Ntfs disk shows as raw

[Guest]

I had a hd in a computer but then moved to another country. I saved all my
important data on a hd and took it with me. Once at another computer I put
the disk in and boot it as slave. In win Xp I then get a message saying that
the disk format is Raw, containing only 32 gb, but it´s a 80 gb disk and it´s
surely ntfs.
Any ideas on what has happened and how to recover the data?
I´ve got some software that took me about 1,5 years to develop on that disk
so it´s critical that I get to it.
The data is still there since I haven´t done anything with it, the disk
spins up and everything. Works fine but Xp want´s to format it as soon as I
try to access it.
In retrospect stupid of me to only back it up on a hd, I know that already...

 

[Richard Urban]

The drive has lost it's partition structure or it's partition "type".

This happens occasionally. To my knowledge no one has ever figured out "why"
it happens!

The fix is not for the faint of heart and there is one thing that you
absolutely need to know before you begin. What "type" of FILE SYSTEM was
being
used on the hard drive? If you are 100% certain that you know there is (may
be) a way to recover.

There is a little DOS program included with Partition Magic 8.01. It is
called ptedit. This program can only be used from within "pure DOS". When
you use Partition Magic 8.01 to create the 2 disk floppy set (the DOS
version of Partition Magic) this little program is placed in the set.

You have to boot the computer from disk 1 of the floppy set. Then insert
disk 2 when asked to. After you are in Partition Magic, EXIT from the
program. You will be back at the A: prompt. Re-insert floppy disk 1.

Now, type in ptedit and press enter. The program will start. This program
allows you to change the drive "type". It is imperative that you are certain
that you are working on the correct drive. You can choose drives at the top
of the program window. Once you have chosen the correct drive, click in the
**Line 1 | Type** box.

This will energize the "Set_Type" box at the bottom. Now click the mouse on
the "Set_Type" BOX. Look for the file system that you KNOW was being used.
There are many choices. Choose the correct file system and follow the
instructions from there.

NOTE: If you choose the wrong file system, and commit the change, you may
corrupt any information that is on the drive.

I have successfully recovered about a dozen drives that have gone RAW, or
otherwise lost their partition structure, by using this great little DOS
program.

NOTE: The program CAN NOT be used from within Windows.

And "shame" on the computer manufacturers who deliver new computers without
a floppy drive installed!


There is also a Windows version of ptedit called ptedit32. The usage is the
same. Search Google to find a source for this utility.


--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

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!

 

[Guest]

The data is critical for my pharmaceutical retail chain and thus your expresion
"not so faint of heart" doesn't include me.
I'm sure it was ntfs, but beeing really really sure is pretty difficult when
we are
talking important data.

Any other inputs are greatly appreciated although Richards is thankfully
received.

 

[Malke]

The data is critical for my pharmaceutical retail chain and thus your
expresion "not so faint of heart" doesn't include me.
I'm sure it was ntfs, but beeing really really sure is pretty
difficult when we are
talking important data.

Any other inputs are greatly appreciated although Richards is
thankfully received.

Some suggestions:

1. Boot with an alternate system such as Knoppix, Bart's PE, or ERD
Commander to see if the data is visible there. If it is, back it up to
cd/dvd-r or usb thumbdrive and then to cd/dvd-r.

2. If the data can't be seen by the alternate systems, data recovery
software may work. I use Easy Recovery Pro, but it is expensive. Others
have had good results with R-Studio and Restoration. Depending on where
you are living, it may be better to take the drive to a professional
computer repair shop that does data recovery.

3. If all else fails, you can send the drive to a professional data
recovery service. Since you say the data is critical, this is the path
I'd choose even though it is the most expensive one. The major data
recovery companies in the US handle jobs from all over the world, so if
you don't live in the US that isn't a factor. I prefer DriveSavers but
Ontrack and Seagate also do data recovery.

http://www.knoppix.net - Knoppix
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ - Bart's PE
http://tinyurl.com/coyca - ERD emergency downloads

http://www.ontrack.com/Homepage.aspx?id=3&pagename=Software
http://www.r-studio.com/
http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/welcome.htm
http://www.execsoft.com/undelete/undelete.asp
http://www3.telus.net/mikebike/RESTORATION.html

http://www.drivesavers.com
http://www.seagate.com/support/service/drs/services.html

Malke

 

[Guest]

Thanks a lot for your input Malke.

I tried getdataback and it's currently recovering all the info I need.
Tonight I will be able to sleep well.

Again, thanks a lot and have a great weekend!!!

/Eskil

 

[Malke]

Thanks a lot for your input Malke.

I tried getdataback and it's currently recovering all the info I need.
Tonight I will be able to sleep well.

Again, thanks a lot and have a great weekend!!!

/Eskil

I'm really happy for you. Thanks for updating the thread.

Malke

 

[Richard Urban]

EasyRecovery Professional (www.ontrack.com) has a module especially for
recovering data from disks that show up as RAW. Cost of program = $1400.00.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

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!

 

[anno_triangle]

Hello,

I'm familliar with a tool that performs the simmilar operation
(restores lost partitions) but the price is much lower. I used Active@
Partition Recovery utility before to bring back gone partitions. That
really worked. The tool is on a data utils set CD image, also including
data recovery, backup and erase soft.
http://www.ntfs.com/boot-disk.htm