disk image backup/recovery

[Ether]

I'm wondering if there are any disk gurus out there who could shed some light on a "situation" I encountered a few days ago concerning the subject of image backup/recovery software, disk partitioning, and NTFS file systems.

If you're still reading, here's the story:

The desktop computer I use at home has an 80GB drive partitioned into 20GB C: and 60GB E: partitions.

The C: partition contains my OS (XP Pro SP3) and a critical subset of my installed apps.

The E: partition is my workspace, and also contains some installed apps.

Prior to installing a large statistical analysis app for evaluation, I made an image backup of C: using Macrium Reflect Free version 4.2.2952.0, which I have been using successfully for quite some time.

I installed the statistical analysis app, worked with it for a bit, then decided to remove it.

To remove it, I used the C: image I had made. (This is my preferred method for completely and cleanly "un-installing" an app I am evaluating.)

Foolishly (I was in a hurry and grabbed the wrong CD) I used a Live CD from a more recent version of Macrium to do the recovery. Instead of just copying the C: image back to the C: partition (as I have done successfully so many times in the past with the older LiveCD), this newer LiveCD copied the backup image to the C: partition and did something to the E: partition.

Partition editing software shows that the E: partition is still there, and it still has the exact same clusters allocated to it. Also, physical disk sector software shows that my data is still there. However, Windows can't seem to find the NTFS file system on that partition, so I can't access the files.

Fortunately, I have a backup of all the critical files on the E: drive. But it is not a complete image backup, so there will be some manual labor involved to re-construct it.

Many years ago (more than I care to think about) I used to understand how disks were laid out. But I've forgotten most of it, and haven't kept up with the changes.

So, finally, here are my questions:

- Does anyone have a guess concerning what Macrium might have done to make the NTFS file system on the E: partition invisible to Windows?

- Is it remotely possible that all I need to do is set a flag somewhere to magically make it re-appear?

I can't imagine why Macrium would go to the trouble of erasing the file system, and leave the partition and data intact.