Blackout causes NTFS to RAW format - Help?

[Karsonis]

Hello everyone, I wasn't quite sure where I should post this as I did not see a subforum dedicated directly to IT issues and as I have Windows 7 on my main machine and am using a spare drive right now. Power went out and when I turned my computer back on, it wouldn't start so I removed the HDD and plugged it into test computer which was when I found it had become a RAW file system.

Alright, so basically I'm wondering how I should convert my RAW drive back into NTFS so I can use it again and I'm not interested in retrieving information as I had nothing of value on that drive, because all important stuff is on my storage drive - which is 1TB in size.

I have tried a variety of methods including.

1. Using Disk Management, even though it recognizes it and shows it as a RAW format - I am unable to format it as it gives me a "Format could not be succesfully completed" error message, also deleting and making new partitions has no effect.

2. Tried using DOS to convert it from RAW to NTFS

3. Tried using programs like PTDD Partition Table Doctor and EASUES Partition Master to rebuild the partitions, fix the Master Boot Record and then convert to either FAT32 or NTFS (if it's FAT32 I'll convert it to NTFS afterwards)

4. Tried to format from the "My Computer" window via right-clicking and selecting "Format"

5. According to TestDisk I have 0 partitions and when I do a deep search it forks of a load of read errors. :\

As far as I know, PPTD Partition Table Doctor tells me that there sector count is incorrect and that the MBR is in the the wrong section.


If you want my system specifications, Here:
Windows 7 64-bit
AMD Athlon X2 6400+ 3.2GH
6GB DDR2 RAM 667
BFG GTX 260 (216) OCX
1TB Green Cavier Western Digital
80GB Seagate Barracuda (Now in RAW format)

 

[manojgj]

try to format the drive from any of partition tools that comes with hirens boot or for live xp
http://www.hiren.info/pages/bootcd

 

[Karsonis]

Alright. I'll try and give some of these tools a try. I guess I'll post the results here.

 

[JessicaD]

Karsonis,

First, have you performed a chkdsk on the hard drive to ensure the hard drive is stable and there aren’t any bad sectors? Also, since you aren't interested in keeping your data, you could simply boot from the Windows 7 DVD, begin the process of installation and when you are presented with the option for which drive you would like to install Windows 7 to, you would simply select "more options", "format."

Should you require additional assistance and guidance, Microsoft does have an official Windows 7 Support Forum located here http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/w7itpro/ . It is supported by product specialists as well as engineers and support teams.

Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team

 

[Karsonis]

Actually yes. I have ran CHKDSK and about %75 of the disk seriously came up with "Sector XXXX is unreadable." I also tried using my Windows 7 boot disk and when I attempted to format the drive, it told me that the drive could not be formatted and gave me some form of error.

Also, I tried using the partition tools that were suggested above and it had a fruitless outcome. I do believe that my drive is officially hooped.

 

[manojgj]

then try with HDD re-generator, it may bring up drives with bad sectors some times.. it also in the bootcd..

 

[notmetoo]

Maybe a little too late to be of benefit to the original poster, so I will post this for future.

The first time it happened to me I was a total newb, I quickly learnt not to format the disk on first failure. It took me 3 days to recover the information, which was 90% corrupt.

Usually the MBR will become corrupt and windows will ask if you want to format the 'RAW' disk. If you use the free Home edition of Easeus Partition Manager (only free for 32bit) it will probably see the partition as NTFS (suprise). Do not use easeus to recover the partition it will take far too long.

Use the free utility testdisk to fix the problem disk and rebuild the MBR. less than 5 minutes later your disk will be fully functional with no change to any of the files.

Hope this helps some one.
http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk

 

[Karsonis]

I tried that program. Unfortunately... umm I don't know anything about restoring the MBR and the drive, don't know anything about cylinders, heads, or sectors so I actually found it quite difficult to use.

Also, Testdisk would just feed me with errors everytime I tried something - it would be nice if someone could write a guide on it for new comers to that program.

Anyway, my disk was hooped and I ended up tossing it out and replacing it with a larger SATA drive that I had in storage that I'm quite happy with.

 

[notmetoo]

There is sufficient documentation available on the TestDisk wiki, just scroll down the page at the link provided.

Also for future people wanting to download, if you click the box with 'Latest stable version' in it, you will be directed to the Download page.

 

[cw1242]

Just a heads up to anyone who has this problem and has stumbled across this forum. Try EASEUS data recovery wizard. I had a drive that had over 100,000 music files blip into RAW format one day and this software saved me from having to re rip all my music again.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

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