XP Bootfix formats HDD ?!

[gorgos]

Hello, I think I did something stupid. I hope you can help me. :/

I wanted to remove my old HDD and I dont know why but I think part of the Windows 7 boot system was on it. So when I removed it, I couldn't boot anymore. I looked for my Windows 7 DVD, but only found the XP CD and tried to fix the MBR with that. However I tried 'fixmbr' and 'bootfix' and ended up with my HDD being formatted.

Now I found my Windows 7 DVD, but its too late. It shows that the HDD is formatted. I also tried putting the HDD in another PC with XP, but there its the same way. I really need the data on it. There is probably a way to make it undone?

Please help me, I am frustrated right now.

Thank you! - gorgos

 

[zigzag3143]

Hello, I think I did something stupid. I hope you can help me. :/

I wanted to remove my old HDD and I dont know why but I think part of the Windows 7 boot system was on it. So when I removed it, I couldn't boot anymore. I looked for my Windows 7 DVD, but only found the XP CD and tried to fix the MBR with that. However I tried 'fixmbr' and 'bootfix' and ended up with my HDD being formatted.

Now I found my Windows 7 DVD, but its too late. It shows that the HDD is formatted. I also tried putting the HDD in another PC with XP, but there its the same way. I really need the data on it. There is probably a way to make it undone?

Please help me, I am frustrated right now.

Thank you! - gorgos

Boot from the win 7 DVD (not restore dvd) do a repair install. It shouldnt bother your data. If that doesnt work your options are limited

 

[theog]

You can try app.
Recuva - Undelete, Unerase, File and Disk Recovery - Free Download

Is your Win 7 PC booting?

 

[gorgos]

Alright, I guess I have to do a repair install. Luckily I made a 50GB backup with the Windows 7 tool some days ago, lets just hope it works...

@zigzag Do you really think it wont affect my data?

 

[theog]

Try repair install first.
The Win 7 backup will overwrite your data.
Do you backup both drives?

 

[gorgos]

Wait, how should I make a repair install if the HDD Windows 7 was installed on is formatted? Or at least Windows shows no more partitions.

 

[gregrocker]

Correct, you cannot perform a repair install without booting into Win7 OS.

I would scan the HD with Paragon Rescue Kit CD, which will attempt to recover the partition if it is possible. Then it can scan for any data and allow you to copy it over if it is intact.

Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition - Free Download

 

[gorgos]

I dont have to do that. The important files I have already backed up. So I guess I must install Windows 7 now and after that I can restore my backup?

 

[SIW2]

You can't do a repair install unless you can boot into windows.

If you used the commands you specified, the data should be on the disk .

How do you mean you have to do a reinstall?

You will probably be able to reinstate the partition fully intact.

Download this - it's free and burns itself to cd Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition - Free Download

Boot the cd , Select Normal Mode >Partition undelete


If that doesn't do it,

Try the partition recovery on the PW boot disc.

Free PW Bootable CD allows user to boot computer directly ...

Boot the cd, click the Disk at the top of PW main window to select it.

Click partition recovery in left pane. Do a quick scan of the HD .

Tick ALL partitions you want to keep, APPLY.

It is very likely they will recover the partition - a lot quicker and easier than a reinstall. They are both very useful boot discs to have .

Alright, I guess I have to do a repair install. Luckily I made a 50GB backup with the Windows 7 tool some days ago, lets just hope it works...

@zigzag Do you really think it wont affect my data?

 

[gorgos]

Thank you, I will try it your way.

 

[SIW2]

After you have undeleted the partition , run startup repair from the 7 dvd.

 

[gorgos]

I have my partition back.

However the startup repair hasnt worked. It runs without errors, tells me to reboot and I end up with "Insert system disk and press Enter."

In the console I tried bootrec /rebuildbcd -> yes -> element not found
diskpart -> select disk 0 -> select part 1 -> active -> partition type is invalid for this process

Edit: The log of startup repair says the error is that the partition table does not contain a valid system partition -> fix: repair partition table

Edit2: Ok, looks like the problem is that its a logical partition. How can i make it primary? Copy data, delete partition, create new primary partition and copy data back?

 

[SIW2]

You can use a partition manager to convert logical >primary without data loss.

Do you have one the great Paragon special edition giveaways they often do ?

If not , you can use Partition Wizard - you need V4.2 here post 34

Easy instructions here - it only takes a few seconds :

http://www.partitionwizard.com/video-help/diskconvertdynamic/diskconvertdynamic.html


Or , you could do this , but it takes a very long time if you have a lot of data :

Edit2: Ok, looks like the problem is that its a logical partition. How can i make it primary? Copy data, delete partition, create new primary partition and copy data back?

 

[gorgos]

Thank you for your help. It worked. Back to normal.

 

[SIW2]

Great - glad to hear it.