Partition Magic and fdisk

[AndyM]

When partitions are resized using Partition Magic, are they recognized at their new sizes by fdisk? Reason I ask is I my home pc went "On the fritz" in a major way last night, and if I have to format the OS and programs partitions I'd like to know if I'm at risk of losing data on the other partitions.

It's a long story but I'll be brief: A shutdown blue screen error occurred because of a "cdrsval.vxd" file corruption. This has goone on for a couple of months. I tried uninstalling cdrw software to repair file. Uninstall locked up with HD light flicking. Reboot got black screen. Hard shutdown and restart got garbled video. Major problems seem to have started with install of Counterstrike 1.0.0.3., and its patches and ati video card fix. My connection speed decreased and I got random kicks. Before loss of video I could not access cable internet. So I went to bed.

This morning I tried it, and booted into safe mode. Wasn't sure what to try. Tried reboot, got same old blue screen. Hit reset, got black screeen. Hard shutdown and startup got garbled video. It appears that boot does progress but illegible.

My thought is to try scanreg and restore earlier registry if I can access dos. Any thoughts?

I have unsaved photos on one of the partitions. I am expecting a new sound card and CPU to arrive soon for this rig. I don't really mind a fresh start.
Sorry so long here. Thanks.

[Hpro]

There is two things to try .
1.Either scanreg /restore as you mentioned or
2.Boot into safe mode - do a VIRUS SCAN if yo have a AV programm installed..

the other option is to delete the offending file from the C:\windows\system folder or just move it to another location this you have to do from MS-DOS prompt to be successful - you will get a registry error when booting up after removal of the mentioned file but at least you can be sure that it will boot to windows if it is the file which makes the problems..

the command line below is to either DELETE or the second one to MOVE the file..

DEL C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VDRSVAL.VXD and press enter

to move the file

MOVE C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VDRSVAL.VXD C:\WINDOWS\TEMP and press enter

I would not do a reinstall if not really necessary..

Edit

It is possible that the file is not located in the windows\system folder then you will find in c:\windows\system\iosubsys folder - and if yo can't find it then make a search for it in the complete windows folder..

[AndyM]

Thanks for the input Hpro,
I was able to run scanreg and get booted to win 98 with a backup from September, but a lot of drivers needed reinstallation for hardware accessories. Some programs are in the Add/Remove Programs window, but are not available on the start menu. There are a couple of registry backups available that started but they are dated for Feb of 2000! I suspect from when I first installed Windows in Feb of 2001. If I restored to one of them what do I lose? Will all programs and hardware added since have to be re-installed?

It's not looking like I will be able to get my cd burner operative. If so, I may need to format and re-install. I need to know if Partition magic sets a partition, is it safe. Because I used partition magic to resize partitions a month or so ago. Will I not lose data in a partition if I don't format any but c: or change partition sizes during reinstall. I'd really hate to lose these digital photos from our vacations, weddings, etc.

I will have a new sound card to install by midweek. With all this registry so flakey, I really don't mind a fresh start so long as irreplaceables are not lost. Thanks again.

[glc]

Whatever you do on one partition will not affect the other partitions. I would not recommend that you run Fdisk except to look at partition *information* - just format what you need to wipe. Whenever you restore an old registry, you will lose *access* to anything you have installed since that registry - you will have to reinstall it - but you will not lose any data.

If you are in the habit of installing things frequently that you are not sure about their compatibility or safety, reboot to DOS and run SCANREG/BACKUP and reboot before trying to install anything that may be risky. You could also consider using GoBack and running a restore point before doing anything risky.

[AndyM]

Along with learning a lot a about computer hardware/software I am also getting repeated lessons in patience I've always been told that God would give me everything I need...and he certainly knows the traits I am short on!
So I have learned my lesson regarding backups. And I'm glad that the partition magic partitions will hold.
Forgive my ignorance, but what is Goback?

[Hpro]

Before you mess with partition or PQ magic - I would do followings -

If you have a another hard drive then hook it up and copy all your personal DATA out and then start over..

YOu can also remove this hard drive from this computer which is making problem and installing it temorarly into a WORKING COMPUTER - there then again just copy all your STUFF out remove the hard drive and then do a reinstall... this would be the most easy way since your CDRW doesn't seems to work..

[glc]

http://www.roxio.com/en/products/goback/index.html