Blackout causes NTFS to RAW format - Help?

Hello everyone, I wasn't quite sure where I should post this as I did not see a subforum dedicated directly to IT issues and as I have Windows 7 on my main machine and am using a spare drive right now. Power went out and when I turned my computer back on, it wouldn't start so I removed the HDD and plugged it into test computer which was when I found it had become a RAW file system.

Alright, so basically I'm wondering how I should convert my RAW drive back into NTFS so I can use it again and I'm not interested in retrieving information as I had nothing of value on that drive, because all important stuff is on my storage drive - which is 1TB in size.

I have tried a variety of methods including.

1. Using Disk Management, even though it recognizes it and shows it as a RAW format - I am unable to format it as it gives me a "Format could not be succesfully completed" error message, also deleting and making new partitions has no effect.

2. Tried using DOS to convert it from RAW to NTFS

3. Tried using programs like PTDD Partition Table Doctor and EASUES Partition Master to rebuild the partitions, fix the Master Boot Record and then convert to either FAT32 or NTFS (if it's FAT32 I'll convert it to NTFS afterwards)

4. Tried to format from the "My Computer" window via right-clicking and selecting "Format"

5. According to TestDisk I have 0 partitions and when I do a deep search it forks of a load of read errors. :\

As far as I know, PPTD Partition Table Doctor tells me that there sector count is incorrect and that the MBR is in the the wrong section.


If you want my system specifications, Here:
Windows 7 64-bit
AMD Athlon X2 6400+ 3.2GH
6GB DDR2 RAM 667
BFG GTX 260 (216) OCX
1TB Green Cavier Western Digital
80GB Seagate Barracuda (Now in RAW format)

try to format the drive from any of partition tools that comes with hirens boot or for live xp
http://www.hiren.info/pages/bootcd

Karsonis,

First, have you performed a chkdsk on the hard drive to ensure the hard drive is stable and there aren’t any bad sectors? Also, since you aren't interested in keeping your data, you could simply boot from the Windows 7 DVD, begin the process of installation and when you are presented with the option for which drive you would like to install Windows 7 to, you would simply select "more options", "format."

Should you require additional assistance and guidance, Microsoft does have an official Windows 7 Support Forum located here http://social.technet.microsoft.co [...] y/w7itpro/ . It is supported by product specialists as well as engineers and support teams.

Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team

then try with HDD re-generator, it may bring up drives with bad sectors some times.. it also in the bootcd..

I tried that program. Unfortunately... umm I don't know anything about restoring the MBR and the drive, don't know anything about cylinders, heads, or sectors so I actually found it quite difficult to use.

Also, Testdisk would just feed me with errors everytime I tried something - it would be nice if someone could write a guide on it for new comers to that program.

Anyway, my disk was hooped and I ended up tossing it out and replacing it with a larger SATA drive that I had in storage that I'm quite happy with.

Just a heads up to anyone who has this problem and has stumbled across this forum. Try EASEUS data recovery wizard. I had a drive that had over 100,000 music files blip into RAW format one day and this software saved me from having to re rip all my music again.