Unknown Partition Type

I have a 20GB hard drive with windows 98 se loaded. It also has Go Back loaded. So every time I boot the computer, Go back starts first, then windows kicks in. Well, recently Go back seems to be locking up, so windows can't start. I restarted the computer with a windows 98 startup disk to get to a "C:" prompt. The disk indicated that there was no hard drive. I ran FDISK to see. FDISK indicated that there was a hard drive but it had an unknown partition type. I NEED the data on this drive! Is there anyway I can get to the data? Can I change the partition type to fat32 without losing the data? Is there a utility I can use?

Thanks
Ray

 

It's been a while since I've used 98 (SE?)

Boot with the floppy and go to your a: drive, then type in dir and press enter.

Somewhere in there are scandisk and utilities that may help.

 

Are you getting the GoBack boot screen? If so, when it comes up press the Spacebar then select Disable GoBack by either using the D hot key via the keyboard or by using the mouse to click the Disable button.

Steve

 

Yes I get the GoBack boot screen, but if I hit th space bar, it says,
"Please Wait...."
And then does nothing. I let it sit there over night, and it still did nothing. Any other suggestions on how to disable GoBack?

 

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPOR...od=Norton GoBack&ver=3.6&csm=no&seg=hho&tpre=

 

Disabling GoBack won't fix the partition though. Its been converted to a type 44 partition. If you cannot get Windows to see it (assuming you get it booting), you'll need to use a partition editor to fix the filesystem.

 

I am looking at the Symantec web site. If I can get GoBack disabled, what would be a good partition editor to use to fix the filesystem?

 

ptedit.

You need to change the partition table type from 44 to 0B. Thats a zero, by the way.
This assumes you had a fat32 primary partition.

Of course, its at your own risk.

 

Ok, I see......but what utility should I use to do this?

 

ptedit!

 

Thanks, but what is the full name? I'm looking for ptedit and can't find it. Is it on this site?

Thanks

 

ptedit32. Symantec recently dropped it from their ftp site.

http://www.geocities.com/thestarman3/tool/FreeTools.html

You can find it here.

 

I remember Adrynalyne and I had this conversation about Go Back (the one where you were hitting me ) a while ago.

What I don't understand is why can't Symantec or Gateway issue a patch?

 

Perhaps because they don't support it anymore. Just a guess.

 

Symantec do.

I've installed the latest version on dozens of newbees PC's and have yet to see this error.

 

A thread where I was hitting you. There are so many...got a URL?

 

GoBack is great, until it breaks. IMHO, the program is reckless in how it converts your damn partition to do its job. There has to be a better way.

 

LOL!!!

Adrynalyne, I want to pick your brain? (or what's left of it )

Have you, in your experience, heard of this in the latest versions of GoBack?

 

Negatory. I only know how to clean up the mess it makes of a partition.



Usually, its an old version, from 9x.

 

And now I do too, thanks!

 

To be more specific, I've usually dealt with this with people who had it in 98 or ME, then upgraded to XP and wonder wtf happened to their hard drive.

 

Ah, does it have something to do with NTFS I wonder?

Upgrading is hardly ever a good option anyway at the best of times.

 

Adrynalyne,

You are a genius!!! The PTEDIT32 program worked GREAT!! It fixed the partition and all the data is still there!! I can't thank you enough!!

Thanks Again
Ray

 

Very nice job Adrynalyne. I always learn something when I follow you around.

Steve

 

Yeah, me too, like stay at least 15 Metres back from his behind.

 

Pffft.

In regards to be it being an NTFS issue, no. It doesn't discriminate. It eats NTFS and Fat32 partitions.

 

Good to hear it worked out.

Ptedit32 is cool, isn't it?

I was amazed how easy it was to fix.

 

Yeah, I just realised how silly my thought was considering XP has nothing to do with this thread.

Good 'ol GoBack! I read the Symantec link I posted, and they provide a tool to use from floppy, but this method seems simpler.

 

Thats good to know, too. I had no idea the uninstaller would convert the partition modifications in the MBR.

 

So they say. You guys I trust and this thread is proof, so I read it with some scepticism.

 

In Symantec We Trust.

Or something.

NOT!

 

They have trouble uninstalling their own cr@ppy software, so a tool to edit the MBR somehow doesn't fill me with confidence.