active partition corrupted

[kuajmc]

Hi
I've corrupted my C: partition and I need help for recovering my data, all other partitions are without problems for what i know.

It's a maxtor diamondmax plus 9 disc, and it gets hot, is that normal?

I've tried fixboot and fixmbr, I think i probably need to get a 3rd party software to recover my files. any recommendations?

And I would like to reover my partition, NOT WIPE IT OUT. (all though I'll probably formate it AFTER I've gotten my files back)
Any solutions?

the errors I get:
- "cannot find ntldr" startup prompt
- unbelievably slow scandisc when i moved my harddisk over to my cousins computer.
- "partition not formated" on another pc

please reply even you don't know what to do, but
please no "dude, juzt formate it m4n" answers.

*desperate* :hole

[mrlipring]

did you scandisk it in dos or windows on your cousin's computer?

He's got xp installed, right? do it in windows. skip the dos check.

As for the heat thing, hard drives are meant to heat up. how hot are we talking about? too hot to touch? if so, invest in a fan or 2 or a hardcano or something. if it's still ok to touch, you should be ok.

[kuajmc]

Originally posted by mrlipring
did you scandisk it in dos or windows on your cousin's computer?

He's got xp installed, right? do it in windows. skip the dos check.

As for the heat thing, hard drives are meant to heat up. how hot are we talking about? too hot to touch? if so, invest in a fan or 2 or a hardcano or something. if it's still ok to touch, you should be ok.

Yeah, I skipped the pre-xp scanning to get into xp.
my disc gets about 60-70 deg celsius, like right before milk gets boiled. (like a dinner plate that's hot, you can still carry it, but you'll be happy to let it go)

btw i found out that my linux partition got corrupted too.
allthough i still hav access to mye other fat32 partitions

[mrlipring]

man, if it gets that how, i'm not surprised it's dodgy.

http://www.maxtor.com/en/documentation/data_sheets/diamondmax_plus_9_data_sheet.pdf

iit's a 7200rpm drive, so it's bound to get hot, but it's not supposed to get hotter than 55degrees... looks like you might have fried the drive. possibly something shorted? or maybe you've got a pokey case with no airflow? anyway, pray it's not completely fucked, and try and recover the stuff off it. it's new-ish drive, ain't it? see about rma-ing it, and get a hardcano or something.

[Krell]

You need to arrange for more cooling for that drive.

If it were me, I would use another drive, load an O/S on it, preferably XP, get it basically set up, then install the Ontrack Easy Data Recovery, and the Ontrack System Suite. (they are both about 32 Mb)

Now, you spent a day doing that, and the new drive is the Master.

Hook up your other drive as Slave, make sure the BIOS is set to Auto.

Boot to windows, and go straight to the Easy Data Recovery, and try to recover the MBR, and Partition.

If you REALLY want that data back, spend a few bucks to get another drive, or borrow one from somewhere, and take your time to learn what to do in the Ontrack software.

You may also want to consider getting a copy of Partition Magic v 8 or higher.

When you think that you have recovered that partition and MBR, then change the drive to MASTER and see if you can boot to it again, or at least reinstall Windows.

Write down what you do each time, to keep track, Step by step.

best wishes.

[ThePillarOfAutumn]

I put a fan on every hard drive i use now since my first drive crashed about 4 years ago _ since then my drives last longer - havent had another crash yet . But its always a good idea to have another drive and Ghost . i ghost my drive over once or twice a month. just in case.......

But do get a Fan for the drive _ its a must _ and make sure its well organized in thier with plenty of room between drives - and clean up thos emessy cables _ buy the round cables.

Dam i guess i make sure i keep that thing cool _ i computer sounds like a jet .....

[kuajmc]

yeah I'll be considering a fan...
hmm problem is that I've got a shuttle pc, but i think i'll manage to place one in there... I've tried booting up my linux partition it is also bonk, so now I'm concerned about the partitions I claimed were alright.

