Looks like i got my partition back with PW's "Check File System" and repair. Now i'm running Surface test and will try to find out if the hard drive is any reliable or not.
I tried testing the HDD earlyer with seatools but the long term tests failed all the time.
Be sure and apply whs's advice and run chkdsk /f over the applicable drive.
If you get a msg saying that the chkdsk has been scheduled for next boot, then boot up and watch the screen to see what is found.
Watch the little flashing harddisk light if you would like. This will reassure that the computer is running and not hung.
Some people panic because a chkdsk takes much longer than most people expect. Get a cup of coffee or a beer as your preference is.
PW's Check File System is actually chkdsk, I believe. Did you tick both boxes to have it recover bad sectors?
Surface test is a lightweight diag/repair HD scan. Better to try to get Seatools to complete, which might work now that the PW chkdsk fixed sectors.
Wouldn't hurt to run chkdsk /f from booted installer, tho.
I did a surface test on the drive D with PW and found 3 errors. Then did check disc in windows and checked both boxes. It found some errors and sayd that they were fixed. Didn't find any folder named "Found" after that.
Just finished another surface test and there are still 3 errors.
"Wouldn't hurt to run chkdsk /f from booted installer, tho." erm... first i must find out how.. lol
I will dl Seatools and try it again!
Any more suggestions?
For chkdsk /f go to All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt. Right click on Command Prompt > Run as administrator. Then type or paste the chkdsk /f command and hit Enter. Should your system not function, you can also run Command Prompt from the installation disk > Tools.
I read this post because I was having the same error and not able to access my 1GB WD Mybook external drive. Don't know what caused it. But after reading about "Partion Wizard" I clicked on the link in post 5 and installed Partion wizard mini tool. It saved me!!! Thanks. For those who need to use this tool it is easy.
1. download and install and open the mini tool
2. It opens as Partion Wizard 7
3. Locate your problem drive and right click on the drive
4. Now click on "check file system"
5. check the button to check and fix errors
that is it.
When it finisihed about 5-7 minutes later I was able to use my drive again. I was sweating because I have over 500 dvd movies on my drive. Thanks to the posters here. Much appreciation to you
Glad to hear it, Teacher. PW is a great tool that's helped with countless thousands of operations here.
Since you have and like it, I'd run a Surface test on the HD with both boxes checked to get a good idea of its condition. If it's got bad blocks you should consider replacing it to prevent data loss.
Video help on how to perform partition surface test with Partition Wizard.
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