computer problem - Page 14

tw · 03-01-2010, 03:33 PM

Post 182 reported the data (Windows) partition had bee deleted. That partition had to exist previously to boot from the Windows installation CD. Sometime previous to that, the partition was deleted by something.

You have courage. I would never fix something without first executing the diagnostic - without first learning what exists. Otherwise problems can get exponentially more complex. I worry about preserving data.

Spinrite will probably take something like 36 hours – probably will not be done until AM Tuesday.. When done, you should have at least two partitions on the hard drive. One about 8 Gb and a second something like 290 Gb.

Still completely unknown (another reason for executing diagnostics long before fixing anything) is why that problem existed. So that it can be averted. My bet is it will happen again because we are probably only curing symptoms - not identifying and then solving the original problem.

lumberjim · 03-01-2010, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tw

Post 182 reported the data (Windows) partition had bee deleted. That partition had to exist previously to boot from the Windows installation CD. Sometime previous to that, the partition was deleted by something.

You have courage. I would never fix something without first executing the diagnostic - without first learning what exists. Otherwise problems can get exponentially more complex. I worry about preserving data.

Spinrite will probably take something like 36 hours – probably will not be done until AM Tuesday.. When done, you should have at least two partitions on the hard drive. One about 8 Gb and a second something like 290 Gb.

Still completely unknown (another reason for executing diagnostics long before fixing anything) is why that problem existed. So that it can be averted. My bet is it will happen again because we are probably only curing symptoms - not identifying and then solving the original problem.

I've only been able to boot from the Ultimate Boot CD. The part where we were talking about the XP install disc was just one of the things I needed to create newer version of the Ultimate Boot CD.

The partition disappeared after i ran MBRFix.

it takes a LOT longer to boot to the UBCD since that changed, but it does still boot to it.

Pete Zicato · 03-01-2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumberjim

it takes a LOT longer to boot to the UBCD since that changed, but it does still boot to it.

It might be a moot issue (moot boot issue?) but I wonder if your hard drive is ahead of your cdrom drive in the boot sequence. That would explain the additional time needed to boot UBCD now. If it does get to be an issue, you could mess with the boot sequence in the bios settings.

mbpark · 03-01-2010, 04:54 PM

LJ,

I need for you to run TestDisk again.

Select No Log, then select your drive (the 320GB one), and select Proceed.

Select Intel/PC Partition and hit enter.

Select Analyse.

Select Quick Search.

When asked if TestDisk should search for a partition created under vista, select Y.

Post what you find.

Thanks

tw · 03-01-2010, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumberjim

The partition disappeared after i ran MBRFix.

Which is why good diagnostic procedure says fix nothing. First collect all facts. That is what diagnostic are for. And that was the caution I strongly posted in an earliest post.

Fixmbr should not destroy any partition. Fact that the partition was harmed implies other problems exist. Hopefully Spinrite will identify what that problem is without trashing temporarily lost data.

Why do we fix things? #1 is always to learn. I am sure this has been a wonderful (and roller coaster) learning experience. But that is the #1 reason for fixing things - to learn what they mean in CSI by 'follow the evidence'.

If you do get it up, then go to the system (event) logs to discover any problem that Windows has seen long ago – and worked around. That is what those system logs are for. To record temporary problems yesterday so that you can fix them today – long before they become major failures tomorrow.

lumberjim · 02-28-2010, 05:24 PM

lumberjim · 02-28-2010, 05:32 PM

running test disk

lumberjim · 02-28-2010, 06:51 PM

hrrrm.... now the boot disc won't load all the way. it gets stuck on a the loading widows XP screen

lumberjim · 02-28-2010, 06:57 PM

oops....it finally went.. just took a really long time

mbpark · 02-28-2010, 08:37 PM

Jim,

If this doesn't work, get your hands on SpinRite 6.0. That WILL be able to recover the partitions, and costs $89.

Yes, I have used it to repair a seriously damaged HD before and get Windows XP bootable when there was no other choice.

lumberjim · 02-28-2010, 08:44 PM

if what doesn't work?

tw · 02-28-2010, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumberjim

if what doesn't work?

