Hello,
I currently have Windows XP Home on my laptop with a 40gb hard drive. I wanted to install linux and so I ran the install program. I have about 35GB used on the drive. When I was in the Linux install, I tried to resize the NTFS partition using only its free space. When I hit done, it tried to format the new linux partitions, but it said something like "I don't know how to format NTFS partitions!." So, I exited the install and tried to boot windows. It showed the XP splash for about 4 seconds, then the BSOD flashed for half a second, then the computer rebooted.

I then ran the Repair mode off of the XP disk and ran Fixmbr and Fixboot. Then I rebooted, and didn't even get the splash screen. All I saw was "NTLDR is Missing."

Guys, I've done stuff with partitions and stuff before. I had mandrake 7.0 and used it for about a year, then downloaded Mandrake 9 ISO's and tried it for about a month. Then I wanted it on my laptop, so I thought I would add it on. I am only 15 years old, but I think I might have seriously corrupted the partition.

One last thing: When I was in the repair XP mode, I also ran diskpart. It showed my NTFS drive as a FAT drive.

HELP GUYS! PLEASE!


Jeff

hi jeff

it seems that you have somehow messed up your partitions. run the winxp rescue boot option again and check whether you can rectify it. i am not familiar with it and cannot guide you in this regard. i heard that running diskpart on multiboot systems can screw up partitions.

anyway as far as i know only mandrake installation supports resizing of ntfs. in case you had to reinstall use a fat partition for sharing data between linux and windows.

good luck

Thanks,
I have no idea how to rectify it.. I think its done. And I should have made it clear too that I am using the Mandrake 9.0 Release. I just don't know where to go from here.

hi

i am sorry. if you have data you might have lost it. if you dont just repartition your disk with enough space for linux and win xp. install xp first and then linux.

if you havent messed up with win partitions on the linux installation, it shouldnt really interfere with windows. i am not blaming you.

So, could I just try re-installing XP first on C? The big problem still is that its identifing the HD as a FAT drive when I had it formated with NTFS. When I am in the repair mode, and type in dir (directory listing), it doesn't even list the files. It just lists garbage. And the volume ID for my HD is 0000-0000. I think I lost my data and I don't think their really anything that I can do about it. If anyone knows if their like a utility that repairs the partitions, I think I would be in good shape. Any other ideas?

hi

cant guide you beyond this. i am not familiar with data recovery tools. hope you are able to come back for your original position. good luck

Ok. Thanks rahul for your help. I was talking to my friend about my problem and something clicked in my head. I think the TOC of the Hard Drive is corrupted. And I don't think there is anyway to recover that. If anyone has any input, suggestions, or ideas - please spill it. I got 6 years of data on that computer and I need it badly! Thanks everyone!

Jeff

hi

just google around and check if anything pops up

regards
rahul sundaram