How do you fix a FAT32 hard disk partition which Windows XP won't read, but every other OS will?

Question

I have a 60GB FAT32 harddisk partition on a dual boot (Windows XP/Win98) PC. It has worked fine for 2 years. Now, following an improper shutdown and the resulting WinXP 'checking disks for errors' screen on startup, Windows XP can't even read the volume name and asks if I want to format the drive when I try to open it. Properties dialog shows Filesystem: RAW. However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the partition as far as Windows 98 is concerned (verifies fine with scandisk), and Linux Live CDs such as SLAX also open the partition with no trouble. There is nothing wrong with the physical disk or XP drivers, since other partitions on the drive are fine even from XP. Is there any way to 'fix' the disc, i.e. persuade XP that it is fine, short of backing up everything and reformatting (not easy since I don't have any large HDDs to hand so I'd have to use a stack of DVDs).

Answer 1

Boot you computer in 98 (since that works) start computer managment, and upgrade the filesystem of that disk back to fat32 or NTFS. RAW tells the motherboard to use 16 channels to talk to the disk ( 8 inbound, 8 out) Fat32 reads the disk with 32 channels (16 inbound, 16 out) and NTFS reads it with 256 channels allowing for faster information retrieval. thats all, its not more secure its just a different language. (which incidentally makes it harder for slower computers to try to hack in). To tell 98 to use NTFS file system you nay need the drivers from microsoft but once you have them both 98 and XP should be fine. To prevent future improper shutdowns get an Uninteruptable Power Supply and properly install it so your computer knows when to shutdown (properly) when your power goes out.

Answer 2

If I understand your question wisely, you've an excellent HDD you want to partition into dissimilar drives, format as NTFS, and then deploy homestead windows XP onto the first partition. initially, to do the partitioning and formating you'll have an lively operating equipment. often the XP deploy Disk starts an OS that handles your installation, jointly with the partitioning and formating of the HDD. in case you want to format earlier loading homestead windows it might require a bootable floppy or LiveCD that helps NTFS codecs, inclusive of the Ubuntu distribution of Linux or a bootable methods disk from the HDD producer. in case you do not comprehend a thanks to apply linux, the superb element to do is as well utilizing the XP disk, delete all walls on your HDD, opt for the HDD and create a unmarried partition the dimensions you want on your homestead windows primarychronic, and then flow back AFTER installation XP to partition and format something else of yourchronic (administration Panel > Administrative methods > workstation administration > Disk administration).

Answer 3

Boot with a Win98 floppy.

Run FDISK /mbr

Try again. If this does not work:

Go to http://grc.com and grab a copy of SpinRite 6.0. It's NOT free but is the cheapest and most reliable way to recover that partition.

Answer 4

Fat32 is the old way to format a drive. Replaced in the business platform Windows NT by the NTFS. It's just a more "effective" way to format a drive and for some reason, window's works best with this.

Answer 5

Have you thought about just taking it out and popping it into an older Win 98 pooter? It will probably boot up fine, and there you go. Fast and simple. Don't ya just LOVE windows? Such FINE products, refined so well over the years..............

Answer 6

Partition magic by powerquest is great for converting disks to different file systems without loss of data. If you have anything of dire importance however, i recommend backing up everything just incase things dont go in your favor...

...good luck

Answer 7

Get your original XP installation disc and follow the directions on the link below....you'll be up and running in no time....=)

Answer 8

you can restore the partition using disk director, it worked good for me when i deleted one of my partitions, then i use disk director to restore it, and it did it successfully.