Where did my C and D partition go?

[Mclaren]

Hello everybody! I am new to this forum and I hope I can have fun here

But today, I registered in this forum because I think my computer is problematic lately...
I was planning to install Windows 7 on my "C" drive but the problem is; it couldn't find my "C" nor "D" drive.
The "C" and "D" partitions are missing in Disk management, that's why I think Windows 7 could only see "E" and "G" only.
Any help will be appreciated

 

[Pauly]

Run command prompt as admin then type, diskpart
then, list disk
this will show all hdd & report their state ie on/offline & wether they are showing faults

Also more info on HDDs type/size/ide/sata etc

 

[Mclaren]

Run command prompt as admin then type, diskpart
then, list disk
this will show all hdd & report their state ie on/offline & wether they are showing faults

Also more info on HDDs type/size/ide/sata etc

After Diskpart what do I type? Sorry, I am not used to Command Prompt.

 

[Pauly]

disk list

 

[Mclaren]

disk list

It says:
Disk 1 is online with 75gb
However, I have two hard disks, not just 1.

 

[Pauly]

disk list

It says:
Disk 1 is online with 75gb
However, I have two hard disks, not just 1.

what disks do you have how are they connected

 

[Greg B]

Pauly
This might also help - there is a freeware tool from EASEUS for disc partitioning. They also have other recovery software on their website. I downloaded and used this to find, format, and assign ID to a drive that Windows would not see because the MOBO was not seeing it. (It was plugged into the fifth 'RAID' eSATA plug)
I'm quite certain you can resize and add partitions without overwriting data with this software. Just don't delete a partition that has data you want in it, the data will be gone, and quickly. When you open this software you'll see your 'lost' drives. I only tried the freeware, not any of their recovery software.

Here is the address

EASEUS Partition Master is Magic FREE Partition Manager Software for Windows Server 2000/2003/2008 and Windows 2000/XP/Vista/Windows 7. Free for home users.

 

[MacGyvr]

disk list

It says:
Disk 1 is online with 75gb
However, I have two hard disks, not just 1.

Sounds like your other drive might have failed or be disconnected...

 

[Pauly]

Just to take a step back here these disks are gone from your XP install
If they used to work under XP then system restore might be worth a try

 

[Pauly]

Actually that prob wouldnt work as the comp is not even recognising the disk is there,
Have you been inside the machine lately any chance a plugs come out?????

 

[Mclaren]

I tried System Restore, and yet the computer is still unable to recognise the disk in there... Will replugging the hard disk again help?
Or let me try EASEUS software first.

 

[Mclaren]

Unbelievably the software Greg suggested recognised both hard drives on my computer but my Windows wouldn't...
Sorry for uploading lots of files in a day...

 

[Barman58]

OK first things first things first - check if the issue is with the hardware or windows

reboot the system and het whatever key is required to enter the BIOS - check in bios to see if you can see the missing drive here.

If drive is visible here - the issue is a windows one - If not then you will need to open your case and physically check the connections to the drive

Disconnect the drive cabe at each end in turn and reconnect.

Reboot and recheck in BIOS

If still not visible you may have a failed cable or port or drive

You can if possible try to connect the drive to another port -

Reboot and recheck in BIOS

if the drive is then visible in bios it is port failure - Look to replace motherboard as soon as is practical

If possible disconnect the working drive and use the cable to connect the missing drive

Reboot and recheck in BIOS

If the drive is now visible the original cable is at fault - replace cable

If after these checks the drive is missing it may be a missing specialist windows driver or as the system has been correct it could be the drive has failed.

 

[Mclaren]

OK first things first things first - check if the issue is with the hardware or windows

reboot the system and het whatever key is required to enter the BIOS - check in bios to see if you can see the missing drive here.

If drive is visible here - the issue is a windows one - If not then you will need to open your case and physically check the connections to the drive

Disconnect the drive cabe at each end in turn and reconnect.

Reboot and recheck in BIOS

If still not visible you may have a failed cable or port or drive

You can if possible try to connect the drive to another port -

Reboot and recheck in BIOS

if the drive is then visible in bios it is port failure - Look to replace motherboard as soon as is practical

If possible disconnect the working drive and use the cable to connect the missing drive

Reboot and recheck in BIOS

If the drive is now visible the original cable is at fault - replace cable

If after these checks the drive is missing it may be a missing specialist windows driver or as the system has been correct it could be the drive has failed.

I believe it's Windows' fault. Sorry for not replying in a long time... this computer was heavily infected with Spyware. I fixed most of the malwares in here, but there are some leftovers.
What can I do to install Windows 7 in this computer? It just couldn't see my C or D drive anywhere.

 

[gregrocker]

So can you see all the drives now, including where you want to install Win7?

Due to the infection, it is strongly suggested you completely wipe any infected drive as thoroughly as possible before installing Windows 7.

Move data which needs to be saved to another HD, then scan it with Avast home free edition (use boot scan offered during install) and in safe mode with Spybot S&D. Then unplug the data drive during install.

This will completely zero out the Win7 target HD, the cleanest it can get:

boot from your Win7 DVD.

On the second screen select "Repair My Computer" then Recovery Tools list.

Open a Command Line and type these exact commands following instructions given:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (for targeted HD)
clean all
create partition primary (for OS drives, data drives may be logical)
select partition 1
assign letter=c: (or whichever letter you want to give subsequent cleaned drives)
active (only use this step on the drive where you will be installing Windows 7)
format
exit

If you are uncomfortable using DISKPART commands, there is a program like Easeus which makes a bootable CD to do this with a graphical interface: Free Download Partition Wizard

Now you can reboot into the Win7 DVD and install Win7 to the active formatted drive

Plug ethernet and select "connect to the internet during install" to get latest drivers/updates, then Custom install, Advanced drive tools, format one more time and install.

 

[SIW2]

You have to d/l the .iso separately and burn it to a cd as an image using an isoburner:

Free Download Partition Wizard