NTFS partition transformed to RAW Solved/Closed

Question

Hello,
I have Windows XP SP2 and a 150GB hard drive partitioned into C: of 50GB for Windows, and a D: partition for my data.
I left my PC running overnight, and the next morning my partition D:\DONNEES (NTFS) has turned into D:\Local Disk (RAW) with no indication of size, used space, etc. etc. I can't tell you how slow the explorer is when I try to open My Computer.
Anyway, Partition Magic can still see my partition, but it can't check for errors on it. In the "scan" window, if I may say, it finds a "critical" error, number "45", description "CRC error in data". But it can't finish the scan and shows me an error box saying "Operation canceled by user" even though I haven't done anything during the scan...
A screenshot is available at this address: http://derivem.free.fr/PM/index.htm

I tried scanning the partition using Windows' repair system but it doesn't yield any results... (right-click on D:, properties, tools, check for errors)

If anyone can provide me with a solution to recover my data, it would be amazing!
Thanks in advance.
Marc

Kemar54 · Accepted Answer

Hello everyone,

just press Windows+R, then type in

cmd.exe

(after confirming with Ctrl+Shift+Enter to run in administrator mode), type the command

chkdsk D:

(for partition D:) to scan D:. If there has indeed been a conversion from NTFS to RAW like I experienced, Windows will clearly indicate that there are defective clusters. To fix the errors, type the command:

chkdsk D: /F

still in cmd.exe...

In 1 minute the problem was resolved, the partition recognized as NTFS by Windows again, all data intact, etc.

So, before trying to format your partition, or using software like easy recovery, or phoenix whatever else I’ve read, try this very simple command.

Cheers

Tacoon · Answer

Your solution (chkdsk) doesn't work for me:

Simply because my partition is actually of type RAW, here is the error message returned by chkdsk

c:\> chkdsk d:
The file system type is RAW.
CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives.

I should mention that my machine runs on Windows XP Pro.

How did you get it to work?

coolmax69 · Answer

Hi, as for me, I managed to recover my data with (GetdataBack for NTFS) (Version 2.31) when my disk switched to RAW..
With your problem, to format, try in: Manage (disk management) right-click on My Computer then right-click on your 500 GB disk and see if you can format it, if you have multiple partitions, delete them first.
Otherwise, I don't see what else ??? Do you have an installation CD or software for this disk??

McFy · Answer

Hello,  I have the same problem so I will try to do everything that is written.  Thank you.

Barroca7 · Answer

Hello everyone, I tried the command chkdsk But it gives me the message "direct access impossible " So how should I proceed????

pw123 · Answer

I had the same problem; with Partition Magic, I was able to set the RAW partition to FAT32 and then change it back to NTFS, and everything went back to normal.

adil · Answer

I went through your solutions that I had already tried before but CHKDSK /f doesn't work for GetDataBack or EasyRecovery; you need to format the partition before you can use it (GetDataBack only exists in NTFS or FAT versions while we are indeed talking about a RAW partition). EasyRecovery is significantly less effective than GetDataBack and Partition Magic, so I'm wondering what it's actually for. My question is simple: I tested everything regarding this issue, and my problem is a hard drive that wasn't working; after changing the controller card, it was indeed recognized but as RAW: impossible to run CHKDSK (your shortcuts are too long: a tip to open the command prompt: Windows key on the keyboard (to the left between Alt and Ctrl) + R key, then type cmd > for your information, when you go to 'run', there's no need to type the *.exe extension; for example, instead of typing explorer.exe to open the file explorer or retrieve your desktop environment, you can just type explorer and it magically works, right?).

Guillaume · Answer

Hello everyone

After manipulating my Windows partitions with Linux, I also have a disk (the one that contains my documents!) that turned to RAW. I spent all night trying tons of software and tricks (notably TestDisk to restore the partition table...). Nothing worked. (By the way, I'm on Vista)

Then I downloaded the software Restorer2000, and there: miracle! I recovered absolutely all my files!

