Recover disappearing partition

The Disk Mgmt error is common in cases where Partition Magic - which is not Win7 compatible - is used and ruins Win7.

The solution which most commonly works as described in Disk Management Console view is not up-to-date. - Microsoft Community is uninstalling the HD and/or its driver in Device Manager, rebooting to reinstall it.

If that fails google the text of the Disk Mgmt error and work through all of the solutions suggested. If you're concerned about any just ask back here and keep us posted on your progress.

Hi Hastyle,

It is not my intention to override anybody's suggestions here but let you know other means which I feel may workout.

I had noted that running Partition Wizard you are able to see all the files in the problem partition. But Partition Wizard does not allow you to copy the files.

You may use Test Disk and the advantage here is that you may be able to not only confirm that the files exist but also copy the files to another external drive.

Straightaway go to the topic
Recovery with TestDisk: SanDisk Cruzer Blade 16GB in Recover a flash drive turned RAW – Partition Wizard and TestDisk.

In your case it will be your system drive and not SanDisk Cruzer Blade. :)

Once the partiitons are identified correctly, select the problem partition and press P and Enter. If you can see all the files select all the files and copy all the files to another external drive. ( You will see the necessary commands at the bottom of the Window. Make sure to connect an external drive with adequate space to copy files before you run TestDisk. Your external disk will also be shown in the Test Disk Window.)

TestDisk Download: http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk

Once you have successfully copied the files and confirmed that all is OK, you can then format the partition. ( TestDisk can also rewrite the partition table, but I am a little bit wary since it is a system drive and also you had used Symantec/PowerQuest Partition Magic. It is preferable to copy away the data to another drive and format the partition with the OS without our meddling with MBR/PBR in anyway.)

hey greg, Paragon Rescue Kit Free Edition worked, i got everything off reformatd the drive, now putting it back on. thanks you and to everyone else who replied :)