Boot issues - partition table/mbr related?

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Author
mindgame
Posts: 1
Joined: 13 Mar 2013, 13:58

Boot issues - partition table/mbr related?

#1 Post by mindgame »

Hello!

I recently scrambled some part of the boot sequence on my HP laptop as I was trying out a newly acquired Paragon Partition Manager. I ran the boot wizard and it (apparently) changed the MBR/replaced the bootloader which only allowed me to boot from my primary partition which isn't the one containing my OS. I tried out a few things since then only managing to get UBCD and UBCD4Win booting from my USB Flash drive.
I used windows recovery console and did a fixboot & fixmbr seemingly to no avail...

So I figured I must have screwed something up somehow in the process of trying to get it to boot again and ran TestDisk to see if it could find any faults. AFAIK there's nothing particularly wrong with my partitions other than the structure being 'unusual' but I am a but a novice when it comes to these matters.

Background on why my partitions are they way they are:
My HP laptop came with some vista version pre-installed as well as the [HP_RECOVERY] and [HP_TOOLS] partitions. I removed the previous system partition when I wanted to switch to Windows XP Professional and created the current extended partition of a 22ish GiB system partition and 120ish GiB storage partition. During that Windows XP setup the partitioning utility (some version of diskpart?) 'bumped' the [HP_RECOVERY] partition to be my primary one. Thus my system was located on a non-primary disk which I know can be a cause for trouble but I got it running anyhow back then with boot.ini configured properly...

I'm trying to get my system to boot again without losing any data as I currently don't have the means to back it up. I'm hoping it's merely a matter of the MBR being incorrect and not an issue with my partitions but I cannot say myself.

Any information on what might be going on is appreciated.
Thanks!

Logs:

Code: Select all

#1363100652 Disk /dev/sda - 160 GB / 149 GiB - CHS 19457 255 63
 1 : start=    16065, size=291579750, Id=0F, E
 5 : start=    16128, size= 45817317, Id=07, L
 6 : start= 45833508, size=245762307, Id=07, L
 2 : start=293703344, size= 18878464, Id=07, P

Code: Select all

TestDisk 6.11.3, Data Recovery Utility, May 2009
Christophe GRENIER <grenier@cgsecurity.org>
http://www.cgsecurity.org
OS: Windows XP SP2
Compiler: GCC 4.3, Cygwin 1005.25 - May  6 2009 20:35:43
ext2fs lib: 1.41.4, ntfs lib: 10:0:0, reiserfs lib: 0.3.1-rc8, ewf lib: 20080501
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(/dev/sda)=160041885696
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(/dev/sdb)=15623782400
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\PhysicalDrive0)=160041885696
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\PhysicalDrive1)=15623782400
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\C:)=9665773568
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\D:)=23458466304
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\E:)=125830301184
filewin32_getfilesize(\\.\F:) GetFileSize err Incorrect function.

filewin32_setfilepointer(\\.\F:) SetFilePointer err Incorrect function.

Warning: can't get size for \\.\F:
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\X:)=15619774464
file_pread(4,1,buffer,312592769(19457/254/63)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(5,1,buffer,30516947(2221/217/63)) lseek err Invalid argument
Hard disk list
Disk /dev/sda - 160 GB / 149 GiB - CHS 19457 255 63, sector size=512 - Hitachi HTS543216L9A300
Disk /dev/sdb - 15 GB / 14 GiB - CHS 2221 218 63, sector size=512 - USB DISK 2.0

Partition table type (auto): Intel
Disk /dev/sda - 160 GB / 149 GiB - Hitachi HTS543216L9A300
Partition table type: Intel

Interface Advanced
Geometry from i386 MBR: head=255 sector=63
NTFS at 18282/47/54
NTFS at 1/1/1
NTFS at 2853/1/1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=8
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=8 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=16 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=32 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=64 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=128 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=8
 1 E extended LBA             1   0  1 18150 254 63  291579750
 5 L HPFS - NTFS              1   1  1  2852 254 63   45817317
     NTFS, 23 GB / 21 GiB
   X extended              2853   0  1 18150 254 63  245762370
 6 L HPFS - NTFS           2853   1  1 18150 254 63  245762307
     NTFS, 125 GB / 117 GiB
 2 P HPFS - NTFS          18282  47 54 19457  80 63   18878464 [HP_RECOVERY]
     NTFS, 9665 MB / 9218 MiB

