Solved VM Disk 2 (from VHD XPMode) is unknown, not initialized, unallocated

[pjb2]

Win7 Pro SP1 with Virtual Machine/ XPMode (hibernated) was running during daily Norton Utilities 16 Optimize session set to check registry and clear windows/browsing history. The session advanced to a new component (not previously encountered) that looked like it was doing a quick defrag (moving files); this also launched what looked like CHDSK with DOS screen reports showing files checked for Win7. Then advanced to a what looked like a CHKDSK screen in XP Mode with many files being 'found' along with a long scroll of 'Invalid Security converted to Default Security for File_nnnn' (where nnn incremented to 55,000 by end of session). The session concluded with XPMUser screen to logon. I chose 'Shut Down' instead of logging in.

Later, I tried to launch XP Mode, status bar progressed about 30% and it gave a message to the effect 'unable to enable Integration Features'. Status bar cleared and started again, reached 30% (no message), cleared and repeated multiple times. Unable to boot XP Mode.

Consulted SevenForums post about XP Mode not booting. Learned to Save (copy) all Virtual Machine files, especially VHD which is 102 GB with lots of data. Learned and completed uninstall VM, XPMode. Successfully installed VM and XPMode again. Launched XPMode and all Win 7 drives are listed in XP Mode Windows Explorer. XP Mode Disk 0 is healthy in Computer Management.

Next, wanted to import the files from XPMode VHD that would not boot. Shut down 'new' XPMode, opened XPM settings in VM folder to add Disk 2. Pointed to saved VHD from failed XPMode in User\Public folder). Created Disk 2 as 'Fixed Size' of 105 GB (larger than the VHD file size). No errors but took along time to create disk.

Next, launched XPMode and expected to see Disk 2 VHD files. Could not see Disk 2, either as a Drive or contents. Used XP Computer Management to view drives. Disk 0 is Healthy/Allocated. Disk 1 has no Drive letter, and is listed as unknown, not initialized, unallocated. Learned that option to 'initialize' or 'test' will wipe disk. Screen shot of Computer Mgmt Screen. XP Windows explorer shows 'Local C:' and Drives C, D E, F, H, M on Win 7 system.

All steps done on one Win7 Pro Sp1 computer, no external drives used. Need help and solution to recover files on VHD Disk 2 that was created and added to current Virtual Machine.

Thank you.

-peter

 

[pjb2]

I resorted to data recovery services on flawed VHD. Recovered 96% of total file size. Thank you for reading about my dilemma, I still don't understand why or how the VHD was corrupted. -pjb2