups, then maybe taking the unit
to a pro is the best.

If you have a reliable, up-to-date set of backups for all those files, then
the list of reasonable and expedient options grows.

If you do not have backups, don't try to make them now until it can be
determined what exactly has happened. Also, don't make any more attempts at
data recovery or any change at all.

So, first things first-- do you have backups? Based on your answer, we will
likely have further questions:

If you do not have backups, we will need to know:
The metrics of both your hard drives (size, filing system [FAT, FAT32 or
NFTS], partitions, etc.-- especially note any "hidden" partitions-- ).
Partiition Magic can boot from it's CD and present this info safely (you may
have to make your system bootable from the CD by tapping the F8 key during
the initial 'black screen" phase of the bootup and following the options
listed). Exactly what did you ask Partition Magic to do? step by step as
best you can remember. What recovery program did you use to view the files?

Mark


philbury said:
I was trying to create a new partition on my second hard drive with Partition
Magic. It asked me a question about whether the partition should be logical
or primary and it queried my answer then evrything went wrong!

The partition didn't get made and all the folders disappeared from the
drive. Is there an easy way to make them reappear or do I have to go down the
data recovery road. If the latter can anyone recommend a good cheap or free
program? I downloaded a trial version of one (actual recovery disabled) and
all the original folders appear to be fine.

Thanks for your help!



--
MSI Radeon 200 m/b 512mb RAM
Athlon 64 3000+ (Winchester)
Hauppauge DVBT USB2
WMCE 2005
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
OK

Your situation seems a bit more clear but my advice here is still just
supposition. If you have set "drive" D as active when it was C before-- and
this is the ONLY thing you have asked PM to do, then setting the active
partiton back to C may sovle the problem. This action *SHOULD* be safe to
perform. I recommend booting from the PM CD to try it.

I have no idea what your PC Inspector is doing so I cannot recommend whether
you should proceed with it or not. The conservative recommendation then
would be to NOT let it execute any changes. Please tell me WHERE you got
this PC Inspector from.

Just go one step at a time and it will be fine.


philbury said:
Hi Mark - thanks a lot for your reply

Richard's suggestion of undeleting the partition didn't work (Thanks anyway!)

I have no backups for half of the data and it is important personally. Music
& photos.

I'm afraid I'm a meddler when it comes to PC's and I have already done a
system restore which gave me NTLDR missing. I got out of that with a great CD
rescue boot disk for that situation I had previously made. I did this before
reading your post!

I can't recall what program I ran which simply showed me all the missing
files. Now I have done the restore it is gone.

Also before reading your post I started running PC Inspector Recovery. It
is still running and has found over 6000 files so far.

I think my problem may have arisen when Partition Magic asked me if I wanted
to make the partition active and I may have said yes. When I look at the disk
in PM now it shows the D partition as active and the C partiton not. Hence
the NTLDR prob presumably.

Wait a bit if you like and I will report back when PC inspector has finished.

Phil


--
MSI Radeon 200 m/b 512mb RAM
Athlon 64 3000+ (Winchester)
Hauppauge DVBT USB2
WMCE 2005


Callmark1 said:
Hi Philbury:

If you can still "see" the files, then there is lots of hope. How to
proceed?

Perhaps your decision should be based on how valuable this data is: if it
is extremely valuable and you do not have backups, then maybe taking the unit
to a pro is the best.

If you have a reliable, up-to-date set of backups for all those files, then
the list of reasonable and expedient options grows.

If you do not have backups, don't try to make them now until it can be
determined what exactly has happened. Also, don't make any more attempts at
data recovery or any change at all.

So, first things first-- do you have backups? Based on your answer, we will
likely have further questions:

If you do not have backups, we will need to know:
The metrics of both your hard drives (size, filing system [FAT, FAT32 or
NFTS], partitions, etc.-- especially note any "hidden" partitions-- ).
Partiition Magic can boot from it's CD and present this info safely (you may
have to make your system bootable from the CD by tapping the F8 key during
the initial 'black screen" phase of the bootup and following the options
listed). Exactly what did you ask Partition Magic to do? step by step as
best you can remember. What recovery program did you use to view the files?

