I reinstalled windows on my c drive. All my info was backed up on my second hard drive () Now clicking on d drive in windows explorer I get the message that ":d drive needs to be formatted". Wont that delete all my backed up files. Is there any other WAY to retrieve this data?Yes.
Formatting will get rid of everything on that drive and/or make it pretty hard to retrieve...
But we need more info here...
Is D a 2nd physical HDD or an additional partition ?
Was there a POWER failure or a spike involved here ?
Has there been any other hardware/software installed recently ?

What TYPE of Windows CD was used here ?

Right click My Computer and select Manage.
Choose Drive management.
Right click the D: partition/drive and select Properties...
Report back with all the info.This is a second hard drive, not a partition. No spikes or additional hardware added. I'm running Windows XP. Right clicking on properties type; local disk file system; RAW used 0 bytes FREE 0 bytes This don't look good does it?What OS did you use to back up all your info? (what OS did you use before re installing Windows?)


A HD with the RAW format cannot be read by Windows.
For example, if you PREVIOUSLY formatted that HD for a Linux filesystem (EXT2 or EXT3), Windows will not be able to read the disk, and will indeed say that it needs formatting.Sounds like it was an external drive unhooked improperly...

But you're right...RAW is not a good sign.
You could give some data recovery programs a try but keep in mind the more you use the drive the further you are away from possibly saving anything...I used Windows XP before to back up my files and then I reinstalled Windows XP. The D: drive was working fine before I reinstalled and never physically disconnected it. What type of data recovery programs do you suggest?
PS this site is great and you people are the best thank you so much Did you format C? If nothing is on C try formating it. If you have maxtor 4 or Maxblast 4 try formating c then reinstall windows. Try also reconnecting the cables to the drive so that there secured into it. Quote from: squall_01 on December 21, 2007, 01:40:50 PM

Did you format C? If nothing is on C try formating it. If you have maxtor 4 or Maxblast 4 try formating c then reinstall windows. Try also reconnecting the cables to the drive so that there secured into it.