F**K Partition Magic!!!

B

BVV

1
I wanted to resize the 2 partitions on a 40 GB back-up drive. This is only a few moths old. The partitions I origionally made turned out to be the wrong sizes, 1 too small and the other too big. No problem, so I thought, using Partition Magic. Big mistake!!

When trying to open the partitions, Windows reports they are not formatted (used space=0, free space=0). However, the old undelete program Drive Rescue can still see some of the information on these partitions. Formatting will destroy these (and other) files.

What to do? I really need some help here.
1. Is there a way to get "back to normal" without reformatting (most or even all files are still on the drive, it's just not accessible)?
2. If not, what is the best program for trying to recover files before reformatting?

One thing I have to say: F**K PM!!!!
Months of work went down the drain in a few minutes, without any indication of a problem. :mad:
 
S

scarecrow

1
You are not alone... I have also lost several GB of data because of Fartition Magic.
You've got two solutions: either use another partitioning program (IMO the best you can afford is VCom's Partition Commander) and let it repair your partition table, or imaging your data in RAW modus by something like Ghost, and then re-construct your partition table.
 
ipdave

ipdave

1
What OS and what version of PM did you use? Did you boot from a PM floppy/CD, or did you try to install within Windows and then have it reboot and partition?
 
ponzan

ponzan

1
I've had problems like that with PM before but you can save your data and system using some recovery apps like GetDataBack or similar, as long as you can't access your old partitions and you haven't wrote anything new on them overwriting your old files. Best if you have a 2nd HD (something very recommendable by all means).

But I would say that if you use PM or any similar app with care enough of knowing what you doing and doing things one step at a time, you may avoid most problems
 
RASTABT

RASTABT

1
They call it MAGIC for a very good reason... :mad:
Still sorry to hear about your run in with PM..
For what it's worth I used Acronis Partition Expert 2003 Personal Edition build 278 to m,anage my partions on my XP system..
Works every time and never had a problem with it..Plus it was free on a utilities DVD and all I did was to email Acronic for my serial..I was going to buy the Pro version but hey this works for mi... :)
 
B

BVV

1
RASTABT said:
They call it MAGIC for a very good reason... :mad:
Click to expand...
I hadn't thought of that, but you're probably right. :p This is one piece of junk I won't touch again.

Still, all is not lost. I'm glad to say 1 partition is back to normal without any data loss. Thanks to the guy behind Testdisk http://www.cgsecurity.org/.
This program is far too complicated for me, but he helped me by telling me what to do, step by step.
There is a problem with the second partition. Hopefully I'll get another e-mail this evening.... ;)
I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

EDIT:
I just got that e-mail. A few steps and the second partition has also been restored. :D
 
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