how do I recover data from a non responsive hard drive?

[Slartybart]

Thanks jumanji - I think I was part of the problem by not giving Canuck enough information/direction. I know at one point I was thinking about a different thread when I posted "You've done this before" referencing a PW scan

I agree, it looks pretty good. I would suggest that the active flag be removed from the first part.

Canuck, you're almost there - again My apologies for any delays caused by my lack of focus.
jumanji is as cautious as I am but he's quicker.

I'll watch you get to the finish line.

Bill
.

 

[jumanji]

Yes the active flag in the first partition has to be removed first. I think I had stated that before after viewing the screenshot of Disk Management.Definitely we are losing track because of involvement in many threads .

 

[jumanji]

Having said that, the opening screen of PW, does show all partitions in tact. So partition table has not been lost and so PW will not write the partition table since it is already present.

So when Canuck comes back, we shall ask him to cancel quick scan, go to main screen and remove the active flag from the first partition and apply.

The other partitions which lie in the extended are raw. Will those turn good when active flag is removed? Let us see.

If it does not rebuild MBR in Partition Wizard.

I think quite an workout lies ahead.

 

[Slartybart]

I'll review the thread again and stay focused for a good workout.

 

[jumanji]

Instructions to Canuk67: Whenever you see this

1. Boot into Partition Wizard.

2. On the main screen, right click on the first 48.3GB partition in Disk 2 > Modify > Set Inactive ( Excercise care. Do not do anything on Disk 1 , which is your System drive.)

3. Check it shows in Pending operations in the left Pane.

4. Go to the Top Menu Bar and click on Apply.

When the operation completes, close PW and reboot.

I think your computer will boot fast now.

If that is achieved, we will do any further actions on your computer. You can keep aside the PW bootable pen drive.

The screenshot below just for illustration: Take only what matters.

 

[Canuck67]

okay, I'll try this now, but first I will post the screen caps from my last attempt, just in case it gives any info that might be useful....

Instructions to Canuk67: Whenever you see this

1. Boot into Partition Wizard.

2. On the main screen, right click on the first 48.3GB partition in Disk 2 > Modify > Set Inactive ( Excercise care. Do not do anything on Disk 1 , which is your System drive.)

3. Check it shows in Pending operations in the left Pane.

4. Go to the Top Menu Bar and click on Apply.

When the operation completes, close PW and reboot.

I think your computer will boot fast now.

If that is achieved, we will do any further actions on your computer. You can keep aside the PW bootable pen drive.

The screenshot below just for illustration: Take only what matters.

View attachment 322358

 

[Canuck67]

here are my screen caps, step by step, BEFORE right clicking on the first partition in my second drive and making it inactive.

 

[Canuck67]

continued....

 

[Canuck67]

I can access what's in my dead drive as seen in the last cap, however, some of the folders have names that I did not give them, or are folders that I did not create and don't recognize...

 

[jumanji]

Not to worry. We know that all your data is there. Some of those folders are System folders which you normally do not see and some left by check disk.

 

[Canuck67]

okay, that first partition is inactive. But obviously, it didn't have any effect on boot times.

 

[jumanji]

OK, Now you are in Windows. Is in't it?

Now run PW in Windows. Does it come up fast?

 

[Canuck67]

OK, Now you are in Windows. Is in't it?

Now run PW in Windows. Does it come up fast?

Sorry? Does what come up fast?

 

[jumanji]

Partition Wizard.

Run Partition Wizard in Windows now.

 

[Canuck67]

Partition Wizard.

Run Partition Wizard in Windows now.

okay, I'm an idiot... I can't figure out how to get PW to work off of the pen drive while in windows....

 

[jumanji]

Haven't you installed Partition Wizard in Windows? Run it.

 

[Canuck67]

Haven't you installed Partition Wizard in Windows? Run it.

nope. I only have it on that boot up pen drive...

I'll download it now and run it. Am I looking for anything in particular?

 

[Canuck67]

okay... here's what I get when running it in windows...

 

[jumanji]

That is a shocker !!!!!! How come it shows as a Bad disk?

Check whether it shows up in Windows Disk Management and post a screenshot.

 

[Canuck67]

That is a shocker !!!!!! How come it shows as a Bad disk?

Check whether it shows up in Windows Disk Management and post a screenshot.

okay, but the last time I tried that with the drive installed, it took about 5 hours for Disk Management to load.
So the screen shot may have to wait until the morning. (my morning)