Analyse Disk /dev/sda - 160 GB / 149 GiB - CHS 19457 255 63
Geometry from i386 MBR: head=255 sector=63
NTFS at 18282/47/54
NTFS at 1/1/1
NTFS at 2853/1/1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=8
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=8 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=16 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=32 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=64 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=128 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=8
Current partition structure:
 1 E extended LBA             1   0  1 18150 254 63  291579750
 2 P HPFS - NTFS          18282  47 54 19457  80 63   18878464 [HP_RECOVERY]
No partition is bootable
Logical partition must not be bootable
 5 L HPFS - NTFS              1   1  1  2852 254 63   45817317
   X extended              2853   0  1 18150 254 63  245762370
 6 L HPFS - NTFS           2853   1  1 18150 254 63  245762307
Backup partition structure
partition_save
Ask the user for vista mode
Allow partial last cylinder : No
search_vista_part: 0

search_part()
Disk /dev/sda - 160 GB / 149 GiB - CHS 19457 255 63
NTFS at 0/1/1
filesystem size           291604417
sectors_per_cluster       8
mft_lcn                   10
mftmirr_lcn               1007033
clusters_per_mft_record   -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
     HPFS - NTFS              0   1  1 18151 137 34  291604417
     NTFS, 149 GB / 139 GiB
FAT32 at 18151/137/35
FAT1 : 4110-6150
FAT2 : 6151-8191
start_rootdir : 8192 root cluster : 2
Data : 8192-2097151
sectors : 2097152
cluster_size : 8
no_of_cluster : 261120 (2 - 261121)
fat_length 2041 calculated 2041

FAT32 at 18151/137/35
     FAT32 LBA            18151 137 35 18282  20 42    2097152 [HP_TOOLS]
     FAT32, 1073 MB / 1024 MiB
NTFS at 18282/47/54
filesystem size           18878464
sectors_per_cluster       8
mft_lcn                   786432
mftmirr_lcn               1179903
clusters_per_mft_record   -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
     HPFS - NTFS          18282  47 54 19457  80 63   18878464 [HP_RECOVERY]
     NTFS, 9665 MB / 9218 MiB
file_pread(4,2,buffer,312581810(19457/81/3)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(4,1,buffer,312581810(19457/81/3)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(4,8,buffer,312581816(19457/81/9)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(4,3,buffer,312581824(19457/81/17)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(4,3,buffer,312581871(19457/82/1)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(4,8,buffer,312581887(19457/82/17)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(4,11,buffer,312581934(19457/83/1)) lseek err Invalid argument
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=8 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=16 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=32 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=64 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=128 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=240 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=1

Results
   * HPFS - NTFS              0   1  1 18151 137 34  291604417
     NTFS, 149 GB / 139 GiB
   P FAT32 LBA            18151 137 35 18282  20 42    2097152 [HP_TOOLS]
     FAT32, 1073 MB / 1024 MiB
   P HPFS - NTFS          18282  47 54 19457  80 63   18878464 [HP_RECOVERY]
     NTFS, 9665 MB / 9218 MiB

interface_write()
 1 * HPFS - NTFS              0   1  1 18151 137 34  291604417
 2 P FAT32 LBA            18151 137 35 18282  20 42    2097152 [HP_TOOLS]
 3 P HPFS - NTFS          18282  47 54 19457  80 63   18878464 [HP_RECOVERY]

