CHKDSK corrupted my file system

my NTFS file table seems to have died :|

I had a Maxtor diamondmax 16 HDD (250GB)
2 partitions: 100/150
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I backed up my files on both partitions

I put in my winXP disk to format and install windows on another physical drive (Deskstar)

I got suspicious at that point because the windows installation recognized my 150 GB partition as an "Unknown partition with 100% of space free "

I decided i will worry about that later, and proceeded to format the other drive.

Format complete, but before windows isntall started, it ran CHKDSK on my 150 GB partition (on the non-windows physcal drive)

CHKDSK found errors with the IDE index of every single one of the files on that partition (or something like taht). It eplaced the IDE indexes and then proceeded to "recover orphaned file 123123 into file directory 123123" etc for every single one of my files.

I was wondering "WTH" at this stage and proceeded withi windows install on the other drive.

Windows installed fine. I tested my 250 GB hdd. the 100GB partition was 100% normal
my 150 GB partition however...

File name and sizes 100% correct
All files with size <540bytes were fine
All files with size >540 bytes were corrupted.

Now, i am guessing that all the data is intact...but one sector is not connected to the next.

 

noone's seen this?

 

Seems like the partition was toast even before running chkdsk.

PeteC's advise is good enough.

 

Is it possible that you have some software installed that causes the MBR to be offset? If so, that will cause this problem to occur.

One such program that comes to mind is GoBack. It specifically mentions not to attempt to install an OS with GoBack enabled.

Another thing that does that is BIOS overlay software. Not many of those used anymore but I thought I'd mention it in passing.

If none of that applies, then your HD may have gone south. At any rate, you've lost your data and will find some answers when you attempt to format and reinstall on that partition.

BTW, I have had CHKDSK hose a partition for me and it was on a HD that had no problems. Those things do happen occasionally and it's always wise to have good backups before running any disk service or error correction utility.

 

I have never known a drive to be "bad" when the problem is only with part of it. To me, that would be a boot sector problem... a corrupt boot sector, along the lines of
"Another thing that does that is BIOS overlay software. Not many of those used anymore but I thought I'd mention it in passing "
...but those tend to make the whole drive "disappear" in my experience.

I would follow PeteC's suggestion and test it with the HDD manufacturer's utilities Maxblast and PowerMax. Sometimes they can tell you what is the heart of the problem is as soon as they analyse the drive.

Matt
PS If you cannot find the cause and can backup your data, do a low-level (zero) format. That will reset the partition information.

 

It would be a good idea to wipe all the partitions of off the drive and start from fresh. This will then recreate the MFT and build a new Boot Record with partition information.