Old HD partition missing!!!

[PietroFeliciano]

I had Windows XP before, with a single Maxtor 500GB HD in two partitions, one for system and other for my docs. Before installing the Win 7 I formatted the system partition of that HD, and did not touch the docs partition. I installed Win 7th in a new 1TB disk, and I see the old 500GB HD in my system, in the device manager is not appointed any problem for it.

It happens that through Windows Explorer I can only see the formatted partition, my old system one, blank, while the other is what I care most about, because it contains all my files! I know that formatting the partition "sunken" via Disk Manager I would see it via Windows Explorer, but obviously this is all I can't do! I tried a few things in the Disk Manager of Win 7, without success! Does anyone have any idea of the solution??

Thanks

 

[profdlp]

Try TestDisk and let it look for and hopefully recover the partition.

 

[PietroFeliciano]

I did it, but apparently it only recovered my formated system partition...

Here is a screenshot of my issue:

 

[profdlp]

Make sure You are selecting the right hard drive. Since you ought to be booting from the cdrom you made, I would shut the computer down and temporarily disconnect the "good" drive. Less to be confusing that way.

 

[PietroFeliciano]

It seems to be the solution for erased data, but I am sure my data is here. I just have to find a way to read it! I had not formated the DISK maxtor 500GB before installing Win 7, but only one of the PARTITIONS I had on it, the one with no interest for me anymore! I'd selected the correct disk through TestDisk, but apparently it only shows me the option to recover files on visible partitions, and this is not the case...! Am I wrong?

Thank you very very much for your help, those files are my bread!!!

 

[profdlp]

Have you followed this?

TestDisk Step By Step - CGSecurity

There is an option (under "Advanced", I think, but follow the step-by-step to be sure) to search "deeper". You may need to do that.

In any case, I'd follow the guide carefully. We don't want to make things worse.

 

[PietroFeliciano]

DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Man.....................

You made a big, big, huge thing for someone!!! And this is me, here in Brasil!

THANK YOU!!!

 

[profdlp]

I am very happy for you, Pietro!