DiskProbe: A Powerful Sector Editor for Windows 2000 and Beyond
DiskProbe Download: What Is It and How to Use It
If you are looking for a powerful tool that can help you edit or repair your files and disks, you may want to consider DiskProbe. DiskProbe is a sector editor for Windows 2000 that allows you to directly edit, save, and copy data on the physical hard drive that is not accessible in any other way. This tool can help you prepare for disk-based problems by saving critical disk structures before problems arise.
diskprobe download
In this article, we will explain what DiskProbe is and what are its features, why you might need it to edit or repair disks, how to download it from Microsoft or other sources, how to use it as a file editor or a disk editor, and what are some alternatives to DiskProbe for Windows 10 and other systems.
Introduction
What is DiskProbe and what are its features
DiskProbe is a utility that was created by Microsoft as part of the Windows 2000 Support Tools. It is a combination of a file editor and a disk editor that lets you modify almost anything on your system's hard disk on a sector-by-sector basis. As a file editor, DiskProbe lets you make changes to binary files in much the same way you use a text editor to make changes to a text file. As a disk editor, DiskProbe lets you manually repair a system's master boot record (MBR), partition table, or boot sector after a viral attack or other damage.
Some of the features of DiskProbe are:
It can open any file or device on your system and display its data in hexadecimal or ASCII format.
It can search for specific data patterns within a file or device using various criteria.
It can modify the data in a file or device by editing the hexadecimal or ASCII values.
It can save the modified data to the same file or device, or copy it to another file or device.
It can backup and restore critical disk structures such as the MBR, partition table, or boot sector.
It can recover deleted or corrupted NTFS volumes by rewriting the NTFS boot sector.
Why you might need DiskProbe to edit or repair disks
DiskProbe can be useful for various purposes, such as:
Editing binary files that contain readable text, such as error messages, configuration settings, or registry entries.
Analyzing disk structures and file systems, such as NTFS, FAT32, or EXT4.
Fixing disk errors that cause boot failures, data loss, or performance issues.
Recovering data from deleted or corrupted partitions or volumes.
Testing disk security and integrity by modifying data on hidden or encrypted areas.
However, using DiskProbe also involves some risks, such as:
Accidentally changing critical data that can render your system unbootable or unstable.
Overwriting important files or data that can cause irreparable damage or loss.
Violating the terms of service or the privacy policy of your system or device manufacturer, software provider, or network administrator.
Therefore, you should only use DiskProbe if you are an advanced user who knows what you are doing and understands the consequences of your actions. You should also backup your data and create a system restore point before using DiskProbe.
How to download DiskProbe from Microsoft or other sources
DiskProbe is not included in the default installation of Windows 2000, but you can download it from Microsoft as part of the Windows 2000 Support Tools. You can find the download link and the installation instructions on this page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=18546
If you are using a newer version of Windows, such as Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, or 10, you may not be able to run DiskProbe without compatibility issues. In that case, you can try to download DiskProbe from other sources, such as third-party websites or online forums. However, you should be careful when downloading files from unknown or untrusted sources, as they may contain malware or viruses that can harm your system. You should also scan the downloaded files with an antivirus program before opening them.
One of the possible sources for downloading DiskProbe is this website: https://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Hard-Disk-Utils/DiskProbe.shtml. This website claims to offer a version of DiskProbe that is compatible with Windows XP and later versions. However, we cannot guarantee the safety or the functionality of this version, so use it at your own risk.
How to Use DiskProbe as a File Editor
How to open a file in DiskProbe and navigate through it
To open a file in DiskProbe, follow these steps:
Launch DiskProbe from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut.
On the File menu, click Open.
In the Open dialog box, browse to the location of the file that you want to edit.
Select the file and click Open.
The file will be displayed in the main window of DiskProbe in hexadecimal and ASCII formats.
To navigate through the file in DiskProbe, you can use the following methods:
Use the scroll bars or the arrow keys to move up and down or left and right in the file.
Use the Page Up and Page Down keys to move one screen at a time in the file.
Use the Home and End keys to move to the beginning or the end of the file.
Use the Go To command on the Edit menu to jump to a specific offset or sector in the file.
Use the Find command on the Edit menu to search for a specific data pattern in the file.
How to modify the hexadecimal or ASCII data in a file
To modify the data in a file in DiskProbe, follow these steps:
Select the data that you want to change by clicking and dragging your mouse over it. You can select data in either hexadecimal or ASCII format.
Type the new data that you want to replace with. The new data will appear in both hexadecimal and ASCII formats.
If you make a mistake, you can use the Undo command on the Edit menu to revert your changes.
If you want to copy data from another file or device, you can use the Copy From command on the Edit menu to open another file or device and select the data that you want to copy.
