Windows 7: Partition problem - Partition deleted or something?

Before Windows 7 I had Win XP SP3.
I did clean installation (deleted Program Files partition and C:\) partition, but somehow, my "Programming" partition got deleted as well.
It was 10 GB, and had some VERY important data on it.
When I go to Storage Manager, it's shown as part of C: partition, as you can see on image.

Now, when I try to right click it, this is how menu looks:

And, when I try to change it's drive letters and paths, it pops this error:


I have Windows 7 Ultimate x64, build 7100 (RC).

Anyone knows how can I solve this problem?



Few notes:
1. I have 2 Hard Drives - 600 and 240 GB.
2. Unallocated space is for my new XP installation.
3. Partition E:\ is for movies, G:\ is for installations and .exe files, D:\ is "Program Files" partition.

Hi Blazeme welcome to the forums,

Have you tried setting the partition as active? You will need to set 'Mark partition as active' in order to allocate it a drive letter.

Thanks a lot & thnx for reply.

Hmm, actually, I did:

Now, I didn't clicked Yes cause of warning, and this is my only OS and etc and etc.
So, should I click yes there?

Just to make notice: I don't have OS on that partition. Nor on any else except C: (Windows 7 I'm running now).

I just want to clear something up (for my benefit LOL), it's the 10.7GB partition you wan access to isn't it?

Hehe, yep, I only can't access that partition that I created long time ago, and it worked very well when I used to be on XP / Vista.

Edit - I just clicked format. It said that error occurred and that I should view system event log.
I've tried to find error concerning this, but I found nothing 0.0'

Your C: should be set as your primary partition which should have no effect on any other partitions you choose to activate thereafter. Give me a minute and i'll do some digging...

Hmmm, sure thing, it is primary partition as far as I can see and I can't make it active (that option is disabled).
Again, thanks a lot for helping me out on this one

Btw, to quote myself cause I edited post:

As you've done a clean install i take it you have the Windows 7 boot DVD? If you do you could set the partition as active. This will not affect your files but if it does affect your boot then you can repair install. I can't see this happening though as you are just activating and extended partition (of sorts).

Also, you won't be able to format until it's active as far as i know.

Yes, I do have it. How am I supposed to do that via DVD? If you could just tell me in few steps.

Ye, I see now.
Every other partition but this one I'm trying to access is activated.


Also, thing that I don't understand is that this partition doesn't have any drive letter, label or anything like this. And yet, it's not unallocated....

It is a very strange issue

You will need to restart your PC with the DVD in the drive. On the very first screen (POST) you should be able to press Del, F1 or F2 to access the BIOS settings. From here you can change 'Boot' priority to CD/DVD first (it's normally a list, you just have to move the CD/DVD device to the top).

Once done, when you save and exit, the PC will reboot. Look out for 'Press any key to boot from cd...' and press a key.

The next steps you well know.


Hope this helps