I've downloaded Partition Magic 8, and I've gotten a "error 100, Corrupt partition information"

so right now i'm looking for the finaldata premium program as someone said it would help me recover the files.

can anyone pinpoint me to that program or Ontrack Easy Data Recovery?

=) thanks for the feedbacks

[UBER-RAT]

tell us what u were doing before it got corrupted and we might eb able to help u (same situation etc).

[kuajmc]

Originally posted by UBER-RAT
tell us what u were doing before it got corrupted and we might eb able to help u (same situation etc).

having the computer on for 15 hr dowloading gta

after that i took a defrag on all my partitions
than i tried to transfer 4 gig over to another partition while surfing and listening to mp3s, thats when the whole thing crashed and the problem errupted

(I'm on a linux cddistro right now, and I can't find any free recovery software)

BTW my cousins pc is DAAAAAMN slow when i have my drive in it..
partitions give "parameter not set" when trying to access...

[Krell]

We already know that its "error 100, Corrupt partition information" thats why you installed Partition Magic, you should be able to rebuild and restored it, that's you goal.


How did you obtain the PM . . . .. well get the Easy Recovery the same way. You do not need to register it and it is fully functional.

You know, many of us use ICQ to swap individual files like that, instead of finding each other on a P2P client. *cough*


Next, your not focusing, forget the Linux distro, youre waisting time. You already have one util that should be able to save your arse, and can get the other in less than an hour.

Did you look at this ? Try creating a profile and DL it from there, sign up as humpty dumpty or whatever.

http://www.ontrack.com/easyrecovery/compeditions.asp

http://buyonline.ontrack.com/ecom/freeware/login.asp?Product=FSRE72000002&File=ERPROT.exe

If you take the time to research, read the directions, then you will be successful, if you stop back here every few hours, you will be stuck.


Stay with it, I have confidence that you can do this if you are methodical and take the time to know what you are doing.



.

[kuajmc]

I've found easy data recovery,
I've got access to another computer and
yes, I should stay more focused!

Thanks for the help and feedback

I'll keep you guys posted

[kuajmc]

hmmm,
krell i scanned through the c partition and the whole things is gone (in advanced recovery), I'll try to do a raw recovery on that partition. I'm currently on my d partition, it found the filesytem, but file recovery scanning is slow (15 hrs, gone through about 5000 sectors, out of a gazillion or something)

[Krell]

If you cant recover the MBR, then this is probably your alternative, and yes, it takes a loooonnngg time.

[kuajmc]

hmm the drive went and crashed the system... (heat issues)
after around 24 hrs of scanning, so I think I'm gonna buy a fan and attach it on my disc before i do anything with it...


I took it out from my cousins computer and, I'm planning on scanning the disc from my computer using a "dos" program, any programs you would recommend, krell?

[Induna]

Didn't you make the rescue diskettes with either PM8 or Easy Recovery? You can boot from floppy and run the program from there. Keep the two hard drives attached so you can transfer the data, if you find any that is.

And keep that damn hard drive cool. Can't you wrap an ice pack around it? Or use one of those freezing block things used to keep sandwiches fresh in a lunch box. Just make sure you don't cover up the little breathing hole on the drive.

[Krell]

Whether he is in DOS or windows, he still has some severe low level issues. The only advantage of using the dos disks, is that windows might not crash, but it doesnt mean his machine will not.

He can still make those boot disks, but generally its easier with the standard GUI in Windows. What he lacks, is proper cooling, and an inexhaustible amount of time.

Thats why I encouraged him to borrow or buy a drive so he can continue to do this at his home. With a new drive, he can recover the data to that space, to a folder, and then low level the drive and start over, and further test it for operability with the manufacturers disks.

This is not a fast food operation. If it was just his missing the NTLDR, he could repair that, but with a missing MBR, MFT, he has to either recover them, or take the tedious way.

The ONE thing that is constant, is that unless he tells a software to make changes to his structure, the data is there for the taking, he just needs time to get familiar with one of the utilities.

Also, I am going to send him the Norton Disk Doctor disks, unless anyone already has a set made to get to him pronto.


