Partition problem, no files found

[Brian Smither]

If I boot a Win2000Pro system using a Win98SE bootable CD, then do a DIR on
C:, I get "No files Found". (Not even DIR /a just in case all files had
attributes screwed up.) But the system boots just fine (well, after
removing a dozen pieces of malware) and when Exploring, all files are
listed. A partition explorer program identifies the partition as type 0E.

There does not appear to be a drive overlay, nor any drive recovery apps
(like GoBack) installed. The Drive manger says that the drive is a Healthy
FAT32, 40GB partition.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

If I boot a Win2000Pro system using a Win98SE bootable CD, then do a DIR on
C:, I get "No files Found". (Not even DIR /a just in case all files had
attributes screwed up.) But the system boots just fine (well, after
removing a dozen pieces of malware) and when Exploring, all files are
listed. A partition explorer program identifies the partition as type 0E.

There does not appear to be a drive overlay, nor any drive recovery apps
(like GoBack) installed. The Drive manger says that the drive is a Healthy
FAT32, 40GB partition.

--
Remove INVALID from e-mail address.

Brian Smither
Smither Consulting

Type 0E is a FAT16X partition. FAT32/FAT32X partitions are type
0B/OC. You're probably living on borrowed time with a corrupted
partition table. Getting Win2000 to check the disk might fix the problem,
or it might ruin the partition completeley. Leaving the problem unattended
is dangerous: Windows might crash, then check the disk automatically
when rebooting . . .

If this was my machine then I would do this:
- Back up all important files to an independent medium (you should
do this every week anyway).
- Use ptedit.exe (ftp://ftp.powerquest.com/pub/utilities/) to change
the partition type. The change is reversible.
- Reboot with a Win98 boot disk to see if the problem is fixed.
- If it is fixed, get the Win2000 storage manager to check the disk
structure. If it is not fixed, restore the previous partiton type number
and try some of the other suggestions you might get in this thread.