Hard Drive Issue

I recently began having issues with a hard drive I use as a slave to store music, pictures, etc. I have been using it for several months without a problem. All of a sudden, I can't read what is on it. I can "see" the drive in my directory but if I try to open it (in explore) it tells me that it is not formatted. If I try to open it in My Computer, I still can see it but it crashes the My Computer Window (locks up and I have to use task manager to stop it). I have several folder in it, so I can see the plus to open in Explore, but just tells me its not formatted. I rebooted in safe mode and was able to look at it and access the files without a problem. 2 questions: how can I begin to resolve this? And secondly how do I reboot in safe mode WITH the DVD writer working so that I can quickly back up before I lose all the data altogether? I might add that the computer sounds sluggish and takes a long time to boot up (when this started) I run several spybot programs, firewall and AV and check regularly. I also have Diskeeper and defrag to stay healthy all the time. Any help is appreciated. Thanks
L

 

Try booting using the XP CD and running the Recovery Console. Fixmbr is what you are looking for.

Sorry I don't have XP here so I can't be more specific.

 

Corporal Y, what am I recovering? Do I need to simply stick the XP CD in and it will reboot from there? Or do I need to configure so that I tell it to boot from the CD Drive? Thanksfor the quick reply.
L

 

Put the XP CD in and reboot and it should reboot from there yes.

At the "Welcome to Setup" screen, press F10 or press 'R" to repair.

In fact go to http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314058 for a more detailed description.

 

now I really have a problem! I did the recommended chk dsk rebooted and now the computer just recycles, over and over, like it cant find the OS to kick up? What now, and help appreciated.
L

 

First question then is: Did you use any switches when you used chkdsk ie chkdsk /f

Second question : Does it still boot to Safe Mode?

 

I only used chkdsk with no switch. and no it doesnt boot into safe mode. i have rebooted using the installation disk (XP CD) and recovery (repair) I did a chkdsk there, rebooted, got a little further but now tells me I lost the hal.dll file. did my research, tried the bootcfg/list said ther was no list. did the bootcfg/rebuild and told me it couldnt because files are corrupt and to run chkdsk, ran it again until it found no errors. exit, reboot and same thing just recycles over and over. Im thinking i have to reinstall at this point, Im trying to find out now if there is ANY way to salvage any of my data. I backed up most of it but do so monthly and this happened just before I wa to backup the latest. Any suggestions before I re-install are appreciated.

 

Sounds like you are screwed, but if ALL else fails, do a fresh install of windows but leave the file system intact, it will reinstall over the old windows and your data will be safe.

I sugest taking that drive and if you have another computer around setting the drive as a slave taking the info off of it, and placing them somewhere else for safe keeping, such as a backup drive, or another media.
good luck

 

You might read this.

http://forums.windowsforum.org/lofiversion/index.php/t10374.html

I'd be most inclined to try the following, in this order:

fixboot
bootcfg /rebuild

I'd disconnect the slave now for the time being. With no guarantees that either hdd is marked active at this point, I'd want to leave only one hdd for it to use, and that would be the one with the windows install.

 

I am a man of honesty and directness and simply expect the same! I want to thank each of you for your assistance and especially Private First Class Sunscreen, who gave it to me straight and without hesitation! I indeed was screwed and instead of wasting anymore time and effort, accepted by screwed state, re-installed windows and here I am back again and fully charged, working perfectly (actually better) and ready to roll! Thanks
L

 

And did you manage to save your data?

 

Well if you didn't take all my advise you lost data you could have saved. did you do the install and leave file system intact ? do you still have problems with the slave disk ?

 

I did take your advice, I left the file system intact. I was able to save some data. I was more worried about the slave drive as it had ALL the data. To my wonderful surprise it was all there. The slave drive is working perfectly. So far so good, and Oh so fast! Questions: Some of the files that stayed, some work and others dont, when I execute them. Why? Also what do u all recommend to image my disk, just in case. Norton Ghost? or is there something better. Soe of my files that work, are requesting a serial nbr for activation (key) Some I lost, would the registry have any of them still avail? Thanks
L