partition recovery

[cgetty]

Ok I was meaning to change the file system on my 160 Gig usb drive using cfdisk. I tried it earlier in the day but for some reason it didn’t stick.

So in the after noon I booted up my windows pc with a live version of linux to try it again. I ran cfdisk looking at /dev/hda1. I got distracted by a phone call. When I came back I deleted /dev/hda1 thinking I was working on the 160 gig usb drive. As the partition was being written to the disk it dawned on me, what I had just done. CRAP!!!

At that point I shut every thing down and am now considering my options (if there are any).

Is there a way to recover from this???
Thanks
Clark

 

[cgetty]

FYI
I also posted this same problem at LinuxQuestions.org

this was the responce I got back the same day by this guy syg00
-----------------------------------------------
(c)fdisk should probably fix it - it's simply a matter getting the partition size(s) right in the partition table if no data has been over-written.

Better option would be testdisk - do a search for it here on LQ; gets good reports from those that have needed it.
------------------------------------------------
It worked, I recovered everything, just like it nevered happened.
So Cool
cgetty

 

[cgetty]

P.S.
testdisk come in window & Linux versions.
It open source, FREE!!

http://www.cgsecurity.org/index.html?testdisk.html

cgetty

 

[lemsip]

Hi cgetty,

My PC windows xp partion drive corrupted over the weekend. I have about 50GB of data that i would like to recover. Would testdisk be able to help since you use it before.

The reason why its currupted, i don't know. Not virus for sure, as i have scan it with my updated anti virus software.

The partition(d was formatted as ntfs but when i loaded up, it said the d: drive is FAT32 and the drive is not regconise as windows file. After log into the windows, its performance was crawling. I tried all the trick i know to restore it but no luck. So i tried chkdsk -f, that fix the performance issue but all my data in d: drive is not accessible when i open the d drive. But the properties telling me that only 375MB is available out of my 60GB partition.

I need to recover that 50GB of lost data, anyone can help please?

 

[cgetty]

Hi lemsip
Actually for me it was dumb luck. This is the first time it happened to me (deleting my partition).
When I trashed the partition I freaked out, shut the pc off & looked on the web for a solution. I was lucky to get a total recovery. When I ran test disk I just excepted the defaults and it worked.

I’m trying to wean myself from windows (to Linux). In the process I learned about Live Linux CDs.
A way to test Linux without installing Linux on your hard drive. You just install the CD and boot from it. Running an OS off a CD is a little slow but it’s a cool way to test the goods (Linux).

You can down load many flavors of Linux from here. And many are live CDs.

http://distrowatch.com/

Another tool in my tool box is a USB drive. I’ve gone usb drive mad! I have about six of them ranging from 40 gig to 200 gig. Currently I’m trying to learn how to back up & restore XP using Linux. To learn more about my what I’m trying to do view my post here.

http://www.device-image.de/forum/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=ae2b407f0485677680797fc983145e48

Before you run testdisk I think I would boot up a live Linux distro and if you are able to see the partition copy the files to the usb drive. Not sure if after running testdisk you cross a line of no return. At least using the Linux way you don’t disturb or make things worse.

I don’t know if this helps, not sure if you have a usb drive. This is just the off the wall way I do things & so far Its worked for me
Clark

 

[lemsip]

Hi Clark,

Do you know where i can get a copy of that Live Linux iso file?

I do have USB drive, they come in so handy this days.

Thanks,

Lemsip

 

[cgetty]

Hi lemsip
Linux takes a little getting use to, I'm determed to learn it!!

I'm still a GUI guy knoppix & Auditor use a desktop called KDE. It is close to a windows
interface, easier for me to get work done.

Here are some of my flavors I like

http://www.knoppix.com/

< Known for finding most hardware

http://www.remote-exploit.org/

< "Auditor" Security exploits, good for learning

http://www.pclinuxonline.com/pclos/index.html

< re size your XP partition while you Cruz the web.

http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/

< Very fast can load in to ram

http://www.kubuntu.org/

< found my wireless card

http://featherlinux.berlios.de

< Fast & small

http://www.goosee.com/puppy/

< look like win 95 fast & Small

Clark
cgetty@ci.azusa.ca.us
sgetty.ath.cx