Computer problem PC

[eriksat1]

I can get into my computer disc management but I don't know what to do from there. The new hard drive is showing up as E : but before when I insert a zip drive into the usb port it also shows up as E Maybe I need to change the drive name to G ?

[Tupelo]

Here is a screen shot of my computer (Windows 7 - but tool is the same). I don't have multiple drives, but right clicked on my CD drive so you could see (Attached).

Make sure you select the right drive.

Capture 1 -> Shows the online status I mentioned. Your root drive (assuming C will show as online. Curious if the second drive you have plugged in, also shows online. If not, when you right click on it, may have an option to bring it online.

[eriksat1]

Here is a screen shot of the disc manager. It seems ok I don't know why I can't open any files on it. Ok I noticed the free space on it??? Looks like everything on it has been deleted?? I'm not going to spend money on it but there were some files I would like to try and recover. Can a power surge from a bad lightening storm Format your c : drive?? Or what was my c : drive.

[JAY221]

I think Maxtor is now Seagate. If so, I have had very good luck with the Seatools For Windows download off of the internet as far as fixing failing drives. It couldn't hurt at this point. They also have a Seatools For Dos that you burn an image to a cd & then use it to boot & repair a drive. All for free off of their website. Later, Jay

[Tupelo]

Looking at the screen shot you sent, everything looks fine -> except under File System.

Your main drive is showing NTFS. The one you attached is showing nothing.

This link might help -> http://www.easeus.com/resource/raw-f...y-software.htm. I have never used the software myself, but it might be able to recover what you need, off the drive (Assuming it is in RAW format). It is a paid for software but they do allow a 15 day trial. Even if it does not let you recover (I am thinking it may not in Trial Mode) it might at least tell you if there is anything worth recovering...or if it can be accessed.

NOTE: Not recommending this either, but a little known fact is that formatting a drive does not really destroy the data on the drive. You could format it, and then purchase a hard drive data recovery program. Again you are into money. I recommended that to my next door neighbour when he accidentially (after not listening to the instructions he was given) deleted a partition on his main drive...and all his pictures. He was able to recover 99% of it. Can't remember what program he used, but most of them also allow you to trial - just google. BUT - this should only be done as a last resort.

[Tupelo]

Forgot to mention - it may indicate a hardware failure (Firmware) on the HD itself (RE: lightning storm). If that is the case, there won't be much you can do.

Here is something you can try safely..it will sound weird, but it sometimes works. Take it out of the computer, put it in a zip lock bag (or a anti-static bag if you have one) and stick it in the freezer overnight. Then plug it back into the PC (directly from the freezer) and see if it changes anything.

This is usually done for hardware faults (i.e. won't spin up, etc.). Might work...certainly won't hurt.

[Apple Guy]

Originally Posted by eriksat1

I can get into my computer disc management but I don't know what to do from there. The new hard drive is showing up as E : but before when I insert a zip drive into the usb port it also shows up as E Maybe I need to change the drive name to G ?

Start menu>computer>hard drive in question with a right click > Properties > tools > error checking > check only "scan for and attempt to recover bad blocks. Then next run only "automatically fix file system errors."

If you REALLY want to get this data and spending $90 with a bit of a gamble it might not work, but very well could. Buy and run SpinRite from Gibson Research from my link at the beginning of this thread. Doing the recover bad blocks and fix system error that I suggested in this post may work, but SpinRite is one of the best recovery programs out there. Far far more advanced then the Microsoft's built in fix-it program. They are both a gamble, but if you run the Microsoft one I think it could screw up what SpinRite could do. But, if there is limited value in the data on the disk, just run Microsoft's error correction.

.

[REW]

Erik,
Another thing that would be a good idea - is to run check disk on the suspect drive. You may have hatched one or more tracks on the drive that is preventing access to the rest of the drive.

With your drive plugged in as drive E. go to the disk manager and select and run Check Disk on drive E only.

Good luck
REW

[eriksat1]

I booted up the computer this morning and all of a sudden now look what it says in disc managment for the E drive, looks like my stuff is back and NTFS. I am going to see if my files are back and save them to C.

[Tupelo]

Cool...love when that happens.