[Quartz]

I am (was) running Windows 7 SP1 64-Bit.  Somehow (Malware/Virus?) I lost all partitions and drives (letters) except the CD DVD-ROM.

 

I have tried lots of software to recover lost partitions, but no luck.  I can boot from HIREN'S BOOTCD, but that's it.  

 

I was going to reinstall Windows (I have the disk & Product Key) but I can't even get it to boot.

 

If this helps ~ I know how to change Boot Sequence in BIOS & many DOS commands, which is what I first learned before Windows, many years ago.  I am an intermediate user & can follow directions very well.

 

Just need HELP at this point b/c I know I have a 1TB Hard Drive that doesn't have any problems.  Just can't "find" it. 

Edited by Quartz, 28 November 2014 - 09:44 PM.

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Gday.

Please give you hardware specs, MB, CPU, RAM, GPU, PSU. SSD/HDDs

[iammykyl]

Gday.

Please give you hardware specs, MB, CPU, RAM, GPU, PSU. SSD/HDDs

[Quartz]

This is the link to info about my computer:  http://speccy.pirifo...S2IIVHBanlZexZN

 

Thankfully, I found the link while looking at older posts of mine hoping I had posted info that I now cannot access

 

Since the posting of the link, I did re-install Windows, but not a clean install.  Everything should be pretty much the same.  There is a post also of how my hard drive was partitioned.  It is located at:

 

http://www.geekstogo...attach_id=73254

 

THANKS! 

[Quartz]

Will happily send funds via PayPal to anyone who can help me get my computer to re-install Windows!

[iammykyl]

Well, you can buy us techies a beer, only 113 of us

I see from Speccy you had lots of Data on the D partition.   Do you want to try to recover it?

I would like to start at a known base.   You may have already tried some fixes, but please perform every step.

 

With the PSU switched off, clear the CMOS using the jumper pins.

Start the computer, > enter Bios, > check/reset language/time/location. > go to the exit menu, > select Default settings, exit.

 

What is the result at boot?

Do you know the F key for the boot manager menu? probable F8.

Insert the OS disc, > close the tray, > Restart and start tapping the F8 key, > select CD on the menu, > click or press enter.  Result?

 

If no go,  Will the CD boot on another machine?

Try same procedure again using a Bootable USB stick.  Result?

[Quartz]

Great, 113 beers is a fine idea...could even go up to 226 ~ two each.     The cost for all the techies to get to NC to get their     may be the problem.  

 

I did want to expand D partition, & was in the process of transferring the bulk of my photos to CD's when everything went haywire.

 

New Dilemma:  I disconnected the hard drive last week, (2 wired/pin connections), then reconnected.  I had researched a lot of troubleshooting, etc. online & read that this sometimes recovers partitions.  When reconnecting, I accidentally broke the tiny L-shaped plastic part on the hard drive where the smaller pin connection goes.  It seemed to still "fit' so I secured it with electrical tape & assumed it was fine.  I happen to notice last night in BIOS that It is now referred to as "Hard Drive" & not what it had listed before, which was SATA, etc.  

 

This leaves me with few options.  If I can't figure out a way to attach the connector to the hard drive so it shows in BIOS, I will be replacing the hard drive ~ thus, I won't need any help in recovering my partitions.  I will need advice on "the best hard drive to buy for the $".  I did get most of my personal documents, photos, etc. on flash drives, so am not worried about losing anything important.  I also got most of the drivers.  It's just thinking about the pain of downloading all the software again & all the Windows Updates that makes me want to have more than two brewskis!  

 

Anyone have any suggestions as to how to fix this?  Or, should I close this thread and post the question elsewhere? 

 

Thanks in advance!

Edited by Quartz, 29 November 2014 - 06:22 PM.

[iammykyl]

Did you try the suggestion.   You should perform them even for installing new hardware. 

A little more info please, so we can better help you.

What type of computer is it, Laptop, or Dell/HP type desktop? give model, or custom build? give MB brand/mdel.

 

Depending on your budget???

Stay with a single mechanical HDD?

SSD + HDD?

This Seagate (2 year warranty) is the best bang for the buck, no noticeable real world performance to the WD Black., (5 year warranty)   The Seagate HDD is all I use.

> http://www.newegg.co...236-625:$$$$$$$

SSD, 

the MX100 has no mounting adaptor, the MX500 does.  the Samsung, one with and one without mounting adaptor.   I prefer the Samsung which has the Magician Software. > http://www.newegg.co...e=129GB - 256GB

 

Edit.

When reconnecting, I accidentally broke the tiny L-shaped plastic part on the hard drive where the smaller pin connection goes.  It seemed to still "fit' 

The bit of L shaped plastic is to prevent the plug going in upside down..  I think worth a check.

>  http://www.allpinout...ogy_Attachment)

[Quartz]

Thanks for the advice.  I will go over everything and post back asap.

[iammykyl]

Thanks for the update.

When you have a running machine again, we could still attempt recovery of the remaining Data.