Lost Windows XP

[CBSk]

I am using Windows XP Pro w SP3 on single hard disk. Yesterday I shutdown the windows properly.

But Today, after turning the system on, the error message "Error loading operating system" displayed on the screen.

When I go to repair the windows using Windows CD it does not detect my old OS.

So I prefer fresh installation of windows. During installation setup shows C drive as unformatted drive. Other drives are listed as correct including Volume name.

Come to the point,

I don't delete the C drive or touch the hard disk partitions in earlier. I don't know how C drive comes become a unformatted drive.

These same problem also occurred in my friend system in past.
On both systems windows re-installed with data loss.

Can anyone know the reason of this problem? Share your idea with me.

[reddevilggg]

Did you check all your cable connections, connecting the motherboard and the hard drive?

[CBSk]

@reddevilggg: I am able to access every drive data from hard disk except C (Windows)  drive.
@joedavis: Windows has gone from C drive completely. Now that is unformatted drive like a drive after partition. So windows diagnostics not possible.

Thank you reddevilggg and joedavis. I think you are not correctly understand my problem and question.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

It sounds like the partition is corrupted. Try JoeDavis' suggestion and run SFC.

[x2543]

perhaps CBSk is posting from another working computer but I don't know ....

[CBSk]

It sounds like the partition is corrupted. Try JoeDavis' suggestion and run SFC.

As per my knowledge, without operating system we can't go to Safe mode with Command Prompt or System Restore through F8.

If you don't have XP or anything on the C Drive, How do you get on the internet?

I am write this message from internet cafe like x2543 said.

Did  you try the safe mode?

 

In previous question, you said

If you don't have XP or anything on the C Drive,

if there is no XP how the safe mode is possible? I don't know. If you know please tell me.


Anyway Thanks to ALL. Now I will go to Re-install the Windows.

[x2543]

i am wondering if you got 2nd pc, and you can slave the hard drive there? If it can read the files if any still exist, you can try to salvage all you got there before all is lost if you got important files on.

I haven't yet heard of how a hard drive becomes an unformatted drive without you having deleted drive somehow (like through windows setup cd) but I don't know what's going on....

[Karnac]

-Boot from your windows xp installation disk
-when its done loading press "r"
-you should now be at a black screen that looks like the command prompt
-type "fixboot"
-press enter
-restart

[CBSk]

i am wondering if you got 2nd pc, and you can slave the hard drive there? If it can read the files if any still exist, you can try to salvage all you got there before all is lost if you got important files on.

Internet Cafe owner(s) not allow me to do that.

I haven't yet heard of how a hard drive becomes an unformatted drive without you having deleted drive somehow (like through windows setup cd) but I don't know what's going on....

Same question on my mind. I don't know how is possible. That may be a Virus Work.

-Boot from your windows xp installation disk
-when its done loading press "r"
-you should now be at a black screen that looks like the command prompt
-type "fixboot"
-press enter
-restart

Not working for me.

[Karnac]

Have a look at this......

http://askbobrankin.com/fix_mbr.html


Might be worth a go.

[CBSk]

Have a look at this......

http://askbobrankin.com/fix_mbr.html


Might be worth a go.

@Karnac: Thank You. Really good. I forget to "fixmbr" instead of "fixboot" command.
But My Bad. Before seeing and trying this, Fresh windows installation was completed.