Hii there, been a long time. Have been doing regular backups weekly for data drives and monthly for C:\windows drive.
The hard disk refused to boot. Displayed "put in Setup Disk." I did that and chose Setup Windows. I belileve it did a setup on Windows XP. Now my system looks like a virgin XP system. But what happened to the backups? I have a disk of C:\ drive when it was a new system. I don't know where to start fixing my computer so everythig is back where it was before the hard drive wouldn't boot up. Any perspective on what to do?

@ leftyx


Quote:

Displayed "put in Setup Disk." I did that and chose Setup Windows. I belileve it did a setup on Windows XP. Now my system looks like a virgin XP system

Based on what you have said so far, it appears you do not fully understand what the error messages are saying, and what your response should be.....if you did not know you were installing a *virgin* copy of WinXP, I would recommend you slow down and not proceed randomly until you understand better what you are doing, and know the probable results of taking the action(s) you are doing!  We can help with that!

That said, what version of Ghost are you using--our attempt to help will depend on knowing that starting point?


Quote:

But what happened to the backups?

Good question!  You need to tell us how your HDD was setup!   How many partitions did you have on your WinXP system HDD, and what drive letters were in use?

And, do you have more than one HDD on your system?  If so, how many additional HDDs, and how are each of them partitioned, and what drive letters were assigned?

I understand what you're asking. Let me post questions and answers.

Quote:

That said, what version of Ghost are you using--our attempt to help will depend on knowing that starting point?

Ghost 12

Quote:

How many partitions did you have on your WinXP system HDD, and what drive letters were in use?

2 hard drives of 500gb each. Drive 1 was partitioned in c:, d:, and e:. C:\ was the windows partition and was 40gb. D:\ was a data partition and was 200gb. E:\ was another data partition and was 250gb. (as far as I remember.)

Quote:

And, do you have more than one HDD on your system?  If so, how many additional HDDs, and how are each of them partitioned, and what drive letters were assigned?

The second hard drive was for backups. It was F:\ and was 500gb. The ghost backups were on the F:\ drive.

@ leftyx


Quote:

2 hard drives of 500gb each. Drive 1 was partitioned in c:, d:, and e:. C:\ was the windows partition and was 40gb. D:\ was a data partition and was 200gb. E:\ was another data partition and was 250gb. (as far as I remember.) The second hard drive was for backups. It was F:\ and was 500gb. The ghost backups were on the F:\ drive

Okay, and with your new WinXP--what is the status of the two HDDs?  How many partitions and what drive letters?

Hey thanks, the hdds are c:\ is called backup. d:\ is Local Disk. E:\ is games and F:\ is data. Those are the current names. Originally they were C:\ was Local Disk. D:\ was games. E:\ was data. F:\ was backup.

Also C:\ is now 500gb. D:\ is 43gb. E:\ is 280gb. F:\ is 180gb.

Tell me what else you need to know.

@ leftyx

Can you post a screenshot of Disk Management?

Quote:

Can you post a screenshot of Disk Management?

Sorry I can't. That machine isn't connected to the Internet anymore. In fact I haven't done anything to it since I screwed it up. I'm hoping to be able to restore from a backup when I get help.

Did I make it too confusing. It's really simple. The disks got shuffled around. C:\ was the windows partition and 40gb. D:\ was the games partition and was 280gb. E:\ was the data partition and was 180gb. F:\ was the second hard drive. It was for ghost backups. It was 500gb.

Can you create a screenshot, put it on a USB flash drive and transfer it to an internet computer. Or take a digital photo of Disk management.

Otherwise post everything that is in the graphic rectangular window (Disk Management) for each HD. Everything!

Here is a screen capture of disk management.

---

@ leftyx

NightOwl must be away. OK, here goes.

Disk Management is intriguing as your HDs are reversed. Did you open your computer and play with the HDs or the cables prior to noticing the non-boot?

Are your HDs, IDE or SATA?

Can you post the contents of boot.ini? I have more tasks for you depending on boot.ini.

Quote:

Are your HDs, IDE or SATA?

HDDS are IDE.


Quote:

Can you post the contents of boot.ini? I have more tasks for you depending on boot.ini

I did a seach on My Computer for boot.ini and it didnt find it. Even with hidden files shown. Where is it located so I can copy it and post it?

In Folder Options, you have to Show hidden files and folders and remove the tick from Hide protected operating system files (Recommended).
Boot.ini is in the root of the OS partition.

Did you open the computer and change the cables recently?

Edit... boot.ini may instead be in the root of your C: drive.

Could you also post the contents of boot.ini taken from your last backup image. Get this from the Ghost recovery environment. This will allow us to determine which was HD0 on the old working system.

Quote:

In Folder Options, you have to Show hidden files and folders and remove the tick from Hide protected operating system files (Recommended). Boot.ini is in the root of the OS partition.

Attached is the boot.ini as it stands now.


Quote:

Did you open the computer and change the cables recently?

I haven't changed the cables or opened the computer in months. This is all a result of me stupidly following the prompts when installing Windows.

Note: I can't save the boot.ini as an ini file because the forum won't allow ini files to be attached. So it's in a txt file. But it is the same boot ini that was in the D:\Local Drive on the computer.

---

Quote:

Could you also post the contents of boot.ini taken from your last backup image. Get this from the Ghost recovery environment. This will allow us to determine which was HD0 on the old working system.

 
I don't know how to access the Ghost recovery environment. I'm sorry but could you explain or is that something else I have to send so  you can see what is going on?

