c:\windows missing in Recovery Console

Dell Precision 390 computer.

daughter turned off comp w/o shutting down. Next day get hal.dll missing error.

Comp was installed with 2 partitions, a system restore partition (D and windows (c.

Per advice from other forums, I went into XP Recovery Console (R) and started to go through the process. However, I only had 1 choice of installation to select: C:/Minint. C:\windows was not an option. Since I was not really sure what Minint was and because I could not see any of my Windows folders, I decided not to do anything in Recovery Console.

I loaded UCBD and i was able to see 2 partitions on my 80GB drive a 3.9GB partition NTSF and 74.1GB unallocated partition (which used to be my windows folders).

Now I've been messing around with a bunch of different programs on UCBD and Hiren's Boot Disk, but I'm not able to see any of my Windows folders.

At this point I've gone from a Repair mindset to a Recover Data mindset. I just want to get c:\windows back and get my data.

on top of that, hal.dll error is gone but replaced with NTLDR missing error. I've not been able to fix that either.

Thoughts? HELP?

 

Two programs to try:

If you have important data to save then I would try MiniTools PowerDataRecovery (It is free for home use--you don't have to pay anything to recover your files so don't upgrade). Install on a working computer and burn the Recovery Media to CD then boot from that CD in your 390 and copy the data to USB stick or external drive.

A simpler solution if nothing absolutely invaluable would be to try their Partition Wizard CD. Try to recover the lost partition by using the partition recovery option. It will scan the disc for lost partitions and give you a list. If it lists a 74gb NTFS partition with approximately the correct amount of used space you can go ahead and let it restore that partition as well as the 3.9gb one (You want to check boxes for all partition in the list not just the lost one). http://www.partitionwizard.com/help/partition-recovery.html Edit: I see when it gives you the list of partitions you find you can double click any of them to see the list of files it contains. So if it finds a 74gb partition you can double click it to make sure it has your files. Then you can choose to recover it and make sure to hit the Apply button in the main window, if available, before exiting the program to proceed with the recovery.

I've had good luck with partition wizard. I've never had to use powerdatarecovery for a truly lost partition but many others on the forum have had good results.

 

Awesome! I will try these when I get home tonight. I think partition Wizard was on the Hiren's disk, but maybe it was one of the ones that didn't load or get copied correctly...will definitely try them both and let you know. THANKS!