Random unformatting of hard drive

talonfyre · 08-13-2003, 03:00 PM

Hello. I really hope someone can help me with this.

I started up the computer last Saturday, and noticed it was loading Windows extremely slowly. When I finally logged on, I noticed that half the icons on the desk top were the generic box icons. I then looked at my second hard drive, and Windows told me the the drive was unformatted, and if I want to reformat now. Is there anyway to reformat or fix this without erasing all the information on the drive? The drive is a Maxtor 60 GB.

I just got a new video card and a memory upgrade. I installed both fine, and the computer worked for almost a week with no problems. I dont know if this relates or it is a different reason.

Please help me!

Kungfucious · 08-13-2003, 05:06 PM

the most likely thing is that your HD has an error... when windows recognises a drive but can not read it.. it usually and 'wrongly' tells u to format it as it thinks it is unreadable and therefore unformatted.

You should run a program such as GetdataBack in order to recover any important files first and then choose to format..

in any case i would pull the drive out and test it in another pc.. it may just be your windows on the blink!

FORMAT IS A VERY LAST OPTION!

above all DONT PANIC!

LPDad · 08-13-2003, 10:01 PM

you might want to use the MAXBLAST utilities that came with your drive, Or downloaded from the maxtor website, to Fix the MBR (master boot record) for that drive.
you also need to run scandisc or other disc utilities to look for errors on the drive itself.

As KF says, reformatting is your last resort...besides it won't really do much good if there is a particular flaw in the drive.

~*LdY*LaFFs*~ · 08-14-2003, 02:49 AM

Every now and then I'll find a desktop icon return to default/generic too. Haven't caught when this specifically occurs, as operations are not interupted. Has had me curious though, as to why this happens.. Any ideas out there?

XP Home

webe3 · 08-14-2003, 04:37 AM

I don't really know why a lot of you seem to be against reformatting! I do it all the time! I just have EVERYTHING backed up to either CD or DVD and have all the drivers to my stuff! (Sound card, Video card, etc.) I had that worm that was going around and got rid of it completely by reformatting my hard drive. If you know how to reformat there is no problem, but if you DON'T have all the drivers for your system, then you may want to think twice about a reformat until you can find all the drivers to your devices on the internet FIRST....because after a format, unless you have another computer, you can't access the internet to get the drivers you need!

Then again, most of the time win xp or most older microsoft operating systems will give you "generic" drivers to use until you can install your proper drivers! So again formatting is no big deal IF you think far enough ahead in advance!

LPDad · 08-14-2003, 05:54 AM

You are right, reformatting is the best way to clean up a major problem...it is just so damn time-consuming (if you have lots of good stuff on your computer)

I will generally plan to do a complete reformat and clean install every 6 months or so (with Win98 this was a really good idea...with WinXP you really do not need to do it this frequently)

webe3 · 08-14-2003, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LPDad
You are right, reformatting is the best way to clean up a major problem...it is just so damn time-consuming (if you have lots of good stuff on your computer)

I will generally plan to do a complete reformat and clean install every 6 months or so (with Win98 this was a really good idea...with WinXP you really do not need to do it this frequently)

Yeah, I agree that on win xp you don't have to format as often....but the ONE THING that will save you from disaster is this....I visit another board quite often that has technical pc talk like this and they tell me to SAVE...SAVE ....SAVE!! They say to get a good CD-R burner (They are cheap enough now) and get nero or some other burning program and save everything you have to disk! This way, if you have a crash for whatever reason, your data is never lost!! They also suggest to get a copy of norton ghost and save your complete operating system setup to disk, so if there is a crash, you have the option to either format or use a norton ghost image and get your pc back to where it was working before the crash. But for me, the best way is to just save everything you have on cd, because ghost can sometimes not work! I mean, let's face it...as good as they make hard drives, they still can fail! Problem is: YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN! Usually it is at the worst time imagineable! So to me, saving is the best way to guarantee that you can survive any pc crash and still keep your data safe!

