jaclaz

No prob, it can happen to everyone to overlook something. You're welcome. jaclaz

No problem if you short TX-RX, you will simply do a "loopback" test. There are several detailed view of the connections in the thread, take your time on it and you will find them. Best, without a soldering iron, is to use some copper wire non-flexible, typically telephone cables (not the ones from the phone to the wall outlet, the ones from the wall outlet onwards) or network cables are good. You simply get a nail, slightly smaller in diameter than the HD pins and wrap a piexe of the naked cable around it in a TIGHT spiral. You will see how you can easily slip it off the nail (or pin) if turning it in one direction and how steady it is if you try turning it in the other direction o simply try to pull it off. Then you simply intertwine the other end of the piece of cable with the wire coming off the converter and wrap it in insulating tape. The technique is called "wirewrap" and is was commonly used in telephone PBX's and the like: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wire_wrap If you want to create your own "poorman's" wire wrapper tool, all you need is a small metal tube (Hint: the needle of a big syringe - like those sometimes used to apply lubricants or compounds) with a cut notch on one side will do. jaclaz

In my experience it is very often a problem in the boot sector, namely a problem in the partition table unbalanced between CHS and LBA or having different geometry detected by BIOS that gets "hooked" by the bootsector BPB and CODE. This latter is typical when "migrating" from a VM to real hardware or viceversa, since this is what vyruz did, it seems to me more probable a cause than GHOST "automagically" resetting the Active partition entry in the MBR. Example (#1): http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=21049&st=8 Of course each bootsector code has it's own story, JFYI the FAT32 and NTFS "windows NT" one have additional checks, as another example (#2) : http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=23408 http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=21702&st=129 http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=8528&st=21 jaclaz

Don't even think of recovering data from a defective hard disk. IMAGE it, (if needed in several sessions) then recover data from the image. This tool is handy: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7783 jaclaz

.....with the chainloader /bootmgr, YES, with the chainloader +1, NO. YES. http://homepages.tesco.net/J.deBoynePollard/FGA/questions-with-yes-or-no-answers.html You won't like them though. HOW did you try re-installing XOSL? HOW did you "ghost" the VM drive? I don't care about GHOST and the switches you used, most probably some parts were skipped nonetheless, or you resized something, or whatever else. The only way to image a disk (virtual or real) when any "delicate" mechanism, like XOSL and it's dedicated partition are used, it is to use a "forensic like" utility, such as dsfo/dsfi or a similar "plain" or if you prefere "dumb" utility. It is also perfectly possible that hardware does make a difference (like drive in the VM being a "standard IDE" one and the "real" disk being SATA). In other words, you are using a tool that has not been developed actively since three years in a BETA release, and not that much has anyway changed since the previous "stable" version since what? 2001? It is very likely that you will find hiccups in it. HOW big are the virtual and real disks? jaclaz

Disambiguation (if needed) PE 1,x XP based PE 2.x Vista based PE 3.x Windows 7 based For #1, besides original MS WinPE, there are two available builder, Bart's PE Builder and Winbuilder. For #2 and #3 besides original MS WinPE, there is only one available builder, Winbuilder. jaclaz

There are not that much stickies in that Forum, among which there is one, fairly popular, that got 1,082,878 views : http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=120444 Which sums up to: You can have as many 2K/XP/2003 as you wish (ok, up to 10 or 99 depending on the version ) + up to three different versions of BartPE/WinBulder/UBCD4Win/WinFLPC or Vista/Windows 7/Server 2008 setup - (this limit is given by the number of primary partitions you can have on any HD like device, 4 ) FULLY AUTOMATED. And which answers quite nicely to the OP question: XP+Vista+7 The thread you reference: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=139654 has a different approach, as well as this one: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=121446 in both the approach is to first boot in a PE (Pre-installation Environment) and from it install as many OS as you wish (NO limits if not size of the device) Though number of views are usually a meaningless metrics, it is likely that the most viewed threads are those that you should read (ora at least skim through) first. jaclaz

http://www.weblogcartoons.com/ more: http://damncoolpics.blogspot.com/2010/01/ipad-funny-pictures.html jaclaz

Nothing. From what you posted earlier, you got from your friend a 64 bit version of bcdedit.exe and you are running a 32 bit OS, it WILL NOT work. jaclaz

@cdob Thanks for the pointer, hilander999's quote is great : jaclaz

Well, if instead of in "Unattended Windows 7/Server 2008R2", you had looked in "Install Windows from USB", you would have ALREADY the answers : http://www.msfn.org/board/install-windows-f157.html jaclaz

Good! Edited initial post, now noone will ever suspect what happened. jaclaz

We are drifting towards "ASCII ART".... ... thus I am allowed to add obviously the Vulcan sign of salute and peace: \V/ And bunny! http://www.thisisbunny.com/ (\__/) (='.'=) (")_(") jaclaz

See if these help: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Microsoft-Software-2918/Microsoft-Photo-Editor.htm http://www.pchelpforum.com/general-software/56825-jpegim32-flt.html You may want to check if the version in the "office conversion pack" is the "good" one or not: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/212265/en-us (open the .exe with 7-zip and extract the graphic filter) jaclaz

Here: http://www.davereyn.co.uk/ http://www.davereyn.co.uk/qemu_manager.html http://www.davereyn.co.uk/qmabout.html jaclaz P.s.: ooops, TYPO! If any moderator can correct the Mannager to the appropriate Manager it would be great.