Thanks. So the boot.ini was in D:\Local Drive and not C:\

To get the boot.ini from an image...(these instructions are for Ghost 15 so if they don't work for Ghost 12 let me know)
Boot from the CD
Recover
Recover My Files
View recovery points by Filename
Browse to a recovery point in your Backup partition. Ignore drive letters
Open, OK
boot.ini will be in the WinXP root
select boot.ini and click Recover Files
Browse to a destination folder (eg USB)
Recover, OK
Exit from the Ghost CD

OK. For Ghost 12...

Boot from the CD
Recover
Recover My Files
Browse to a recovery point in your Backup partition. Ignore drive letters
Open
boot.ini will be in the WinXP root
select boot.ini and click Recover Files
Browse to a destination folder (eg USB)
Recover, OK
Exit from the Ghost CD

I understand I'm supposed to boot from the CD. But how do I do that? I know there is a boot sequence. But I don't know if I'm supposed to change that at bootup time. Sorry, I know somethings but I'm not an expert like you guys.

No problem. Some computers let you access a boot menu by tapping F10 as soon as you power on the computer. If that doesn't work you will have to enter the BIOS and make the boot sequence, CD first, HD second.

Hey again,
I did the process and have the boot.ini. I'm putting it back into a txt file. The boot.ini.txt file attached is the one from the recovery. It's different from the first one I sent even though the name is the same.

Thank you:
Jordan Sacks

---

Jordan,

They both look the same to me. I don't know why your computer failed to boot originally but when you installed WinXP recently I think this happened...

http://www.goodells.net/multiboot/notes.htm#note08
"Why did XP install on F: instead of C:?"

Your HDs look reversed in Disk management but maybe that is normal for your computer. One of my computers shows the first HD as HD0 in WinXP and HD1 in Win7.

Let's restore an image and see if your old WinXP boots.

Boot from the Ghost CD
Recover My Computer
Next
View by Filename, Browse
Find your latest Recovery Point in the Backup partition (ignore drive letters)
Open
Next
Select your 43 GB partition (Let us know later if it is on Disk 1 or 2. The very left column)
Next
Put ticks in...
  Verify recovery point before restore
  Check for file system errors after recovery
  Set drive active (for booting OS)
  don't tick the others
Next
Put a tick in Reboot when finished
Finish, Yes

Good luck!

Hey again,

I finished the process and nothing changed. I believe I did it properly. The only difference I notice is that D: is called "data" and E: is called "data" as well.

As you asked i noticed the 40gb partition is disk 2.

Thank you, and please see if there is something i missed.

Jordan Sacks

Is WinXP your old one or the virgin one?

Could you post another screenshot of Disk Management?

Sorry about the wait. I went to sleep right after posting.

Also I can't remember how I got the disk management screenshot into a doc file so I made it a zip file. Attached is diskmanagement2.zip

WinXP looks the same.

---

@ Brian


Quote:

NightOwl must be away

I've been out of town this last weekend--and, I'm going to be very busy this week + out of town later in the week as well--so, my input may be limited.

But, with my current computer setup, I haven't installed MS Word and I can't open leftyx's *doc* file in his reply #8--can you post whatever screen shot is hidden there for me to see?

Thanks!

Hello Nightowl, I post up the doc file since the jpg was to big to post. I'm at work now and I don't know how to get the doc file back to a jpg.Maybe another screenshot of the doc file will be ok. Then I can zip it and attach it. That should be able to be opened as a jpg. As you can see I'm thinkning while I type. Let's see what happens.

---

@ leftyx


Quote:

I finished the process and nothing changed. I believe I did it properly. The only difference I notice is that D: is called "data" and E: is called "data" as well.

STOP! STOP! STOP!.........

Yes, that was yelling!

If I read your response correctly, it looks like Ghost 12 is attempting to maintain drive letter assignments between the WinXP environment--and the Ghost Recovery environment (but only *sort of* and as far as I can see--incorrectly!)--and it's not coming out correctly!  And the partition *name* is not following the restored data for some reason!

Do you have a Ghost backup for each of the partitions from your original HDD--i.e. C:  your OS, D:  Games, and E:  Data?  If you restore those, you are not loosing any data--is that correct?

If so, I'd recommend deleting the partitions on the OS HDD so it's all unallocated space, and then restoring those partition backups.

You can use the WinXP installation disc to delete those old partitions on that HDD--I would disconnect your other *backup* HDD before booting the installation CD to make sure you can not accidentally choose the wrong HDD.  Pretend you want to do a *new* install of WinXP.  You will get to a stage where you can delete old existing partition(s)--do that and then stop the installation process at that stage.

Now, re-attach the *backup* HDD and re-boot using the Ghost CD.  Being careful not to choose the wrong HDD, restore your backups from the *backup* HDD to the OS HDD.  Once done--remove the Ghost CD and try re-booting to your WinXP. 

Questions?

Success?

@ leftyx

There's also something *wrong* with the *boot.ini* file pointing to *disk(0), but the OS HDD is being ID'd as HDD #2  (i.e. the second HDD and not the first HDD).  Depending on the program, some begin the numbering from 0 (zero), and other start at #1--you have to figure out which is which for each given program!


Quote:

[boot loader] timeout=30 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

and


Quote:

As you asked i noticed the 40gb partition is disk 2.

I suspect this may have something to do with the BIOS support for selecting which HDD is the boot device--but, I'm not sure about this.  Do you recall if you used the BIOS to indicate your boot device (not boot order!)

