[SOS] : boot failure unknown partition type

[Jeannot Lelapin]

Hello,

i start my dell notebook under Win XP Pro english version.
Pheraps a boot virus modified the Master Boot Record. The screen displayed :
***************************************************
boot failure unknown partition type.
***************************************************

I have my documents and the system file on the same partition.

I started from the CD : i try repair the system but i havn't backup
floppy disk.

So i wanted to reinstall the system on the same partition :
The setup found only 3 partitions
31 Mo ( FAT )
28000 Mo( Unknown partition type )
8 Mo ( free space )
It can't read the type of the partition n°2 !
I can destroy it to recreate one but i don't want to lose my documents.

I started from the CD and choosed recovery more. I found e prompt.
I launched chkdsk ( it repaired an error but i didn't konw where )
i found fixmbr and fixboot but i don't know how to use it and i don't
want to destroy the partition n°2.

My questions :
- how do i force the system to recognize the partition type ( NTFS ) or
the partition n°2 ?
- Can i do it with fixmbr and fixboot ?
- if yes, how ?
- if no, is there another solution ? ( software,... ) ?

Advices, help,... are welcome.

Jeannot Lelapin

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Hello,

i start my dell notebook under Win XP Pro english version.
Pheraps a boot virus modified the Master Boot Record. The screen displayed :
***************************************************
boot failure unknown partition type.
***************************************************

I have my documents and the system file on the same partition.

I started from the CD : i try repair the system but i havn't backup
floppy disk.

So i wanted to reinstall the system on the same partition :
The setup found only 3 partitions
31 Mo ( FAT )
28000 Mo( Unknown partition type )
8 Mo ( free space )
It can't read the type of the partition n°2 !
I can destroy it to recreate one but i don't want to lose my documents.

I started from the CD and choosed recovery more. I found e prompt.
I launched chkdsk ( it repaired an error but i didn't konw where )
i found fixmbr and fixboot but i don't know how to use it and i don't
want to destroy the partition n°2.

My questions :
- how do i force the system to recognize the partition type ( NTFS ) or
the partition n°2 ?
- Can i do it with fixmbr and fixboot ?
- if yes, how ?
- if no, is there another solution ? ( software,... ) ?

Advices, help,... are welcome.

Jeannot Lelapin

I would probably download a free copy of ptedit.exe from
the PowerQuest site, then set the partition type to whatever
you feel is correct.

The nice thing about this method is that it is completely
reversible. Make a note of any existing partition type,
change it, reboot and see what you get. If you don't like
it, change it back again.

If you want to retrieve lost partitions then RecoveryExpert
from Acronis might help you.

P.S. Please go easy with your cross-posts. It has nothing
to do with WinNT, security or setup, so why post there?
Many respondents get turned off when they see a whole
zoo of cross-posts.

 

[Fritz]

Start the recovery console (from XP CD) and run "FIXMBR" followed by "CHKDSK
/F". If there are unrecoverable errors then the hard disk is probably shot.

 

[Jeannot Lelapin]

thanks

 

[Num Lock Key]

| Hello,
|
| i start my dell notebook under Win XP Pro english version.
| Pheraps a boot virus modified the Master Boot Record. The screen displayed
:
| ***************************************************
| boot failure unknown partition type.
| ***************************************************
|
| I have my documents and the system file on the same partition.
|
| I started from the CD : i try repair the system but i havn't backup
| floppy disk.
|
| So i wanted to reinstall the system on the same partition :
| The setup found only 3 partitions
| 31 Mo ( FAT )
| 28000 Mo( Unknown partition type )
| 8 Mo ( free space )
| It can't read the type of the partition n°2 !
| I can destroy it to recreate one but i don't want to lose my documents.
|
| I started from the CD and choosed recovery more. I found e prompt.
| I launched chkdsk ( it repaired an error but i didn't konw where )
| i found fixmbr and fixboot but i don't know how to use it and i don't
| want to destroy the partition n°2.
|
| My questions :
| - how do i force the system to recognize the partition type ( NTFS ) or
| the partition n°2 ?
| - Can i do it with fixmbr and fixboot ?
| - if yes, how ?
| - if no, is there another solution ? ( software,... ) ?
|
| Advices, help,... are welcome.
|
| Jeannot Lelapin
|


Run the XP CD-ROM recovery console and use fixboot. Use the 'r' key to start
the recovery console process -- you probably want to choose the option that
lands you at a Command Prompt.

It will ask you which installation you want to repair if it dects one - give
it the number, usually 1 and give it the admin password if it asks for one.
You get landed at the prompt. There type in:

fixboot [drive_letter_of_drive to_repair] < Enter>

and follow the instructions on screen.

Here's more info:

http://tinyurl.com/wb20


Fixboot should repair the partition - writes a new boot sector for the
partitions. Since you are having this problem and since chkdsk found errors
I would venture to assume the drive is going belly up. Even if you do get
the computer working again I would back up all personally created data off
the computer - or at least off that harddrive - and look for a replacement
harddrive.