XP Bootfix formats HDD ?!

gorgos

gorgos

New member
Hello, I think I did something stupid. I hope you can help me. :/

I wanted to remove my old HDD and I dont know why but I think part of the Windows 7 boot system was on it. So when I removed it, I couldn't boot anymore. I looked for my Windows 7 DVD, but only found the XP CD and tried to fix the MBR with that. However I tried 'fixmbr' and 'bootfix' and ended up with my HDD being formatted. :cry:

Now I found my Windows 7 DVD, but its too late. It shows that the HDD is formatted. I also tried putting the HDD in another PC with XP, but there its the same way. I really need the data on it. There is probably a way to make it undone?

Please help me, I am frustrated right now.

Thank you! - gorgos
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 945 Processor (4 CPUs), ~3.4GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P
Memory
4096MB DDR3 RAM
Graphics Card(s)
HD 5770
Sound Card
Creative SB X-Fi XtremeMusic
Monitor(s) Displays
SyncMaster P245
gorgos said:
Hello, I think I did something stupid. I hope you can help me. :/

I wanted to remove my old HDD and I dont know why but I think part of the Windows 7 boot system was on it. So when I removed it, I couldn't boot anymore. I looked for my Windows 7 DVD, but only found the XP CD and tried to fix the MBR with that. However I tried 'fixmbr' and 'bootfix' and ended up with my HDD being formatted. :cry:

Now I found my Windows 7 DVD, but its too late. It shows that the HDD is formatted. I also tried putting the HDD in another PC with XP, but there its the same way. I really need the data on it. There is probably a way to make it undone?

Please help me, I am frustrated right now.

Thank you! - gorgos
Click to expand...

Boot from the win 7 DVD (not restore dvd) do a repair install. It shouldnt bother your data. If that doesnt work your options are limited
 

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HP Pavillion dv-7 1005 Tx
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Win 8 Release candidate 8400
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[email protected]
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HD built-in
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Alright, I guess I have to do a repair install. Luckily I made a 50GB backup with the Windows 7 tool some days ago, lets just hope it works...

@zigzag Do you really think it wont affect my data?
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 945 Processor (4 CPUs), ~3.4GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P
Memory
4096MB DDR3 RAM
Graphics Card(s)
HD 5770
Sound Card
Creative SB X-Fi XtremeMusic
Monitor(s) Displays
SyncMaster P245
Try repair install first.
The Win 7 backup will overwrite your data.
Do you backup both drives?
 

My Computer

OS
ME/XP/Vista/Win7
Wait, how should I make a repair install if the HDD Windows 7 was installed on is formatted? Or at least Windows shows no more partitions.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 945 Processor (4 CPUs), ~3.4GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P
Memory
4096MB DDR3 RAM
Graphics Card(s)
HD 5770
Sound Card
Creative SB X-Fi XtremeMusic
Monitor(s) Displays
SyncMaster P245
I dont have to do that. The important files I have already backed up. So I guess I must install Windows 7 now and after that I can restore my backup?
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 945 Processor (4 CPUs), ~3.4GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P
Memory
4096MB DDR3 RAM
Graphics Card(s)
HD 5770
Sound Card
Creative SB X-Fi XtremeMusic
Monitor(s) Displays
SyncMaster P245
You can't do a repair install unless you can boot into windows.

If you used the commands you specified, the data should be on the disk .

How do you mean you have to do a reinstall?

You will probably be able to reinstate the partition fully intact.

Download this - it's free and burns itself to cd Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition - Free Download

Boot the cd , Select Normal Mode >Partition undelete


If that doesn't do it,

Try the partition recovery on the PW boot disc.

Free PW Bootable CD allows user to boot computer directly ...

Boot the cd, click the Disk at the top of PW main window to select it.

Click partition recovery in left pane. Do a quick scan of the HD .

Tick ALL partitions you want to keep, APPLY.

It is very likely they will recover the partition - a lot quicker and easier than a reinstall. They are both very useful boot discs to have .

gorgos said:
Alright, I guess I have to do a repair install. Luckily I made a 50GB backup with the Windows 7 tool some days ago, lets just hope it works...

@zigzag Do you really think it wont affect my data?
Click to expand...
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Computer type
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    7 X64
    CPU
    i5 8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Hard Drives
    various
    PSU
    pure power 11 400w cm
    Case
    Coolermaster
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7x64
    CPU
    g5400
    Motherboard
    ga b365m ds3h
    Memory
    8gb ddr4 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450w
Thank you, I will try it your way. :)
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 945 Processor (4 CPUs), ~3.4GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P
Memory
4096MB DDR3 RAM
Graphics Card(s)
HD 5770
Sound Card
Creative SB X-Fi XtremeMusic
Monitor(s) Displays
SyncMaster P245
After you have undeleted the partition , run startup repair from the 7 dvd.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7 X64
    CPU
    i5 8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Hard Drives
    various
    PSU
    pure power 11 400w cm
    Case
    Coolermaster
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7x64
    CPU
    g5400
    Motherboard
    ga b365m ds3h
    Memory
    8gb ddr4 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450w
I have my partition back. :)

However the startup repair hasnt worked. It runs without errors, tells me to reboot and I end up with "Insert system disk and press Enter."

In the console I tried bootrec /rebuildbcd -> yes -> element not found
diskpart -> select disk 0 -> select part 1 -> active -> partition type is invalid for this process

Edit: The log of startup repair says the error is that the partition table does not contain a valid system partition -> fix: repair partition table

Edit2: Ok, looks like the problem is that its a logical partition. How can i make it primary? Copy data, delete partition, create new primary partition and copy data back?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 945 Processor (4 CPUs), ~3.4GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P
Memory
4096MB DDR3 RAM
Graphics Card(s)
HD 5770
Sound Card
Creative SB X-Fi XtremeMusic
Monitor(s) Displays
SyncMaster P245
You can use a partition manager to convert logical >primary without data loss.

Do you have one the great Paragon special edition giveaways they often do ?

If not , you can use Partition Wizard - you need V4.2 here post 34

Easy instructions here - it only takes a few seconds :

http://www.partitionwizard.com/video-help/diskconvertdynamic/diskconvertdynamic.html


Or , you could do this , but it takes a very long time if you have a lot of data :

Edit2: Ok, looks like the problem is that its a logical partition. How can i make it primary? Copy data, delete partition, create new primary partition and copy data back?
Click to expand...
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7 X64
    CPU
    i5 8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Hard Drives
    various
    PSU
    pure power 11 400w cm
    Case
    Coolermaster
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7x64
    CPU
    g5400
    Motherboard
    ga b365m ds3h
    Memory
    8gb ddr4 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450w
Thank you for your help. It worked. Back to normal. :) :)
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 945 Processor (4 CPUs), ~3.4GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P
Memory
4096MB DDR3 RAM
Graphics Card(s)
HD 5770
Sound Card
Creative SB X-Fi XtremeMusic
Monitor(s) Displays
SyncMaster P245
Great - glad to hear it.:)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7 X64
    CPU
    i5 8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Hard Drives
    various
    PSU
    pure power 11 400w cm
    Case
    Coolermaster
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7x64
    CPU
    g5400
    Motherboard
    ga b365m ds3h
    Memory
    8gb ddr4 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450w
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