So if I can give you a piece of advice:
download the software
select the disk that contains the lost partition
start a scan (the "find" function, I believe).
then, the missing partition will appear in a box on the right
double-click on it and select the folders, files, ... you want to recover.
Finally, use the "recovery marked" function (recover selected files), and you just have to choose the folder where you want to save the recovered files (I used an external hard drive).

Note that the trial version (downloadable) only allows you to recover 125MB, but it’s definitely worth buying this software, I think (the advantage of the trial version is that you can check if the files are available).

For me, it worked 100%, I hope it works for you too. After the backup, I formatted and then reinstalled my files on the disk.

Good luck.

Untenshu · Answer

At startup, press the F10 key or the one that corresponds to entering the BIOS; then go to the configuration while making sure you are not in SATA mode. If you are, switch to ATA mode, either by pressing the plus or minus keys or by pressing F5 or F6, then restart booting from your Windows installation CD. It worked for me, but I had to reformat my hard drive! Good luck, buddy.

Rick · Answer

Congratulations on this solution that even with Microsoft support (70 euros) they couldn't find... And this solution works perfectly on XP Pro Service Pack 2. Thank you.

Cuicui · Answer

Here’s how I recovered a WinXP hard drive that had become RAW.
I connected the RAW drive to a computer as a slave.
With the master drive, I downloaded TestDisc for free.
Using TestDisc, I analyzed the RAW drive and repaired its entries.
I set the repaired RAW drive as the master, but it wouldn’t boot.
I booted the computer with the WinXP installation disk.
I reinstalled WinXP over the old version. The computer did not ask me to format or provide a registration code.
The computer booted up, and I found all my files intact.

azfodel · Answer

My boot partition (C:) had changed from ntfs to raw... with its size reduced to 0, hence the message "missing operating system" at startup... A new volume (H:) had appeared whose content was that of C: but which wouldn’t boot! (I noticed this after temporarily installing the hard drive containing the C: partition as a 'slave' in another computer). It occurred to me that the H: volume was the old C: and that it had lost its identifier due to the unwelcome appearance of a micro-partition that had taken over the 'active' partition property. To verify and, if necessary, fix it, I used a DOS utility: FDisk. You obviously need a floppy disk that allows you to boot in DOS and on which you have copied FDisk. You also need a floppy disk drive (increasingly rare!).  Boot from the floppy disk (you may need to check the BIOS first!) Run FDisk. Check the current state of the partitions (item no. 4) and note the number of the one containing the system (probably the first one) Return to the items by pressing Escape Activate the partition containing the system (item no. 2) Exit FDisk Turn off the computer (press the button used to start) Remove the floppy disk from the drive Turn on the computer and... yay!

steph13015 · Answer

There you go, I tested chkdsk D: and it worked perfectly!!!!!!!

otalleu · Answer

I tried CHKDSK x: /f on my laptop running Vista... no permission to execute, however on another PC with XP it worked perfectly, the partition was converted back to NTFS and all the data is there.

Thank youuuuuuuu !!!!

wkaimissy · Answer

I can't run the command chkdsk E: /F, what should I do? Please help me!! Add me at wkaimissy@hotmail.com It's very important to recover the files!!  Thank you very much

valw · Answer

Suddenly yesterday, my external hard drive was no longer recognized by our two PCs: I have 1.5 TB of data!!! We discovered in Properties that it has changed from NTFS to RAW... I tried the CHKDSK command but it doesn't work, DriveRescue works, I was able to recover 60 GB already but it keeps crashing so with 1.5 TB, we won't make it... When I connect the hard drive to my multimedia hard drive, it works and I can watch all the videos on the TV!  I am desperate please HEEEELP!!!!!! valerie.weisbecker@gmail.com Thank you for your help!

tetu30 · Answer

Hello KEMAR54
Thank you, because like you I spent HOURS reading about how to recover my files from my backup hard drive with so-called software that I tried without success.
Your method is the RIGHT ONE, ALL my files have been recovered

THANK YOU AGAIN

rageback · Answer

Hi,
I had the same problem... after a reformat... so I took another hard drive on which I reinstalled Windows (windobe for friends)... I connected the other disk and saw that the format was RAW... anyway
I tried the command Scan disk ==> chkdsk, without success because it doesn’t support the RAW format....
I then tried to directly convert the format by typing convert F: /FS:NTFS (a command that is supposed to convert the disk, without success...) it doesn't work because we are in RAW and this command works to switch from NTFS to FAT32 or vice versa, it also works to switch from NTFS to RAW :s but not the other way around (too bad for us...)

