[haroonriaz]

Hello

My power went out and when I restarted my computer, I could not get my Windows XP started. Tried safe mode, everything else, failed. Tried to start the repair install thing before backing up my data on the partition on which Windows are installed.

Now, I DID NOT start the Windows installation process.(Nothing deleted or added)

Because when I reached the part when it is supposed to show the already installed Windows versions, there was nothing there. All it showed was the partition where Windows was installed. My other partition's file system shows as NTFS, while that of this one shows Unknown and has totally free space. It is not supposed to be like this, so any help?

I did not proceed of course with the same partition and took it out of my PC. I also DID NOT format or partition it. Could Windows format it on its own when only starting the Windows XP setup booted from CD. I don't think so.

My questions are these.

Why does it appear like that when the Windows at least tries to start though doesn't run successfully.
I did not format or partition my hard drive, why is it appearing like this?
Would I be able to recover my data, even if the partition has become raw due to some virus or malware by using file recovery software such as Recuva?
Will I be able to access the data if I connect my HDD as a secondary disc to some other computer?
Will I be able to access my data without formatting it when using it as a secondary disc
Anyone to redeem my Windows installation without formatting or partitioning?

My HDD is SATA. Brand WD Caviar Blue. Size 500 GB.
Partitions: The faulty Windows one: 98 GB. Other apparently correct NTFS: 400 GB
My processer is Intel Pentium IV. But that doesn't matter here.

I am really anxious about the data so please help me.


Please instant expert help needed. Will be grateful.


haroonriaz

Edited by haroonriaz, 12 March 2012 - 09:00 PM.

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You are going to have to get into BIOS Setup on your computer to set the CD/DVD drive as the first bootable device, so you can then boot your XP CD, unless it provides the ability to press a Fn key at boot time to bring up the boot selection menu. If it does, use that.

How you do this varies with each manufacturer. Normally you press F1, F2, F10 or Del when you see the manufacturers logo. Often there is a clue somewhere on the screen when you boot normally telling you what key to press. Some computers (most newer ones) have a key you can press (often F12) to bring up the Boot Menu from where you can select the CD/DVD drive to boot from.

If you don't have an XP CD, download and run ARCDC by Artellos. It will download the required files from the Microsoft Web site and create a .iso file. It will also offer to burn the iso image to a CD for you. If you don't do it then, there is a good freeware burner called ImgBurn which will do it at a later time. If you're unsure how to do this, you can follow the tutorial here: How to Burn an ISO File. This can be done from any computer.

Boot the CD and at the first opportunity, enter R to start the Recovery Console.

Next, choose which XP installation you want to login to. Normally this will be 1.
Lastly you will be asked for the Administrator password. Just press the Enter key as the Administrator does not have a password (unless you gave it one, then you would enter it).

From the command prompt, enter: chkdsk /r
Allow it to complete undisturbed. It can take an hour or more depending on the size of the hard drive.

Remove the CD, type exit and the computer will reboot. Hopefully that will have fixed the problem (corrupted file system).

[Ztruker]

You are going to have to get into BIOS Setup on your computer to set the CD/DVD drive as the first bootable device, so you can then boot your XP CD, unless it provides the ability to press a Fn key at boot time to bring up the boot selection menu. If it does, use that.

How you do this varies with each manufacturer. Normally you press F1, F2, F10 or Del when you see the manufacturers logo. Often there is a clue somewhere on the screen when you boot normally telling you what key to press. Some computers (most newer ones) have a key you can press (often F12) to bring up the Boot Menu from where you can select the CD/DVD drive to boot from.

If you don't have an XP CD, download and run ARCDC by Artellos. It will download the required files from the Microsoft Web site and create a .iso file. It will also offer to burn the iso image to a CD for you. If you don't do it then, there is a good freeware burner called ImgBurn which will do it at a later time. If you're unsure how to do this, you can follow the tutorial here: How to Burn an ISO File. This can be done from any computer.

Boot the CD and at the first opportunity, enter R to start the Recovery Console.

Next, choose which XP installation you want to login to. Normally this will be 1.
Lastly you will be asked for the Administrator password. Just press the Enter key as the Administrator does not have a password (unless you gave it one, then you would enter it).

From the command prompt, enter: chkdsk /r
Allow it to complete undisturbed. It can take an hour or more depending on the size of the hard drive.

Remove the CD, type exit and the computer will reboot. Hopefully that will have fixed the problem (corrupted file system).