[SOLVED] Unable to detect or restore lost partition

[eszed556]

Hello,

I had a fully functioning 1TB Seagate Sata drive with 1 partition. After plugging it into an external USB kit to access some files, Windows 7 stopped recognizing it and asked for a format. The same happened when I connected it directly to the board. My guess is that the enclosure was faulty (as is the case often).

I have managed to recover all my data through Test Disk so I'm relieved.

The issue is that of the 1TB, I have only managed to find and recover a 125GB partition (I did not have a partition this size) through Partition Find and Mount.

I can see the drive in BIOS and Speedfan and other HDD utilities. Though I can see it in Computer Management, I cannot do anything to initialize it - only options available are Convert to Basic and GPT Disk which do nothing. According to Test Disk, the MFT and MFT mirror are bad and can't repair.

Is there anything I can do to regain access? It was a relatively new drive. I am at ease since I have salvaged my data, but I'd like to regain use of it if possible.

Thanks for reading.

 

[thejackal85]

Sounds like a partition was hidden or is not enabled. There is a program I use Paragon Partition Manager, they have a freeware version that will fix you right up.

 

[eszed556]

thejackal85, thanks. Soon after posting I did just that except with MiniTool Partition Wizard.
I remember using it a few years ago for addressing a similar problem.

After applying changes and rebooting, the Seagate drive showed up as a whole 931GB (effective space). I am currently running a detailed check disk for safe measure and I will revert once done.

 

[thejackal85]

Nice!! Don't forget to select best answer!

 

[eszed556]

The hard drive is operational again. MiniTool Partition Wizard did the trick.
Thanks.