Windows/Programs Partition Gone,Can I recover it?


  1. Essence
    Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       New #1

    Windows/Programs Partition Gone,Can I recover it?


    The partition where I install programs, and keep the drivers seems to be gone.


    Here are some of the pics I took to help you understand my problem.
    Windows/Programs Partition Gone,Can I recover it?-1.jpg
    Windows/Programs Partition Gone,Can I recover it?-2.jpg
    Windows/Programs Partition Gone,Can I recover it?-3.jpg

    I tried Partition Wizard, then it couldn't find my 300 Gb partition.
    Windows/Programs Partition Gone,Can I recover it?-5.jpg

    I know, I should have taken the picture after the full scan recovery partition was done. But it still couldn't find that partition. So I was already too frustrated to do it

    Windows/Programs Partition Gone,Can I recover it?-4.jpg


    I'm very new to Windows 7, so I don't how my 1 Tb HDD has 3 partitions(200 Mb, 300+ Gb, and 600+ Gb).

    How this all happen, and what I've been doing?? well..

    - last week my PC started failing to boot Win 7
    - I could access Safe Mode though
    - then on the next day, somehow it could go back to Win 7 like normal

    - after using it for several minutes, it just stopped working. I couldn't even move my mouse pointer. so I pressed reset button

    - then it started failing to boot my Windows again
    - this time I couldn't even access Safe Mode
    - it would load some drivers, then it'd reseted itself

    - since that day I've been researching(found this pretty awesome site)...and figuring out how to restore my PC to how it was.

    - I've gone to several places to get system repair disc
    - I've been trying to fix it via system repair disc's automatic repair thingy...for many times
    - I've been attempting to fully search my HDD for the lost partition, with Partition Wizard

    - I've been trying to find the lost partition with Power Data Recovery (free ver.)....
    - but everytime the app started, the background looks very bright and pinky.... and everything becomes unreadable.

    - regardless, I still tried to find it Power Data Recovery......waited for around 12 or so hours..
    I think I found the 300 Gb partition..but I couldn't figure out how to restore it....

    - pressed the wrong button, and all the scanning result was gone... so I must wait for hours again....if I want to reattempt searching for the lost partition.


    so... if anyone knows how I can restore my PC to how it was.... please post.
    thank you for reading
    Last edited by Essence; 30 Mar 2012 at 03:24.
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  3. DavidE
    Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       New #2

    I can't open the screen print attachments.
    Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums

    Here is another thread you can look at that lists some programs you can try.
    Recovering data from a 'RAW' hd
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  4. Essence
    Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Sorry about that... I fixed the attachments... Hopefully ppl can see them now.

    Ok...probably I'll give those software a try.
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  6. DavidE
    Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       New #4

    No problem, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    You should attach a screen print of disk management using these instructions courtesy of gregrocker:

    • Type Disk Management in Start Searchbox, open and maximize window.
    • Type Snipping Tool in Searchbox, choose Rectangular snip, draw box around drive map and listings, save file.
    • Attach file using Paper Clip in Reply box.
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  7. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #5

    Download free Partition Wizard bootable CD, burn to CD using Windows Image Burner or ImgBurn boot CD, take a camera snap of your Disk Management drive map and listings showing all columns. Post back.

    Why are you installing Programs to another partition than Win7?

    You'll also need your Win7 DVD or System Repair Disk to browse in to see if you can find your files to copy and paste to external USB, USB flash or another HD: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

    Or use free Paragon rescue disk to recover data to another HD, external or USB flash.

    It looks like Partition 1 is the Win7 System Reserved boot partition. If so you'll Modify>mark it Active using PW CD, then click on Disk # to highlight it, from Disk tab select Rebuild MBR, Apply. This may preclude the need to run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

    If this fails to start Win7 you may have infection so start at the top of these steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot - Windows 7 Forums
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  8. Essence
    Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    I finally re-installed Win 7. I thought I had spent roughly 7 days trying to retrieve files that I didm't really need.....and that had been too long. It was a tedious, and quite frustrating experience as I encounter one problem after another. Such as when my mouse was not detectd in one particular software, when it did...it couldn't read my HDD properly. One software had this awful display on my PC, maybe it was VGA driver thing..Don't know..

    So I thought I should move on. Then when I first tried installing Win 7, I deleted the 'unusable' partition but kept the old system reserved one. This caused the installation to fail, and it always stuck at the "loading operating system" thing.


    On my 2nd attempt I deleted both the windows partition and the system reserved one.
    So the installation was done as I expected, and finally I could use my PC again.


    I haven't installed virtually any programs, because I'm planning to find files in the previous, unsuble partition... But I'll see how it goes...if it takes too long, or causes too much headache....I'll move on because I need that PC so I can do my tasks faster.


    Thanks gregrocker, DavidW7ncus, and sevenforums. It's been a good learning experience as I've learned ways to search deleted files, find lost partitions, and a few other stuff.



    Solved.
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  10. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #7

    Wasn't able to give you these tips earlier since when we last left off you were still troubleshooting.

    Basically they're are the same for retail as to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

    Let us know how it goes.
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  11. Essence
    Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       New #8

    gregrocker said:
    Wasn't able to give you these tips earlier since when we last left off you were still troubleshooting.

    Basically they're are the same for retail as to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

    Let us know how it goes.
    I'm done reinstalling my OS. I just need to reinstall programs, that's all.
    Thanks for the help.
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