mel2000 sorry, but I don't get it. What has BartPE to do with SETUP from USB? And what has Recovery Console to do with it? Which of the various apps/methods are you using? On which hardware? jaclaz

This makes no sense! You cannot say "I use a hammer" like that, people may be induced to think that ANY hammer will do, whilst you need a BIG hammer! jaclaz

If you are gonna open a drive you should build yourself (yes, I am notoriously cheap ) a "poor-man's cleanroom" (plese read as "inexpensive cleanbox". This is the general idea: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=9752 http://www.forensicfocus.com/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=4536 You can buy a "semi-professional" one (first result in a google search): http://www.hdrconline.com/hdrc-clean-room-benefits.php About platter exchange tool, this one (on the same site as above): http://www.hdrconline.com/platter-exchanger-tool.php is already 90 bucks cheaper than the one you were proposed However the general idea is: get your "clean something" get a few old, worthless, but 100% functioning SINGLE platter Hard disks (the older the better) try opening one, remove the platter, place it back check that the drive is as functional as before loop to #2 until you are perfectly familiar with all the steps and "movements" needed try again with a multi-platter disk and loop to #3 until needed Here are a few videos that show clearly WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT do: like using bare hands, touching the platter with them, breathing or scrubbing your hands over it, using magnetic tools, using pliers to keep the rotor steady, etc., etc. jaclaz

Well, eSATA is nothing but a connector to a SATA bus. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA#eSATA The difference is mainly in expected lifetime of insertions (yes the morons engineers that designed SATA original connector had in mind a ridicously LOW number of insertions ) and in additional shielding, NOT only because of possible data corruption on an unshielded cable, BUT also to prevent the cable from EMITTING disturbing signals. jaclaz

I have the advantage on you guys : http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=21702&st=122 Why, in MY day.... http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=21362&st=10 jaclaz

More generally, the "name" of the emoticon is it's meaning, some are used with difference meanings/intent. this is "huh" like in "Huh?" http://www.thefreedictionary.com/huh it means that you are perplexed or don't understand what the other is saying this is "w00t", which can mean just like in "WHAAAAT?" that you understand, but that it is clearly absurd in your view, or simply that you are excited at the idea: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=woot this is "wacko": http://www.thefreedictionary.com/wacko it means surprise at a completely unexpected and confusing statement or event this is "blink", as in: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/blink startled or surprised, but in a minor way than the above Emoticons are customizable by the board Admin, here on MSFN we have only a few of them, on other boards there may be many, many more, as an example: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?s=&act=legends&CODE=emoticons "hyper" is the "superlative of "w00t" Also, the "ph34r/ninja" here on MSFN is "static" while this one is animated: AFAIK it can mean BOTH "phear" like when you are scared of something, or "ninja" meaning that you are doing something "under the hood". jaclaz

There is a dedicated thread to this problem: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=131620 cannot say if anything in it may apply to your case. jaclaz

Well, NO. Generally, it is NOT adviced to use "nail thinner" as it could adversely affect the plastic parts of the connectors/PCB, as it usually contains trichloroethane, if using anything like it or acetone: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetone be very careful NOT to use it on plastic parts. To clean contacts use isopropil alcohol: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isopropyl_alcohol or a dedicated electric contact cleaner. A very good way to clean gold plated contacts is to use an abrasive rubber, such as (now really difficult to find) typewriter erasers. jaclaz

Yes/No. You are the only one that can answer that question. How many money do you plan to make by using the tool? Are you positive you can use the tool with success? Are you certain that the tool works/is needed? You need to have at least: one recovery job needing platter exchange payed more than US$1,000 two recovery jobs needing platter exchange payed more that US$500 each three recovery jobs needing platter exchnage payed more than US$350 each .... to justify the expense. Don't take this as an offence , but having the tool does not guarantee: that you are able to use it that you are able to use it properly that you can find payed jobs where the tool is needed From the other threads and the questions you asked in them, and with all due respect , I presume that you need some more experience before attempting a career in HD recovery, expecially if platter exchange is part of the needed activities. Of all the things you can do to a poor, innocent hard disk , exchanging heads and platters are among the most difficult chores, something for which you need IMHO a far deeper knowledge and practical experience than what you currently have (or showed). I mean, to bring it as automotive paragon, you cannot ask in the same day: "Help I don't know how I can change my flat tire": http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=143049 and: "What do you think, should I buy a CNC router" (this thread) it simply doesn't "fit". Additionally, not knowing WHICH kit has been proposed you for US$600, it would be anyway difficult to say if it is worth it, like: The answer to which is obviously: http://www.thateden.co.uk/dirk/ jaclaz

Small correction (again) : A serial interface that outputs TTL levels (like a WORKING CA-42 USB cable) or, better a proper, documented, converter. @WiNuWiNu The easiest (as it is complete and well detailed) tutorial is this one: http://www.mapleleafmountain.com/seagatebrick.html with pictures AND links to a "good brand" adapter, please note that there are tens of these that are good, including a number (BUT NOT ALL) Nokia cables, simply review the present thread, a lot of people have posted where they found the converter they successfully used. Depending on what computer(s) you have available you may want to go for either a RS-232 serial to TTL or to a USB to TTL converter. jaclaz