windows XP data structure problem?

[PowerYoga]

I defragged my FAT32 (with 98 on it) with a XP defragment a couple of days ago, and now i can't access 98's hardisk, nor copy anything from it. (well i can but in small chunks only) It doesn't look like i can modify the hardisk's structure.... does defragging fat32 with NTFS defragger futz up your file structure?

 

[ScrapSilicon]

:Q

 

[PowerYoga]

hrm.... bump?

 

[bsobel]

> does defragging fat32 with NTFS defragger futz up your file structure

First, let's clear up something you didn't defrag fat32 with an NTFS defragger. You used XP's fat32 defragger on your Win98's fat volume. That said, that *should* be ok as far as I know.

What do you mean by you can copy 'in small chunks only'?

Bill

 

[chaswood]

The defragger in XP recognizes the file system of the volume before you start. FAT32 is supposed to be compatable between Win 98 and XP. "Assuming" Microsoft's utilities are well written, the operation "should" not have caused any problems.

Do you have access to Norton Utilities or McAffee's EasyRecovery? Either one can probably help you get back any lost data.

 

[PowerYoga]

"copy in small chunks" means i can copy small directories without it freezing on me, but for bigger directories it freezes.

I have mcafee's virus scan w/ firewall, i don't know if that has the easy recovery or not... i don't have the norton 1, but i can just try to move the files back if i need to....

it appears that defragging DID cause the problem considering i didn't d/l anything strange. I think it somehow screwed with the fat32 partition file structure.

hmmm.......

 

[bsobel]

> I think it somehow screwed with the fat32 partition file structure.

If this happened none of the data would be readable. I think something else is going on if your seeing the drive or system freezing on you.

Bill

 

[PowerYoga]

hmmmmmmm i have no idea but i guess the best thing would be to format after backing up?