Hard Drive Error - MBR Needs Removing?

[Anthony08]

Hi, I recently formatted my primary sata hard drive, reinstalled Windows. After configurating the operating system and drivers, along with the service pack updates, I was still unable to access my secondary sata hard drive, my backup drive.

I installed maxblast 4 to see if I could sort the disk out and it told me that the MBR needed removing. So I installed some data recovery software, which showed me all of my data on the drive intact. I could open the data but not copy it off the drive unless I bought the software. Im not sure whether the problem lies with the MBR or not.

Does anyone know how I can recover the data on the drive via dos or some other method, or is purchasing this software the only option?.



Thanks.

 

[BadBigBen]

Take a look at RECUVA

http://www.recuva.com/

it is freeware and does what you think...

you could also try to fix the MBR on that drive, trough the command FIXMBR from the Recovery Console:

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console for advanced users

http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;314058

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[Anthony08]

Hi Ben, thanx for the reply. Iv tried the data recovery software you recommended and it doesn't find any of my data and displays the error "The Parameter Is Incorrect".

I'v tried using MBRfix in DOS with no apparent change. DOS says the MBR has been rebuilt, but i still cant access the drive. Iv also tried to get the recovery console to display the content of the drive, using the dir command, but its showing up as blank.


Anthony.

 

[BadBigBen]

Sorry, that Recuva did not do it... most pay-recovery software goes a bit deeper...

Here is another freeware that I've used in the past:

PC INSPECTOR™ File Recovery 4.x

http://www.pcinspector.de/Sites/file_recovery/info.htm?language=1

if that does not help you in getting your data back, then I would suggest the purchase of the one you have or GetDataBack (gotten good revues from other members)

GetDataBack

http://www.runtime.org/data-recovery-software.htm

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."