igalan · 08-14-2003, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ~*LdY*LaFFs*~
Every now and then I'll find a desktop icon return to default/generic too. Haven't caught when this specifically occurs, as operations are not interupted. Has had me curious though, as to why this happens.. Any ideas out there?
XP Home

There are many reasons for this. Icons are cached, so Windows does not have to go to every single file to retrieve its icon. Some events can force the refresh of the icon and force Windows to actually read the file to get its icon, if the file is unavailable (network resource not available, removable media...) Windows uses its default icon for the file type.

I don't know exactly where Windows caches the icons (I belive it was a file stored on some folder of %WINDIR%.) However I remember that TweakUI had a button to refresh the icon cache and fix missing icons.

igalan · 08-14-2003, 06:52 AM

About the reformat question. Well, I prefer not to reformat for as long as I can (which can be years

). It's not only the work involved in restoring the system exactly as you want it, but also the annoying Windows XP Activation. I know it just takes a call, but it's simply another annoyance...

Since Windows XP degrades with use (this is the main reason for me to reformat), there are a few things that I do to prevent this degrade:

1.- Healthy registry: regular use of tools like RegScrubXP or JV16 prevent higher degradation of the registry. However they are not enough, and some manual clean up is required (remove know obsolete registry entries, clean windows layouts -MRUBags-...) But some things can't be cleaned, like old hardware entries. This requieres some expericence, even if you use JV16, to know what is safe to clean and what not.

2.- Use programs to monitor installations like Norton Clean Sweep. I use it even to monitor the installation of drivers (this way later you can uninstall drivers cleanly.) Often uninstallers leave files and folders after uninstall.

But major hardware changes require a reformat. For instance, a new motherboard. You can try without reformat, uninstalling old chipset drivers and installing new ones. The problem is that the uninstall won't delete harware entries in the regsitry (HKLM/System/ControlSet???/Enum, HKLM/System/ControlSet???/Services...) so you get slower start up, bigger registry and higher chances of crashes.

talonfyre · 08-14-2003, 11:55 AM

Thanks for the help! I ended up discovering that the hard drive "was failing," (so said Maxtor website). I had gotten a 6 digit error key using MaxBlast. MaxBlast also said I had an unrecoverable ECC (whatever that is) when I scanned the drive.

Now to part two: Is there any way to recover what is on the drive? I looked at some data recovery sites, but the low-average price was about $700, which is a bit above me now.

One final thing. The computer is running almost unusuably slow. Is there any way to fix that so I can get to work on the hard drive?

igalan · 08-15-2003, 04:21 AM

To recover data from damaged filesystems I've used GetDataBack with very good results. The problem is when the hardware fails, but anyway it's worth to try. It's not free, but I think that you can download it and run it to see what it could restore.

LPDad · 08-15-2003, 05:03 AM

GetDataBack is a great program..there are 2 versions.

Check out this thread:

Success!Recovery of data from DEAD drive(A Member needs HELP/ major Harddrive prob.)

talonfyre · 08-15-2003, 11:50 AM

Thanks again for all the help, you have been great! Unfortunately, the drive seems to be completely kaput. I ran GetDataBack, but all I get is error messages, every single line.

Well, it was worth a shot. Thanks again, all!

LPDad · 08-15-2003, 04:05 PM

Well, at least we gave it our best.

just part of dealing with computers, learn and move on.
At least when someone else has a problem like this you will be able to help them out....that is called tech progress.

Kungfucious · 08-15-2003, 08:26 PM

its unfortunate we learn to backup AFTER we loose data...

