HDD not recognized by WinXP

[Crazyness003]

hi, no small talk please.
Some time ago, me and my bro decided to put 2 HDD on the computer. On one (Maxtor 92720U8) we installed WinXp and all other apps, no personal files. On the other (Seagate ST380013A) we pulled it off a previously older computer and put it in this one wilth all personal files, and few apps. No windows on this one.
The kicker---After installing Symantek Norton SystemWorks, and Norton GoBack, and restarting the comp, Windows woldn't load and a black black, dos-like screen appeared with a white "command" line that did nothing but blick for eternity. We unhoocked the Seagate HD and restarted it again and all was normal, except we had no way af accessing our info. So we thought it was goBack's fault, tried to uninstall it, but we couldn't. So we just re-formatted the Maxtor HD and reinstalled WinXP on it. Then hoocked up the Seagate HD. It said that "new hardware installed" but we still couldnt access it. The bios sees it, even the windows device manager sees it. but we cannot access it.
So we called Microsoft and told them the prob. They concluded the partition on the Seagate had collapsed and all hope of recovering the data was lost. I with that was not true .

If anyone can realize this with I would Greatly Appreciate it. I have 5 years worth of info on that HD. any suggestions, post them here or e-mail me:
soul_of_satan003@yahoo.com

***Also if there is a way to back up the HDD on DVD's or CD's in the current state of crazyness, that would help aswell. As long as i keep the data, I don't care about the HDD.

Thanks.

[s7p9a2m4]

The seagate was functioning well on the old computer? You have master/slave settings correct? Did you try another cable? Did you encrypt, archive, or password protect data on the seagate?

I find it hard to believe the partition "collapsed".

Recheck your connections and try another hard drive cable if you can.

Get back to us.

[overload]

Microsoft is probably right in saying the partition collapsed, however your data is most likely still there.
There is software that can help you recover your info. Such as (my personal favorite) Runtime's GetDataBack. You can download an evaluation version here. Install it on the drive that has windows on it. and run it. It's quite simple to use. It should tell you if there is anything recoverable. Only catch is, to copy the info over to some other place, you have to buy it. But at least you'll know beforehand if it is recoverable.

Hope this helps.

[Crazyness003]

I tried the cable thing, nothing happened. The connections are all good. Thanx s7p9a2m4. Whatever that menas.

As for the "GetDataBack" thing, i ran it, and all of my files are intact, unfortunately as you said, you have to buy it. And it's not that cheap too $79. Would you happen to know where i could find a free-er one, that can get the job done? Sorry to hassel anyone, But thanx fot the help.

Later

[thedon57]

i no its sounds stupid you did make one master and one slave?.

[Crazyness003]

Dude, cut me some credit. One is primary master (Maxtor), the other is secondary slave (Seagate). All jumpers are in order, all cables are connected all power is right. It's just WinXP that won't let me access files on the Seagate.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[overload]

You might want to try this
Haven't tried it myself, but at least its Free, or so it claims.

[thedon57]

have you tried my computer? go to my computer right click, click manage,that will take you to disk management. try that way only in your post you have noe mentioned trying that,

[Crazyness003]

Originally Posted by overload

You might want to try this
Haven't tried it myself, but at least its Free, or so it claims.

I tried the thing, but it is very "not working." It takes a long time to scan, when it does find the files and you try to copy them, the program stops responding, or there is an error message of some sort. And when you go to do it again you have to scaaaaan again. , its crap!

I'm still stuck with having to use GetDataBack. Well that's what i'm gonna have to use. I'll give it one more week. I'm still looking for cheaper/free-er software.

Thanx again man.

[Crazyness003]

Originally Posted by thedon57

have you tried my computer? go to my computer right click, click manage,that will take you to disk management. try that way only in your post you have noe mentioned trying that,

I did mention Windows doesn't recognize the hard drive. Plus doing that, it only tells me that there is a drive, but without a drive letter. So there is still no way of accessing it. All it tells me that 70.whatever gigs are present.

Thanx again...

[thedon57]

Hi to add a drive letter :
go back to disk management right click and change drive letter and paths.
click ADD
Select an available drive letter from the Assign The Following Drive List and then click ok.

Click OK to close the change drive letter and paths dialog box.

That is what i have found on the above in a manuel from microsoft.
That someone give me.

Hope it works.

[Crazyness003]

Originally Posted by thedon57

Hi to add a drive letter :
go back to disk management right click and change drive letter and paths.
click ADD
Select an available drive letter from the Assign The Following Drive List and then click ok.

Click OK to close the change drive letter and paths dialog box.

That is what i have found on the above in a manuel from microsoft.
That someone give me.

Hope it works.

I tried that Diskmanagement thingy, i thought it would work but to no avail, that particular command "change drive letter and paths" was greyed out and un-selectable . WTF

Oh man I thought that did it! Damn.

Hey if you know a way around that than i will be happy to hear it, because i think that is where it'll work. The loophole is near!

So close.....

Thanx again man

[TopFarmer]

If the problem is the partition information is wrong in either the Partition Table or Volume Boot Record you can use TESTDISK-free-
http://www.cgsecurity.org/index.html?testdisk.html

I have not used the XP version only the dos version. The dos version will work. Be sure to read the How to Use section.