NTFS HDD question

[Guest]

Is this the right place to ask a NTFS HDD related question? I have a HDD
formatted with XP Pro that has some problems.

 

[Guest]

Ask away! What is the problem?

 

[Guest]

Ok, cool.

My XP Pro HDD went partially TU, and now I can only access it's C drive (it
was partioned in to two virtual drives) in a DOS setup. As slave or master,
my other NTFS compy can't see C at all.

I have thought about doing a MBR reinstall, but I might lose my data, and
that is unacceptable. I know the data is still there, but windows cannot see
it.

I found a Boot Disk to recognize NTFS, but i need a compattible copy of
Xcopy, or something else to transfer large amounts of files in a DOS
environment.

Funny thing is, I CAN see the second partition on this drive in windoes,
just not the first, so I know its software related, but a hardware issue.

If anyone can help, please let me know. It will be appreciated.

 

[Malke]

Ok, cool.

My XP Pro HDD went partially TU, and now I can only access it's C
drive (it was partioned in to two virtual drives) in a DOS setup. As
slave or master, my other NTFS compy can't see C at all.

I have thought about doing a MBR reinstall, but I might lose my data,
and that is unacceptable. I know the data is still there, but windows
cannot see it.

I found a Boot Disk to recognize NTFS, but i need a compattible copy
of Xcopy, or something else to transfer large amounts of files in a
DOS environment.

Funny thing is, I CAN see the second partition on this drive in
windoes, just not the first, so I know its software related, but a
hardware issue.

If anyone can help, please let me know. It will be appreciated.

If you just want to get your data off, use Knoppix or a Bart's PE.
Here's information about using Knoppix:

An easy way to retrieve Windows files is to boot with Knoppix, a Linux
distro on a live cd. You will need a computer with two cd drives, one
of which is a cd/dvd-rw OR a usb thumb drive with enough capacity to
hold your data. To get Knoppix, you need a computer with a fast
Internet connection and third-party burning software. Download the
Knoppix .iso from www.knoppix.net and create your bootable cd. Then
boot with it and it will be able to see the Windows files. If you are
using the usb thumb drive, right-click on its icon (on the Desktop) to
get its properties and uncheck the box that says "Read Only". Then
click on it to open it. Note that the default mouse action in the
window manager used by Knoppix (KDE) is a single click to open instead
of the traditional MS Windows' double-click. Otherwise, use the K3b
burning program to burn the files to cd/dvd-r's.

And here's a link to Bart's:
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

Malke

 

[zeretul]

Well, I tried the Knoppix boot CD. That was a very different
environment for me. But unfortunately, it did not help. I was unable to
see the files I want in the Linux environment.

I discovered that the only files i have left to retrieve are
"favorites" and my email files from Outlook 2000 and Outlook Express 6.

I looked at the PE Builder site, but i did not see any kind of resource
telling me how to use it. When I created a boot cd and rebooted from
it, it looked like windows was trying to reinstall itself, so I shut it
down.

Do you know if the pe bulider will be able to locate windows specific
files in its environment? Do you know of a good resource for
information?

Again, this is a NTFS formatted dual partitioned drive, and I
apparently need to retrieve windows specific files.

Thanks

 

[Malke]

Well, I tried the Knoppix boot CD. That was a very different
environment for me. But unfortunately, it did not help. I was unable
to see the files I want in the Linux environment.

I discovered that the only files i have left to retrieve are
"favorites" and my email files from Outlook 2000 and Outlook Express
6.

I looked at the PE Builder site, but i did not see any kind of
resource telling me how to use it. When I created a boot cd and
rebooted from it, it looked like windows was trying to reinstall
itself, so I shut it down.

Do you know if the pe bulider will be able to locate windows specific
files in its environment? Do you know of a good resource for
information?

Again, this is a NTFS formatted dual partitioned drive, and I
apparently need to retrieve windows specific files.

If you couldn't see the files with Knoppix, they probably aren't
available without using professional data recovery software. A Bart's
won't help. I use Easy Pro Recovery, but it is very expensive. A better
solution would be for you to take the drive to a professional computer
repair shop (not your local version of BigStoreUSA). Be sure you ask if
they have data recovery software and do this type of work. Otherwise,
contact a professional data recovery firm. I like DriveSavers
(www.drivesavers.com). Their services are not inexpensive, but only you
can determine the worth of your data.

When this is all over, create and execute a backup strategy.

Malke

 

[zeretul]

Hi Malke,

I booted up the system with a NTFS detectable boot disk, and was able
to navigate to where my "Favorites" should have been. They show up in
the MS-DOS environment, but i could not see them with the Knoppix OS. I
also tried to find my outlook.pst file, but in the MS-DOS environment I
was not able to see the hidden folders. The favorites and my outlook
files are all I have left to recover.



So, I need an option to find and copy all my favorite files and my
outlook files, some of which are in hidden folders that MS-DOS and
Knoppix can't see.

I still have the option of attempting to repair the master boot record,
but I know that might erase my data.

Anybody got any ideas?

Any help will be appreciated!