Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: wkcook on October 25, 2009, 02:22:04 PM

Title: Data Recovery on Damaged Partition
Post by: wkcook on October 25, 2009, 02:22:04 PM
Hello,

I have a Seagate 500GB SATA drive that is no longer detected by my PC (Windows Vista Home Premium, SP2).  I currently have it connected via USB in an external enclosure.  It shows up in Windows explorer and Disk Manager as an NTFS partition.  I see folders but can get to none of the files.  If I attempt to use CHKDSK I get the following response:

The type of the file system is RAW.
CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives.

I ran DISKPART and when I list disks it shows up as 466GB and Online.  List Partition and List Volume also show up as follows:

DISKPART> list partition

Partition ###  Type                  Size        Offset
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Partition 0       Extended           466 GB   504 KB
Partition 1       Logical               466 GB   536 KB

DISKPART> list volume

Volume ###  Ltr  Label                 Fs      Type            Size      Status     Info
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Volume 0       E                                        DVD-ROM         0 B                   No Media
Volume 1       C                             NTFS   Partition     100 GB  Healthy    System
Volume 2       D   HP_RECOVERY   NTFS   Partition       12 GB  Healthy
* Volume 3     F   Robs Storag      NTFS   Partition     466 GB  Healthy

If I reconnect the drive internally it is not detected by the system at all.  I have tried a couple of free partition recovery programs but they don't see these partitions at all.  It is no longer under warranty so I was hoping to I could fix it on my own.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance....WKCook
Title: Re: Data Recovery on Damaged Partition
Post by: Computer_Commando on October 25, 2009, 03:21:00 PM
If there's nothing important on it (Volume #3, I assume), use Disk Manager to delete the partition, create a new one again and then format it.  Then connect it internally and do the same, if necessary.  You can also connect it internally and use the Seagate Seatools to initialize it.
Title: Re: Data Recovery on Damaged Partition
Post by: dahlarbear on October 25, 2009, 11:04:31 PM
There are third party software programs you can try.  I don't have enough experience to walk you through this, but there are some good "free" programs you can use from within Windows.  Two I've played with and believe to be quality products are:

     a.  TestDisk (http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk).  There's Windows version download link here (http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk_Download).
     b.  Recuva (http://www.piriform.com/recuva).  Pick up either the "portable" or "slim" version from special builds page (http://www.piriform.com/recuva/builds) to avoid any "optional" toolbar installation.

There's a companion program to TestDisk that was just recommended by someone else to recover data.  I haven't personally played with it, but I'm sure it's also worth a look:
     c.  PhotoRec (http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec).  There's Windows version download link here (http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk_Download).

Take your time and work your way through the documentation/tutorials they provide.
Title: Re: Data Recovery on Damaged Partition
Post by: wkcook on October 30, 2009, 06:05:39 PM
Thanks for the response.  I will give these a try.  I tried one other program without any luck...But may one of these will work.  I will let you know.

Thanks Again . . . . WKCook
Title: Re: Data Recovery on Damaged Partition
Post by: wkcook on October 30, 2009, 06:12:23 PM
Sorry...I forgot to mention that, Yes, there is data I need to recover if possible.  It is my son's hard drive and of course he doesn't believe in back-ups.  I hope to recover it (mostly school work) but if I can't then it will be a good "lesson learned".

WKCook
Title: Re: Data Recovery on Damaged Partition
Post by: Geek-9pm on October 30, 2009, 06:29:51 PM
Sorry...I forgot to mention that, Yes, there is data I need to recover if possible.  It is my son's hard drive and of course he doesn't believe in back-ups.  I hope to recover it (mostly school work) but if I can't then it will be a good "lesson learned".

WKCook
I would disagree.
IMO ,
No backup. No recovery. That's life.   >:(