So my recomendation is to have the rescue disks from PM and Easy Recovery, plus a set from Norton. I also think that if he can recover that MBR and MFT then he is way ahead of the game, in terms of getting data back.



.

[Induna]

If you ever get a corrupted MBR, use a bootable floppy with fdisk and use the fdisk/mbr command to write a new one. The sys c: command would get the NTLDR back, but somehow I don't think it's going to be that easy in this case.

If the structure of the file system is damaged then he's got a bigger job on his hands. I've never tried the raw data recovery option in Easy Recovery, so I don't know how well that works.



Maybe he should look here before he does anything else, there's some good info to be found here.

http://www.ntfs.com/

[Krell]

Yah I cited that link before, I think when galileo went on one of his "I was born with all knowledge" rants.

If you read the history of his errors, I am not convinced that anyone can walk him thru recovering his MBR and MFT, so I am trying to keep it simple, get the data and regroup. As you know he has compound issues, with heat etc, so there may actually be mechanical considerations that we are not certain of.

That site is en excellent resource, and everyone can learn something there.

[kuajmc]

as i said, the first thing i tried was fixmbr and fixboot, it didn't work.

then i tried pm8 with recovery discs, that didn't work either.
so I'm planning on buying a fan monday and try my luck with easy data recovery on DOS

EdIT: ooh I am staying with my aunt an uncle, so my cousins computer is 6 feet away from me

[Krell]

In the Easy Recovery, did you click on Disk Diagnostics and Partition Test?

Did you view the partition info under PM 8?

Were there errors?

[kuajmc]

Originally posted by Krell
In the Easy Recovery, did you click on Disk Diagnostics and Partition Test?

Did you view the partition info under PM 8?

Were there errors?

PM gave me the "error #100 partion information corrupted"
that means i can't access PM...

haven't tried Disk Diagnostics, but it should be the same as advanced recovery's info i guess:
c partition - unidentified and can't recover
d partiton - fat32 scanning and crashed
linux partion - unidentified
e partion - tfa32, untouched
f partiton - fat 32 (still had it's given name though)..
but I'm planning to get a fan and a disc first

[Krell]

In Advanced Recovery, select the C: partition, and then chose Advanced Options. Under the File System Scan Tab, put a dot in the Advanced Scan. Under the Partition Settings Tab, chose Ignore MFT.

Rescan that partition and pull off any data you can.


Use Partition Magic 8 and see if you can then make a new partition in the former C: primary partition space, and make it active.

With that drive as the Slave, but with a few fat32 partitions, is it correct that you cant browse them in Explorer to copy the data off? Perhaps you can merge the former C: space, with an adjacent space using PM8, I have done that before. You may be able to expand a partition in the adjacent space to occupy the other volume, unless its is totally inaccessable in PM 8.

[kuajmc]

Will do, I'll be on my way to the computer square tomorrow to get fans so i can continue/start scanning

[Krell]

I spent the last 48 hours trashing and experimenting on a 20Gb drive that had about 20 Movies on it.

I corrupted the MFT, and there was no fat at all.

I used the Ontrack Easy Recovery, and PowerQuests Partition Magic 8, and Paragons Hard Disk manager 5.5 to confirm that there was indeed impending drive failure, with no SMART status or accessibility to the data.

As per my previous experiences, after being able to recover most of the movies with 100% success, I was reminded of what I have formerly stated here at ZP.

A: *some* of the data will be recoverable, but will still not be playable

B: Its just a hecka lot easier to make a new partition, format it, THEN use Easy Recovery to search and recover the data.

Now let me clarify, NO Partition, NO FAT, and it was 10x faster recovering AFTER I made a new partition and formatted.

( if windows does a checkdisk on boot, and finds problems, and rename those files to a recovered folder, then when you try to recover the original file name with a util, it will not be valid )

kuajmc, you do what you want to, but part of the problem with it being so god aweful slow is due to a corrupt existing file structure. If it were me, I would redo that primary partition, and format it.