Mark


philbury said:
I was trying to create a new partition on my second hard drive with Partition
Magic. It asked me a question about whether the partition should be logical
or primary and it queried my answer then evrything went wrong!

The partition didn't get made and all the folders disappeared from the
drive. Is there an easy way to make them reappear or do I have to go down the
data recovery road. If the latter can anyone recommend a good cheap or free
program? I downloaded a trial version of one (actual recovery disabled) and
all the original folders appear to be fine.

Thanks for your help!



--
MSI Radeon 200 m/b 512mb RAM
Athlon 64 3000+ (Winchester)
Hauppauge DVBT USB2
WMCE 2005
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
philbury said:
I was trying to create a new partition on my second hard drive with Partition
Magic. It asked me a question about whether the partition should be logical
or primary and it queried my answer then evrything went wrong!

The partition didn't get made and all the folders disappeared from the
drive. Is there an easy way to make them reappear or do I have to go down the
data recovery road. If the latter can anyone recommend a good cheap or free
program? I downloaded a trial version of one (actual recovery disabled) and
all the original folders appear to be fine.
Click to expand...

Why can't you use the recovery/rescue disk that Partition Magic
prompted you to create before you made any changes? *That's* your free
data recovery route.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin
 
OK - I wasn't happy with the way PC Inspector presented the files
(cluster1,2,3 etc) so I abandoned that program.

Through PM I am now back to having the C drive active and booting properly
and the D drive showing no content. The files have not been deleted, the
system just doesn't know they are there. Is there a way to rebuild the file
directory?
 
8:42 PM 6/4/2006

Phil:

OK. We could try to "fix" the paritition but since our first goal is
preservation of your data, I recommend we do that first.

Here is one way to proceed which I have tried on my machine. It is a bit
clutzy but it does not require that we attempt to repair any damaged or mixed
up partitions AT THIS TIME. Assuming you can boot from C and PM is intalled
on C:

Close all open programs
Open PM
There should be a list of ALL existing partitions-- including any hidden
partitions. Can you see the partition upon which your timid data is stored?

If yes:
select that partition then click Browse Partition in the Action Pane under
Partition Operations (you may have to reveal Action Pane with the View drop
down box on the Menu Bar).

You will be presented with the PowerQuest File Browser from which you can
copy files to another partition on your hard drive(s). It navigates much
like an Explorer Window. Here's the clutzy part: you have to do this copy
and paste (no drag and drop permitted) entirely from within the PQ File
Browser. Luckily you can select multiple files by holding down the Ctrl key
and left-clicking multiple files or folders. once selected, right click the
file(s) you want to copy and choose "copy". Then click the drop down box at
the top marked "Look IN:" to choose another partition. Once in that other
partition. Right-click an empty space and choose "paste". Voila!!

Caveats: Use "copy & paste", NOT "cut & paste", don't transfer any system
files that might be stored there and Keep an eye on the free space in the
partition you are copying to.

Once you have verified you have retrieved all the data you want from the
errant partition, you can delete, re-partition, re-format,-- whatever you
want-- to that partition following the PQ HELP manual. AFTER MAKING A
COMPLETE BACKUP OF c: OF COURSE ; )

Post back again with any questions

Mark
 
Unfortunately the PM browser shows the disc to be empty (only recycler and
system volume information).

Only the trial versions of file recovery programs have been able to see the
files and reassure me that they are still there.

Thanks a bunch for trying to help Mark but I am now going to loosen the
purse strings and cough up for PC Tools File Recover. I've been using their
Spyware Doctor and Registry Mechanic progs and am happy with them.

This has certainly taught me a lesson on backing up!

If you're online and had another idea if that one failed, let me know
because I'm away for half an hour or so before i start the process!

Best Regards and Thanks

Phil
 
Well sorry for your misfortune. If PM can see the partition but not the
files within it, we have apparently reached the end of that particular
programs abilities. There might still be a way to "undo" that which has been
done but PM is not a dedicated file recovery program.

I have no experience with PC Tools File Recover but I have been happy with
other PC Tools applications. Just go step by step and it will be fine.

Good luck

Mark
 
Back
Top