'Invalid Partition Table' error

Booted up my laptop this morning and got this error stating 'invalid partition table.' Won't let me any farther into the system and I have some files I need to get off there... other than that I don't mind reinstalling my OS.

Any ideas how to get these files off there with my laptop in this state?

Thanks.

 

Well the first thing I would suggest is to try booting with a Linux Live CD and see whether you can access and copy the data on the hdd in question (can backup to a usb stick). This is by far the easiest method IF it works.

The one below is one that I have been trying out recently and seems much easier to fathom out than others I have tried.

http://www.puppylinux.com/

I had issues with the latest build but using v4.1 retro worked for me. Make sure your bios is set as optical for the first boot.

'invalid partition table' errors are tricky to rectify as these in effect index info on your disk. There are several way to correct, mbr /fix is possibly one that could be tried but NOT before other action has been taken.

There are also progs out eg partition doctor which can try to correct issue.

http://www.ptdd.com/

You could also try manually zeroing the mbr and try to rebuild it. Not difficult but harrowing. Use MBRwork to zero and BiNG to rebuild partition(s) on disk. I would equally place this option lower down my action list.

The only thing I would say with this type of prob is that patience is a virtue.

PS. mbr / partition tables can also become corrupted due to virus attacks. With this in mind head down to Avira and download the 'rescue disk' (bootable iso) which will check your pc.

PPS. It is a good idea to make a copy of your mbr(s) just in case. This can be done with MBRwork.

Good Luck