HD Doesn't boot after copying files from Win2K CD 1

[mondy]

I have an 80 GB WD HD. I had installed Win2003 Server on it when I first got it about 4 months ago. I hated W2003 Server so I put it in a W2K Pro CD and went through the format of C with no problem. It then copied files from the CD as usual and commenced to restart. Once it passed POST, on the screen where it reads, "Press any key to boot from CD....." it just stops. It doesn't seem to find the files that were copied just seconds before. It will boot from CD again, but it just starts the whole process over. I have tried Win XP, Adv Server, and Pro with the same issue with all. I am sure it's something on the HD. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[dkdude]

mondy,

Hmmm... There may be left overs from the W2K3 server installation. Try to delete the partition and start all over. You can do that with a boot floppy with fdisk on it. Fdisk does not come with NT+, so you have to look for a Win9x or even DOS disk.

... or look for gdisk by Symantec! *Think* it's available for free?!?

Good luck


Jakob

 

[mondy]

Thanks, Jakob. I wanted to be able to save the data that I had on the other partitions, but it looks like that's not gonna happen. I'll try that Symantec program too. By the way do you know of any HD recovery software that may be able to retrieve that data even if I end up deleting the partition?

 

[dkdude]

mondy,

Sorry. I don't know any recovery-from-deleted-partition tool. Post a link in here if you find something usefull!

Good Luck §;O)


Jakob

 

[wolluf]

You'll find lots of data recovery apps with Google.

Some recommended on tek-tips:-

http://www.restorer2000.com/

http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/UK/welcome.htm

http://www.runtime.org/gdb.htm

http://www.webattack.com/get/filescavenger.html

PS. Can't you just load the drive as slave in another machine to retrieve your data?

 

[mondy]

Yah, I could have done that but I deleted the partitions cuz I thought it was a lost cause. I see that Restorer2000 will apparently allow me to retrieve that data. I'll try it. Thanks.

 

[mondy]

Boy, those programs are expensive! The trial version will only rescue files under 15kb. The full version cost from $30- $80 and up! I don't think my data is worth that much, so I may just reformat. Thanks.