Need Help With SYSPREP problem. Partion Blanked?

[BeoWoof]

Hi:
I tried using the Sysprep utility that came with my PC, to create a backup
of Windows XP. Reading through the explanation of how it worked, it seemed
like the right program to use, as my computer only came with a set of
recovery disks with XP archived into one big file.
I copied the entire support\tools folder to my second partition, and ran
Sysprep from there, selecting the "factory" option.
My computer was busy for a while, then shut down.
When I restarted my system, Spysweeper noticed a change in the Win Registry,
which I told it to discard.

A long story short:
My problem is that the partition that I ran the sysprep on is no longer
readable. The management console reports it being the correct physical size,
and as being "healthy" but there is no file system, and no data. Windows
Explorer shows that the file system is "RAW", and completely empty.

Is there any -safe- way to recover my partition?

Any ideas, suggestions, or possible solutions would be Greatly Appreciated.

Thank you.

RD
beowoof at Hotmail com

 

[Colin Cogle]

Hi:
I tried using the Sysprep utility that came with my PC, to create a backup
of Windows XP. Reading through the explanation of how it worked, it seemed
like the right program to use, as my computer only came with a set of
recovery disks with XP archived into one big file.
I copied the entire support\tools folder to my second partition, and ran
Sysprep from there, selecting the "factory" option.
My computer was busy for a while, then shut down.
When I restarted my system, Spysweeper noticed a change in the Win Registry,
which I told it to discard.

A long story short:
My problem is that the partition that I ran the sysprep on is no longer
readable. The management console reports it being the correct physical size,
and as being "healthy" but there is no file system, and no data. Windows
Explorer shows that the file system is "RAW", and completely empty.

Is there any -safe- way to recover my partition?

Any ideas, suggestions, or possible solutions would be Greatly Appreciated.

Thank you.

RD
beowoof at Hotmail com

Safe way? I doubt it. If the partition didn't have anything you
couldn't replicate, I'd suggest you just reformat and get on with it?

Check in Disk Management. If it's listed as a foriegn drive,
right-click it and choose to Import it. Do NOT initialize it, though,
or else the boot sector will be overwritten and your data will be
inaccessible.

If it's not listed as "Foreign," I'd say it's a damaged MBR (Master Boot
Record). If it has a drive letter, though, try running CHKDSK /F /R
(Start > Run that command) or some other drive error-checking tool. If
it doesn't have a drive letter, you may be boned. Grab a copy of
PartitionMagic or something and see what that can do.