Corrupted backup hard drive

Well, here's my first post folks, I did a little searching before this, but couldn't find a really similar problem.

I had a several year old computer I was running Windows 2000 on. I could run most games on it reasonably well, and it never really gave me problems. When I decided to upgrade to XP, I backed up all my data on my secondary IDE drive, no problem.

I went through the install process on the primary hard drive, formatting it prior to install. My secondary (backup) hard drive was connected during the install. Upon completion of the install and getting my drivers updated, I went to check my backup hard drive. Windows no longer recognizes it. It shows up under Explorer, but cannot be accessed. I can't remember the exact wording of it, but basically there's something wrong with the formatting now.

I tried hooking said hard drive up to another computer, but same problem, windows can't get into it.

So, several years of pictures and videos are now not accessible. Which makes me mad because it was the backup hard drive in the first place.


So, what can I do to get into it to retrieve some files?

Thanks for your time, and I apologize for the Wall of Text


EDIT: I think I've found some freeware tools for this sort of thing, but haven't downloaded 'em as they seem... less than legit. Too many pr0n adds or pop-ups before download, you know? If anybody knows some good tools, that'd be much appreciated.

Edited by eskimo85, 03 January 2011 - 02:31 AM.

A Linux boot CD might do the trick. I'm using a Knoppix 6.4.3 CD to copy some files off of a non-bootable Windows disk and it just worked. I don't have a lot of hands-on experience myself but the Linux forums on this site are a great place for help if you need it. Good luck!

Sounds like you may need to (re)take ownership of the drive.