Multiple Partitioning/Dual Boot configuring leads to 8GB Partition I can't work with.

cide_

Limp Gawd
Joined
Sep 3, 2004
Messages
235
I have been playing with alot of Partitioning... as well as 2 (going on 3) installs of vista 64 ultimate to the first partition on my 300gb Raptor.

XP sits on the 3rd,
And the 2nd is middle data storage misc partition.


However, after ghosting JUST the XP partition from my Hard drive where it sat with Linux Mandriva 2007 partitions... There is now this mysterious 8192MB (8gb) partition marked as DISK 00. Disk 01 is the 3 partitions. Disk 02 is my Terabyte....

It shows this 8gb as being on the same 300gb raptor, But its marked as a seperate drive instance for whatever reason. I dont know HOW it ended up that way? Linux file system crap, corruption, Too much partitioning and ghosting, or playing with drive letters and boot records too much? I dont know

I cant remove it,
I cant format it
I cant initialize it
I cant merge it with the rest of the drive

Its driving me crazy

What is this,
How do I get rid of it

I get a error when I try to format it...

Does anyone have any ideas, and or a solution?
 
XP doesn't like being put on a Hard Drive after linux. Try using FDISK or some bootable utility to format it.
 
Apparantly so,

According to my mate - The only way to get that 8gb Drive and everything together as one is to torch it with 00000's across the board, Though, I'll see what I can muster with Gparted.

I hope the XP install image will be useable after I wipe the entire drive.... And then reapply it to the drive. (Hopefully not creating a problem again...)

I am basically imaging the XP install that took awhile to get working on the new rig, To a file on my 1TB hardrive.

Wiping clean the Raptor, Repart'ing With Vista Utility - Ghosting XP Image to Second Partition, Making sure it loads, **setting it as inactive** then Installing Vista... and last step would be to configure Bootloader 32/64 bit.. Should be pretty automatic though unless I wanna get technical and change the name schemes..
 
Allrite,
So I wiped the drive with Ultimate Boot CD's Linux Distro, There was a secure erase utility that writes 00000's across the entire drive (External method). The internal method would not run, Due to BIOS restrictions preventing the drive from being told to do so.


I went to ghost over my image to the new drive, I do believe there was only one showing, Although I didn't check in any OS or Vista prior to ghosting my XP Image over..


That phantom drive is still there...

Its EXACTLY 8gb, I mean 8192MB, and it has its OWN Driver ID under "Disk Drives" even though it is a part of my 300gb Raptor, In XP The DEVICE ID for my raptor shows DISK DRIVE (Not WD3000GLFS LIKE ITS SUPPOSED TO) and there is two instances of "Disk Drive"

In Vista, One shows as WD3000GLFS and the other shows as "Standard ATA Disk Device" something along those lines.


I cannot initalize this partition,
I cannot do anything with it.

It is really bothering me and making me not want to even bother fixing up my windows installs, My computer is just a piece of shit to me right now.

What is this,
There is NOTHING on the internet, I've searched google through and through and I cannot find anyone with a problem simular to mine.


IS IT THE GHOST Image causing this phantom Image? (I dont know how it would...)

If it was software I don't see how it would create a seperate Driver ID and an unremovable state, I cant format it I cant even fucking intialize it, Ive tried everything in Vista's nice Diskpart to do things with this and nothing. It wont budge.

Please help me
 
I will provide screenshots of this, As well as the error message I receive when I'm off work.

The error message comes up in Event Viewer/System when trying to Ititialize the disk.
I'll provide details on the exact name of the device ID in vista.

I will also try applying my 100gb XP Install image to a Seperate New hard drive, as a trial to see if that 8gb Phantom crops up as part of the ghost procedure.

Is there any issues with Ghost 2003? I know its old / unsupported by symantec, should I be using a newer version? (I personally hate the new shit, Its dumbed down and doesnt work as good...)
 
try Darik's Boot & Nuke. And be sure to unplug any hard drives you don't want erased.

http://www.dban.org/

I have used it successfully fix problems with XP either not installing or not being able to delete linux partition that I no longer need.
 
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Here are the images, The first one is of Computer Management, showing it. The other is of the Device Manager itself showing two instances.

I don't know if it is an old school linux partition or not, But it if was, I would presume Acronis Enterprise 10 would have told me so. I am starting to think it is a hardware issue.


Thank you for the link you provided, I will try that when I get home.

Cheers.

Have a look at the images though.... That is weird is it not?
 
Ok thats definately wierd. Does that show up like that when you hook the raptop up in another machine?
 
I have not tried hooking it up in another machine, But thats a good idea. I will try that when I get home. I will plug it into my old box and boot to Vista and check out the partitions. I am pretty sure it will still show though....

If it doesnt, It means my motherboard or something.. which I doubt.


Also, Going to try ghosting the image I need onto a totally different hard drive, see if that Partition shows up.

Seriously though,
I searched google for this, There is not a single person in the world as far as I can tell who has seen this, but Im hoping someone here knows ;) Cause that single person might not have posted in a google searchable forum. I just really appreciate the help in troubleshooting this as it is my personal machine at home and I cant tolerate unknown problems like this, especially ones that are so weird!

(Edit: Ignore the unknown device, I haven't bothered installing my drivers yet, aside from Intel Chipset, Because I want to resolve this first.)
 
Resolved issue:

Was setting on the motherboard,
That was always the same, but somehow triggered a problem throughout use.

Asus HDD Speeding Mode setting changed from Auto/Current setting to Disabled.
Phantom partition gone.


Weird as hell, It was only a single drive to begin with, and its plugged into Intel controller, not the speeding hdd ports...

Maybe the mobo is defective or its just a product of the setting? Not sure, Not too many people have this motherboard
 
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