I tried formatting with the BOOT CD installation of Windows... without success, an error appeared (check that your hardware is properly powered on... a message like that)

Under Windows, I tried formatting... "right-click" on the drive and format... without success...
I then went to run => cmd (command prompt)
and I tried formatting with the commands... ==> FORMAT F: /FS:ntfs /q
(try these steps, maybe it can work for you... it all depends on the error you have)
"/FS:ntsf" is supposed to transform the RAW format into NTFS during formatting.. and the command "/q" means "Quick" so ==> quick format...
it didn't work for me....

Ultimate chance for me, I switched to Linux... I know most people don’t want this software, but I had an installation CD, so I installed Linux (UNBUTU) on the "damaged" drive....
the installation went without a hitch and without any messages, once installed, I went back to Windows with my other disk and reconnected the disk that was in RAW, and surprise, I started formatting under Windows (right-click on the drive and format) and it worked..

I recommend this method, it's simple, just need to have a Linux CD (which is free for info), don’t use a "LIVE CD", because it won’t work (it doesn’t check the disk, so there you go...)

Good luck to everyone, it worked for me, it should work for you too, there's no reason it wouldn't...
+++

yoshiland · Answer

A thousand thanks!! Thanks to your help I was able to recover my PC. The chkdsk technique works well and now we have 2 PCs because in the meantime we bought a laptop.
My brother, who tried a lot of software all weekend, managed to read the content with Partition Magic, I believe, but we couldn't recover the data. I tried your technique tonight and in no time we fixed everything!
Thanks again!!!

thunter666 · Answer

AN HUGE THANK YOU TO YOU Kemar54, your solution allowed me to recover my disk intact in NTFS format. And a BIG THANK YOU :)

nonoletoto · Answer

Hello everyone  when I tried to implement the proposed solution, a message indicated that I do not have the permission to do so because I do not have the correct rights  should I do it in safe mode?

Charuka · Answer

Hello Same issue on Windows 7, your technique worked perfectly (chkdsk D: /F) Thank you Kemar54

bob · Answer

A SOLUTION:

Connecting the problematic hard drive to a MAC computer allows access and retrieving the data when all the suggested solutions have failed (chkdsk / data recovery software and others like Testdisk...)

This does not save the hard drive, but at least allows you to save your data

Kisses to you!

William.Tassin · Answer

I had the same problem. In fact, my Windows 7 stopped working one morning. I could no longer recover my data because my HDD went from NTFS to RAW. After using TestDisk, Recover2000 Pro, etc., it didn't yield anything. So I found a very simple and effective way. You need to start the PC with a Linux Ubuntu CD, insert a USB stick, and on the user interface open your hard drive and retrieve your data.  Too easy.

youn · Answer

formatted it by launching an installation with a bootable Windows

aldopcpro76 · Answer

Hello, I have the solution to install Linux on the disk where there is a raw file system, then a Linux file system, allowing for NTFS formatting under Windows because the Linux file system is recognized for NTFS formatting in Windows and not the raw file system, which is actually a Windows bug.  TWO HARD DRIVES are necessary to perform the operation.  Send me an email for more information if you don't know how to do the operation.

mulder76 · Answer

Good evening,  Thank you for this post, sometimes we look for hours for nothing, just a chkdsk command l: /F and my problems disappeared, thank you again :).

didiego · Answer

I tested Kemar54's solution, "cmd", then "chkdsk X:" (X=letter of the concerned drive) which indeed indicated the name of the HDD and that there were still data on it, then to reformat to NTFS, "chkdsk X: /F" and I was able to recover everything and especially for my HDD to be recognized again, renamed as before, etc... Try this before downloading data recovery software, I had lost hope and oh miracle, everything is back to normal thanks to Kemar54 (see page 1)... you need to type exactly what I put in bold, because if there's a point or a dash missing or added, it won't work)  -- ...the bird or the insect that accidentally enters a room and cannot find the window... because they do not know "Windows"...