If you want to save your changes, you can use the Save command on the File menu to overwrite the original file or device, or use the Save As command to save the modified data to a new file or device.
If you want to backup your changes, you can use the Backup command on the File menu to create a backup file of the original file or device before saving your changes.
When modifying data in a file, you should be careful not to change any data that is essential for the proper functioning of the file or the system. For example, you should not change the file header, the file signature, the checksum, or any other data that identifies the file type, size, or location. You should also avoid changing any data that is encrypted, compressed, or protected by a password or a digital signature.
How to Use DiskProbe as a Disk Editor
How to access the physical hard drive with DiskProbe
To access the physical hard drive with DiskProbe, follow these steps:
Launch DiskProbe from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut.
On the File menu, click Open.
In the Open dialog box, click Physical Drive in the Look In list.
Select the hard drive that you want to edit from the list of available drives. The drive number and size will be displayed in parentheses.
Click Open. The hard drive will be displayed in the main window of DiskProbe in hexadecimal and ASCII formats.
To navigate through the hard drive in DiskProbe, you can use the same methods as for navigating through a file. However, you should be aware of some differences:
The hard drive is divided into sectors of 512 bytes each. Each sector has a unique address that is composed of three numbers: cylinder, head, and sector (CHS). The CHS address of the current sector is displayed in the status bar of DiskProbe.
The first sector of the hard drive is called the master boot record (MBR). It contains a small program that is executed when the system boots up and a partition table that defines how the hard drive is divided into logical partitions or volumes.
Each partition or volume has its own boot sector that contains information about its file system, size, and location. The boot sector also contains a small program that is executed when the partition or volume is accessed.
The file system of a partition or volume determines how files and folders are organized and stored on it. The most common file systems for Windows are NTFS and FAT32. Each file system has its own structure and features that affect how data can be edited or recovered.
How to view and edit the master boot record, partition table, or boot sector
To view and edit the master boot record (MBR), partition table, or boot sector of a hard drive with DiskProbe, follow these steps:
Access the physical hard drive with DiskProbe as described above.
To view and edit the MBR, go to sector 0 of the hard drive by using the Go To command on the Edit menu and entering 0 in the Sector box. The MBR will be displayed in the main window of DiskProbe. The MBR consists of 446 bytes of boot code, 64 bytes of partition table, and 2 bytes of signature.
To view and edit the partition table, select the data from offset 1BE to offset 1FD in the MBR. The partition table contains four entries, each of 16 bytes, that describe the characteristics and locations of the partitions on the hard drive. Each entry has the following format:
OffsetSizeDescription
01 byteBoot indicator: 80h for active partition, 00h for inactive partition
11 byteStarting head
22 bytesStarting sector and cylinder
41 bytePartition type: 07h for NTFS, 0Bh or 0Ch for FAT32, etc.
51 byteEnding head
62 bytesEnding sector and cylinder
84 bytesRelative sectors: number of sectors between the MBR and the first sector of the partition
C4 bytesTotal sectors: number of sectors in the partition
To view and edit the boot sector of a partition, go to the first sector of the partition by using the Go To command on the Edit menu and entering the relative sectors value from the partition table entry in the Sector box. The boot sector will be displayed in the main window of DiskProbe. The boot sector consists of different fields depending on the file system of the partition. For example, for an NTFS partition, the boot sector has the following format:
OffsetSizeDescription
03 bytesJump instruction: tells the system to jump to the boot code section
38 bytesOEM ID: identifies the file system type, such as NTFS or FAT32
C25 bytesBIOS parameter block: contains information about the physical layout of the disk, such as bytes per sector, sectors per cluster, etc.
2448 bytesExtended BIOS parameter block: contains information specific to the NTFS file system, such as volume serial number, cluster number of the master file table (MFT), etc.
54426 bytesBoot code: contains the instructions for loading the operating system from the partition
1FE2 bytesEnd of sector marker: 55AAh
To modify the data in the MBR, partition table, or boot sector, use the same methods as for modifying data in a file. However, you should be extremely careful not to change any data that is essential for the proper functioning of the disk or the system. For example, you should not change the boot indicator, the partition type, the relative sectors, the total sectors, the OEM ID, the volume serial number, or the end of sector marker. You should also avoid changing any data that is encrypted, compressed, or protected by a password or a digital signature.
To save your changes, use the same methods as for saving changes in a file. However, you should be aware that saving changes to the MBR, partition table, or boot sector may affect the bootability or accessibility of your system or partitions. Therefore, you should backup your data and create a system restore point before saving your changes.
Alternatives to DiskProbe for Windows 10 and Other Systems
Why DiskProbe may not work on newer versions of Windows or other operating systems
DiskProbe is an old tool that was designed for Windows 2000 and may not be compatible with newer versions of Windows or other operating systems. Some of the reasons why DiskProbe may not work on newer systems are:
Newer versions of Windows have more advanced security features that prevent unauthorized access to the physical hard drive or critical disk structures. For example, Windows 10 has BitLocker encryption that protects the data on the drive from unauthorized modification.
