New HDD problem, partitions disappearing

[clueless in Tampa]

Hello all,

My first post on here but I am looking forward to the experience.
Windows XP

So I replaced a HDD about 4 months ago. Had a good experience setting up the drive with partitions. First time I had done this. The PC was working great for a couple months. Now all of a sudden the partitions have disappeared. It went for maybe 5 partitions and some un-partitioned space to 2 partitions and allot of un-partitioned space. My primary partition with the operating system remained intact and operational. It seems to have reset itself to the initial set up configuration with a couple of early modifications/software installations. The second remaining partition is now empty.

I had most of my programs like Antivirus and such on separate partitions. My AV program is gone, my printer software is gone, my other programs are gone, ...

I tried some freeware for data recovery and it seems to work on the now existing partitions but it did not search in the un-partitioned space of the hard drive. This is where I assume the lost programs must be. How do I recover my programs without $$$$$ and tearing the hard drive physically apart? Nothing of much value on this HDD but this bothers me. How could this happen? Short of some intentional malicious activity, I don't get it.

I tried restore points but the restore points program makes the point that drives (F,G,H,I,..) were not set to utilize restore points. I didn't know that. Anyway the computer doesn’t even recognize these other drives (partitions) being in existence at this point.

Sorry for the long post for my first. I try to get enough details in that maybe someone has had a similar experience and might have some ideas that could help.

Thanks

[EzyStvy]

" It went for maybe 5 partitions and some un-partitioned space to 2 partitions and allot of un-partitioned space."

Did you use a program to do this? Or how did you do this?

Odds are you killed the partitions past C and will need to reformatt the partitions past C and reinstall everything. Might wait for more opinions.

[clueless in Tampa]

I used the windows XP utility and the PC had been working fine for several months.

Anyone know of a program that will examine unpartitioned space for data/progrram recovery?

[clueless in Tampa]

Originally Posted by clueless in Tampa I used the windows XP utility and the PC had been working fine for several months. Anyone know of a program that will examine unpartitioned space for data/progrram recovery?

It is still a mystery. I didn't do anything to the partitioning and programs on the HD. I simply found all my programs and my partitions gone after booting up from a powerdown due to a computer hang when logging off XP.

I will start from scratch and re-install all the programs that have disappeared as it seems I can not easily recover the programs.

Can someone recommend how to make a complete copy of my hard drive with programs as a back up? Making a mirror copy of all programs, data and operating system. I have a DVD burner on this PC. Do I need to purchase a program or can this be done with freewere or windows XP utilities?

My goal would to be able to make back up copies of all programs and data in the event the hard drive crashes. Then be able to re-install and be up and running with no program or data loss.

[Kuch]

Norton's Ghost is a good bet for making copies of your hdd(s). You can save these images in case this happens again. You also might want to download some diagnostics off the hdd's manufacturer's website for that drive to make sure it didn't suffer some type of damage.