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[Piotr GRD]

Yesterday without a warnig while normal usual work my computer stop working, just freeze and after awhile just reset. But Windows did not start again. Even if emergency mode. The load screen with Windows XP logo is displayed and then just reeboot.

After some check now I know that some error is in file system on my hard disk.
Windows can NOT see anything on this disk, the file system is unknown (it was FAT32), all I can do is format.

* But when I boot my comp from boot floppy then in DOS with using "dir" command I CAN browse all files and folders on it. The files and folders are still there, I can even see how much free space is available etc.

I can format and reinstall everything?... No... I got important files on this disk, I need to recover them.

I can not afford to use some unknown disk repair system and permanently loose those files, that's why I'm asking you to recommend me some available in the net, good and reliable software to repair this disk and recover all files on it.

Thank you in advance.

[antimatter15]

Linux liveCDs fix everything

[Piotr GRD]

Yeah... Linux CD is hundreds MBs of data.

But - is this CD recover FAT32 partition with all existed files? I don't really want to install Linux yet, I want to just recover this partition and files on it.


Well... I am searching for some softwares and I got:
- not working softwares
OR
- working but in free demo I can only view file and partition structure, but can not recover.

[Slittzle]

Yeah... Linux CD is hundreds MBs of data.

But - is this CD recover FAT32 partition with all existed files? I don't really want to install Linux yet, I want to just recover this partition and files on it.


Well... I am searching for some softwares and I got:
- not working softwares
OR
- working but in free demo I can only view file and partition structure, but can not recover.

live cd meaning you don't have to install,  a linux boot cd means you can run the os off a cd copy files, etc. But that won't help if this is a hardware problem. I had a very similar problem recently, my hd was dying a miserable death.

Anyways, put your windows/xp cd in the drive and boot to cd (go into bios and set that if it doesn't give you the option to boot to cd). Once booted to your window cd, wait a bit and hit enter to enter installation mode (DO NOT PRESS R yet). Then when it shows you all your partitions and drives, select your drive and hit 'R' for repair - confirm that you want to repair. Then it will attempt to repair your installation.

Now say it's not a software problem, but a hardware problem - well restart your computer - boot to cd, and once you're booted to cd - hit 'R' in the first menu (as opposed to hitting enter as you did previously). It will take you to windows recovery prompt - a very stripped down Dos mode unfortunately.

Ok goto your main windows drive, and do the folllowing:

Code:

chkdsk /r

it will check your drive for errors and fix some if there are any, it will take a while depending on # of files on the drive. If it says unrecoverable error - you're out of luck as the drive has or is crashing. If it repairs the errors continue:

Code:

bootcfg /scan

it will scan your windows installation attempting to see if it exists and is proper, it will take a while. If it finds it hooray, continue- otherwise you need to run chkdsk /r again and then try repairing your installation. Or try continuing...

Code:

fixboot

Attempting to fix boot problems that arise from boot sector getting messed up. This may or may not help - but continue on if you're all out of options.

The last final step is make sure the master boot record is functioning or is not corrupted, this could potentially wipe your entire hd so it's a last resort - doing this you may lose all your files..so again it's a last resort.

Code:

fixmbr

This will attempt to fix the master boot record, it will ask you for confirmation.

Run

Code:

Chkdsk /r

one last time to ensure everything is proper, and then restart.

If it doesn't load windows, boot to cd - then try to repair the installation (if it didn't give you the repair option before, it should now - if it doesn't you are most likely having a hardware problem).

[ariarinen]

System Rescue CD 1.0
http://www.sysresccd.org/Main_Page

Only download and burn as iso and reboot 

[inp o҉rtb]

lol, I must agree with the Linux LiveCD solutions given. Always keep a LiveCD handy, and use it to backup your files when you're in a jam...

[Piotr GRD]

Thanks, Slittzle.

But the problem is (actually 'was') that Windows either Windows Installer did not recognise file system on this partition. When I was boot up the computer from boot floppy then with "dir c:" files and folders was visible, but in Windows and in Windows Installer - not.

The files was also visible with the Active Partition Recover (DOS and Windows versions), but after few tries with recover this partion I was gave up. Teoretically partition was recovered with FAT32, but still invisible for Windows.

Thanks, ariarinen, but when you wrote this (and I was read about ten minutes later) it was already too late. Thank inportb, too.

What I did? A quick format with Windows. So the file system is now correct and the partition is correctly visible for Windows. And now I try to recover the files - it was quick format, not full.
The recovery process is still in progress for almost 4 hours and I still do not see the end of it. And I even don't know if this will be success or not...

Why? Why? Why?
Past last few weeks I was moving slowly all files from C: to other disks, but not all yet, why?...
argh...