NOTE * If you are in W2000 or in XP, Right click My Computer, chose Manage. Then select the newly Formatted space, and right click it, chose Change Drive letter, then GIVE IT A DRIVE LETTER or you still will not see it in Windows Explorer!

ps: you can partition and format there too just fine ; )

[kuajmc]

yeah I was thinking about that option too; to formate the whole thing and then try recover. is that a better option? 'cause I'm nearing 20hrs and it has scanned 5000 sectors now.

So if i would format it, I would just erase all the partitions, make one primary partition and quick format it? (I'll be using the xp cd to do that)
then go through easy cd recovery?

(sorry, but i could quite understand some parts of your previous post)

[Krell]

krell i scanned through the c partition and the whole things is gone



You have partitions that you can access right? Fat32 parts., and a linux.

If you can access those leave them alone.

The primary partition has data on it that you need. So what was the operating system, W98? XP?

What suggest is to put a partition back on to that area, and a quick format. ( whatever the former O/S supported )

Then, you will have much better luck doing this in Windows, and I am confident that you will still get back your data, as long as Windows hasnt used checkdisk to rename anything, due to cross linked files.

So just think, Partition > quick format > recover.

So I have two questions: What were you running as an O/S before, and what are you running now?


.

[kuajmc]

I had xp pro...
but do you think it's a good idea to format the d partition too?
cos it's been going on for 27 hrs with 7000 sectors scanned, each sector is 16kB

my cousin has win xp pro on her computer

[Krell]

You didnt answer my question, what do you run now? theres a reason.


Well whatever the former file system was, and I cant tell you if it was fat32 or NTFS, thats what need to go back on the old c: partition. Dont mess with the other partitions.

Stop what your doing, handle the c: partition problem first. Again, try PM 8, then if that doesnt work, let me know.

[kuajmc]

Originally posted by Krell
You didnt answer my question, what do you run now? theres a reason.


Well whatever the former file system was, and I cant tell you if it was fat32 or NTFS, thats what need to go back on the old c: partition. Dont mess with the other partitions.

Stop what your doing, handle the c: partition problem first. Again, try PM 8, then if that doesnt work, let me know.

the old file system was fat32,
i'm running the bootdiskett, haven't formated yet, i'll be doin' it soon.

So the deal is to:
- quick format it as the previous system
- put it in my cousin's computer
- run easy data recovery
- hope for the best

[Krell]

Your cousin uses XP, which means you can and should do this from within the O/S, using the Manage Console, or Partition Magic.

Please dont use a boot floppy to format, if you fdisk or mess up another one of your partition you will be in a deeper mess.


*checks pulse, makes holy cross sign*

[Krell]

Its easier to use the GUI if possible, so you can better understand where on the drive you are working with.

[Krell]

Basic Partition Magic options

[Krell]

Ontrack screen

[kuajmc]

hmmm
vwell, i used the xp installation cd just to delete the active partition, then went into xp to format it, HOLY SHIT!

the windows partition manager said "format didn't complete" and pulled my whole disc out of the screen
and system. wft is going on?!

ps: after it threw my disc out of the system, the disc is still making "format-ish" sounds, it'll wait for that to clear off/finish, before i'm doin' anything

[kuajmc]

and all other partitions are bonk too, except my archive partition, and i do not dare to enter it, 'cause i entered two other partitions before and when i rebooted, i couldn't enter it anymore
(that's why i started to scan my d: partition)

so this is how my disc is

c (active) - tried quick format, xp threw the whole disk out, i haven't restarted yet

d - bonk after i entered it before, didn't back it up as i thought is was ok

e - same as d

f - haven't entered it yet

linux - "unkown"/corrupt

[Krell]

*looks around for any signs of liquor*

Ok, you know that thing, that I was afraid of? I think we call it a worst case scenario . . . well . . . . .

OK, make the following things a true statement, and if you cant say YES to this, dont do it.

