I've Been Silly

[IHateComputers]

Hi All,

The Details

I'm running XP pro on a home computer with two disk drives a master (C: Dirve, 80GB) which held the system info (XP PRO) and a 2nd drive of 400GB (D: to G:) with all my data/applications on it.

The Story

Recently I've had a lot of virus/trogun issues, so decided the best solution was to reformat my master (C: drive) and re-install XP Pro. What i didn't realise was doing this would screw up my 2nd Drive. When I now attempt to access this drive i get the following message. 'The Disk in Drive X is not formatted, Do you want to Format it now?'.

Additionally (being silly), I haven't backed this up in about 6 months so really don't want to have to re-format.

The Question.

is there a peice of software or command, I can run to remount this drive, sorry if this is a simple issue to resolve, I've had a look around but couldn't find the answer.

Thanks for any help.

[djshary]

Well i was surfin this forum for smthin read about ur problem and registered to only help you mate....
Simply open "Manage" by right clicking on "my computer". after that select "disk management". you will find your 400 GB hardrive over there will see a label like "foregin" on its name its name simply right click and select import foregin disk and import it as simple disk dont do any changes and you will get your hardrive back..i hope this will work for you take care

[IHateComputers]

Well i was surfin this forum for smthin read about ur problem and registered to only help you mate....
Simply open "Manage" by right clicking on "my computer". after that select "disk management". you will find your 400 GB hardrive over there will see a label like "foregin" on its name its name simply right click and select import foregin disk and import it as simple disk dont do any changes and you will get your hardrive back..i hope this will work for you take care

Hi djshary, thanks for the quick response, i tried what you suggested, however, i'm not given the option to import the drive, when i right click (from with in Disk management on the drive) i get the options to open, explore, change drive, format, delete logical Drive, properities and help. if i click explore, i get the message about reformatting!

[djshary]

can u tell me what is appearing on top about hardrive i mean its status?
Second was the drive seperate? like stand alone?



Well click on the name where it says disk1 or disk2 according to ur system then right click do you see convert to dynamic or simple option something like dat ?

[IHateComputers]

can u tell me what is appearing on top about hardrive i mean its status?
Second was the drive seperate? like stand alone?

it's showing as 'Disk 1' NTFS 372.61 gb, online Healthy (Active) with 99% free (it should be about 40% free).

It's a second internal drive.

Does this answer your questions? sorry if I'm not providing the info. you need.

[djshary]

well at the bottom where this harddrive is as you can see partition simply right click on its name on left side you will get options like convert to dynamic or import...?whatever u get please tell me ?

[IHateComputers]

can u tell me what is appearing on top about hardrive i mean its status?
Second was the drive seperate? like stand alone?



Well click on the name where it says disk1 or disk2 according to ur system then right click do you see convert to dynamic or simple option something like dat ?

Yes, i did see the option to convert to dynamic, but can't seem to find it now.

[djshary]

i have posted how you will see it in last post simply have look and click it but before moving ahead let me know what message it gives???


by going into disk management at the bottom you fill find your harddrives simply right click on the name at left hand side you shall find the option and after clicking ti let me know what it says???

[IHateComputers]

i have posted how you will see it in last post simply have look and click it but before moving ahead let me know what message it gives???

ok, found it, the options provided are 'convert to Dynamic', 'properities' or 'help'. Thanks for the help

[djshary]

now click on it and let me know if you dont understand the options????also let me know if you get working harddrive....

[drc]

don't do that. at this point no amount of messing with things in disk management is going to help. some data recovery software will most likely be able to retrieve all of your files. If you are going to try to do it yourself you should make a backup image of your drive first, but I would recommend taking it to a local reputable computer shop (like not Best Buy)

Last edited by drc on December 21st, 2008, 20:36, edited 1 time in total.

[djshary]

y what it does? can u explain me?however it worked for me....but as i remember i used to import foregin disk? am i right?

My friend i have done it it works it simply imports it and it really works////

Last edited by djshary on December 21st, 2008, 20:39, edited 1 time in total.

[drc]

If the drive is showing up as not formatted then it has suffered damage to the partition table. There is nothing in disk management that will help recover that.

[djshary]

no it does...so when you will convert it will simply bring it back with that partition this is something is being happening with new drives specially sata....


let me add one more thing if u cant work it out like this as i told then simply turn of system volume restore option of computer, quick format the drive and then run recovery software you will get every data back but remember not to copy single file on it after formatting the drive.....

[drc]

Your solution to a drive with damaged data is to do additional formatting?

Good luck with that.

[djshary]

i dont know about you brother but i have been doing this from long timw with harddrives. you know if he does quick format it will only make partition table but wnt damage data on platters. if you have something else i will appreciate...
ne ways you can use software namely g3td4ta b4ck with that u wnt need formatting or nething..simply use it straight away....
Good luck

[drc]

If you're going to be using recovery software then it makes no difference if the partition table is corrupt or not.

Why would you suggest someone write ANYTHING to a drive with damaged data?

[djshary]

yes i have the same opinion i have said in last post...neways i was just doin low level wit my hdd

[djshary]

hey if you tried by converting option please reply something...trust me ihatecomputers click on convert option and let me know which windows pop ups

[IHateComputers]

Hi All,

Thanks for the feedback, I've tried to convert to dynamic, but keep getting the message 'Internal Error - The specified field is not valid'. I've tried rebooting several times.