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JErnst85

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Problem with WinXP recognizing HDD after repartioning with Partion Magic

Ok, I was using Partion Magic 8.0 to repartition my second HDD. It is a Maxtor 60 GB HD. I was going to use the secondary partition to install Linux, so I used all the default options for the new partition, including setting it as active. The process went off without a hitch or any error messages. However, when I rebooted my computer, it could no longer recognize the second HDD at all! I went into the Management console to check it out, and it still saw all the different partitions on the drive, but it called the Windows section an "unknown partition", and it no longer referred to it's drive letter D:.

 Unfortunately, the Partion Magic software was on the D: drive, so I can't even use it to undo the changes.

 Any suggestions on getting Windows to recognize the D: section again so I can get all my files back? I really don't want to delete anything.

Thanks!
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Shane Russell
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JErnst85

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Unfortunately, I did not make any recovery disks. :(

 I tried using Fixboot, but it did nothing. I didn't use fixmbr though... I'll try it.

 Also, I don't have a bootable Partition Magic cd. I downloaded it off the Internet. I have no idea what file system the program used for the Linux partition. I think it was Fat32, but I'm not sure.

 All I really need to do is somehow get Windows to see the D: drive again, and then I'm fine. I just am unsure as to the best way to go about it.
Also, for some reason, when I go into the Disk Managment console, it won't let me make the D: partition active. I deleted the Linux partition, and all it is now is free space.

 There must be some easy fix here...
Thanks guys! I ended up redownloading and reinstalling PM 8 on the C: drive.

 You were right Watzman, it was a hidden partition alright. It unhid it for me without a hitch. :)

 I'll split the points anyway, though, since I'm so happy I didn't lose anything! :)
Thanks for the points split :) and the grade ! Good  to hear that you got everything back fine !

Just for future reference - ALWAYS ALWAYS MAKE BACKUPS AS THEY ARE VITAL !!!