Partition Magic broke my hard drive

Laz123

I have a Dell Dimension 3100c. The hd is 80gb. I wanted to reduce the size of the one partition and insert another smaller partition in the then unallocated space to be able to dual boot with Linux. I gave the program all the instructions (no problems) and when it rebooted into DOS after a few seconds it gave an error message to say it couldn't continue. So I then tried to reboot into XP but the hd couldn't be found. I then tried all possible troubleshooting methods but still the hd wasn't found. I then spent one and a half hours troubelshooting with Dell tech support. Still no luck.

Has anyone else had probs with this program?

[Deleted User]

It's not known as Partition Tragic for nothing..

What's the exact error messages you're getting? It's more than likely that PM has changed the partition number that Windows is installed on and the information within Windows needs to be updated to reflect the change.

beardiedog

I have used it successfully in the dim and distant when it was owned by PowerQuest but since Symantec got their hands on it a few years ago I haven't touched it. It sounds like the boot sector has been corrupted to me. I assume you've tried the recovery CD if you have one (but I assume Dell have already told you this). Did you create a boot disk from PM?

AirCooledHeaven

There is always a risk of corruption when using any software that changes the layout/structure of a HDD. It's important to do a full backup of the drive before using anything like partition magic. I'm assuming you didn't make a backup so the next thing is to try and recover the disk without losing any data.

I'd look for help on the norton forum first:

http://community.norton.com/norton/board?board.id=other

kwikbreaks

It sounds like it trashed the partition table.

I've used http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk_Download in the past to fixed a trashed external hdd which windows refused to recognise.

I'm assuming that you didn't take a backup first - if you did then restore and just use the Ubuntu installer to resize the partitions during the install.

BargainGalore

Thats why I stop using it I now use Acronis product

Anything symantec do is rubbish and bloated

beardiedog wrote: »

I have used it successfully in the dim and distant when it was owned by PowerQuest but since Symantec got their hands on it a few years ago I haven't touched it. It sounds like the boot sector has been corrupted to me. I assume you've tried the recovery CD if you have one (but I assume Dell have already told you this). Did you create a boot disk from PM?

fwor

Laz123 wrote: »

Has anyone else had probs with this program?

Yes - I've had a similar experience in the past. If it were properly written it should check for potential error conditions ~before~ starting to mess around with the boot sector, but apparently it doesn't...

As you're going to be installing Linux, one other thing you might like to try is:

http://www.supergrubdisk.org/

Once you get over the rather odd "International English" user interface, it works well, and is pretty good at finding Windows partitions and creating a boot loader to suit. When you come to install Linux, the installer should find the existing GRUB loader and simply add itself to it, then allowing you to dual-boot.

DatabaseError

Just use the rescue disk which I'm sure it told you to make

..I thought linux distros came with their own partition program as part of the installer?

imho

I think the Op has fixed it now as they have put the same question some where else
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/forums/index.cfm?action=showthread&threadid=360983&forumid=2

Laz123

DatabaseError wrote: »

Just use the rescue disk which I'm sure it told you to make

..I thought linux distros came with their own partition program as part of the installer?

It did ask me to make a rescue floppy (no option to make a cd though) but I don't have a floppy drive. How's that for extra support.

I managed to get a Dell hd (they're different connections from a usual hd) from my son so I'm up and running now. Thanks to all.

BTW I won't ever use PM again.