Windows Recovery Console and effect on 2nd Hard Drive

[Guest]

I run two internal hard drives. The first drive has two partitions with the
first partition essentially running Windows XP Pro and the second partition
essentially all my other programs. The second drive holds my data. I find
that when I run the Windows Recovery Console the second drive becomes
"unallocated". To use this drive again I have to create a new partition and
then copy back the files from my backup source - followed by cleaning and
defragmenting. A real nuisance.
1. Why does this occur?
2. Cannot be prevented?

Many thanks in advance.
Frustrated Dave

 

[Guest]

Firstly my apology for writing goobledy gook in 2. My mind was faster than
my fingers I meant to say "How can this be prevented".

With regard to your response below, I am also having difficulty with
comprehending that. I do not find the Recovery Console user-friendly even
to get my PC up and running again after the dreaded "Windows XP could not
start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE" let alone come to grips with your
explanation below.

Sorry still at a loss.
Frustrated Dave

 

[Rich Barry]

Recovery Console rules
Several environment rules are in effect while you are working in the
Recovery Console. Type set to see the current environment. By default, these
are the rules: . AllowAllPaths = FALSE prevents access to directories and
subdirectories outside the system installation that you selected when you
entered the Recovery Console.
. AllowRemovableMedia = FALSE prevents access to removable media as a
target for copied files.
. AllowWildCards = FALSE prevents wildcard support for commands such
as copy and del.
. NoCopyPrompt = FALSE means that you are prompted by the Recovery
Console for confirmation when overwriting an existing file.