08-13-2003, 03:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
talonfyre Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 3	Random unformatting of hard drive Hello. I really hope someone can help me with this. I started up the computer last Saturday, and noticed it was loading Windows extremely slowly. When I finally logged on, I noticed that half the icons on the desk top were the generic box icons. I then looked at my second hard drive, and Windows told me the the drive was unformatted, and if I want to reformat now. Is there anyway to reformat or fix this without erasing all the information on the drive? The drive is a Maxtor 60 GB. I just got a new video card and a memory upgrade. I installed both fine, and the computer worked for almost a week with no problems. I dont know if this relates or it is a different reason. Please help me!

08-13-2003, 05:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kungfucious mediatechie.com Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 809	the most likely thing is that your HD has an error... when windows recognises a drive but can not read it.. it usually and 'wrongly' tells u to format it as it thinks it is unreadable and therefore unformatted. You should run a program such as GetdataBack in order to recover any important files first and then choose to format.. in any case i would pull the drive out and test it in another pc.. it may just be your windows on the blink! FORMAT IS A VERY LAST OPTION! above all DONT PANIC! __________________ http://mediatechie.com Leave me a message in my shoutbox! ... would appreciate the feedback! thanks people!

08-13-2003, 10:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
LPDad Admin & "Fixer" Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Costa Mesa, CA Posts: 2,293	you might want to use the MAXBLAST utilities that came with your drive, Or downloaded from the maxtor website, to Fix the MBR (master boot record) for that drive. you also need to run scandisc or other disc utilities to look for errors on the drive itself. As KF says, reformatting is your last resort...besides it won't really do much good if there is a particular flaw in the drive. __________________ We don't need no stink'n TechSupport We ARE TechSupport. *LPDad* Administrator

08-14-2003, 02:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
~LdYLaFFs*~ MIA Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: HeRe N TheRe Posts: 2,002	Every now and then I'll find a desktop icon return to default/generic too. Haven't caught when this specifically occurs, as operations are not interupted. Has had me curious though, as to why this happens.. Any ideas out there? XP Home __________________ When I've been asked why I like computers.. My answer has been, "Because it's potential is infinite." I must be wearing down 'cause now I seem to be counting the infinite headaches!

08-14-2003, 04:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
webe3 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 106	I don't really know why a lot of you seem to be against reformatting! I do it all the time! I just have EVERYTHING backed up to either CD or DVD and have all the drivers to my stuff! (Sound card, Video card, etc.) I had that worm that was going around and got rid of it completely by reformatting my hard drive. If you know how to reformat there is no problem, but if you DON'T have all the drivers for your system, then you may want to think twice about a reformat until you can find all the drivers to your devices on the internet FIRST....because after a format, unless you have another computer, you can't access the internet to get the drivers you need! Then again, most of the time win xp or most older microsoft operating systems will give you "generic" drivers to use until you can install your proper drivers! So again formatting is no big deal IF you think far enough ahead in advance! __________________ System Specs: ATX generic case with Antec 550 watt power supply. ASUS A7N8X Deluxe Motherboard. Western Digital 7,200 RPM 40 gig IDE Hard Drive.(FAT 32- file system) AMD Athlon XP 2600 processor.(standard fan and heatsink-Thoroughbred Core-standard speed-NO OVERCLOCK) 1 gig of Samsung DDRAM(PC 2700- 333 mhz....2-512mb sticks running in dual channel mode).Ati Radeon 8x 9600 XT (8x is enabled on motherboard). Soundblaster Audigy 2 sound card. Motorola sb 5100 cable modem (Insight Communications-Cable Connection) Sony DRU 500 AX DVD- RECORDER.(records -R/-RW or +R/+RW and CD-R formats-4x-24x-4x) LG 52x32x52 CD Burner. Zip 100 internal drive and a generic 3.5 floppy drive. Windows XP Professional Operating System. I also have a bearpaw scanner, HP Deskjet 3520 inkjet printer and a KDS X Flat 17 inch CRT monitor.