We could also look at the physical hookup for your IDE HDDs to see which IDE channel is being used, and which connector is used for each HDD on the IDE connector ribbon.  And, if you are using *Cable* select, or specifying *Master* and *Slave* HDD manually!

NightOwl,

I'm glad you are back. It's your turn now.

I'd just like to mention a few things that have concerned me. Jordan reinstalled WinXP and it appeared to be a virgin install. However the first Disk Management showed 21.95 GB of used space in the 40 GB partition. That's far too much used space for a fresh WinXP install. Also, Jordan said the 40 GB partition used to be C: drive. So when the image was restored WinXP should have been C: drive again. But it is not.

Quote:

Do you have a Ghost back up for each of the partitions from your original HDD--i.e. C:  your OS, D:  Games, and E:  Data?  If you restore those, you are not loosing any data--is that correct?

Yes I believe that is correct.

Quote:

You can use the WinXP installation disc to delete those old partitions on that HDD--I would disconnect your other *backup* HDD before booting the installation CD to make sure you can not accidentally choose the wrong HDD.

I don't understand how to tell which is the backup HDD. Ithink I undrstand why I would want to disconnect the *backup* HDD so I don't accidently choose the wrong one. ALSO, I incorrectly said the HDDs were IDE. I opened the case and looked at the cable and it's a SATA drive cable for both HDDs.

Quote:

Pretend you want to do a *new* install of WinXP.  You will get to a stage where you can delete old existing partition(s)--do that and then stop the installation process at that stage. Now, re-attach the *backup* HDD and re-boot using the Ghost CD.  Being careful not to choose the wrong HDD, restore your backups from the *backup* HDD to the OS HDD.  Once done--remove the Ghost CD and try re-booting to your WinXP.

Logically I undetstand this so let's say I will try to follow the instructions.


Quote:

Re: Problem after hard drive won't boot Reply #27 - Today at 16:53:11     @leftyx There's also something *wrong* with the *boot.ini* file pointing to *disk(0), but the OS HDD is being ID'd as HDD #2  (i.e. the second HDD and not the first HDD).  Depending on the program, some begin the numbering from 0 (zero), and other start at #1--you have to figure out which is which for each given program! Quote: [boot loader] timeout=30 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect and Quote: As you asked i noticed the 40gb partition is disk 2. I suspect this may have something to do with the BIOS support for selecting which HDD is the boot device--but, I'm not sure about this.  Do you recall if you used the BIOS to indicate your boot device (not boot order!) We could also look at the physical hookup for your IDE HDDs to see which IDE channel is being used, and which connector is used for each HDD on the IDE connector ribbon.  And, if you are using *Cable* select, or specifying *Master* and *Slave* HDD manually!

I'm not clear about this but let me ask if the drives being SATA changes any of this?

Quote:

I'd just like to mention a few things that have concerned me. Jordan reinstalled WinXP and it appeared to be a virgin install. However the first Disk Management showed 21.95 GB of used space in the 40 GB partition. That's far too much used space for a fresh WinXP install. Also, Jordan said the 40 GB partition used to be C: drive. So when the image was restored WinXP should have been C: drive again. But it is not.

I don't undrestand why WinXP would need 21.95 GB either.

@ leftyx

I'm tied up for awhile--so can't answer--but, STOP!  If you were not sure if your HDDs were IDE or SATA, then we need to take a couple steps back, take some slow, deep breaths (calm the nerves!), and start afresh.

Answer this--do you know how to enter the BIOS setup?  If *yes*, do you know how to look to see which HDD is set to be booted from?

I'll be back as soon as I can--but, I think I know a little bit about what may be going on!

Quote:

Answer this--do you know how to enter the BIOS setup?  If *yes*, do you know how to look to see which HDD is set to be booted from?

Yes I know how to enter the BIOS ssetup. No, I don't know how to tell which HDD is set to be booted from.

Going to sleep NightOwl. Leave me a message and I'll see it tomorrow.
Thank you:
Jordan Sacks

@ leftyx

So, let's clear up a small item of terminology first--Brian asked this question in his reply #9:


Quote:

Are your HDs, IDE or SATA?

Your answer in your reply #10 was:


Quote:

HDDS are IDE.

And, you were *correct*!!!  But, you then said in your reply #29:


Quote:

I incorrectly said the HDDs were IDE. I opened the case and looked at the cable and it's a SATA drive cable for both HDDs.

That answer was *incorrect*!

Here's the deal--there's *Parallel* ATA (PATA) HDDs and there are *Serial* ATA (SATA) HDDs.  Parallel have the wide connector cables, and Serial have the very narrow connector cables.

However--both are considered IDE interface based HDDs!  Although it appears to be *common practice* to use the term *IDE* to refer to the older Parallel type HDDs (I still continue to do that myself, until I catch myself!), and Serial to refer to the newer type HDDs.


So, you have SATA and not PATA HDDs--correct?



Not everyone's BIOS will be the same--there are different BIOS makers and different versions from the same vendor--so what I say next has to be considered specific to my system and you have to see if you have similar settings on your system:

My BIOS is by *Award*.  Once I enter the BIOS setup utility, I have a menu choice for *Advanced BIOS Features*.  Once I click on that item, I have a new set of menu items--one being *Hard Disk Boot Priority*--and one has to *Press Enter* to access that item.  Once accessed, all the attached HDDs on the system are shown in a list.  The order of this list can be changed by selecting a HDD and using the arrow keys as indicated in the right side bar area explaining how to change the order.  The top HDD will be looked at first to see if it is bootable--if *yes*, then you will boot from that HDD.  If not, then the next HDD down will be looked at by the BIOS, and so forth until you have either booted, or exhausted the list.