Francky14200 · Answer

Thank you, Kemar54, for this quick and effective solution that also saved my life. An external hard drive of 3TB partitioned into 2, with one partition of 1.5TB missing and becoming RAW, with of course my most important files on it: 20 years of family videos and photos, and all my important personal documents. The only one I absolutely can't lose among my 4 hard drives spread across 8 partitions. Even though I had a small part backed up on another hard drive, not everything was obviously saved. It really messes with you when that happens. Given the prices of hard drives today, I'm going to invest in another hard drive to double back up what matters most; you never know what can happen. I only use Seagate, which is reputed for its reliability, but it's better to be cautious. Besides, this one is only 2 months old at most.

ARNAUD · Answer

Hi *  I have the same problem with my disk, it has gone to RAW. I'm using W7, when I try to run chkdsk X:, it says "unable to determine the version and state of the volume, chkdsk abandoned." When I try with PC Inspector, I can't see my files on the disk, but with GetDataBack for NTFS I was able to recover a very small part of my files. With TestDisk, the disks still don't show up.  But I think I will try Ubuntu, but it's not accessible to me. And right now I'm a bit terrified, panicked....................   Please, I urgently need a solution; these are very important files from at least 2 years of work.   Thank you for replying.

fred_depriester · Answer

I just had a similar mishap. After trying a dozen tools (TestDisk, bootrec, bootsect, ...), I used MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Edition ( https://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html ), a free version. The "Check File System" option ran for about a quarter of an hour for a 640 GB SATA-II drive in a USB2 enclosure. It found and fixed the errors, and the hard drive is now working very well.

mika · Answer

A solution for me worked. My D: partition suddenly turned to RAW overnight. CHKDSK D: /f (even in administrator mode) or formatting didn't work, so here's what I did: -WARNING!!!!!!!!  THIS OPERATION ALLOWS YOU TO CONVERT THE LOST RAW PARTITION TO NTFS, BUT IT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO RECOVER THE DATA ON THIS PARTITION (DISK ...) THE DATA WILL BE LOST, I INSIST. So, go to Computer Management (Computer -> right-click -> Manage) then in the Disk Management tab next, right-click on the RAW formatted partition, click on Delete Volume once the volume is deleted, right-click on the partition again and click on New Simple Volume follow the steps and you're done Hope this helps you. :)

SUP_g · Answer

The miracle solution is: chkdsk X:/f/r where x is the letter of your drive   -- The quieter you become...The more you'll be able to hear

Mélanie. · Answer

I'm a novice in the field of computing, but I learn quickly. However, I don't understand anything right now... to start off, what does cmd.exe mean and then the rest... chkdsk D: I don't know where to enter that??? Well, if someone could help me, I would really appreciate it. I have my classes on this external hard drive and I can't afford to lose them... (I should mention that my computer crashed and I need to reinstall Windows, but I must keep my folders because they are very important. So, I took the hard drive out of the computer and put it into an external hard drive, and now there's a problem... I can't open it.) Thank you if you can help me.

kiknou · Answer

Hello, I had the same problem NTFS ==> RAW. Anyway, I found the solution, you just need to open the Windows 7 DOS command in Accessories CMD as an administrator: then type the following command Format E: for your drive (if of course your drive is this one). Then the DOS will tell you Warning: all data on the non-removable disk E: will be lost! continue formatting  type Y which means YES, then wait lol!  I recovered my disk in NTFS.   Personally, I have a 640 Gig drive on my laptop in addition to the Windows one. It took a total of 8 hours, so arm yourself with patience.   Best regards.

NTFS partition transformed to RAW

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