08-14-2003, 05:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
LPDad Admin & "Fixer" Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Costa Mesa, CA Posts: 2,293	You are right, reformatting is the best way to clean up a major problem...it is just so damn time-consuming (if you have lots of good stuff on your computer) I will generally plan to do a complete reformat and clean install every 6 months or so (with Win98 this was a really good idea...with WinXP you really do not need to do it this frequently) __________________ We don't need no stink'n TechSupport We ARE TechSupport. *LPDad* Administrator

08-14-2003, 06:52 AM	#9 (permalink)
igalan PCTT Articles Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Barcelona, SPAIN Posts: 1,018	About the reformat question. Well, I prefer not to reformat for as long as I can (which can be years ). It's not only the work involved in restoring the system exactly as you want it, but also the annoying Windows XP Activation. I know it just takes a call, but it's simply another annoyance... Since Windows XP degrades with use (this is the main reason for me to reformat), there are a few things that I do to prevent this degrade: 1.- Healthy registry: regular use of tools like RegScrubXP or JV16 prevent higher degradation of the registry. However they are not enough, and some manual clean up is required (remove know obsolete registry entries, clean windows layouts -MRUBags-...) But some things can't be cleaned, like old hardware entries. This requieres some expericence, even if you use JV16, to know what is safe to clean and what not. 2.- Use programs to monitor installations like Norton Clean Sweep. I use it even to monitor the installation of drivers (this way later you can uninstall drivers cleanly.) Often uninstallers leave files and folders after uninstall. But major hardware changes require a reformat. For instance, a new motherboard. You can try without reformat, uninstalling old chipset drivers and installing new ones. The problem is that the uninstall won't delete harware entries in the regsitry (HKLM/System/ControlSet???/Enum, HKLM/System/ControlSet???/Services...) so you get slower start up, bigger registry and higher chances of crashes.

08-14-2003, 11:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
talonfyre Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 3	Thanks for the help! I ended up discovering that the hard drive "was failing," (so said Maxtor website). I had gotten a 6 digit error key using MaxBlast. MaxBlast also said I had an unrecoverable ECC (whatever that is) when I scanned the drive. Now to part two: Is there any way to recover what is on the drive? I looked at some data recovery sites, but the low-average price was about $700, which is a bit above me now. One final thing. The computer is running almost unusuably slow. Is there any way to fix that so I can get to work on the hard drive?

08-15-2003, 04:21 AM	#11 (permalink)
igalan PCTT Articles Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Barcelona, SPAIN Posts: 1,018	To recover data from damaged filesystems I've used GetDataBack with very good results. The problem is when the hardware fails, but anyway it's worth to try. It's not free, but I think that you can download it and run it to see what it could restore.

08-15-2003, 05:03 AM	#12 (permalink)
LPDad Admin & "Fixer" Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Costa Mesa, CA Posts: 2,293	GetDataBack is a great program..there are 2 versions. Check out this thread: Success!Recovery of data from DEAD drive(A Member needs HELP/ major Harddrive prob.) __________________ We don't need no stink'n TechSupport We ARE TechSupport. *LPDad* Administrator

08-15-2003, 11:50 AM	#13 (permalink)
talonfyre Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 3	Thanks again for all the help, you have been great! Unfortunately, the drive seems to be completely kaput. I ran GetDataBack, but all I get is error messages, every single line. Well, it was worth a shot. Thanks again, all!

08-15-2003, 04:05 PM	#14 (permalink)
LPDad Admin & "Fixer" Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Costa Mesa, CA Posts: 2,293	Well, at least we gave it our best. just part of dealing with computers, learn and move on. At least when someone else has a problem like this you will be able to help them out....that is called tech progress. __________________ We don't need no stink'n TechSupport We ARE TechSupport. *LPDad* Administrator

08-15-2003, 08:26 PM	#15 (permalink)
Kungfucious mediatechie.com Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 809	its unfortunate we learn to backup AFTER we loose data... __________________ http://mediatechie.com Leave me a message in my shoutbox! ... would appreciate the feedback! thanks people!

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