Other menu items below the  *Hard Disk Boot Priority* are the *1st Boot Device*, *2nd Boot Device*, and *3rd Boot Device*--this is where you select whether you boot first from a HDD, floppy drive, CD-ROM drive, flashdrive, etc.


So, do you have a *Hard Drive Boot Priority* option in your BIOS?



If *Yes*, which HDD is listed at the top of the priority list?

@ Brian


Quote:

I'm glad you are back. It's your turn now.

Gee, thanks  ;)  (but, I don't even use Ghost 12!)!


Quote:

I'd just like to mention a few things that have concerned me. Jordan reinstalled WinXP and it appeared to be a virgin install. However the first Disk Management showed 21.95 GB of used space in the 40 GB partition. That's far too much used space for a fresh WinXP install. Also, Jordan said the 40 GB partition used to be C: drive. So when the image was restored WinXP should have been C: drive again. But it is not.

I agree, there are *issues* to be explored/explained here!  But, first I want understand the basic physical setup, so I can make sense of what's happening!

I think I've got it worked out, but want to verify that physical setup first!

Quote:

So, do you have a *Hard Drive Boot Priority* option in your BIOS?

Yes, I have a Hard Disk Boot Priority

Quote:

f *Yes*, which HDD is listed at the top of the priority list?

1. Ch2 M.   :ST3500630AS
2. Ch3 M.   :ST3500320AS
3. Bootable Add-in  Cards

@ leftyx


Quote:

1. Ch2 M.   :ST3500630AS 2. Ch3 M.   :ST3500320AS 3. Bootable Add-in  Cards

That looks very similar to my system's listing--so, I suspect you have an Award BIOS.

If I'm reading those results correctly, you have one HDD hooked up to Channel #2, Master, and the second HDD is hooked up to Channel #3 Master. 

And, the HDD on Channel #2 is at the top of the priority list--so it should boot first--if it's bootable!

Do you know which physical HDD on your system is hooked up to which SATA port?

You might be able to figure it out if you have your motherboard's user guide.  If it shows you the SATA port locations and the designation for which SATA port is which Channel and Master or Slave.

Alternatively, on my system, when booting, at the very beginning of the system being detected and loaded by the BIOS, you get a very brief listing of the HDDs hooked up, and the channel/master-slave designations--do you have this on your system?  If *yes*, then you can, while the system is shut down, pull the SATA communication cable off one of the HDDs.  Now re-boot and look for which HDD is now missing from that listing.

(An aside--if you want to stop the process of the system flashing that information too fast to read and savor the details, you can press *Shift + Pause/Break* buttons at the same time--if your timing is right you will stop the process with your list of all the *ide* channels and what, if anything, is connected to each of them.

It's important to know which physical HDD is which when it comes time to trouble shoot HDD problems--and when you are installing OSs, and using Ghost to transfer images to and from various HDD and partitions, etc.!

Let me know if you have been able to figure out which physical HDD is which.  If it still is not clear, we can continue to see if there are other ways of figuring it out!

The next step, is to determine which physical HDD is the *Backup* labeled HDD with a single partition, and which HDD has the three partitions on it--a 40 GB Primary partition and an Extended partition with two logical partitions inside it.

Quote:

Let me know if you have been able to figure out which physical HDD is which.  If it still is not clear, we can continue to see if there are other ways of figuring it out!

I've figured out something. I don't know if it's what we need to know. But here it is. The mainboard manual lists the SATA drives on the board as SATA A1 is front and SATA A0 is back. My hard drives are stacked one on top of the other. The top drive goes to the back SATA and the bottom drive goes to the front SATA. Does that help? Can it make it easier to determine which physical drive is which?

@ leftyx

I'm afraid that information does not help.

Are your HDDs listed on the initial boot screen as being attached to a Channel and as Master?

Are you uncomfortable with simply unplugging the SATA communication cable from the back of the SATA HDD when the system is shut down?  It does not cause any harm or changes to the system.  After collecting the information I asked for above--you plug it back in--no harm, no foul!

Quote:

Alternatively, on my system, when booting, at the very beginning of the system being detected and loaded by the BIOS, you get a very brief listing of the HDDs hooked up, and the channel/master-slave designations--do you have this on your system?  If *yes*, then you can, while the system is shut down, pull the SATA communication cable off one of the HDDs.  Now re-boot and look for which HDD is now missing from that listing. (An aside--if you want to stop the process of the system flashing that information too fast to read and savor the details, you can press *Shift + Pause/Break* buttons at the same time--if your timing is right you will stop the process with your list of all the *ide* channels and what, if anything, is connected to each of them.

Here is what I get when I boot up...
IDE   Channel   0   Master   : None
IDE   Channel   0   Slave     : None
SATA 1 (A0)   : ST3500630AS    3.AAK
SATA 2 (A1)   : ST3500320AS    SD15
SATA 3 (B0)   : None
SATA 4 (B1)   :TSSTcorp CDDVDW

After I remove the bottom SATA cable it looks like
SATA (A0)   : ST3500630AS   3.AAK
SATA (A1)   : None
SATA (B0)   : None
SATA (B1)   : TSSTcorp

Also when I continue, it displays a BOOT choice with DVD, Hard drive, removeable. The hard drive is listed as
ST3500630AS  Ch2  M
then when I choose that hard drive the PC boots to WinXP.
But when I remove the other SATA cable it goes into anohter boot sequence and won't boot to the hard drive.

I'm guessing all the information we need is in that description someplace. Did I get it all right this time?

