Need some tech help

[anon361]

This is only partly true. When you format the disk you lose all the information about where the files are on disk, but they don't actually get overwritten yet. Reinstalling Windows will probably have overwritten some, but the others should still be there, though Windows won't be able to find them. There are programs which will scan a hard drive for blocks which look like the headers for known file types, which would include the music and pics urlslave is looking for. A good data recovery company will have these programs, and know how to use them, which is important because data recovery is more art than science.

That's only true if he selected quick format during the new windows installation but that is not the default, the default is to write over the entire disk with blank code, only during a quick format does it just remove the headers..

[urslave188]

I didn't actually format the hard drive. I tried to but didn't even get as far as the format beginning.Got an error message before that and the format wouldn't start.All my files are on a separate partition.The partition i tried to format only had Windows and my programs such as Itunes etc. installed on it.

[El Gordo]

That's only true if he selected quick format during the new windows installation but that is not the default, the default is to write over the entire disk with blank code, only during a quick format does it just remove the headers..

I always select quick format. Pretty much the only reason you ever wouldn't is if you're giving the machine to someone else and don't want them finding your BDSM videos.

[anon361]

I didn't actually format the hard drive. I tried to but didn't even get as far as the format beginning.Got an error message before that and the format wouldn't start.All my files are on a separate partition.The partition i tried to format only had Windows and my programs such as Itunes etc. installed on it.

ok so when you press the on switch what message exactly does it say, take a picture of it and post here if it's too much..

[anon361]

I always select quick format. Pretty much the only reason you ever wouldn't is if you're giving the machine to someone else and don't want them finding your BDSM videos.

And the fact it's 10 times quicker but a novice might just leave the default, sounds to me urslave188 got a bit ahead of his pc skills and started doing things he should have known better to leave well enough alone LOL..

[urslave188]

And the fact it's 10 times quicker but a novice might just leave the default, sounds to me urslave188 got a bit ahead of his pc skills and started doing things he should have known better to leave well enough alone LOL..

built the pc myself anon so have a fair idea of what i'm doing.Have formatted it twice before when having problems and never had any trouble doing this but this one really has me lost.

[anon361]

Ok, you built it but the OP is a different kettle of fish, you should have known that if there was info on the pc that you wanted you should never have formated, Iknow it's no good now but why didn't you just take the drive out in the first place and hook it up to anoither pc to get the data off, especially if it was Xp which has f-all security wall to climb. Can you even enter the recovery console which is basically dos prompt, if you can try repairing the boot.ini. Here's a copy and paste on how:

Here's How:

1. Enter Windows XP Recovery Console. The Recovery Console is an advanced diagnostic mode of Windows XP with special tools that will allow you to restore the boot.ini file.
2. When you reach the command line (detailed in Step 6 in the link above), type the following command and then press Enter.
   bootcfg /rebuild
3. The bootcfg utility will scan your hard drives for any Windows XP installations and then display the results. Follow the remaining steps to add your Windows XP installation to the boot.ini file.
4. The first prompt asks Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All).
   Type Y in response to this question and press Enter.
5. The next prompt asks you to Enter Load Identifier:.
   This is the name of the operating system. For example, type Windows XP Professional or Windows XP Home Edition and press Enter.
6. The final prompt asks you to Enter OS Load options:.
   Type /Fastdetect here and press Enter.
7. Take out the Windows XP CD, type exit and then press Enter to restart your PC.
   Assuming that a missing or corrupt boot.ini file was your only issue, Windows XP should now start normally.

[JAMESCORK]

Im in the biz and Anon looks like he is also in the biz. Formatting is the LAST straw. Most boot probs or any probs may be solved before you decide to format. In fact in my career (20 years or so) I have RARELY formatted anything. Formatting first attacks the FAT (file allocation table) the part of the harddisk that tells the OS where all the little bits of a file are located on the expanse of harddrive storage. Music files and Video files are usaually fucked if you attempt a format in my experinece. RAW data files may be recovered. but its a costly and a lot of times futile excersise.

In a word urslave you are FUCKED......sorry mate....

[nicegirlsarenice]

Ok, you built it but the OP is a different kettle of fish, you should have known that if there was info on the pc that you wanted you should never have formated, Iknow it's no good now but why didn't you just take the drive out in the first place and hook it up to anoither pc to get the data off, especially if it was Xp which has f-all security wall to climb. Can you even enter the recovery console which is basically dos prompt, if you can try repairing the boot.ini. Here's a copy and paste on how:

Here's How:

1. Enter Windows XP Recovery Console. The Recovery Console is an advanced diagnostic mode of Windows XP with special tools that will allow you to restore the boot.ini file.
2. When you reach the command line (detailed in Step 6 in the link above), type the following command and then press Enter.
   bootcfg /rebuild
3. The bootcfg utility will scan your hard drives for any Windows XP installations and then display the results. Follow the remaining steps to add your Windows XP installation to the boot.ini file.
4. The first prompt asks Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All).
   Type Y in response to this question and press Enter.
5. The next prompt asks you to Enter Load Identifier:.
   This is the name of the operating system. For example, type Windows XP Professional or Windows XP Home Edition and press Enter.
6. The final prompt asks you to Enter OS Load options:.
   Type /Fastdetect here and press Enter.
7. Take out the Windows XP CD, type exit and then press Enter to restart your PC.
   Assuming that a missing or corrupt boot.ini file was your only issue, Windows XP should now start normally.

anon361, he already tried all that. He couldn't even format the drive.... which is ironically fortunate if he wants to save his data....

urslave, listen carefully: DON'T try to use that drive again until you have another windows up and running. EVERY time you use it, it could be your last time. I had a drive before that started fucking up on me, wouldn't boot, booted, wouldn't boot, and suddenly it was DEAD.

These drives don't give you much (if any) warning time between when they start to fail and are dead completely. If you care about the data on that drive, put it somewhere safe and I wouldn't even THINK about trying it again until you have the other windows up and running. Even then it's only fingers crossed that you'll be able to get anything out of it.

[anon361]

anon361, he already tried all that. He couldn't even format the drive.... thankfully... there's something a bit ironic about that.

urslave, listen carefully: DON'T try to use that drive again until you have another windows up and running. EVERY time you use it, it could be your last time. I had a drive before that started fucking up on me, wouldn't boot, booted, wouldn't boot, and suddenly it was DEAD.

These drives don't give you much (if any) warning time between when they start to fail and are dead completely. If you care about the data on that drive, put it somewhere safe and I wouldn't even THINK about trying it again until you have the other windows up and running. Even then it's only fingers crossed that you'll be able to get anything out of it.

But he already said he had taken the drive out and connected it to another pc and that failed also.. The problem you had sounds like a worn out head, his is completely different, what I would say is stop trying to format it would be a good start..