So I have Windows and my program files on my SSD and program data on my secondary HDD. I recently upgraded my HDD, and I just copied all the files over to the new one from within Windows and I changed the drive letter on the new drive to what it was, yet windows doesn't seem to be showing my programs, my libraries, or my desktop. And when I open windows Explorer, it says "C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Desktop refers to a location that is unavailable." so it sounds like it's looking for all this stuff on the C drive, my SSD.
How do I fix this?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
-
-
Prostar Computer Company Representative
Did you replace the secondary hard drive? Or did you add it in and leave the other one in the system? I think the reason you're getting that message is because you changed the drive letter; depending on how you wanted things configured, Windows is probably still trying to locate that data in the previous drive letter, but since you swapped the drive out, it's not set up correctly within Windows to search there. You'll need to redirect it to the new drive, or use whatever the default drive letter would have been and let Windows do the leg work.
-
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2 -
I personally would try cloning the old drive to the new one, that should work. All it will take is time.
-
I was trying to clone it originally, but trying to boot into the software didn't work. It just got stuck on the loading screen. Maybe I can try running the disc from within Windows...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
I don't know if this helps at all.
C is the ssd which didn't change at all.
X is the new drive in my laptop.
A is the old drive in the dock.
Also, now I can't even boot into windows. It says:
BOOTMGR missing.
Press ctrl alt del to restart.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2 -
Prostar Computer Company Representative
Check your BIOS to ensure that it's still trying to boot to the hard drive with your OS (I'm guessing C, your SSD). If no go still, then try booting into a Live CD or Mini Windows XP to check your drive (you can also use Hiren's Boot CD to check the drive). Hopefully the BOOTMGR isn't corrupt or the MBR isn't damaged.
As for the first noted problem, cloning MIGHT work, but you'll need to check that the drives are aligned. Cloning is convenient - as long as it works. -
I was looking through my new drive, and my program data doesn't appear to be there. There are six folders. There should be way more than six. I also checked my old hard drive and it's the same files there. Where did all my program data go?? It just disappeared or got deleted somehow!
But my user data is still there, so that doesn't explain why it can't find my desktop.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2 -
Prostar Computer Company Representative
Bummer! All I can recommend is to try using Windows built in search for particular directories/files. Make sure you have the "View Hidden Files/Folders" option selected as well, just in case. It's unlikely it was deleted, but I can't guarantee you can recover it very easily if you can't locate the data anywhere.
-
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2 -
Prostar Computer Company Representative
Most likely, yes. I don't want to promise you anything, though.
How many folders for your program data should show (if you remember)? Are you sure you didn't consolidate them when you copied them over? -
And what do you mean did I consolidate them over? Consolidate them where?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2 -
Prostar Computer Company Representative
By consolidate, I meant: Did you make new directories/folders to organize the data?
You can try using a file recovery/undelete program if Windows search doesn't yield anything, just to see if some of the data was actually lost. Assuming it's not *hidden*, maybe Recova or Glary Utilities File Undelete can retrieve some of the program data. -
Okay so I had been looking in the shortcut to program data in A, the old drive, because program data itself is a hidden folder, so the shortcut was trying to go to X. I unhid my folders, and then in the actual program data folder, it seems like everything is in order. Do hidden folders not copy over?
And now that it's unhidden, will it copy over?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2 -
Prostar Computer Company Representative
Hidden files copy over, but they will remain hidden. You can elect to "View Hidden Files/Folders" and remove the Hidden attribute by right clicking the folder/file > Properties > uncheck "Hidden", or use a command prompt and use the attrib -h switch.
Easiest way to do it is to right click on the directory/folder that has all the hidden program data, and remove the hidden attribute from it's properties (you'll be asked if you want to apply this to all sub-folders and files; click Yes). -
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2 -
Prostar Computer Company Representative
-
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2 -
Prostar Computer Company Representative
It's best that you remove that hidden attribute altogether from all your directories, sub-directories, and files when you copy them over - just to make things simpler on you. No adjustment needs to be made to the registry.
And remember - copying over program data will not re install your programs.
Those files that won't copy over could be because of the hidden attribute, or other attributes. Make sure you're logged in as an Administrator, have the proper permissions, and that the files aren't encrypted.
If you can't find them, do a search in the Windows start pane. If you still can't find them, log in under another account (like the built-in Administrator account) and see if you can find them. -
Do I need to set up an mklink of some kind?
This is what I have used originally when I installed Windows.
I'll post a message in that thread asking for help.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
New secondary HDD and now my stuff isn't showing up
Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Ferrari353, Dec 16, 2012.