@ leftyx

I think we almost have the information needed--you went one step ahead of my next recommended step!


Quote:

Also when I continue, it displays a BOOT choice with DVD, Hard drive, removeable. The hard drive is listed as ST3500630AS  Ch2  M then when I choose that hard drive the PC boots to WinXP.

Remove that *bottom SATA cable* again, and boot to WinXP  (that was going to be my next recommended step--see if you can boot to WinXP!).  Go to *Disk Management*.  Post a screen shot of what's there--show the info for the top part of that screen, plus include the HDD info from the bottom part of the Disk Mgmt screen if possible.  I'm looking for the HDD label of *Backup*--I'm hoping that's what we see!

Been up since 5:00am. Got to get some sleep. Catch up tomorrow. Thanks. Jordan

Have to go to work. Will try to work on this some tonight. Thanks again. Jordan

@ leftyx


Quote:

Will try to work on this some tonight

I understand.  But as mentioned earlier, I'm going out of town later this morning and won't be back 'til late Saturday at the soonest.

I will tell you what I think I know--and maybe Brian can help continue the recovery process with you.

I'm pretty sure if you disconnect the *bottom SATA cable* again, and boot to WinXP--in Disk Management you are likely to find that the HDD is labeled *Backup*.  If *yes*, then you now know which HDD is which as far as where your backups are and where your former WinXP OS used to be!  And you know which HDD is which when you disconnect the SATA communication cable.  And which HDD is which in the BIOS.  You should now be able to troubleshoot your current problem!

However, you need to take an honest look at yourself and your computing skills.  You've been doing procedures that could wipe out your system completely--and you do not seem to understand what those procedures are doing, or to what part of your system you are applying those procedures!

You installed a new copy of WinXP!  Not a problem--but, you apparently didn't know that was what you were doing--and you did not understand where the installation was being directed--i.e. which HDD.  I think you will find the *Windows* directory for the new WinXP on your *Backup* HDD--you can use Windows Explorer to see what files are on your *Backup* HDD and if you use the *details* view, you can see the dates when directories were created--the *Windows* subdirectory should have a creation date on the date you installed the *New* WinXP!

But, there should have been plenty of *clues* what was being done, and there should have been additional *clues* where the new WinXP was being installed.  One has to read the various screen information as you proceed and *understand* what's being said!  If you don't!  You should *STOP*!  And then cancel out of the procedure before any harm is done.  And then do what it takes to figure out what's going on before proceeding. 

Randomly proceeding blindly is dangerous computing!

In your reply #21 to Brian about using Ghost to restore your *old* WinXP backup to it's original location on the OS HDD:


Quote:

I finished the process and nothing changed. I believe I did it properly. The only difference I notice is that D: is called "data" and E: is called "data" as well

To clarify, the Disk Management screenshot you put in the *zip* file in reply #23 says you have two *data* partitions on D: and F:--not D: and E:--probably a simple mis-type when reviewing the information.

But, the evidence indicates you chose the wrong *source* file to restore--you chose the *data* backup file and not your *OS* backup file--and you restored it to the *correct* approx. 40 GB destination partition--that's why you now have two partitions labeled *data*!

You can verify that information by doing the following, (I wish Disk Management also listed the amount of data that's present in each partition--but it only lists the amount of *Free Space*--so you have to manually calculate the amount of data that is in the partition--you simply take the *Capacity* and subtract the *Free Space* values and that equals the *Amount of Data* on the partition) calculate the amount of data on each partition using the values in the above Disk Management screen shot in the zip file--that is your system after you performed the Ghost restore:

data (F:):   40.00 -    21.58 = 18.42
data (D:):  165.75 - 147.42 = 18.43

Looking at your Disk Management screenshot before you did the Ghost restore listed in your reply #25:

data (F:):  165.75 - 147.34 = 18.41

So, all those data amounts are essentially *equal*.

Looking at the *unlabeled* OS partition before you did the Ghost restore in the reply #25 screenshot:

unlabeled (D:):  40.00 - 18.05 = 21.95

So, your OS data amount should have been approx. 21.95 GB.

I'm going to post this now, and post a separate reply suggesting how to proceed.

@ NightOwl

So, what seems to be the best way to proceed?

Well, we really don't know *why* your system refused to boot--could be a corrupt BIOS on the motherboard, or a corrupt Master Boot Record on the HDD, or perhaps corrupt WinXP boot files, or .....?????--just don't know.

But, what I would try first is the following:

Using Ghost, restore the old WinXP backup file to your approx. 40 GB partition as outlined previously by Brian in reply #20--making sure you select the correct *source* file and correct *destination* partition.  Make sure you make the partition *active* as mentioned in Brian's outline.


(Question for Brian--isn't there an option to restore the MBR when doing a Ghost restore in Ghost 12--if the first attempt using your outline doesn't work--maybe that would be a good second attempt option to try--if it is an option?)


After the Ghost restore, before attempting to boot to WinXP, re-boot the system and enter the BIOS.  Go to the HDD Boot Priority menu item and determine if it is the OS HDD that is listed first--and not the *backup* HDD!  Follow the instructions on how to change the priority if needed (you do know which drive is which now, don't you?!).

Save any BIOS changes.  And now test to see if you can successfully boot to your old WinXP.

Results?

I am out of town until late Monday or Tuesday. It's really great that you wrote out everything so detailed. I'll be ready to get back into that when I return. Thank you. Jordan

NightOwl wrote on Nov 3^rd, 2010 at 9:46am:

isn't there an option to restore the MBR when doing a Ghost restore in Ghost 12

NightOwl,

That is correct. You have options to ...

