Boot CD doesn't see hard drive - problem with many Dell's. Problem with UBC4Win?

[computertech775]

Occasionally when troubleshooting I will use a Boot CD (I use BartPE and MiniPE) so that I can see the files on the hard drive. Occasionally I will come across a PC (usually Dell) where none of the Boot CD's file explorer programs will see the hard drive(s). It's most common on Dell's, but last week it happened with a Toshiba with Vista as the native OS.

It's a problem with the Boot CD, because booting to the Recovery Console with an OS CD works fine. Also, SpinRite sees the drive(s).

I'm guessing it's either a HDD MoBo driver is missing on the Boot CD, or the MBR has been altered on certain PCs for diagnostic or recovery partitions which makes the drive unreadable from a PE based Boot CD.

Does anyone have this problem with UBCD4Win? If so, what's the cause and/or workaround?

Thanks.

[iptech]

Use a Dell CD to make a compatible version of UBCD Win or as ACG suggests use an alternative boot environment.

[GeeksInKhakis]

Occasionally when troubleshooting I will use a Boot CD (I use BartPE and MiniPE) so that I can see the files on the hard drive. Occasionally I will come across a PC (usually Dell) where none of the Boot CD's file explorer programs will see the hard drive(s). It's most common on Dell's, but last week it happened with a Toshiba with Vista as the native OS.

It's a problem with the Boot CD, because booting to the Recovery Console with an OS CD works fine. Also, SpinRite sees the drive(s).

I'm guessing it's either a HDD MoBo driver is missing on the Boot CD, or the MBR has been altered on certain PCs for diagnostic or recovery partitions which makes the drive unreadable from a PE based Boot CD.

Does anyone have this problem with UBCD4Win? If so, what's the cause and/or workaround?

Thanks.

When using BartPE you have to press F6 and load the SATA drivers during the boot-up from CD process. Either that, or 'slipstream' them into your BartPE CD. I've switched to using UBCD4Win, since it already has the SATA drivers slipstreamed into the CD image.

- Rob

[computertech775]

GeeksInKhakis: I was originally thinking SATA drivers, but the PE Boot CDs I use work fine in my HP PC with SATA drives, as well as others. Will build UBCD4Win with a Dell Recovery disk to try when I run across the issue again..

ACG: Can you recommend a very lite Boot CD version of Linux? All I would use it for is exploring and modifying files and folders on the HDD when I can't read the drive with my other Boot CDs.

[pcweirdness]

I use similar methods to access drives and data, when the "windows" tools fail I do use a ubuntu live cd and it works great for basic file recovery etc

[MrUnknown]

I had a Sony VIAO laptop yesterday do this to me under UBCD4Win, so it does seem to happen. It was the first time I ever saw it though. I am not sure of the fix as I just used a different boot cd.

[GeeksInKhakis]

I also forgot, some Dells have an option in the BIOS (something like 'SATA Native mode' or 'AHCI mode'). I believe this needs to be disabled when booting from a CD (either Bart or UBCD4Win).

[computertech775]

Thanks. Will check the Dell BIOS.

I just downloaded Ubuntu Live CD. Will burn and keep handy for the next job where my other Boot CD's don't work.

[LunchBox]

I use UBCD4WIN and never had a problem. The only time I have problems is when the HD has some sort of physical damage. I create my CD's using my OEM Windows XP CD and not extra drivers added.

I know that UBCD4WIN has advanced options where you can add extra stuff. Next time you are in the config screen look to see if you can enable SATA drivers. I am not sure exactly where adding the drives take place since I have not come across this issue.

[deutschnaftula]

[QUOTE=Can you recommend a very lite Boot CD version of Linux? All I would use it for is exploring and modifying files and folders on the HDD when I can't read the drive with my other Boot CDs.[/QUOTE]


here you go http://www.livecdlist.com/

[computertech775]

^^ Lots of choices there. Any recommendations on a light-weight distro used primarily for exploring and modifying files on the hard drive? For some reason on the first PC which I used Ubuntu disk I burned, when trying to "explore" the drives the "window" would open then immediately close. I haven't had time to try it on another machine.

TIA.

[iisjman07]

Puppy linux is very light and ahs an easy to use GUI. If all you want to do is look through files, this is my recommendation

[blackburgpchelp]

I really REALLY like Knoppix for a live linux troubleshooting distro.

[computertech775]

Finally had a chance to test the Ubuntu CD I burned after starting this topic... On a 2 year old Gateway laptop, MiniPE doesn't see the internal HDD, but it sees my external USB drive. Ubuntu sees all the drives.

I wonder what it is about some internal drives where BartPE or MiniPE don't see the drive? I don't think it's a SATA drive issue now - I'm now thinking it might be something to do with recovery partitions on the drive? Thoughts?

[l337]

my guess would be missing sata drivers because ive had minipe view even the drives with norton go back on which are slightly modified version of ntfs partition table (enough that windows cds wont read them)

[greggh]

Finally had a chance to test the Ubuntu CD I burned after starting this topic... On a 2 year old Gateway laptop, MiniPE doesn't see the internal HDD, but it sees my external USB drive. Ubuntu sees all the drives.

I wonder what it is about some internal drives where BartPE or MiniPE don't see the drive? I don't think it's a SATA drive issue now - I'm now thinking it might be something to do with recovery partitions on the drive? Thoughts?

MiniPE is missing MANY sata drivers and many other drivers too. If you want to get MiniPE to see way more drives use Raid Slipstreamer (http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=85842) to add in the drivers.

[computertech775]

^^ I was able to use MiniPE to see a SATA drive in a Toshiba laptop last week. I wasn't aware there are multiple SATA drivers, I thought there was just a generic one - like optical drives :confused: Learn something new every day.