1) the drive thats screwed up, is a SLAVE on a PC where XP is installed

2) In XP, right click on My Computer, chose Manage. Click on Disk Management, and see what I showed in the picture above. You may see a variety of partitions and empty spaces, right click them, remove whatever is there, make a new simple partition, of the whole thing, then do a quick format. ( now one contigous empty space )

Right click that newly formed space, and Assign a Drive Letter, such as D or E doesnt Matter. Maybe even F for F'd up.

If you friend has broadband, I can do it remotely for you.

Just do the above and call it a day. Let me know how it goes.

[kuajmc]

Originally posted by Krell
*looks around for any signs of liquor*

Ok, you know that thing, that I was afraid of? I think we call it a worst case scenario . . . well . . . . .

OK, make the following things a true statement, and if you cant say YES to this, dont do it.

1) the drive thats screwed up, is a SLAVE on a PC where XP is installed

2) In XP, right click on My Computer, chose Manage. Click on Disk Management, and see what I showed in the picture above. You may see a variety of partitions and empty spaces, right click them, remove whatever is there, make a new simple partition, of the whole thing, then do a quick format. ( now one contigous empty space )

Right click that newly formed space, and Assign a Drive Letter, such as D or E doesnt Matter. Maybe even F for F'd up.

If you friend has broadband, I can do it remotely for you.

Just do the above and call it a day. Let me know how it goes.

ok, I"ll make one partition and hope for the best...
then I'll go to the distributor and claim for a new disc...
(it's only 6 months old)

edit: yes, it's on secondary and slave

[kuajmc]

hmmm does anyone know the max limit for a fat32 partition?

(my disc didn't give me a fat32 option, it's 80gig)

but maybe I should reboot the computer first =P

edit: nope, no fat32 option

[Krell]

. . . . I should have seen that coming. In fact, it was a primary reason I wanted you to keep them the way they were to begin with. Fat32 can support up to 32Gb depending on the cluster size, you indicated that the "sectors" were 16k, so, you may be able to go up to 32 Gb.

What size were your old partitions?????

I have to give you an A+ for trying , no doubt.

Are you doing this from Windows. You have the tools at your disposal, just go slow, write stuff down, and think ahead a little.

You dont need to return the drive, unless it is reporting error codes, like the tests in Ontrack.

Why dont you take a minute, stop everything, and tell me exactly where you are now. Are you partitionless? If you are, its not the end of the world.


.

[kuajmc]

it was 20gx4
since I've installed linux it was
15g and 20gx3

the disc reported SMART failure before i formated it, i find the disc unstable so if i can change i would definitely do it, AFTER i've recovered my files...
well, i can do a 32x3
the most important files are around 500mb, rest of it is just a bonus for me

current situation is that I'm without any partitions, stupid fat32 limitations didn't get into my mind untill it was to late... hehe
I'll probably remember it the next time

and I have a windows xp pro pc in my disposal, with EDR and PM installed

Just give me a confirmation that i'm doing the most "correct" thing to do and I'll be on to it soon.

[Krell]

If you stick with fat32, its probably the only thing you have going for you now.

You have 80 acres, and now the fences are torn down.

The rows are still powed the same, and the corn is still where it used to be, and the bean and the greens, etc.

Youre going to put up a few new fences, and it may be where some of your old data is.

I would add the partitions back, do the quick formats, and see what you can find with the Advanced options like last time.

Meanwhile, get an RMA # for the drive to send back.

I will keep an eye out on this thread.

[kuajmc]

Yeah, I think i've got a clue where my "bufferzones" are...

[kuajmc]

krell, I tried too formate the disc again today, and the disc got trown out again...

"format did not complete successfully"

I tried a 14gb fat32 partition with the quick format option.

hmm should i fully format it, or should i try a raw recovery or run it through EDR's disc diagnostic program first?

I'm open to all solutions

[Krell]

If you keep referring to that Windows XP disk I am going back to rehab, I never mentioned using a disk to format or anything.

What I said was Right click on My Computer . . . . chose Manage, then Disk Management. The whole time I have compelled you to stay in the Windows environment so you can better tell what your doing.

Now that your other partitions are trashed, this could take ages, because you have to deal with the whole disk now, not 25% of it as a partition.