Restore Master Boot Record (MBR)
Restore original disk signature

Quote:

Using Ghost, restore the old WinXP backup file to your appro]x. 40 GB partition as outlined previously by Brian in reply #20--making sure you select the correct *source* file and correct *destination* partition. Make sure you make the partition *active* as mentioned in Brian's outline.

Brian's instructions show "Find your latest REcovery Point in the Backup partition" does it matter that the original C: drive partition was backed up only on the first of the month while the other D: and E: were backed up every week?

Sorry if this is a lame question but I'm not feeling confident in going forward.  I  am missing some part of the puzzle and it's not clicking yet.

Jordan,


leftyx wrote on Nov 9^th, 2010 at 8:24pm:

does it matter that the original C: drive partition was backed up only on the first of the month while the other D: and E: were backed up every week?

Not in the slightest. Just restore your most recent C: drive image. Any other questions?

After the Ghost restore, before attempting to boot to WinXP, re-boot the system and enter the BIOS.  Go the to the HDD Boot Priority menu item and determine if it is the OS HDD that is listed first--and not the *backup* HDD!  Follow the instructions on how to change the priority if needed (you do know which drive is which now, don't you?!).
To do this I should not put a tick in the "Reboot when finsihed" checkbox. Is  this correct?

@ leftyx


Quote:

To do this I should not put a tick in the "Reboot when finsihed" checkbox. Is  this correct?

Doesn't matter--you will be *re-booting* either way!  Just hit the necessary key(s) to enter the BIOS setup utility and make sure it's the OS HDD that's listed as the first boot HDD.

(Remember to remove the Ghost CD so you don't re-boot to the Ghost Recovery Environment!)

Other questions?

Yes, it would be better not to tick that option in case it reboots when you aren't watching.

@ leftyx


Quote:

in case it reboots when you aren't watching

Brian's point is well taken--his way is best!

@ leftyx


Quote:

I'm pretty sure if you disconnect the *bottom SATA cable* again, and boot to WinXP--in Disk Management you are likely to find that the HDD is labeled *Backup*.

Was I right?

And, was it the *Backup* HDD that was listed as the first boot HDD in the BIOS--(you did check, didn't you?)?

It boots to  WinXP and all my files are back. But WinXP is now in the Local Disk F: and my backups are in backup C:. I'm not sure how this happened. Can I use Disk Management to change the drive names and Letters around?

Quote:

I'm pretty sure if you disconnect the *bottom SATA cable* again, and boot to WinXP--in Disk Management you are likely to find that the HDD is labeled *Backup*. Was I right? And, was it the *Backup* HDD that was listed as the first boot HDD in the BIOS--(you did check, didn't you?)?

I'll try to attach the disk management screenshot I took now.

---

OK. Can you disconnect that HD, connect the other HD and see if it boots.

Yes it booted with my old system on it. What does that mean? What do I do next? Did I get my disks mixed up?

@ leftyx

Good morning!


Quote:

Yes it booted with my old system on it. What does that mean?

Congratulations!  You have recovered your old WinXP OS--and you're booting from the correct HDD!


Quote:

What do I do next? Did I get my disks mixed up?

It doesn't sound like you mixed anything up!

I assume you disconnected your *backup* HDD per Brian's recommendation above--correct?

Then shut down the system.  Reconnect the *backup* HDD.  Boot the system--but, enter the BIOS and just double check that your *old WinXP* HDD is still the first one listed in the boot priority list--both the HDDs should be listed.

If all looks as it should--exit the BIOS and let the system reboot--you should boot from your *old WinXP*.

Look at Disk Management--all the drive letters should be back to what they were before the problem began.

If all is good, then we can begin to delete the files that were added from the *New WinXP* installation--unless you want to keep that OS around for some reason.

Let us know.

Quote:

Then shut down the system.  Reconnect the *backup* HDD.  Boot the system--but, enter the BIOS and just double check that your *old WinXP* HDD is still the first one listed in the boot priority list--both the HDDs should be listed.

It booted with SATA 2 so I thought SATA 1 was the old WinXP. I guess it was mixed up. So I will make SATA 2 the first one listed in the boot priority list. What do you think of that?

Nightowl? Are you there?

Yes, that was right. The HDDs were listed properly in the boot priority list. It booted properly.

What does this have to do with deleting WinXP files?

@ leftyx


Quote:

It booted with SATA 2 so I thought SATA 1 was the old WinXP.

Let's look at the responses you have given in your previous replies:

Reply #39


Quote:

Here is what I get when I boot up... IDE   Channel   0   Master   : None IDE   Channel   0   Slave     : None SATA 1 (A0)   : ST3500630AS    3.AAK SATA 2 (A1)   : ST3500320AS    SD15 SATA 3 (B0)   : None SATA 4 (B1)   :TSSTcorp CDDVDW After I remove the bottom SATA cable it looks like SATA (A0)   : ST3500630AS   3.AAK SATA (A1)   : None SATA (B0)   : None SATA (B1)   : TSSTcorp

When you removed the *bottom SATA cable* (I presume you mean the bottom of the two HDDs that are stacked one above the other)--your ST3500320AS HDD was no longer listed.  It was listed as *SATA 2* in the top listing and attached to the *(A1)* SATA port on your motherboard--and in Reply #37, you said:


Quote:

The mainboard manual lists the SATA drives on the board as SATA A1 is front and SATA A0 is back. My hard drives are stacked one on top of the other. The top drive goes to the back SATA and the bottom drive goes to the front SATA.