search_part()
Disk /dev/sda - 160 GB / 149 GiB - CHS 19457 255 63
NTFS at 0/1/1
filesystem size           291604417
sectors_per_cluster       8
mft_lcn                   10
mftmirr_lcn               1007033
clusters_per_mft_record   -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
     HPFS - NTFS              0   1  1 18151 137 34  291604417
     NTFS, 149 GB / 139 GiB
NTFS at 1/1/1
filesystem size           45817317
sectors_per_cluster       8
mft_lcn                   786432
mftmirr_lcn               2863582
clusters_per_mft_record   -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
     HPFS - NTFS              1   1  1  2852 254 63   45817317
     NTFS, 23 GB / 21 GiB
NTFS at 2852/254/63
filesystem size           45817317
sectors_per_cluster       8
mft_lcn                   786432
mftmirr_lcn               2863582
clusters_per_mft_record   -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
     HPFS - NTFS              1   1  1  2852 254 63   45817317
     NTFS found using backup sector!, 23 GB / 21 GiB
NTFS at 2853/1/1
filesystem size           245762307
sectors_per_cluster       8
mft_lcn                   786432
mftmirr_lcn               15360144
clusters_per_mft_record   -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
     HPFS - NTFS           2853   1  1 18150 254 63  245762307
     NTFS, 125 GB / 117 GiB
NTFS at 18150/254/63
filesystem size           245762307
sectors_per_cluster       8
mft_lcn                   786432
mftmirr_lcn               15360144
clusters_per_mft_record   -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
     HPFS - NTFS           2853   1  1 18150 254 63  245762307
     NTFS found using backup sector!, 125 GB / 117 GiB
FAT32 at 18151/137/35
FAT1 : 4110-6150
FAT2 : 6151-8191
start_rootdir : 8192 root cluster : 2
Data : 8192-2097151
sectors : 2097152
cluster_size : 8
no_of_cluster : 261120 (2 - 261121)
fat_length 2041 calculated 2041

FAT32 at 18151/137/35
     FAT32 LBA            18151 137 35 18282  20 42    2097152 [HP_TOOLS]
     FAT32, 1073 MB / 1024 MiB
NTFS at 18282/47/54
filesystem size           18878464
sectors_per_cluster       8
mft_lcn                   786432
mftmirr_lcn               1179903
clusters_per_mft_record   -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
     HPFS - NTFS          18282  47 54 19457  80 63   18878464 [HP_RECOVERY]
     NTFS, 9665 MB / 9218 MiB
file_pread(4,2,buffer,312581810(19457/81/3)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(4,1,buffer,312581810(19457/81/3)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(4,8,buffer,312581816(19457/81/9)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(4,3,buffer,312581824(19457/81/17)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(4,3,buffer,312581871(19457/82/1)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(4,8,buffer,312581887(19457/82/17)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(4,11,buffer,312581934(19457/83/1)) lseek err Invalid argument
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=5
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=8 nbr=2
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=16 nbr=2
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=32 nbr=2
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=64 nbr=2
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=128 nbr=2
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=240 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=5

Results
     HPFS - NTFS              0   1  1 18151 137 34  291604417
     NTFS, 149 GB / 139 GiB
     HPFS - NTFS              1   1  1  2852 254 63   45817317
     NTFS, 23 GB / 21 GiB
     HPFS - NTFS           2853   1  1 18150 254 63  245762307
     NTFS, 125 GB / 117 GiB
   * FAT32 LBA            18151 137 35 18282  20 42    2097152 [HP_TOOLS]
     FAT32, 1073 MB / 1024 MiB
   P HPFS - NTFS          18282  47 54 19457  80 63   18878464 [HP_RECOVERY]
     NTFS, 9665 MB / 9218 MiB

interface_write()
 1 * FAT32 LBA            18151 137 35 18282  20 42    2097152 [HP_TOOLS]
 2 P HPFS - NTFS          18282  47 54 19457  80 63   18878464 [HP_RECOVERY]
simulate write!

write_mbr_i386: starting...
write_all_log_i386: starting...
No extended partition

TestDisk exited normally.
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cgrenier
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Re: Boot issues - partition table/mbr related?

#2 Post by cgrenier »

As you only have 3 partitions, you can choose to switch all L(ogical) partitions to P(rimary) using TestDisk, Analyse, Quick Search...
Set the partition you want to boot from to *(bootable). When everything is ok,

Code: Select all

 1 * HPFS - NTFS              1   1  1  2852 254 63   45817317
 2 P HPFS - NTFS           2853   1  1 18150 254 63  245762307
 3 P HPFS - NTFS          18282  47 54 19457  80 63   18878464 [HP_RECOVERY]
go on next screen and choose Write and confirm.
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