How to reach (corrupted?) XP partition?

[Odyssey]

This is going to sound like it is about Linux, but it isn't (Linux just caused the problem and thus remains entangled.) Decided to try Ubuntu Linux 6.06 (which is pretty cool BTW) after struggling a bit with 5.05. Unfortunately when 6.06 installed from Live CD, it did not create a boot loader to allow me back to my WXP partition. I have tried several recovery schemes, but none successful (NTFS partition may have been corrupted.)

I can see /media/windows in file system in my file browser either from Ubuntu 6.06 Live CD or normal Ubuntu boot from hdd, but when I click on the folder, it is blank (i.e., no files or folders).

When I run
"sudo mount -t ntfs /dev/hda1 /media/windows" from shell within normal bootup, I get:

"mount: wrong fs type, bad option, bad superblock on /dev/hda1,
missing codepage or other error
In some cases useful info is found in syslog - try
dmesg | tail or so"

If I click on 27.3GB (XP) Volume in "Computer" view from file browser, I get:

"Unable to mount the selected volume" and if I click on "show more details", it shows:

"error: device /dev/hada1 is not removeable
error: could not execute pmount"

I had backed up just before the U install, but now cannot find my CD of the backup and fear that it might have gone out with a cleanup . Is there a way to reach the Windows partition? I used to use a W98 floppy to do various things in Windoze, but 98 will not read NTFS. Is there an NTFS boot floppy or CD?

I am prepared to remove the Windoze install from this computer and convert its partition to Linux, IF I can just remove all the files. TIA

[thumpert]

You could try running fdisk /mbr and see if that restores your windows boot.

[jackassuk56]

the best way i know of doing this is to pull the harddrive out put another one in an install the os on that then burn or copy all the files across

i have no idea what file system ubuntu uses but if it does you could format the harddrive to fat32 and you should have your files readable

however i have to warn you i know nothing about linux or ubuntu (i just know enough about windows to fix the problems :P)

do not do this unless another screemer says it will work

[Odyssey]

Thumpert, This is one of the many things that I have tried, but which did not succeed. Good suggestion though.

ja, Thanks for yours. Things come slowly to this tired old brain. If I just unhook the drive and plug it in as #2 on another computer, is it your opinion that it can be read without further action. If so, this is the quick and easy way to go.

However if the Windows partition is corrupted (not sure exactly what part is or might be corrupted), will I not need to repair it first? If so, "how" is the current issue.

You mentioned: "you could format the harddrive to fat32 and you should have your files readable". Is it possible to change the format from ntfs to fat32 while the hdd is in its present location WITHOUT destroying the files, and if so, how to do?

Thanks again to both.

[Zer02004]

Leave this until tomorrow when I may be able to come up with a few tricks.

[Memfis]

knoppix seams fairly good at mounting ntfs. Try a live cd just to get the data off.

alternatively, create a new partition and install a new xp to that partition, then copy files off old partition to network etc.

[Odyssey]

As a quick hit, I tried moving the hdd into a W2k computer and clicked on the drive in My Computer. It flashed a message saying that the hdd could not be read and did I want to format it.

Also moved it into another Ubuntu 6.06 computer and got a message to the effect that the partition is corrupted

It seems certain that it is corrupted (hopefully not beyond repair.) This is a real good lesson in why it pays to put Windows on one partition and data on another. At least I have most (if not all) of my data backed up. Now if I can just find the CD.

alternatively, create a new partition and install a new xp to that partition, then copy files off old partition to network etc.

Originally Posted by Memfis

This is a very interesting idea, but would this not be much the same as moving the hdd to a W2k computer? I am a bit fuzzy on exactly what is corrupted, but imagine that it is the file allocation table (would this affect the boot process?) So it looks to me like it is now down to an XP repair. What do you think?

[Memfis]

This is a very interesting idea, but would this not be much the same as moving the hdd to a W2k computer?

Originally Posted by Odyssey

Pretty much yes. I wasn't aware you almost had as many PC's as Silver

Not sure XP's rescue will help you. Sounds like it's too far gone.

[Odyssey]

Definitely do not have enough electrical wall receptacles!

Although I fear that you are correct about the state of the problem, have been thinking more about exactly what went pear shaped during the Linux install, most likely during the partitioning process. What is likely to have actually been corrupted? Is the file allocation table or the master boot record?

Depending on which it might be, that should guide my initial repair effort.

[Captain Kirk]

i have no idea what file system ubuntu uses

Originally Posted by jackassuk56

Mine uses ext2 & ext3, but will also read & writeFAT32.
Will only read NTFS, not write/delete.

[Zer02004]

Odyssey, if you haven't sorted this out, PM me. We have had and are having some pretty violent thunderstorms around here at the mo so I may not be around too much.

[Odyssey]

Anyone have any ideas/speculations about what might have been corrupted? This will help me in trying to repair the problem.

BTW, if it is the master boot record, is this Windows version independent? I.e., will a W98 boot disk repair the mbr in a NTFS version of Windoze?

Thanks.

[Zer02004]

Do not use a Win98 bootdisk!!! You can download a 6 diskette set from Microsoft that will get you to a repair console. From there, running fixboot and/or fixmbr may help.
Be sure to choose the correct set (Home or Pro).

[Memfis]

Just to confirm what zer0 said.

do not use a win98 boot disk on an ntfs partition.

Windows98 doesn't understand ntfs!

[Captain Kirk]

Oh the blissfully old age of Windows98....
I used to love that OS. (Still do)

[Odyssey]

Just to confirm what zer0 said.

do not use a win98 boot disk on an ntfs partition.

Windows98 doesn't understand ntfs!

Originally Posted by Memfis

Would use of a W98 boot disk likely cause corruption, or just not produce any useable result?

[Zer02004]

Using a 98 bootdisk would probably only allow you to run FDisk where the hard drive is concerned as that's the only application on board that's likely to "see" an NTFS drive/partition. You do not want to be running FDisk!!!