So, these two SATA ports are stacked one on top of the other, front to rear, when looking at the motherboard.  And the BIOS lists the order of SATA ports in the order that those ports are wired into the connectors--they list the ports starting with the *zero*--so *A0* (which is labeled SATA 1)--so the numbering can change depending on what the software is programed to use, some programs start with drive *#0* as the first drive or port #, but others start at drive *#1*--it can become confusing--but, keep track of the information and it will become obvious which is which.

So, your *ST3500320AS    SD15* is your *bottom* HDD of the two.  It's hooked up to the second SATA connector (A1)--the front connector--and is listed on the *SATA 2* channel.  This is your *old WinXP* HDD with the three partitions on it!

When you disconnected the *bottom* HDD, and booted, you show the screen shot in your Reply #55 above.  It shows that the drive label is *backup*.

So, your *ST3500630AS    3.AAK* is your *top* HDD of the two.  It's hooked up to the first SATA connector (A0), and is listed on the *SATA 1* channel.  This is your *backup* HDD with just the one partition on it.

This order is not the *usual* order for HDD hookups.  Usually the OS HDD is hooked up to the what would be the first SATA port--so on your system the *A0* connector outlet.  And the secondary HDD is on the next SATA port--so on your system the *A1* connector outlet.  If you wanted to make it this way, you could simply change which HDD is connected to which port. 

To do the above in the easiest fashion:
--shut down the system,
--disconnect the SATA connector form the *bottom* *old WinXP* HDD
--then disconnect the SATA connector from the *top* *backup* HDD, and connect it to the *bottom* *old WinXP* HDD
--now re-boot

It should boot to the *old WinXP*, and it should now show the *ST3500320AS    SD15* as being connected to the *A0* connector and listed as *SATA 1*.

--shut down again
--hook up the other SATA cable from the *A1* connector to the *ST3500630AS    3.AAK* (your *backup* HDD)
--re-boot

It should boot to the *old WinXP*, and your HDDs should now be listed in the opposite order from what they were before, and your *old WinXP* should be the first HDD listed in the boot priority!


Quote:

So I will make SATA 2 the first one listed in the boot priority list. What do you think of that?

That's the easiest thing to do!

Just out of curiosity--did you add a new HDD to the system?  Or, is that the way it came form the source?

@ leftyx


Quote:

Nightowl? Are you there?

Sorry, I was composing the lengthy reply above!


Quote:

Yes, that was right. The HDDs were listed properly in the boot priority list. It booted properly.

So, your *old WinXP* HDD (ST3500320AS    SD15), is listed first--and that's what is booting--correct?


Quote:

What does this have to do with deleting WinXP files?

You need to keep track of what we are talking about!  You have 2 installation of WinXP on your system now--your *old WinXP*, which is on your 3 partitioned HDD, and your *new WinXP* which is on the *backup* HDD.

Quote:

Just out of curiosity--did you add a new HDD to the system?  Or, is that the way it came form the source?

That's teh way I got it.


Quote:

So, your *old WinXP* HDD (ST3500320AS    SD15), is listed first--and that's what is booting--correct?

Exactly


Quote:

You need to keep track of what we are talking about!  You have 2 installation of WinXP on your system now--your *old WinXP*, which is on your 3 partitioned HDD, and your *new WinXP* which is on the *backup* HDD.

So between you and Brian we will delete the ***new WinXP*** files? I guess I want one version of WinXP not two.

@ leftyx


Quote:

That's the way I got it.

Interesting--who built the system, i.e. source?

NightOwl wrote on Nov 10^th, 2010 at 12:42pm:

@ leftyx Quote: That's the way I got it. Interesting--who built the system, i.e. source?

I bought the parts at Microcenter. They're a computer store chain in the East. I had them assemble it at a small cost and install WinXP on the system for me.

I have to go out for a few hours. Be glad to talk with you more later.

@ leftyx


Quote:

So between you and Brian we will delete the ***new WinXP*** files? I guess I want one version of WinXP not two.

Are you able to bring up the the list of directories and files on your *backup* HDD using a file manager program (like Windows Explorer)?

You should find a *Windows* subdirectory at the very least.

Here's at least a partial list of directories and files that a new installation should have added to your *backup* HDD:

Directories:

Documents and Settings
Program Files
RECYCLER
System Volume Information
WINDOWS

Files:

AUTOEXEC.BAT
boot.ini
CONFIG.SYS
IO.SYS
MSDOS.SYS
NTDETECT.COM
ntldr
pagefile.sys

There could be others--depends on your particular system and if you had to add anything *special* during boot, etc..  You could look for any other files or directories that were created with the approx. same time/date as the Windows directory on that *backup* HDD.

You need to be sure your looking at directories and files on your *backup* HDD!  You probably can not delete the *Recycler* and *System Volume Information* directories--those will be in use by your *old WinXP* OS, but the rest could be deleted to recover HDD free space on your *backup* HDD.

You'll probably get *warnings* about deleting *System* files and *Read only* files, etc.--as long as they are being deleted from the *backup* HDD, just say *yes* it's okay to delete!

Questions?

Quote:

Here's at least a partial list of directories and files that a new installation should have added to your *backup* HDD:

If you didn't day delete it then I did not delete it. If you did say delete it then I did delete it. Saved me mucho space, like 3+ GB in files, but no extra  was in properties. Do you need to reboot first to see the savings?

Quote:

If you didn't day delete it then I did not delete it. If you did say delete it then I did delete it. Saved me mucho space, like 3+ GB in files, but no extra  was in properties. Do you need to reboot first to see the savings?

