partition lost 1

[b1]

I have a two-partition 20gb hdd. While loading camcorder software (ArcSoft), one of the partitions disappeared. The partition with all my applications remains (c. The partition with most of my documents (dcan not be seen in Windows. Only when I'm in DOS under fdsk, view partitions, can I see the missing partition. I loaded Partition Magic 7.0, but I can't open it in Windows. Is there any way to restore the lost partition?

 

[Snickle]

Does the camcorder require a drive letter? You may have to go into Device Manager and change it to one not used by the partition or CD, or it may be in the ArcSoft software.

In the grand scheme of the BIOS, it assigns drive letters to first partition on hard drives first, other partitions next. Doesn't need to assign one for the CD unless making it a boot drive. The camcorder won't be assigned a drive letter in the BIOS but it may be taking the partition letter when in Windows.

Shouldn't be a problem to move the drive letter up to G or H, I've done it with Zip drives and CDs to make room for future hard drive/partitions. Just remember what you set it at

 

[b1]

Thanks for the reply, but the problem is a little more complicated than simply moving drive letters. I'm missing 17gb of HD storage space once assigned to drive (d. Drive (d is now assigned to my Zip and the 17gb are nowhere to be found in Windows. I'm trying to get those 17gb back in Windows without having to reformat the HD. Can anyone help?

 

[mainegeek]

I concur with Berton. If you look in device manager
under Disk Drive, Generic IDE Disk,properties,settings,you will probably see that the current 'drive letter assignment' is C,D

If so, you need to re-assign the drive letter for your Zip to E. Your camera will take F and the drive letter F will probably disappear and re-appear each time you power
your camera on and off.

 

[b1]

In reference to mainegeek's suggestion to check device manager's Generic IDE Disk settings, the current drive letter assignment is C, no D. Also, I uninstalled the camcorder software immediately after this problem occurred, so I don't think the camera is a factor at this point. Thanks for your help. Any other suggestions?

 

[edfair]

You can see it in DOS? What version? Have you done anything with the windows that would have changed the version?
There are media descriptor issues between different versions of windows that cause partitions to disappear.
Also, would you describe the two partitions that fdisk can see? And when you run fdisk, does it ask if you want to get logical drive information? Ed Fair
unixstuff@juno.com
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[AustinPowers]

Hi Friend,

It seems the Zip drive is the culprit.... I recall having similar problem with losing drive partition when Zip drive was installed. First try disconnecting it or uninstall Zip driver and load Windows normally. If partition came back, download latest Zip driver and install it. New version is more intelligent when it comes to assigning drive ID.

Good luck!
AP

 

[b1]

Hi again. In answer to edfair, there was nothing done to change version of Windows; fdisk describes partitions as follows: (first line) [partition]C: 1, [status]A, [type]PRI DOS, [Volume Label]blank, [Mbytes]2047, [System]FAT32, [Usage]11%. (second line) [Partition]'no letter' 2, [Status]blank, [Type]EXT DOS, [Volume Label]blank, [Mbytes]17053, [System]blank, [Usage]89%. As for logical drive info, only provides options to create or delete. Hope this helps.

To austinpowers, I had already disconnected Zip, now uninstalled driver as well. Still no joy. Don't give up yet guys. I need you!

 

[jmatt]

You may need 1 of these .

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What Drive Rescue can NOT do for you:

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------------------------------

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Files accidentally deleted or any data from a formated hard disk, Zip, Jaz or floppy disk, can
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---------------------------------------

http://dos.li5.org/downloads/rec.htm

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I have never seen ANYTHING like this particular freeware device driver. While only weighing in
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drive for lost partitions, it then assigns read-only drive letters to them to allow you to
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