I have an IDE hard drive with 2 partitions, but then I decide to use Norton PartitionMagic 8.0 to merge the 2 partitions together as one. I then got an error message at the end of the process, and then I ended up with 2 smaller partition with 1 great big unallocated space. Neither partitions was showing up in "My Computer" anymore either! I then selected a command to redistribute the free space among the partition, but then that failed too and the partition with all my files was gone! i selected that command again and finally it worked. the IDE HD is finally just 1 partition again, but all my files are still gone! \n\nHELP! how do I recover my files now?!?!?!\n\nI am running Windows XP with SP2.
217608
I don't know why they still make that program. It has NEVER worked.  I'm sorry to tell you this, but it's probably all gone.\n\nYou can try a program like "Restorer 2000 Pro" but I doubt its going to work if you've already re-partitioned it.\n\nhttp://www.bitmart.net/
107836
agreed, you likely have formatted it using FAT file system.\n\nif you have xp you should 'convert' your hard drive to NTFS.
366135
you should have been given some restartin disks! and you put them in and press restart computer and it automatically deletes the whole of the computer memory for you. but if you havent got the disks then im not sure. sorry x
623925
there are many tools available in market......\n\n1.. partition magic\n2.. Norton Ghost\n3.. Disk Manager\n\nBut the at last all are directly or indirectly using only one tool....\n\ntake any bootable win Cd\n\nand put command "fdisk".\n\ndefinately u will find out your solution.
78222
You seem to be new at partitioning...\n\nIt would be risky trying to implement suggestions given by others since you cannot be sure of their competnce...\n\nI dont mean to say that the suggestions would not be of any use, but there is a risk involved...\n\n\nFrom what you are writing it seems that your computer has 2 partitions named "C" and "D" \n\nYou already have windows running on your computer and you are trying to install windows xp professional 2002 through  a CD or other media....\n\nYour windows is running at that time..\n\nThen it amounts to your asking the compouter to install the operating system when one is in existance. \n\nBecause both are winxp and the one you are using is a later version than the one you are trying to install, the operating system is giving out a message asking whether you want to install the operating system again in new location so that your compouter would be working with both of them..winxp home edition with service pack 2 and the winxp professional you are trying to intall.\n\nthat is what multiboot is ....\n\nIf there is someone who can answer your queries by email or messenging.. it is a sincere advise that you try communicating with them and get a clear idea about what to do and a confirmation that your thought is correct ....\n\n\nNot that your computer is going to blow up .... but there is a risk ...\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYou need to boot using your CD and then install from there by formatting the disk both "C" and "D" of it if you want to start anew and be clean.. (clearing everything that is past)..\n\n\n\nhttp://www.futureaccountant.com/\n\nhttp://www.schoolingkids.com/
150409
FDISK.EXE, it will let you create additional partitions.  Try start/run/fdisk.exe and click OK
657998
hi there,\nwell,u'r situation isn't as hopeless as above was described.\nAcronis Disk Director should be ur solution.\nit's Recovery Expert feature , predestinated for just ur situations (when partition is deleted accidently).\nAnyway if it won't help Acronis company gives 30 day money-back guarantee.\nso,u can get ur money back.
618860
u'll definitelly need partitioning software\nUnfortunatelly I do not any free or trial version one.\nbut instead of Partition Magic u can try Disk Director.\nthat is cheaper for 20 $\nand even  is more functional then Partition Magic is.\nTry it rather then wasting ur time with no use.\nanyway, if somthing goes wrong they(Acronis) have money-back guarantee within 30 days, so u don't lose anything.\nhope it'll help.
612356
You need to reformat, if you loose any data it can be recovered with this\nhttp://www.ontrack.com/easyrecoveryprofessional/\n\nFirst put in your OS disk, load the OS by creating a new partition.
126463
What happened is probably one of a thousand different things, i can suggest two things, possibly your folders have the "hidden" flag turned on so make your system display hidden folders (depending on your operating system this is done differnt ways) the second option is Spinrite a program avalible from GRC.com it is inexpensive, small and will recover much (90%) if not all of your lost data. It is VERY important though that you limit the use of your hard drive untill you recover your data as if your data will be overwritten more and more untill you recover it.
445910
I Take It You Only Have One Drive And Have It Partitioned 3 Ways....I Figure C: Has Windows On It......Depending On What You Have On D: You Won't Be Able To Combine X: And D:....If You Have Any Program Files Or Any Files That The OS Uses On Partition D: When You Combine Or Repartition The Drive The OS Will Not Work Properly...You Are Better Off Starting All Over....Parition It The Way You Want And Then Reinstall Windows....If There Is Nothing On D: Well Then Thats Simple....Just Go To Control Panel>Administative Tools>Computer Managment>Disk Managment> And The Repartion The Way You Like.......
5061
According to the website Ubuntu has issues with resizing NTFS file system which is the file system of XP. There is a secondary procedure listed, have you tried that? And if you have already tried that and have no other options you can use partition magic. I used partition magic many times for my dual boot systems and it works great. It does have a $70 price tag though.
479801
Partition Magic is notorious for destroying hard drives. I would NOT use it under any circumstances.\n\nIf you can't find any files to remove, you may have to resort to copying your stuff off and re-doing the whole thing.\n\nIt's your choice... you can use Partition Magic and risk losing everything, (I've NEVER actually even seen it work) or you can take the long road, not lose a thing, and get it exactly how you want it.
370376
If you keep hitting F8 you'll see an option for last know good command. Try it.  You can also rebuild xp without deleting your files. Your start with the xp disk like you are going to install it again, when you get to the install where prompt you'll have the option to re-install.  The re-install will not wipe out your data but you'll have to go through all the windows updates. Good luck
82646
I would suggest you right click on my computer and go to manage and then that will bring up a console and you go to disk management and you should be able to see what it says about your external drive ie if its un allocated or w/e. Post back with that info, btw did this hard drive work correctly in your other computer before it broke down or did it break down because the hard drive broke down or what ?
49362
There might be multiple partitions, i.e a 2GB C: drive and a 18GB D: drive. If this is the case then you can, of course, still use all of the drive the way it is, but if you wanted to make it all one partition you'd need to format the drive and reinstall windows.
235481
As a serious tip, if you need more disk space, delete things, or buy a new hard drive.  The 'compress old files' is a terribly implemented feature in Windows XP.  I recommend not using it.