Win2000 HD stopped to register. How can I save data?

[chiropter]

My almost new Maxtor 100GB HD loaded with Win2K as OS suddenly stopped
registering, that is, it is not recognized by the machine. The error
messages appearing at start say that it could be viruses and that if so,
run avirus scanner. Because this incident happened shortly after I tried
to fix IE6 problem by running virus/spyware remover software, it is more
than likely that this is indeed virus infection.
When I started the computer with W2K pro CD, a program automatically
started. I first thought it would fix the problem, but when the program
displayed partition data, it said there was only one 72MB partition. I
was afraid that if I continue, it will wipe out all the data on the HD,
namely, it would be the same thing as to reformat and install Win2K on a
new HD. So I stopped.
Now how can I scan for viruses on a HD which is not recognized by the
machine as the error message recommend? What the error message want me
to do exactly?
Is there a way to fix OS without wiping out the data on the HD?

 

[John M]

boot to the windows cd and reinstall or repair windows

 

[Jason Hall [MSFT]]

--------------------

From: chiropter <[email protected]>
Subject: Win2000 HD stopped to register. How can I save data?
Date: Wed, 09 Jun 2004 03:52:11 -0500

My almost new Maxtor 100GB HD loaded with Win2K as OS suddenly stopped
registering, that is, it is not recognized by the machine. The error
messages appearing at start say that it could be viruses and that if so,
run avirus scanner. Because this incident happened shortly after I tried
to fix IE6 problem by running virus/spyware remover software, it is more
than likely that this is indeed virus infection.
When I started the computer with W2K pro CD, a program automatically
started. I first thought it would fix the problem, but when the program
displayed partition data, it said there was only one 72MB partition. I
was afraid that if I continue, it will wipe out all the data on the HD,
namely, it would be the same thing as to reformat and install Win2K on a
new HD. So I stopped.
Now how can I scan for viruses on a HD which is not recognized by the
machine as the error message recommend? What the error message want me
to do exactly?
Is there a way to fix OS without wiping out the data on the HD?

-----------------------

By "not recognized by the machine", do you mean that the drive does not
register in the POST when the machine first boots up?
- If so, then check/switch your hard disk cable and
cross-your-fingers....if this doesn't work than it very possibly could be
that your hard drive is physically pooched

If it is recognized by the BIOS, as indicated in the POST screen, then boot
to the Recovery Console (Q216417: "HOW TO: Install the Windows Recovery
Console")
- Run chkdsk /r to check for disk errors
- Run FIXMBR to resolve Master Boot Record corruption
See Q229716: "Description of the Windows 2000 Recovery Console" for a
complete listing of commands available


--
~~ JASON HALL ~~
~ Performance Support Specialist,
~ Microsoft Enterprise Platforms Support
~ This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights.
~ Use of included script samples are subject to the terms specified at
http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.htm
~ Note: For the benefit of the community-at-large, all responses to this
message are best directed to the newsgroup/thread from which they
originated.

 

[chiropter]

I am the original poster to "Win2000 HD stopped to register. How can I save
data?" (Wed. June 9) . Thanks to people who responded to help me.
After I read the rsponses, I decided to examine the whole affair
systematically. Here is what happened. I post this thinkin there might be
people who encounter similar problem and thinking my post might suggest to
programming engineers something that might help develop better softwares.
I have three functionning machines of which two (A&B) usually used with W2K
and one (C) usually with W98.
The problem drive (100GB Maxtor) resulted in the "Rlue screen) when used as
the primary in Comp A, as I describer earlier.Thinking trouble might lie in
the computer itself, the 100GB Maxtor drive was replaced by another Maxtor
(250GB) loaded with W2K. To my surprise, same thing happened: Blue screen.
Puzzled, I moved both drives to Comp B one at a time to test their
compatibility with this machine. The results were same. The same results
were repeated with Comp C. Now wondering whether these drives lost only
booting ability, I tested them as slave with a working drive loaded with
either W2K or W98 as the primary drive in all three machines. The results
were that the presence of both 100GB and 250 GB drives were recognized by
all machines as evidenced by their listing in My Computer in Win Explorer.
However, when I clicked the drive, an error message popped up saying: Drive
is not formated. Format now? This is of course machines' misunderstanding
because both drives were formated and loaded with Win2K. Up to this test
stage, it appeared that something happened to the drives' booting partition
or partition in general although it is very unlikely to cause such a severe
problem to two drives at the same time.
As the last resort, thinking that some alteration was made to the Windows'
registry either by viruses, electric surge or whatever, I put 250 GB driveas
a slave in Comp A with a W98 drive as the primary. After getting up
normally, its Win Explorer showed the presence of the slave drive as if it
was functioning. When I clicked the drive sign, the same format error
message popped up as before. This time I hilited the drive and examined the
properties. In General Tab, it reported :This drive is working properly. In
Drive Usage below, I changed to Disable. When I restarted the machine, the
slave drive was no longer listed as expected. Subsequently I pulled up
Control Panel/ Add-Remove Hardware and made search new hardware. It found
the 250 GB drive with red cross on the top of line. Clicking it led to
Trouble Shooter saying that the drive is disabled and asked if enable again.
Yes started reactivation and ended with "successfully enabled".
Win Expl now listed the drive but clicking the drive still resulted in "Not
Formated".
When I put the re-enabled 250 GB in Comp A as the primary (no slave) and
started the machine, I expected some kind of trouble sign as seen above
repaeatedly. But Surprise! The screen kept running normally and ended with
normal desk top display. (Win Expl list the drive normally.) What happened
in the preceding disable-enable procedure inside the machine or modification
in the drive's booting system? I do not know. Another suprise: When I
shutted down the machine and replaced the primary drive with 100 GB drive
whic only resulted in Blue screen before thinking that I would repeat the
same procedure for this drive, the screen following turning on the machine
kept running normally and ended with normal desktop. It appears that the
procedure used for fixing the 250GB drive changed something in the machine
too.
Conclusion: Whole affair involved two Win2K drives but not Win98 drives,
indicating that the problem is specific to Win 2K. The problem made the
machines misconstrue as formatting problem--all user would gasp seeing this
message. The above test was done with three independent machines and five
drives so that it is impossible that the problem lies in nowhere but in the
Win2K software. The possibility of virus infection seems unlikely because
while the 100 GB Maxtor is routinely used including internet connection, the
250 GB drive is set up as a backup (used as slave as appropriate time) and
never connected to internet.

If anyone can furnish pertinent comments, please post.