Newer versions of Windows have different file systems or disk formats that are not supported by DiskProbe. For example, Windows 10 has ReFS (Resilient File System) that has different features and structures than NTFS.
Newer versions of Windows have different boot mechanisms or recovery options that are not compatible with DiskProbe. For example, Windows 10 has UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) that replaces the traditional BIOS and MBR with a new boot process and partition scheme.
Other operating systems have different disk architectures or file systems that are not recognized by DiskProbe. For example, Linux has EXT4 (Fourth Extended File System) that has different features and structures than NTFS.
What are some other tools that can perform similar functions as DiskProbe
If you are looking for a tool that can perform similar functions as DiskProbe on newer versions of Windows or other operating systems, you may want to consider some of these alternatives:
HxD: HxD is a free hex editor and disk editor for Windows that can open and edit files of any size and access any device connected to your computer. It has a simple and intuitive interface and supports various features such as searching, replacing, checksums, exporting, importing, etc. You can download HxD from this website: https://mh-nexus.de/en/hxd/
GHex: GHex is a free hex editor and disk editor for Linux that can open and edit files and devices in hexadecimal or ASCII formats. It has a graphical user interface and supports various features such as undo/redo, cut/copy/paste, searching, comparing, etc. You can download GHex from this website: https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Ghex
DiskGenius: DiskGenius is a paid disk management software for Windows that can perform various functions such as partitioning , formatting, cloning, backup, recovery, etc. It has a hex editor that can open and edit files and disks in hexadecimal or ASCII formats. It also has a disk editor that can view and edit the MBR, partition table, boot sector, etc. You can download DiskGenius from this website: https://www.diskgenius.com/
WinHex: WinHex is a paid hex editor and disk editor for Windows that can open and edit files and disks in hexadecimal or ASCII formats. It also has a disk editor that can view and edit the MBR, partition table, boot sector, etc. It also has various features such as data recovery, forensics, encryption, hashing, etc. You can download WinHex from this website: https://www.x-ways.net/winhex/
How to compare and choose the best tool for your needs
To compare and choose the best tool for your needs, you should consider some of these factors:
The compatibility of the tool with your system and device. You should check the system requirements and the supported file systems and disk formats of the tool before downloading or installing it.
The functionality and features of the tool. You should check what functions and features the tool can perform and how easy or difficult they are to use.
The reliability and safety of the tool. You should check the reputation and reviews of the tool and its developer before using it. You should also scan the tool with an antivirus program and backup your data before using it.
The cost and availability of the tool. You should check the price and the license terms of the tool before buying or using it. You should also check the availability and quality of the customer support and technical assistance of the tool.
You can also use online comparison websites or forums to find more information and opinions about different tools from other users or experts.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explained what DiskProbe is and what are its features, why you might need it to edit or repair disks, how to download it from Microsoft or other sources, how to use it as a file editor or a disk editor, and what are some alternatives to DiskProbe for Windows 10 and other systems.
DiskProbe is a powerful tool that can help you edit or repair your files and disks on a sector-by-sector basis. However, using DiskProbe also involves some risks, such as accidentally changing critical data that can render your system unbootable or unstable. Therefore, you should only use DiskProbe if you are an advanced user who knows what you are doing and understands the consequences of your actions. You should also backup your data and create a system restore point before using DiskProbe.
If you are looking for a tool that can perform similar functions as DiskProbe on newer versions of Windows or other operating systems, you may want to consider some of these alternatives: HxD, GHex, DiskGenius, or WinHex. These tools have different compatibility, functionality, reliability, safety, cost, and availability factors that you should compare and choose according to your needs.
We hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any feedback or questions about DiskProbe or any of its alternatives, please feel free to leave a comment below or contact us through our website.
FAQs
Q: What is a hex editor?
A: A hex editor is a software program that allows you to view and edit binary data in hexadecimal format. Hexadecimal is a base-16 number system that uses 16 symbols (0-9 and A-F) to represent each digit. Binary data is data that is stored in bits (0s and 1s) on a computer or device.
Q: What is a sector?
A: A sector is a unit of storage on a hard disk. A sector typically contains 512 bytes of data. A hard disk is divided into tracks (concentric circles) and sectors (segments of a track). Each sector has a unique address that identifies its location on the disk.
Q: What is a master boot record (MBR)?
A: A master boot record (MBR) is the first sector of a hard disk. It contains a small program that is executed when the system boots up and a partition table that defines how the hard disk is divided into logical partitions or volumes.
Q: What is a boot sector?
A: A bo