Can't boot Win XP pro after merging two partitions

[iggiz]

Hi Guys,

1) Yesterday I merged my one NTFS partition (C: drive, windows installed on this) to another NTFS partition using rescue floppy disks of PartitionMagic 8.0 . There were some problems and the process was aborted. Later on, the system failed to boot in windows. There is no message only a blank screen with a blinking cursor. I've tried recovery console (used bootcfg, fixmbr, fixboot) as well as repairing the installtion using my xp cd but both of the solutions failed to work. Please help.

2) In case nothing works out and I install Xp again would I be able to gain access of files on my other partition. To make things a bit more complicated, I did enable access rights etc. in windows.


cheers.

 

[AdamKerr]

Have you tried resetting your primary partition? happened to me but i managed to re tick the 'primary partition' thing.

 

[G0AOZ]

I think you need to attach this disk to another XP system, and interrogate it to see exactly what you have on that disk, before you do anything further which might wreck your chances of recovering data files. You need to determine if you still have two partitions, and also, is the boot partition marked as active. If boot partition is first partition, make sure the BOOT.INI file reflects this. Check that NTDETECT.COM and NTLDR are in the root directory, and that the Windows sub-dir looks intact.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[iggiz]

Adam , Goaoz, thanks gus for the prompt reply.

Adam, how I can reset my primary partition ?

Goaoz, using ercovery console I can see and access both partitions. Boot partition (C:\) is flagged as active. Boot.ini does say so. ntdetect.com and ntldr are in the root directory.

Any other ideas ?

thanks.

 

[G0AOZ]

You've done pretty much all the basic steps, so I think now is the time to make a backup of important data before any further disasters beset you!

You didn't mention it but I assume invoking Safe Mode produces the same results?

Is there enought space on the first partition to install a second copy of the operating system, e.g. in say C:\WINDOWS-2 sub-dir?

You could try reformatting that first partition and then do a reinstall, but bear in mind my comment re a data backup.

Good luck!

ROGER - G0AOZ.