Except, the message he's getting is not about "required device is inaccessible", but instead a disk read error.

One thing I see now is that the type of partition 5 has been changed to 7 (HPFS/NTFS/exFAT) from its original 83 (Linux). I suppose Windows XP could be getting confused by that. But I also cannot see why the Mint 18.3 "Disks" tool is refusing to delete partitions. When I run a Mint 18.3 VM with a virtual disk partitioned in exactly that way, the Disks tool deletes partitions just fine.

Is this old 80GB disk now failing? What does "smartctl -A /dev/sda" report?

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this isn't fixed yet? I keep getting emails ...

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Yes I used Mint GUI 'Disks' to re-format partition 5 to NTFS before I did the 'force sfdisk' to read new corrected partition data. After doing the re-format Windows did recognize that partition as a data drive and was running ok then.

No I am sure the disk is not failing.. (but will check) should I try to use force sfdisk once more to return the partition sizes to what Windows saw when last working.. I assume I can re-create the sfdisk output from the screenshots and tell it to read it back then change the disk ID if it needs it..

Thanks so much.. its a learning experience..

When I used 'sudo sfdisk --force /dev/sda </tmp/parts' the output said..

"Created a new partition 1 of type 'HPFS/NTFSexFAT' and of size 19.5 GiB."

By creating a new partition 1 (Windows XP boot) albeit exactly the same as what was there.. does that mean however it also created a new blank FAT..?

no, there will be no filesystem created, there will be no FAT created at all.

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No, sfdisk only writes partition table entries. It doesn't alter the content of partitions. You still have to be a bit careful because an extended partition, as well as every logical partition within it, has a 512-byte extended partition header at its beginning. If you create one of those in the wrong place, it would overwrite any data that was there before.

Note that gparted does format a new filesystem if you create a partition of a type other than "empty".

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I have been told using "sfdisk --force" to re-partition a HDD with another OS on it has the possibility it may grab some free space from the end of the other OS partition and they are suggesting this is what has happened since Windows stores some stuff at the end of its partition or file system whatever.. they had that experience and I think he is right..

So I need to wipe the disk and reinstall Windows.. unless anyone has a better idea..
Since I can't delete any partitions even in the 'fixed' state I presume I just use "sudo fdisk --force /dev/sda </tmp/parts" where parts is an edited output of fdisk with all blocks in one partition.. then format NTFS with Mint GUI Disks..

No problem and thanks for your patience and all the help..

It appears using a Linux bootstick to force a partition table re-write did some damage to the Windows XP installation (more than just changing the disk ID).. Trying to fix a broken Windows boot from Linux did not work.. I then found (as advise) from Windows install CD I could access tools (under R-epair an installation) like FIXBOOT and FIXMBR and a simple PARTITION tool I could have just deleted the bad partitions (as advised).. but after Linux attempt to fix the partitions even Windows tools could not restore the installation.. So I used the Windows install disc to re-partition the whole drive to start again..

Now I am trying to 'activate' my Windows XP installation.. but it won't recognize the original Activation Key.. Microsoft direct me to [https://www.magnamsoft.com/Windows-Help-Support/] and they have a phone number etc.. and a chat line.. but so far I can't connect my new Windows XP to their tech guy/function..

My question is: Is this all the normal way to go now to activate an old Windows XP installation.. anything doggy to watch out for here..

does that still have one of them Windows stickers on it that give your the number, for whatever versions Windows has, and as far as going through windows help line, nothing shady about that. If you really really need windows xp, you probally get it really really cheap on line like, eBay, even amazon might have it.

Microsoft Windows XP Professional Version 2002 w/Product Key New
$25 bucks
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-W...AAAOSwiQ9ZT40l

the big lesson here is when you're dealing with Windows use Windows, not linux, I even suggested that. I hope you get it worked out alright.

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A faulty drive seems unlikely to have caused this overlapping issue. It can be going bad and you should use the OEM diags to test or universal tests. At least use smarttools.

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Yes I have the original Windows XP with the product code sticker..

If I can't get the codes to activate is there a way to bypass the activation thing..?

How does Windows confirm its date of installation..?

If I buy a new Windows XP I think I am going to end up with the same problem.. since I have all the official product numbers I need..

wonders if that is because of it no longer being supported so they did something to it to try and force the consumer into buying something else of theirs instead.

if you had you PM turn on then I could suggest something.

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Doubt you will have an issue if you have an original builders or full copy of XP and the COA key. I think I moved it a few times. Had to call MS on one and told them the reason.

Not sure what you'd get on auction sites. They used to sell ton's of Dell disc's that were missing drivers.

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Do I have to turn on vCard downloads for anyone to get my email address..? Or does PM mean Private Messaging..?

Private Messaging, so I don't give away my email address.