cgsecurity.org

ok, so here are some details:

after failing to boot into hdat2 with the cd-image for some reason, i used a usb key with win98 boot files and hdat2 on it. i disconnected every other drive except the broken one, booted into dos and loaded hdat2. right on the first screen it tells you that it detected ...

quick update:

i used HDAT2 and fixed the hard drive. in the process i bricked another one (LOL), but from what i understand i "merely" broke the mbr. im running a scan right now.

i will write a detailed report soon, right now im cleaning up the mess..

so when i use HDAT2 i go into the "SET MAX" menu and enter the "NATIVE MAX ADDRESS", right? and if there is a hidden address (most likely the HPA) i remove it?
also, that hard drive isnt the newest but i should probably leave the LBA address mode in 48-bits?

yeah i tried that recovery tool before i came here.

so hdd capacity restore tool would be the easiest but hdat2 would be the best, did i understand that right?

and yes, samsungs es tool is bootable.

hello Fiona, thanks for the reply

well my gigabyte motherboard IS pretty old, so..

so from what i understand i should try these things in this order(?):
- try in another computer
- try hdat2
- try hdd capacity restore tool
- try samsung es tool

also, i forgot to mention but i tried a tool called ...

so i recently installed a new graphics card in my system and after i booted up one of my drives shows up as 32mb raw. when i was installing the graphics card i had to remove a couple of drives because of tight spacing in my case, so maybe i touched the case with the drive?? i didnt drop it or ...