Unless you can make a few partitions

[ 25% \ 25% \ 25% \ 25% ]

then format each one fat32, and work them one at a time, I have no idea how you will ever get this done. Also, you need a seperate disk to recover the data to, thats why I encouraged you to do it a little at a time, to your currrent C: drive. (This is where Windows resides currently, no wonder it freaked out when you tried to format it, dont mess with C: drive)

You have a few powerful tools at your disposal if you will use them. Computer Management, and Partition Magic.

Your other choice is to just use the Advanced or Raw Recovery, and go on vacation. When you come back, put a check mark in the file you want to recovery, and see what happens.

[kuajmc]

Originally posted by Krell
If you keep referring to that Windows XP disk I am going back to rehab, I never mentioned using a disk to format or anything.

What I said was Right click on My Computer . . . . chose Manage, then Disk Management. The whole time I have compelled you to stay in the Windows environment so you can better tell what your doing.

Now that your other partitions are trashed, this could take ages, because you have to deal with the whole disk now, not 25% of it as a partition.

Unless you can make a few partitions

[ 25% \ 25% \ 25% \ 25% ]

then format each one fat32, and work them one at a time, I have no idea how you will ever get this done. Also, you need a seperate disk to recover the data to, thats why I encouraged you to do it a little at a time, to your currrent C: drive. (This is where Windows resides currently, no wonder it freaked out when you tried to format it, dont mess with C: drive)

You have a few powerful tools at your disposal if you will use them. Computer Management, and Partition Magic.

Your other choice is to just use the Advanced or Raw Recovery, and go on vacation. When you come back, put a check mark in the file you want to recovery, and see what happens.

hehe communication error: EDR "disc diagnostic" program (in xp)

when i speaking of discs I mean harddisc, I'm not using any bootdiscs or cds, no need to start drinking =P

Ok, a full detail:
I've hooked up MY disc in my cousins computer

The computer's got TWO seperate discs (mine and hers)

I got to delete MY partitions, my disc is of unformated
space

I tried to recreate/formate MY c drive (called it f: on her computer) 14Gb (a little smaller than the original size, i've got empty space at the end of my partitions so i've got "buffer zones" and do not "cut" any files) and quick format option


Computer management gives me the "format did not complete successfully" and disconnects MY harddisc. I'll have to reboot for xp to recognize it...

So my question is: should i fully format it, or should i try a raw recovery or/and run it through EDR's "disc diagnostic" program first?

[Krell]

All EDR is going to do is tell you thats its is failing faster than you can save it.

If you can acces the disk in EDR, the Advanced or Raw Recovery, then just stick with it.

Start it up, let it run, check it again tomorrow.

Tell the EDR to save the data to a folder on C:, like OLD STUFF

It's still not impossible, just slower as you wiped out the other partitions too.


And when you get your new drive, what are you going to do?

BACK UP back up back up back up back up back up back up

[kuajmc]

sooooooo
after 24 hours of scanning
in raw mode, 'cos the stupid disc didn't want to format, and it didn't recognize a single file i gave up, sent it back to maxtor
told them that the disc has got serious heat issues, data corruption and SMART error notice...

sooooo now i'll be living on suse 8.2 live-eval for about two weeks before i'll hopefully get a new disc from them... I'll probably by som kind of firewire disc and use that as a back up/linux disc


thanks loads for the help krell, too bad the disc was totally SOB

[Krell]

np


Always do the simplest, least intrusive things first

write down what you do

dont be in a hurry.

I almost identically reproduced your situation on that Samsung, which too was being RMA'd back.

The drives failure didnt help your situation any either. This will give you time to examine your system cooling and power supply, maybe you still need some upgrades there too.

When you get the new one, and you partition and format it, back up that info! If youre going to run a linux partition and swap space, then set that up at the end and keep the NTFS ones together.

It's nearly impossible to really walk some one thru this sort of this remotely, and you did well under the circumstances. When you get the new drive set up, collect a few utilities, make recovery disks for a rainy day.