Maybe it did replace the space. I guess I missed it.

@ leftyx


Quote:

Saved me mucho space, like 3+ GB in files, but no extra  was in properties

Not sure what you mean here--are you talking about *free space* or *size* of the HDD.  Size will not change--but free space should have increased.


Quote:

Do you need to reboot first to see the savings?

No, that should show in Windows Explorer as soon as you have deleted files--or in Disk Management's listing of *Free Space*.

In the screen shot from your Reply # 25, this was after the *new WinXP* had been installed and it says the free space was 167.00 GB for the HDD labeled *backup*.

In Disk Management now, how much free space do you have listed for your *backup* HDD now that you have deleted the *new WinXP* files?

By the way, you might want to label your WinXP partition with something rather than leaving it *blank* as it is now.  To do that, in Disk Management, in the upper window if you highlight the WinXP volume (should have just the drive letter (C:) listed ), right click it and select *Properties* at the bottom of the list.  In the resulting dialog box you can create a name for the volume.  Use something that's meaningful to you--I use *WinXP* for mine to indicate it's my WinXP OS partition.

Just another way to keep track of different partitions correctly--you have named the other partitions with *meaningful* names to differentiate them.

Quote:

In Disk Management now, how much free space do you have listed for your *backup* HDD now that you have deleted the *new WinXP* files?

Still 167 gb of free space on the ***backup*** HDD. And I did delete all the files and folders you guys list for the ***new WinXP***.  :o

Jordan,

Have you emptied the Recycle Bin?

@ Brian


Quote:

Have you emptied the Recycle Bin?

Sure glad you've got my backside covered!  Oh, the details!

I use a file management program (PowerDesk--v4.xx--originally by Ontrack Data International--it's old and no longer available) that has the option to by-pass the Recycle Bin when deleting files--and I usually do choose to by-pass the Recycle Bin--so I don't think about emptying the Recycle Bin very often!

Thanks!

You probably thought I was gone. I was Hehheh. I will empty the recycle bin and check before and after what is in backup.

@ leftyx


Quote:

You probably thought I was gone. I was Hehheh. I will empty the recycle bin and check before and after what is in backup.

Still *Gone*?

We always like to hear back on what the results are!

I thought you knew. Everything works fine now and I'm a genius to my wife and kid. As far as emptyinng the recycle bin, The F: drive already had done its backups for the week and there was no change in the F: drive free space when I emptied the recycle bin.
As far as I know everything is working well. I'm using 400gb for backups and have about 75gb free space on the *backup* drive. ;D

@ leftyx


Quote:

I thought you knew

I know you recovered your OS partition, but I was wondering if you saw any increase in your *free space* after you had deleted all those *new WinXP* files off the *Backup* HDD--no big deal if it can't be determined any longer!

NightOwl wrote on Nov 21^st, 2010 at 8:19pm:

@ leftyx Quote: I thought you knew I know you recovered your OS partition, but I was wondering if you saw any increase in your *free space* after you had deleted all those *new WinXP* files off the *Backup* HDD--no big deal if it can't be determined any longer!

Nightowl,
I noticed something in the backups report that there wasnt enough space for the D: drive to create its backup. In the Backup Management there is a checkbox to let it automatically optimize backup space on the F: drive. I checked that and deleted all the older backups, leaving one backup for eack partition. Well, then on the F: drive there were several old backups. Not recent but older ones from several months ago. Attached is a jpg of the F: drive Explorer directory.
Question is do those need to get deleted? Seems the older backups won't go away.
Thank you.

---

@ leftyx


Quote:

In the Backup Management there is a checkbox to let it automatically optimize backup space on the F: drive. I checked that and deleted all the older backups, leaving one backup for eack partition. Well, then on the F: drive there were several old backups. Not recent but older ones from several months ago.

Well, so Ghost did not delete *all* the old backups!  Some how those remaining backups were no longer being *monitored* by Ghost as the current list of backups that it was aware of.  Those backups are still *valid*, but for some reason Ghost reset the list that it was keeping track of and those remaining are from previous backups.


Quote:

Question is do those need to get deleted? Seems the older backups won't go away.

If you feel they are no longer needed--then that's fine.  You have to be the judge of that--just like you had to be the judge to select that *checkbox* to *automatically* delete older backups that Ghost was still monitoring!

Brian may have some better thoughts on letting Ghost decide what to delete as far as old backups--but the ultimate decision is yours!

NightOwl wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2011 at 2:03am:

@ leftyx If you feel they are no longer needed--then that's fine.  You have to be the judge of that--just like you had to be the judge to select that *checkbox* to *automatically* delete older backups that Ghost was still monitoring! Brian may have some better thoughts on letting Ghost decide what to delete as far as old backups--but the ultimate decision is yours!

I deleted the "unmonitored" backups from the F: drive and now have just two backups of each drive, except C:, which I only have the Jan 2 backup. Everything looks good and I have all the space I need on F: for now. Thanks again for saving my ass.  ;D

Hi Guys,

Checking in after a few months. Had a chance to use my knowledge gained here. Had a hard crash and HDs got mixed up again. All I had to do was switch the HDs in the Setup and was back up in a few minutes. Now that I know the problem I can fix what is wrong easily. Take care guys.

@ leftyx


Quote:

Had a chance to use my knowledge gained here. Had a hard crash and HDs got mixed up again. All I had to do was switch the HDs in the Setup and was back up in a few minutes. Now that I know the problem I can fix what is wrong easily.

Thanks for reporting back!