I will inform you tomorrow if I recover the files or not...
Thank for help, guys.

[the_punisher]

hmmm i guess im too late but that hapnd to my laptop too yesterday..

the HDD just died, and when i restarted it gave me "invalid system disk,  replace and press any key" the same error when  u dont have any HDD connected into ur system.

well I downloaded Gparted and booted it up, it found that my C: drive had some errors, i chose the repair option on it and now it works YAY!!

gparted rocks

[Slittzle]

yikes realize that quick format of course doesn't wipe all files, but when you installed windows on the partition you overwrote some of the files that were there - meaning that files located on that part of the disc where windows was installed on to will not be recoverable. The fixboot helps you fix partitions that aren't properly recognized by Windows - that run with chkdsk could help you restore it without data loss..just info for future use.

[Piotr GRD]

Thanks the_punisher
But it was to late, so I did not answer before.

Thank Slittzle.

I did not install Windows on this partition. I change two disks (master -> slave, slave -> master), install temp windows on the second drive and try to recover this partition - without success. So then quick format and file recovering which was... [no comment - what a mess: existed, non existed, deleted, non deleted, moved, broken, replaced... argh... lot's of good and bad folders and files...].

But I was recover ~95% of files that I want. Some of theme are broken - I don't know why, but... well.

It's all gone now. I got recovered files on the second drive, the first is formatted again and I am slowly install everything... this will take some time.

Anyway. Thanks all.

[Clookster]

waw, ehm waw

but hey, maybe I can recommend you a program, excellent, actually PERFECT backup tool
Acronis True Image Home 11.0 (www.acronis.com)
(I'm on windows, don't know for linux etcetera)
you can create normal backups with this program, but what it makes so great is:
it can create a perfect copy from you harddrive with your OS on, and you can restore that on any computer you want and you'll be able to run whatever you had on your original computer on another too
believe me it works, tested it out!!

example for if you don't get it completely:
I create a disk copy of my laptop harddrive (vista)
I've got another computer, a desktop (xp)
I install Acronis true image at teh desktop too,
I use it to put the disk copy from my laptop on my desktop
My desktop and my laptop are now 2 identic systems..
works fine
no problems, at least not in my case, all pc's are different so yeah...
(notice that a complete copy of you drive takes a few hours... but yeah what do you expect, backups take much time too)

actually, you could call it a clone, and now i'm making a clone monthly of my laptop, I do it by night, on an external harddrive, in case something goes wrong

[Piotr GRD]

Thanks.

But usually I have no space on any hard disk for backup. And burning MANY DVDs is... ehm...
But I will do a simple backups of most important files on DVDs from now.

[Piotr GRD]

I just wanna say...

I hate my old crappy hard disk! It's broken again!
I just lost the whole Documents and settings/MY_PROFILE/ folder and everything inside... All downloaded files on the desktop, all latest documents, archives from instant messengers, not to mention all software personal settings etc.
WRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

<going sleep little depressed>


edit:
No, I don't need any repair tools anymore. I need a new hard disk...

[dwbgraphics]

once you get bad sectors (most likely the case) there is usually no hope for the HDD. Believe me I have had about 4 failures in the last while. Most of them being segate, one was a western digital.

[revinesh]

Try out Stellar Phoenix Windows data recovery.This file recovery software is very easy to use and provides complete recovery solution.This software supports more than 300 types file.Demo version will show you the preview of your recoverable data.Once you see the preview go for full version to complete the recovery process.For more details visit
http://www.file-recovery-software.net/

[EpicCyndaquil]

If you did want to go with linux LiveCD for recovery, Go with Puppy Linux. 100MB makes it very small. bootable with nearly any method. totally awesome. even saves to one file on any filesystem

[Piotr GRD]

Thank you, that was a year ago.
I still have that old disk... no more any major failures whitin that year, though.

[Primefalcon]

Old topic eh... anyhow though not need anymore.......

You should download a copy of puppy Linux, or just request a free copy of ubuntu and use it as a live disk, and then you can save all your data without reinstalling anything with minimal hard drive activity. The more hard drive activity you have, the more unlikely you'll get anything back. Do as said above keep a live disk handy at all times......

Also if the drive stops working at all from mechanical reasons you can sometimes get some leeway by freezing the drive in a sealed bag in your freezer, then insulating it and running it from that (metal contracts and can give you some extra leeway + electronics work better in the cold).

Sorry I didn't see this earlier and I hope you got everything back.. Btw revinesh post was more than likely spam but oh well this is always handy for people to know

[reflae]

You can try Stellar Phoenix Windows data recovery software.This partition recovery software is very easy to use and provides complete recovery solution.This software supports more than 300 types file.Software demo version is free in which you can see the preview of your recoverable data.