Apparently you guys did some things that do not appear here. Spinrite from Gibson Research is one of the tools suggested earlier.

However, anything your do to fix or change a partition (disk software) without first confirming disk hardware integrity can make things even worse. It appears you have an intermittent failure (unless you did something elsewhere to delete that partition).

That Ultimate Boot CD web site has numerous disk hardware diagnostics for each disk manufacturer. You want to confirm hardware is not causing problems (ie deleting a partition) before trying to restore that partition. Some hardware problems, if identified by the manufacturer diagnostic, can be fixed before the intermittent failure causes worse software damage.

Anything more you do to change the drive will make more data impossible to recover. Best is to confirm disk hardware really is working. Right now, your hardware may be intermittent which is why the partition is (temporarily) deleted. Try that diagnostic from the UBCD web site (for your drive). Because that only reports what you have and does not change anything - does not put data at further risk.

mbpark · 02-28-2010, 08:46 PM

using the partition utilities on the boot CD to get you back to normal with a CHKDSK'ed HD.

lumberjim · 02-28-2010, 08:53 PM

mitch,

I don't know what the fuck I'm doing!

I'm scared to run anything on this boot disc without being told to. I don't want to just run these utlities willy nilly.

the mbr thing made the recovery drive disappear, and the test disk just inspected, but changed nothing.

what next?

lumberjim · 02-28-2010, 09:57 PM

how do I run SpinRite 6.0 if I can't boot up? is it bootable? or do I just put it in the drive after i boot with ubcd?

03-01-2010, 04:54 PM	#4
mbpark Lecturer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Carmel, Indiana Posts: 761	TestDisk LJ, I need for you to run TestDisk again. Select No Log, then select your drive (the 320GB one), and select Proceed. Select Intel/PC Partition and hit enter. Select Analyse. Select Quick Search. When asked if TestDisk should search for a partition created under vista, select Y. Post what you find. Thanks

02-28-2010, 05:24 PM	#6
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	__________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

02-28-2010, 05:32 PM	#7
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	running test disk __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

02-28-2010, 06:51 PM	#8
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	hrrrm.... now the boot disc won't load all the way. it gets stuck on a the loading widows XP screen __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

02-28-2010, 06:57 PM	#9
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	oops....it finally went.. just took a really long time __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

03-01-2010, 03:33 PM	#1
tw Read? I only know how to write. Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 11,933	Post 182 reported the data (Windows) partition had bee deleted. That partition had to exist previously to boot from the Windows installation CD. Sometime previous to that, the partition was deleted by something. You have courage. I would never fix something without first executing the diagnostic - without first learning what exists. Otherwise problems can get exponentially more complex. I worry about preserving data. Spinrite will probably take something like 36 hours – probably will not be done until AM Tuesday.. When done, you should have at least two partitions on the hard drive. One about 8 Gb and a second something like 290 Gb. Still completely unknown (another reason for executing diagnostics long before fixing anything) is why that problem existed. So that it can be averted. My bet is it will happen again because we are probably only curing symptoms - not identifying and then solving the original problem.

02-28-2010, 08:37 PM	#10
mbpark Lecturer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Carmel, Indiana Posts: 761	Jim, If this doesn't work, get your hands on SpinRite 6.0. That WILL be able to recover the partitions, and costs $89. Yes, I have used it to repair a seriously damaged HD before and get Windows XP bootable when there was no other choice.

02-28-2010, 08:44 PM	#11
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	if what doesn't work? __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

02-28-2010, 08:46 PM	#13
mbpark Lecturer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Carmel, Indiana Posts: 761	using the partition utilities on the boot CD to get you back to normal with a CHKDSK'ed HD.

02-28-2010, 08:53 PM	#14
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	mitch, I don't know what the fuck I'm doing! I'm scared to run anything on this boot disc without being told to. I don't want to just run these utlities willy nilly. the mbr thing made the recovery drive disappear, and the test disk just inspected, but changed nothing. what next? __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

02-28-2010, 09:57 PM	#15
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	how do I run SpinRite 6.0 if I can't boot up? is it bootable? or do I just put it in the drive after i boot with ubcd? __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

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