If the drive has the correct "flipped bits" to identify itself correctly,
any operating system should be able to see it.
I had a case 5 years ago with my own personal computer. I was dual booting
Windows 2000 and Windows XP at the time. You know how you get accustomed to
a specific shutdown, and if something is not right, you know it right away?
Well, when I shut down Windows 2000, instead of the normal 10-15 second
shutdown I was accustomed to the computer shut down instantaneously. I
immediately knew something was not right. Sure enough, on a reboot 3 of my 4
drives were no longer recognized. They were all reading RAW and were
indicated as having no partition.
Neither Windows 2000 nor Windows XP could read the drives. I used PTEDIT to
change the drives back to NTFS format and everything was again OK.
I never found out why it happened and it never occurred again. Two of the
three drive are still being used in my current computer. There have been no
reoccurrences.
--
Regards,
Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)
"Al Trudeau" <Al
Trudeau@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:00FF49CD-B6D5-4CD1-BD47-730ACA221EC3@microsoft.com...
> Thanks Richard.
>
> Yes, I do have this version of Partition Magic, but I have to ask an
> important question regarding this method: Will it still work with my XP
> OS?
>
> I am using removeable SATA HDD racks, and this is how I keep the OS's from
> fighting (Linux 'Ubuntu', Windows XP Professional, and Windows Vista
> Ultimate). I am using two rack setups; one as the 'Primary' or 'Master'
> and
> one as the 'Slave' or 'Secondary' HDD. So all I have to do (with the
> computer off) is take one tray out, and put in another tray with the OS
> that
> I want to work with in a particular computing session....
>
> Sooo, after performing the steps that you laid out, will this drive ALSO
> be
> recognized in Windows XP?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Al Trudeau
>
>
> "Richard Urban" wrote:
>
>> The drive has lost it's partition structure or it's partition "type".
>>
>> This happens occasionally. To my knowledge no one has ever figured out
>> "why"
>> it happens!
>>
>> The fix is not for the faint of heart and there is one thing that you
>> absolutely need to know before you begin. What TYPE of FILE SYSTEM was
>> being
>> used on the hard drive? If you are 100% certain that you know there is
>> (may
>> be) a way to recover.
>>
>> There is a little DOS program included with Partition Magic 8.01. It is
>> called ptedit. This program can only be used from within "pure DOS". When
>> you use Partition Magic 8.01 to create the 2 disk floppy set (the DOS
>> version of Partition Magic) this little program is placed in the set.
>>
>> You have to boot the computer from disk 1 of the floppy set. Then insert
>> disk 2 when asked to. After you are in Partition Magic, EXIT from the
>> program. You will be back at the A: prompt. Re-insert floppy disk 1.
>>
>> Now, type in ptedit and press enter. The program will start. This program
>> allows you to change the drive "type". It is imperative that you are
>> certain
>> that you are working on the correct drive. You can choose drives at the
>> top
>> of the program window. Once you have chosen the correct drive, click in
>> the
>> **Line 1 | Type** box.
>>
>> This will energize the "Set_Type" box at the bottom. Now click the mouse
>> on
>> the "Set_Type" BOX. Look for the file system that you KNOW was being
>> used.
>> There are many choices. Choose the correct file system and follow the
>> instructions from there.
>>
>> NOTE: If you choose the wrong file system, and commit the change, you may
>> corrupt any information that is on the drive.
>>
>> I have successfully recovered about a dozen drives that have gone RAW, or
>> otherwise lost their partition structure, by using this great little DOS
>> program.
>>
>> NOTE: This program CAN NOT be used from within Windows.
>>
>> And "shame" on the computer manufacturers who deliver new computers
>> without
>> a floppy drive installed!
>>
>>
>> There is also a Windows version of ptedit called ptedit32. The usage is
>> the
>> same. Search Google to find a source for this utility.
>>
>> Addendum:
>>
>> I have since been using Acronis Disk Director 10.0 2160 to do these type
>> of
>> repairs. I have successfully recovered a handful of drives that have
>> become
>> "confused" as to what they are and what they contain. This program is
>> usable
>> from within windows.
>>
>> --
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Richard Urban
>> Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
>> (For email, remove the obvious from my address)
>>
>>
>>
>> "Albert Trudeau" <AlbertTrudeau@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> message
>> news:9A99B2F4-AADF-4737-BD5C-306EE55B6F46@microsoft.com...
>> > I'm still looking for a solution for my problem.
>> >
>> > I have installed a 'secondary' SATA HDD and though you can see it in
>> > the
>> > "Disk Management" window (Computer Management Console), there isn't a
>> > drive
>> > letter assigned, nor can I assign a drive letter.
>> >
>> > The 'Volume' column shows the drive (without an assigned drive letter)
>> > The 'Layout' column shows "Simple" (just like the C: drive)
>> > The 'Type' is "Basic" (just like the C: drive)
>> > The 'File System' is blank (whereas the C: drive shows NTFS)
>> > The 'Status' is "Healthy, (Active, Primary Partition); (whereas the C:
>> > drive
>> > is listed as "Healthy (System, Boot, Page File, Active, Crash Dump,
>> > Primary
>> > Partition))
>> >
>> > The only anomaly listed above is under the "%Free" column; this is at
>> > 100%
>> > -- which is, of course, false. This is my Backup D: drive that is
>> > listed
>> > in
>> > Windows XP Professional, etc.
>> >
>> > The 'pop-up' menu will only list 'Delete Volume' and 'Help'. All other
>> > selections are unavailable (ghosted out).
>> >
>> > This 'glitch' is preventing me from running Vista full-time. I would
>> > love
>> > to hear a solution as soon as possible. Thank you.
>> >
>> > Albert Trudeau
>>
>>