borntobesting:when I try to run chkdsk I get the error message something similar to " chkdsk cannot run on a raw drive"
BTB -
DO NOT format the drive. Your file info is still there.
If the volume filesystem type information is unavailable, attempting CHKDSK against the volume will result in the following message:
The type of the filesystem is RAW.
CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives.
Sometimes a damaged volume may look like it lost its filesystem type, but in fact it has not. All CHKDSK does is advise you that it is unable to process a RAW filesystem recovery.
The filesystem type is recorded in at least two separate places
- In the partition table (MBR, sometimes referred to as a legacy-style partition) or in the LDM database (when dynamic disks are used).
- In the volume boot sector.
Sometimes, the volume fails in such a way that it becomes RAW. In most cases the failure is associated with a sudden reboot (power failure or a STOP error and the BIG NO-NO, Removing the external drive w/o first using the eject command). Several causes are possible: partition table, LDM database, or volume boot sector corruption, or (on the NTFS volume) when certain records in both MFT and MFT mirror are damaged beyond easy recognition.
It isn't as easy to recover a hard drive as some would make it sound, especially if the boot record is corrupted.
If you have a Geek Squad or Computer Service Store near you, they can surely fix it for you for a reasonable fee in a day or so.