Sorry, if this is not the right forum, but I'm in a bit of a panic. Please move if required.

Running XP, and tried to use Partition Magic 8 to create a new partition. Very very bad idea!!!

Brain in neutral when PM asked a couple of questions - such and such sector error do you want PM to fix - Yes, yes.
Then PM won't start - partition table error

I used the v8 dos version, and I get a display of the full disk drive in yellow with the text "partition table error 108".

I then downloaded a demo version of Partition Table Doctor - and it says that there is a smal hidden partition called BACKUP. The machine is a Packard Bell, and I assume that is the recovery partition.
The real partition space - just says its unused space.

All advice gratefully received.

Regards,

Rannoch

What is the status of this machine now?

Can you boot into XP or is Operating System Not Found? Or? ???

Do you have the manual or know how to access that Recovery Partition?

What is the exact Packard Bell model #?

The status of the machine.

When it's booted -
There is an initial Packard Bell screen which says to see alternative screen press escape, or pf2 for bios, or pf8 for change boot device.
The escape shows the detail behind the boot - too quick to read but looks like the click escape/pf2/pf8 message in scrolling text, pf2 and ph8 work.

Then goes to a blank screen, and I hear a small click, and just sits at a blank screen. ctl/alt/dl and it re-boots as described.

If I leave a bootable CD it will boot straight from that - it does not see any bootable harddisk.

There is a manual, and I'll read it later - not at machine at the moment. I'll post model no.

Regards,

rannoch.

Is ter any software to assist any recovery.

Regards,

Rannoch

Do you have a full version XP CD or a Recovery CD from Packard Bell?

If XP was pre-installed on the computer OEM as I would suspect by the recovery partition then you need to know how to access that recovery partition.

The manual or online support RE: your computer model: System Recovery should point the way.

If the BIOS (F2) is not detecting the hard drive then there are hardware issues inside the case.

Also make sure the boot menu (F8) is set to boot:

1. Floppy
2. CD/DVD
3. Hard Drive

Hello Jephree,

According to the on-line details for this specific machine it does not have an XP CD - it accesses the backup partition by keying <F11&gt (what does this mean).
As an alternative the Packard bell support advises that if the above doesn't work create a recovery CD which I have done.

The BIOS is detecting harddrive.

The model is IXTREME 7072.

The boot priority is as you've indicated.

What is this BACKUP/RECOVERY likely do to. Will it overwrite the existing system. If I can recover the data (on My Documents) and e-mail file (outlook express) I'll re-build the system

Regards,

Rannoch

The Recovery CD I created does not work in that it's looking for a master CD which does not exist.

Is Partition Disk Doctor software any good.

Rannoch

Getting nowhere with problem.

I'm now looking at two possibilities.

1) Purchasing software which may correct the Partition Table Error 108 - e.g. Partition Disk Doctor 3.0 - any advice here would e appreciated.
2) Purchase data recovery software - e.g. File Scavenger 3.0 - again any advise appreciated.

What would be the best way to tackle the problem.

Regards,

Rannoch

Managed to recover the BACKUP partition. Haven't run it yet - need to get all the data recovered.

Took out the harddrive from the PC, and added to another as a slave drive.

Partition Table Doctor did NOT live up to it's name - failed to recognise that the XP partition had existed - not impressed.

Tried FileScavenger 3.0 to see if it would recover data files off the harddrive. So far so good - I'd recommend this one.
All Outlook Express e-mails and attachments recovered. All data files recovered.

Still a major problem - the BACKUP partition is actually corrupt, and can't be used.

In your experience will the manufacturer/retailer ssupply recovery discs.

Could I use the recovery CDs from another Packard Bell PC, or are there licencing
issues.

Rannoch

Most manufacturers will sell recovery disks. Another PB CD might work. Worth a try.

The licensing issue depends on your Product Key & not on the CD.
It is just necessary during the setup to type in your Product Key.
If you do not know this Key it might be on a PB XP label somewhere on the case.

You have made great progress so far. I am sure that you will figure this out!

I can only find European PB sites & don't know where you are. It might be worth at least a brief call to PB.

http://support.packardbell.com/uk/