Vista - Restore Complete Computer problem

Hi there,

I really hope you can help me here.

I have just done a Vista 64 complete image restore so I could rollback my computer to an earlier time to get rid of some cr$p programs and drivers.

I have done this before, restoring the c: partition and it has worked ok.

I have 4 drives in this computer and the Vista 64 OS is on a 100gb partition of a 750gb disk. I have four other partitions on that disk which contain other data such as videos etc.

In this instance Vista complete restore has restored the c: partition but deleted the files in the other four partitions. The partitions can still be seen but contain no data. I would desperately like to restore this data. Could this have occurred due to a overwritten MBR.

Before doing the complete pc restore with vista this morning, I did an image backup with both Vista and Acronis TI. I am sure the ATI backup also included the MBR and Track 0.

If I was to restore using this image to "pre-rollback" is it possible if I also choose the MBR restore option I will (hopefully should) get all files back??

Your help would be really, really appreciated as I have data I do not want to lose.

kind regards,

Harry.

AFAIK, The MBR is not the same at the MFT, which contains the Master File Allocation Table. Those should not have been altered at all.

Can you load a bootable Linux disc and verify if those other partitions are empty? If so, you'll need to perform some sort of partition undelete....

Thankyou johngalt,

Apologies for delay but have been trying a few things and dealing with xmas

I tried rollback to the original state (that is prior to this current debacle) with Acronis True Image 2009 (ATI2009) restoring the MBR/track0 as well as partition info but to no avail still can't read the other partitions. You were most definately correct.

Interestingly when looking at the drive after booting with ATIBoot disk (which I believe is linux) it shows the other four partitions with data in them. As per your suggestion.

Just can't read them under Vista. Also did not back up those partitions, only the OS on c: partition.

I have now downloaded a couple of data recovery programs, both freeware but seem to have reasonable reviews and initial results look like I may be able to restore data, but may need a bit of work to re-establish file structures/folders etc. Wonderful exercise for this time of the year

If you can suggest any good partition recovery programs it would be good.


So I don't know what has gone wrong, as stated I have used Vista complete restore before and never a problem, exactly same drive, maintained data etc.

Not sure how ATI could affect it.

I hope it never happens again, but I guess the positive is I now have to learn to recover data.

NOT sure if I will use ATI2009 if you think this may have corrupted the disk prior to Vista Restore. Thanks both for your help, if you have any suggestions on cause please let me know, or maybe acronis may advise.

I will let you know how my data restore turns out, fingers crossed at moment.

best regards and seasons greetings,

Harry..