Drive Geometry Error and Partition Recovery

Disk partitioning is the process of dividing the disk space into several slices called partitions, each set for different data storing purpose. After the process, partition table header is created. This header defines all usable blocks of the disk and partition entries specifications. The partition entries constitute partition table and header defines the size and number information of these entries. But if this header corrupts, Partition Recovery requirements may arise. Users may encounter different sorts of error message if this information is unavailable or corrupt:

“Disk 1 (19607MB 39838c 16h 63s) appears to have partitions created using a different drive geometry (255h 63s). This serious problem can lead to data loss. No partition manipulations should be made to the disk using this product or the operating system's products. You should back up the data on this disk, delete all partitions, create new partitions under the new drive geometry, and then restore the data using the backup”

This s a specific error message when user tries to resize the partitions using third party utilities.

Partition resizing is the procedure of changing existing partitioning scheme as per the changed requirements.

After disk partitioning, the disk is sliced so that different partitions are allocated definite start and end cylinders. But if this information is not correctly communicated to the system and the application due to partition table header corruption, aforementioned error message may be encountered.

Here, disk geometry refers to the disk parameters (like capacity, sectors, cylinders etc.) that the BIOS can see and handle which are entirely different from actual physical. If system reports errors with this geometry, partition recovery software will be required.

We need to delete all the partitions and repartition the disk after backing up all the data. After repartitioning, data can be restored back using data ackup. Data backup must be checked for media integrity and status. But if backup fails to restore required partitions, then Partition Recovery Software can retrieve those using specific scanning algorithms for the affected media. These applications are safe and offer interactive user interface. These Partition Recovery applications can be used in any case of missing or damaged partitions.

Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery is the well-known product for safely recovering lost or corrupt partitions. Thispartition recovery software supports Windows Vista, Server 2003, XP and 2000. It has a graphically rich user interface. The software can recover partitions and its data from FAT16, FAT32, VFAT, NTFS and NTFS5 file systems based disks.